Grow in Fellowship (#2 in Epiphany Series)

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2: 1- 5
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. 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.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus
Message: Grow in Fellowship (Epiphany series #2)
Epiphany to ignite growth
The meaning of the word Epiphany is: “sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something” and “an intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking”
For me epiphany is something of a realization - putting the peaces together or seeing a bigger picture
Epiphany completes the circle of Christmas celebrations with a lightbulb moment
It’s a “yes” to the whole Christmas experience
But the challenge is to let this “yes” transfer into something meaningful…
That is the idea of this sermon series - to let the “yes” for Christmas ignite growth - spiritual growth
This series will reflect on three areas of spiritual growth - worship, fellowship, service
I want to invite you to grow in this new year… let us grow together!
Christ-minded as a response
Paul is encouraging the Philippians to think about their connection to Jesus… through if-statements
If you find encouragement from being united with Christ…
If you are comforted by his love…
If you are generous because the Spirit moved you…
And if you are tender and compassionate…
Take your faith to a deeper level and grow to become Christ-minded
That is to live in the same love of Christ and to be one in Spirit and mind
Today, we are encouraged to respond when we think about our connection to Jesus
If you have an appreciation for what Jesus has done in your life… respond… grow… strive to be like Jesus in the way you live your life
Paul encourages us to resist selfish ambition or vain conceit in our lives - for it destroys relationships
The relationship mindset of Jesus
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”
Because Jesus was all for relationships
Just think about his relationship with Peter - Peter got to walk on water before his faith let him down…
But Jesus believed in him!
Think about John 21 where Jesus restores the relationship with Peter by helping him through his guilt
Jesus is the son of God
And God is a relationship God - God initiates a relationship with creation
God wants to be in a relationship with me and you!
God’s Son, Jesus shows us God’s relationship heart
Jesus touches lives, because Jesus loves people - deeply
Remember his Father sent Him to this world out of love - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” (John 3: 16)
Jesus looks at everyone He encounters with eyes of love
Fellowship - to look with the eyes of Jesus
Today, as we think about how we can grow in our fellowship with each other, Paul gives us the key: have the same mindset as Jesus
Be like Jesus
And look at each other with the eyes of Jesus…
Look with compassion - like when Jesus was moved by the suffering of people
Look with care - like when Jesus gave thousands who were hungry, something to eat
Look with warmth - like the many times Jesus sat down to have a meal with his friends
Look to help - like when Jesus was set on healing people
Look to forgive - like Jesus forgave those who crucified Him
Look to accept - like when Jesus had meals with sinners and outcasts
Look across boundaries - like when Jesus touched lepers and spoke to a Samaritan woman
Look to build lasting relationships - like Jesus had with his disciples
We all look to someone to model our behaviour on, whether consciously or on subconsciously
Why don’t we choose to look to Jesus?
Let us choose to be Christ-minded
Let us choose to look at each other with the eyes of Jesus
Let us grow in our fellowship
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