1. When a person gets saved all his problems are not over. His biggest problem is over – i.e. he is no longer lost and on his way to hell. He is no longer under the wrath of God; he is no longer condemned.
2. But all his problems are not over. The apostle Paul had his share of problems. For example, some people were attempting "to add infliction" to his bonds (Phil.1:16).
3. But Paul never let these difficulties rob him of his joy (1:18; 2:2,17,18; 3:1; 4:4,10,11).
4. What really concerned Paul was two ladies in the church who were at odds with each other (4:1-4). And so he exhorts them to unity and meekness (2:1-4).
5. It is a fact that most church fights are not over doctrine but over selfishness and strife. A few years ago, a church in Dallas, Texas had a big fight. The division became so serious that the two factions filed lawsuits against each other, each one attempting to dispossess the other and claim the church property for themselves.
6. The litigation came out in the newspapers and many people followed the court proceedings. The judge finally ruled that it was not in the province of the civil court to settle the dispute until it had first been aired before the church courts. So the matter was referred to a denominational tribunal. Eventually the church court awarded the property to one of the two factions, and the losers left to organize a new church. It was reported in the newspapers that this big, expensive court battle all began when an elder at a church dinner received a smaller slice of ham than a child seated next to him. Obviously, many unsaved people had a big laugh when the report came out!
7. Personally, I doubt if most, if any, of those people were truly saved. But it was different at Philippi. Since the believers at the church in Philippi were "in Christ" (2:1), there ought to have been true unity, not division or rivalry. Therefore, Paul calls for meekness and humility, with the Lord Jesus Christ being our great example (2:5).
8. Paul was already full of joy. Now he asks the saints at Philippi to fill his cup to overflowing – "Fulfill ye my joy…" (2:2a).

1. THIS JOY COMES FROM A SINGLE MIND
2. THIS JOY COMES FROM A SUBMISSIVE MIND
3. THIS JOY COMES FROM AN UNSELFISH MIND

I. A SINGLE MIND (2:1,2).

1. The secret of joy in spite of difficult circumstances is a single mind.
2. The Holy Spirit brings unity to the local church (2:1; cf. Eph.4:1-6).
3. Christians must be "like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind" (2:2).
4. This does not mean that church members will always think alike or act alike, but there will be harmony and unity when they are right with God.
5. "Like-minded" (2:2) means to have the mind of Christ (cf. 2:5) – to see things as He would see them, and to act as He would act. If we are all "of one mind" (2:2), there will not be any divisions or strife in the church.
6. To have "the same love" (2:2) means to show the same love to others that the Lord has shown unto us (cf. Eph.5:25).
7. "Being of one accord" (2:2) means being able to work together in harmony toward a common goal (building fund, bond program, renovation work, etc.).

II. A SUBMISSIVE MIND (2:3).

1. A single mind speaks of unity. A submissive mind speaks of meekness. There cannot be unity without meekness. As long as there are believers asserting themselves and trying to call the shots, there will be disunity.
2. Nothing whatever should be "done through strife or vainglory" (2:3). I remember years ago at a trustees meeting, one brother gave a devotional. His message was similar to this and it was on joy. He used this acronym for joy: JESUS first, OTHERS second, then YOURSELF last!
3. Paul says, "nothing" should be done through strife or vainglory; "but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (2:3). This means we should put others’ interests above our own.
4. Andrew Murray said being humble does not mean thinking poorly of yourself – it means not thinking of yourself at all (cf. Rom.12:3).
5. Many years ago, back when the Salvation Army used to preach the Gospel, they had a big convention but there was a question whether or not General Booth could make it. He was very sick and getting old. The convention started but General Booth was not there. Soon, word spread that he was going to send a telegram. Everyone eagerly awaited his message, and soon it was read from the platform: "OTHERS" (cf. 2:4).
6. I wish we had more Baptists like General Booth! Do you know how God called him to preach? An infidel challenged him one day by asking him if he really believed that unsaved people were punished forever in a hot, fiery hell. William Booth said yes, he believed that. The infidel then said: "Sir, if I believed that I would crawl all over London over broken glass on my hands and knees warning people!" William Booth started preaching.
7. If we have a single mind that is really the mind of Christ, and we have a submissive mind that is always thinking of others, then we will automatically have an unselfish mind.

III. AN UNSELFISH MIND (2:4).

1. Paul put it this way in II Cor.4:5, "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake."
2. Again, our great example is the Lord Jesus (Phil.2:5-8).
3. The solution to all of the problems in our churches (and in the world for that matter) is to be more concerned with "the things (interests, needs, their situation) of others" (2:4).
4. Why did Christ come down from the glories of heaven to this earth? It was for others. As He hung on the cross, His enemies looked up and said: "He saved others; Himself He cannot save" (Mark 15:31).
5. Why should we carry the Gospel to the four corners of the world? For others.

CONCLUSION:

1. H.A. Ironside wrote: "Alas, that it is so much easier to speak or write of these things than to practically demonstrate them. It is not in the natural man to live out what is here inculcated. The man after the flesh ‘looks out for number one,’ as he puts it, and is fond of reminding himself, and his fellows, that ‘charity begins at home.’"
2. Others, Lord, yes, others,
   Let this my motto be;
   Help me to live for others,
   That I might live like Thee — Charles D. Meigs.