Sermons About Egocentric
Philippians 2:1-11 : Cruciforming BAD Attitudes
Paul's main concern here in Ch 2 is the unity of the Philippians which is essential to their maintaining a clear witness for Christ in the world. In vs 1-2 he calls on them to be one in mind, spirit and purpose, then in vs 3-4 he identifies unity killers: selfish ambition and the hunger for personal glory. And now we come to vs 6 where Paul calls on the Philippians to have what I will be referring to as a Cruciformed Attitude. Verses 6-11 is sometimes referred to as the "hymn of Christ" and thought to have been written as such by some of the first Christians. It is considered by many commentators and scholars to be the most important part of the letter. We might be tempted to see these verses as strictly theological. Certainly it is theological in and of itself, but Paul's motive is not to teach theology but to teach ethics. He is making a point of direct application to the specific problem in the Church - the disruption of unity by rivaling, selfish bad attitudes.
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