Hello my name is

Pastor Tommy Norton Sr.

Come discover the uplifting and inspiring messages of the book of Philippians with us. Join our study group as we delve into the wisdom and guidance that this book has to offer. Let's grow together in faith and community.

Wednesday Nights at 7:00 PM

1223 Main Street Texarkana, TX

THE STEPS TO UNITY, 2:1–18

A. Bearing the Traits of Christ’s Life, 2:1–4(2:1–4) Introduction: the Philippian church was a strong church—a very strong church. When a church is strong, it is always full of vision and planning, and it is always working out a strategy to carry forth the gospel. A strong church launches ministry after ministry and program after program. It is never still and never complacent—neither the minds of the people nor the hands of the people. Because of this, there is always the danger of differences of opinion: differences in vision, desires, concern, emphasis, and interest. There are always different ideas as to which ministry or project should be undertaken and supported and a host of other differences.
The point is this: the more strength and activity a church has, the more attention it must give to unity. Why? Because a strong church has more minds and bodies working, and where more people are working more differences are bound to arise. Consequently, the members must give more attention to unity.

Paul knew this; he knew that he had to put the Philippian church on guard. The church had to protect itself against disunity and division. This is the subject of chapter two: The Steps to Unity (2:1–18).
The first step to unity is Christ—allowing His life to be lived out in us. In particular there are seven traits that will hold the church together and keep it unified.

1. The trait of consolation (v. 1).
2. The trait of love (v. 1).
3. The trait of fellowship in the Spirit (v. 1).
4. The trait of compassion (v. 1).
5. The trait of concern for one another’s joy (v. 2).
6. The trait of humility or lowliness of mind (v. 3).
7. The trait of controlling self-interest or concentration on self (v. 4).

Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Galatians–Colossians, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 267.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.