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(Philippians 2:1-2 NIV) Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
(2 Corinthians 1:24 NLT) But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
(Philippians 2:3-4 NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
√ GRANDSTANDING.
√ Pursuing PRAISE.
(1 Thessalonians 2:5-6 NIV) You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed–God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, . . .
(Philippians 2:5-11 NIV) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death– even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place (REMEMBER THIS) and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Hebrews 12:2 NLT) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
√ Joy is best kept by SERVING.
1. Go ALL IN with God.
(Philippians 2:12-13 NIV) Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
(Philippians 2:17-18 NIV) But even if I am being poured out (EVEN IF I AM ALL IN) like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
2. Take SECOND PLACE.
(Philippians 2:19-21 NLT) Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.
(1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV) so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
3. A life of INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
(Philippians 2:25 NIV) But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
(Philippians 1:7-8 NLT) So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 2:14-15 NLT) Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
(1 Peter 5:6 NLT) So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
√ We HUMBLE ourselves and God EXALTS us.
