Your Best Love, 2
Preaching Notes
Philippians 2:1-11
I. Faith is Foundation of Marriage
A. If any statements
encouragement in Christ
comfort from love
participation in the Spirit
affection
sympathy
B. Then … Complete my joy
C. Relate to spouse based on experience of God
Rather than how they relate to you
NOT what they deserve
D. Side note – be equally yoked
Marry a believer
==> equal basis for relationship
Otherwise God is not part of equation
For how they treat you
II. Be of One Mind
A. That mysterious union (Ephesians 5:31-32)
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
B. Unique unity – rarely seen in marriage
by being of the same mind
having the same love
being in full accord
Rare and unseen in marriage – vs 5
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus
Because it’s a unity with Christ and each other
C. Practical Aspect – Could not come from O or Dr. Phil
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit
In humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Look not only to his own interests,
Look to the interests of others.
This sounds great
But it is not the world’s way
World is egocentric
I, me, and mine are operative
My rights
My desires
My freedom
Independence reigns in so many marriages
III. Example of Jesus
A. Verse 5
Have this mind … which is yours in Christ Jesus
Be Jesus to one another (back to Ephesians 5: 22 and 24, submit)
Think and do like him in relationship
Paul lists 3 unique characteristics about Jesus
In relationship to and love of us
B. Verse 6
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped
No claims to
title, honor, rights
based on who He was
Hear these claims in counseling all the time
I did … I have …
C. Verse 7
emptied himself
by taking the form of a servant
being born in the likeness of a man
Gave up his
Prestige
Honor
Title as Lord
Privilege
Comfort
To become a servant
to the ones He loved
Serving is the position taken by Christians
Yet is held in disdain in so many marriages
Spouses so focused on rights and equality
Lose the secret of growing love – service
D. Verse 8
being found in human form,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Humbled himself
Rather than waiting to be humbled
Became obedient
Even when it killed him
Even when painful
Do what your spouse needs, desires, requests
Before asked
When asked
This requires knowing your spouse well
Which means you observe, take interest
Mundane, everyday, and special
Also requires
Giving up your needs, desires, requests
Know each other’s needs in general
Men and Women have different needs
Book: His Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley, Jr
IV. Then Comes the Joy and Blessings
God has highly exalted Jesus
Bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
So that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth
every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
To the glory of God the Father.
This means
Your honor, your glory
Comes AFTER
doing these things
Not before
Often here spouses
Wanting to be honored, glorified, held in esteem
Do not demand it
Live like Jesus
It will come
Naturally
Supernaturally
Bread Crumbs - Devotions for Life 
Wow Rus, This is great. This is the truly Christ like perspective. So many books on marriage, even Christian ones, focus on rights and feelings and not on what the Word of God says or on laying down our lives for each other in a sacrificial way. You’ve hit the nail on the head. I pray that many will listen to you and take to heart what you have to say.
Blessings!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dan, thank the Lord. He provides inspiration, I only provide perspiration.