Characteristics of the Church
philippians 2:1-5

Paul used the Greek word 'paraklesis,' which means to encourage, comfort, exhort and strengthen. His objective was to exhort the Church at Philippi to remember four important characteristics of the Church: We are to be like-minded, have the same love, be of one accord and be of one mind. A strong Church will continue the vision of ministry and always work towards the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This means it is always on the move. When a Church stops moving, it becomes complacent.

Sometimes when the church is moving forward, friction develops. When we go out to evangelize for the cause of Christ, we are like sandpaper coming in contact with a rough surface. This produces challenges both inside and outside the body of Christ. There are challenges outside when we confront a world which refuses to accept Jesus Christ as Savior. There are challenges inside because we will always have differences in vision, desire, concern, emphasis and interest. There will be different ideas about which ministry or project should be undertaken. There will be natural conflict.  One preacher once told me that the devil would never mess with you unless you are doing a work for the Lord. The greater the work, the greater the challenges.

Realizing these things, Paul encouraged them to remember the four characteristics of the Church. If you've ever attended a Church meeting, you probably had your doubts about the free flow of these characteristics in the body of Christ. However, Paul was aware the power to fellowship was given through the Holy Spirit.  It is the Holy Spirit Who equips us to live the Christian life. It is the Holy Spirit Who creates a union between Believers. As one writer puts it, he melts and molds the heart of the Believer to the hearts of other Believers. He somehow attaches and connects us together to enable oneness so the Church should be unified in Christ.

In John 17:11, Jesus realized the importance of unity in the Church. So He prayed for the Church to becomes one just like there was oneness in the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But in order for oneness to exist, we must allow Christ to live in us so the life we live in the Body of Christ is lived to His glory. This means we are to be like-minded. We must all be on one accord. We must purpose in our hearts to let nothing interfere with the spirit of unity. When there is like-mindedness, there will be no murmuring, grumbling, or disturbance of unity. 

Sometimes, it seems like unity is the hardest thing for a Church to have. However, in John 14:18, Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Upon His departure, Jesus planned to send us the Holy Spirit, Who would give us the power to have the oneness Jesus later prayed about in John 17.

The Church ought to be reflective of the love of Christ. When Christ’s love flows from heart to heart in membership, members will love each other! The word used here is 'agape love.'  This is the love of Christ. It is sacrificial. It loves despite the treatment rendered by another. A songwriter said, "Put a little love in your heart, and the world will be a better place."  When the love of Christ is in the heart of the Church, its members may not always agree. Its members may experience difficulty in their relationships. But the Church is like a large family of children who sometimes have falling-outs! However, no matter how hard they fight, they always remember to love each other. Love is so important Jesus said in John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.”

Love will place us on one accord. Love will cause us to lay aside our differences and unite as one, producing one mind.

Paul then gave them some pointers to avoid impeding the operation of unity. In 2:3, he advised them that they were to, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” As a result, we should not be self-centered; instead, we ought to have the mind which says, “I’m going to put my brother first.”

I know even as I speak there are some who just don’t feel like this can be done. Maybe you know someone with whom you’ve tried very hard to build a relationship, but they refuse to return your kindness. And so you’re saying, “Pastor, that’s just not possible.” I know for some of you it may be easier said than done because you’ve known some people so long that if they changed right now, it would be difficult for you to change your mind about them. You’ve known them too long. Still, some of you have been hurt to the extent that every time you see a person, you feel a knot in your stomach. There are just painful feelings you can’t get out of your mind! Others are making their decisions based on how they were wrongfully treated years ago. They just can’t shake the hurt feelings because they just can’t get it out of their mind!

Maybe that’s where you are today, but Paul has the answer for you in verse 5. He said, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 helps us to understand if we are in Christ, we are a new creation. Old things have passed away and behold all things have become new. What we now have that we didn’t have before is power to forgive that person who hurt us in the past. We may still remember their action, but it no longer will affect us because with the mind of Christ, we now have something we didn’t have before! What is it? It is “THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS!”

Bibleway Ministries
July 27, 2008