our focus

Paul, the apostle, clearly loved the people who were a part of the body of believers in Philippi.

And is his letter to them he offers practical advice, encouragement, correction, & hope.

In the first half of this passage, Paul kinda takes them to task about their self-centeredness.

But then he offers the way Jesus lived His life as an example of how to be more others oriented.

I think the power statement is "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."

The longer I live, the more I realize that follow Jesus boils down to 4 words: love God, love people.

Give this passage a read, & give it some thought...



Philippians 2

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?

     Any comfort from his love?

     Any fellowship together in the Spirit?

     Are your hearts tender and compassionate?


2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other,

     loving one another,

     and working together with one mind and purpose.


3 Don't be selfish;

don't try to impress others.

Be humble,

     thinking of others as better than yourselves.

4 Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.


5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.



6 Though He was God,

  He did not think of equality with God

  as something to cling to.


7 Instead, He gave up his divine privileges;

  He took the humble position of a slave

  and was born as a human being.

When He appeared in human form,

8   He humbled Himself in obedience to God

  and died a criminal's death on a cross.



9 Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor

  and gave Him the name above all other names,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,


11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

  to the glory of God the Father.