Is it Too Much? Philippians 2:1 – 4. Does Paul Go Over the Top? Paul finishes the 1 st chapter of...
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Transcript of Is it Too Much? Philippians 2:1 – 4. Does Paul Go Over the Top? Paul finishes the 1 st chapter of...
Is it Too Much?
Philippians 2:1 – 4
Does Paul Go Over the Top?
Paul finishes the 1st chapter of Philippians speaking of suffering. Obviously this is something on his mind and on the mind of the people of Philippi.
The Egnatian Marketplace in Philippi
Paul calls suffering a privilege…
For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him, since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing. NET BIBLE
The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt
His concern is obviously a concern of the congregation…
• His cure for this concern comes in Philippians 2:1 – 4…
• We will be looking at the text and how it was heard and is heard
• How does this prelude to the Christ hymn fit in with Paul and our theology?
Hieroglyphic of an Egyptian Doctor
Philippians 2:1 – 4 Net Bible
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, complete my joy andbe of the same mind, by having the samelove, being united in spirit, and having onepurpose. Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concernednot only about your own interests, but aboutinterests of others as well.
What is Paul exhorting the Philippians to do?
How would these words sound to the Philippians? How about in modern times? Specifically…
what does it mean…
To be of one mind, but to be a slave?Or to be a conscripted soldier following the orders of others?
To be of one accord, but to be in prison?
Martin Luther King, Birmingham Jail
Alcatraz Prison, San Francisco
To look after the interests of others in
times of financial hardship, famine,
hunger or disease?
Tsunami by Hokusai
To be of one love in a time of war?
To be of one spirit when people are divided?
Band of Brothers by Don Troiani
And since this is building up to the Christ hymn, and our struggles are
compared to his…what does it mean to try to follow in the example of
Jesus? Corpus-African-American Crucifixby Witgor Szostalo
In literature there are a few different ways of looking at what seems to be
impossible…namely living the perfect life
The Voyage of Life: Youth by Thomas Cole
Literary Examples: The Grail
• In Arthurian legend, all of King Arthurs knights search for the Holy Grail.
• Many of the knights fail, including Launcelot, Gawain and the other `best knights’ because they are sinful
"The Dream of Sir Lancelot at the Chapel of the Holy Grail"by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones[An angel announces the failure of his quest due to his passion for Guinevere.]
Literary Examples: The Grail
• In the end of the quest, only three knights: Galahad, Bors and Percival succeed.
• In versions of the story, these knights ask God to kill them after tasting from the Grail. They have already achieved the best they can hope in the mortal life.
Sir Galahad by Arthur Hughes
Literary Examples: Sodom & Jeremiah…
• In Genesis 18, Abraham asks that God not destroy the city if 10 righteous men can be found…
• In Jeremiah 5 we find this: “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look around and take note! Search it’s sqaures and see if you can find one person who acts justly and seeks truth – so that I may pardon Jerusalem.”
Literary Example: Les Miserables
• One of the most intriguing characters is Jean Valjean, who we are introduced to at first is a criminal…
• but after an act of kindness and forgiveness, Valjean devotes his life to helping others.
Literary Examples: Genesis, Philippians
• Abraham is reckoned as righteous even though he does some things that aren’t (such as the infamous, my wife is actually my sister trick)
• Paul says this himself: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NRSV
Does Paul Think the
Philippians Can Fulfill
his Requests?
How would the Philippians hear this encouragement from the Paul
• Does it even seem reasonable to us?
• How about to the Philippians?
• How are we to speak this parable in the parish?
• Is it possible to live the life that Paul wants here?