“Joy’s Perspective” (Philippians 2:1-18) by Dave Bechtel

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Here are the sermon questions with the answers we were driving towards:

Take some time to pray together for Pastor Dave as he prepares the Easter message. Pastor Dave will ask us to pray for him as he prepares the Easter message for the Richland campus. We are hoping you will do this together some time during your small group meeting.

1. Read Luke 10:20-21. What are the two reasons for joy? What fills you with joy? The two reasons are 1) that our names are written in heaven and 2) that the Father revealed Himself to His disciples. Answers will vary on what gives each person joy. We are hoping to help people reconsider the difference between joy and happy in this question.
2. Read Philippians 2:1-18 and discuss the following:
   1. Describe how our joy can be filled by others (v 2-4, 17-18). Paul’s joy is complete when those he has poured his life into are living “right”; when we are connected to others, joy can flow both ways. We experience joy when we please others; joy in others is contagious; the bottom line is our life’s greater joys require us to be spiritually connected with others.
   2. Why are verses 6-11 called the “kenosis” (Greek for “emptying”)? The eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing Second Person of the Godhead - Jesus Christ “emptied” Himself to become human. He became totally dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit to live righteously and looked to His Father and His Father’s Word for his strength and direction. We too are to “empty” ourselves of selfishness and self will and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
   3. How are we to think like Jesus (v. 5-11)? The 5 P’s, or 5 “I will’s” summarize how we are to think. See question 7 for the list.
   4. When we share the mindset of Jesus, what happens (Point IIB, v 12-14)? we work out our salvation with fear and trembling; we do everything without complaining or arguing.
3. What do you think it meant for Jesus to empty himself (v. 7 ESV or NASB Bible versions)? Brainstorm ways we can do that (Gal 2:20)? Pastor Dave said that Jesus emptied himself not of His attributes as God but to the independent use of those attributes. Jesus lived liked us, a human. He was totally dependent on the Holy Spirit, His Father and His Father’s Word. We empty ourselves by taking on the “I will” statements listed in question 7.
4. What does it mean to “work out your salvation…for it is God who works in you” (v 12-13)? What does it NOT mean? Working out our salvation….for it is God who works in you” is in reference to our willing partnership, obedience, and desire to be sanctified as God leads us; it does not man that we justify ourselves; it does not mean that we glorify ourselves; it does not mean that we sanctify ourselves; and it does not mean that God alone sanctifies us.
5. In what ways did you complain today? How does this steal your joy and the joy of others? answers will vary but complaining and arguing destroy corporate joy. We stop focusing on what God is doing and move into the opposite of the “I will” statements. It is contagious and spreads to others, killing our joy.
6. Who has poured into your life spiritually (v. 17)? Who are/could you pour into? we are hoping this question will offer an opportunity for someone to ask to be mentored, to ask about a way to serve in ministry, or to re-commit to pouring their life out for the group, as parents, as a spouse, etc.
7. Review and discuss the “I will” statements Pastor Dave developed. What might the Lord be prompting you to do? answers will vary
   1. I will give up my rights (privilege)
   2. I will humble myself and not live as a God or god (position)
   3. I will use my life to serve others sacrificially (posture)
   4. I will bear what my Father asks me to bear without complaint and with grateful obedience (perseverance)
   5. I will bring honor to my Father (purpose)
8. Challenge: Using Scripture, how would you support the belief that Jesus is both fully human AND fully God? Philippians 2 shows us that Jesus became human and Scripture show us that he was born, ate, drank, slept, had feelings, etc. (Lk 2:52; Jn. 11:353; Heb. 2:14; 1 Jn 1:1-3) He was fully human. He also was fully God and stated so in his various “I am” statements (Jn 4:26; 6:20, 35, 48, 51: 8:12, 18, 24, 28, 58, etc). John 1:1-2, 18; 5:17-18; 8:58-59, 10:30-33 and 20:28 also teach that Jesus is God. This is a mystery and is difficult to understand. He is fully man and fully God without mixture, change, confusion, or division of two natures (Col. 2:9; 1 Tim 3:16). Often we liken it to Clark Kent and Superman but this is incorrect, he was fully human. Or we think of the Hulk but this is incorrect, Jesus is fully God. Or we think of Spiderman which is incorrect - its a mixture, not both in full.