(Phi 2:1)
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,(Phi 2:2)
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.If we want to know why there are so many fights and quarrels among church members, here it is. We do not love one another as Christ has loved us. We do not. If we did we would not want to get our own way. We would not want to hear bad about our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. We would visit when they are sick, we would grieve with them when they go through a trial, we would restore them when they fail, and we would put them ahead of ourselves. Again we are exhorted to be of the same mind and one accord. God loves it when we agree as touching anything. When we pray in the same mind and one accord, it is powerful and brings results because God is pleased with such things.
I will mention again that this does not mean that we compromise with sin and agree to false doctrine of course but we are to be of the same mind and one accord in truth. We are not to fuss and feud over trivial things. Some believe its okay to have church suppers and others do not. Let everyone be fully persuaded in their own minds on those kind of things and leave each other alone, allowing each member to live by their own conscience. In essential doctrines of salvation, we must agree and be of the same mind. If you know someone who chooses not to celebrate Christmas for any reason, leave them alone and do not criticize their beliefs for the matter is not essential to salvation. We don't have to celebrate Christmas to be saved. I remember someone who thought it was a sin not to teach children about Santa Claus. She was shocked to discover that Santa Claus is not taught in my household. I had a time convincing her that I was not a heathen. All this silly stuff is avoided by reading the bible and walking in love.
If we are in a place where we can't agree and we absolutely can't overcome the disagreement in love then it would be better to find a congregation in which our conscience agrees with the teachings that are being taught. We must try not to cause division and strife, thereby hindering the work of God in that place. Paul and Barnabus once has a serious disagreement. They both went their separate ways each taking a brother with them. Was this evil? Who knows, but good came of it. We now had two missionary journeys instead of just one.
(Phi 2:3)
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.This is just the opposite of today's world where everyone wants to get ahead and outdo everyone else. We seek to exalt ourselves above others rather than be on equal basis or preferring one another in love. That is why the Lord showed the example of humility to His disciples when he washed His disciples' feet. He was showing them not to think too highly of themselves but think of themselves as servants. Although we are to respect the pastor of our churches and support them, they are not to be as Lords and exalt themselves higher than their congregations. Someone has to be in charge and be a leader but they must be humble and realize that they too can get into error and are not above failing. They only stand by the grace and power of God and have to answer to God on how they lead the congregation. They are to be respected and loved but not to the point of idolatry and thinking of them as on the same level as God. Had the people who followed Jim Jones, not thought this man on the same level with God, those people would still be living today.
True, the bible says "Touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm," but this must be taken in the context it is written. This does not mean that we follow blindly a pastor who falls into error and no longer is following God. We follow God period and when the pastor stops following God, we continue following God. If a man of God stops teaching the word of God in truth, then I don't think he could possibly be anointed of God. If he teaches a false doctrine then I don't think he is a prophet.
This doesn't mean that he can't be wrong about a certain doctrine and just disagree on a few matters that is not essential but if a pastor sins in a way that we know from scripture, it is sin, then we must not follow him into that error. The minute old Jim Jones threw down the bible and exalted himself on the same level with God, his congregation should have run to the nearest exit and never returned.
Nothing should be done to get glory to ourselves whether this is the pastor or a member of the congregation. Nothing should be done in strife.
Strife is contention for superiority. We are not to exalt ourselves and appear to be higher than anyone. Lowliness of mind is encouraged in this epistle.
A pastor should not think that since he is called of God his congregation have no right to question anything he says or does. The congregation needs to remain in a submissive meek spirit but they never should go along with evil in departing from the word of God. The best thing to do is pray always for the one in charge because the brunt of the responsibility is his. They need prayer constantly.
1Pe 5:2
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;That says it all.
(Phi 2:4)
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.This too is the exact opposite of what we see in today's world. Everyone is out for himself.
(Phi 2:5)
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:(Phi 2:6)
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:(Phi 2:7)
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:(Phi 2:8)
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Jesus truly is our example. Not only did he do this but also washed feet.
Joh 13:3
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;(Phi 2:9)
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:Jesus was obedient until His death on the cross and is now exalted above all and every name. He has supreme authority.
Mat 23:11
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.(Phi 2:10)
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;(Phi 2:11)
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.This will truly come to pass. All will recognize and see who the Lord is and every knee shall bow to Jesus Christ the one who was despiesed and rejected. Hallelujah.
(Phi 2:12)
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.Don't be quick to judge and pick on a brother but work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. In humility of spirit and always seeking God for His will to be done in our lives so that we live holy and lead others in the way of righteousness. The greatest love we can show to someone is to lead them to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
(Phi 2:13)
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.This is the will of God that we do good and love one another and avoid evil. It pleases God to see us in the same mind and one accord serving each other in love and unity of good things.
(Phi 2:14)
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:This is our weakness right here. We cannot keep from complaining about something. If we see a fault, first let us take it to God in prayer and diligently search the scriptures on the subject. It may be that we will be glad that we first went to God if He shows us that it is a minor thing that is trivial. Never should we complain to our family and friends things about our pastor without his knowledge. There is a way to disagree yet keep unity. If someone sins there is a scriptural way of correction without resorting to murmuring and complaining.
Gal 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.(Phi 2:15)
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;May be set an example by being blameless. The scripture has so much instructions on how our behavior should be both in the church and among unbelievers. Most of our troubles come not because we are being persecuted for the cause of Christ but because of our own mistakes.
(Phi 2:16)
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.The secret of a life that is fruitful is walking continually in the spirit in which we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
(Phi 2:17)
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.(Phi 2:18)
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.(Phi 2:19)
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.(Phi 2:20)
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.(Phi 2:21)
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.This is the difference between and real man of God and one that is only out for gain. A real man of God is interested in what is of Jesus Christ. He wants to save the lost, edify the believers and obey God in all things.
I went to bible study one time and forgot to turn off my cell phone. My daughter called me, not knowing I was in bible study. I quickly apologized and left the room to answer the phone. The pastor did not react in a manner like, "I'll dare someone interrupt the service." Instead, his attitude was, "That's okay, someone might need you."
I've noticed that attitude in him many times. His whole reason for having a church is someone might have a need. Someone might need help. Someone needs to find Jesus Christ. I've met lots of pastors and many are fine men of God but I have never seen one like this one. He is a true servant of Jesus Christ and is completely unselfish in all his ways. I pray everyday for him never to change unless of course God does the changing.
(Phi 2:22)
But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.(Phi 2:23)
Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.(Phi 2:24)
But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.(Phi 2:25)
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.(Phi 2:26)
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.Look at this attitude here. Here was a person more concerned with people being worried about his sickness than he was worried about his own sickness. That is just the opposite than wanting people to feel sorry for us when we are suffering in some way.
(Phi 2:27)
For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.(Phi 2:28)
I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.(Phi 2:29)
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:(Phi 2:30)
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.Some do work so hard at the ministry that they neglect the proper rest. I sometimes think our pastor is like that. I read that some pioneer preachers who traveled the circuit were that way. One of which was Francis Asbury. Some do not regard their lives but give themselves completely to God's service. These truly are following Jesus Christ and are faithful to the ministry. We should daily pray for them that God would grant them strength physically as well as anoint them with His Spirit as they follow God's calling.