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? Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM

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About The Author

Reverend D. Blackburn... 1. Is an ordained Baptist Minister

` 2. Has studied in four theological institutions 3. Has over 20 years of ministry experience 4. Loves expositional preaching or expository preaching 5. Loves writing sermons

? Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM

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Table of Contents

Terms and Conditions.............................................................................................................................. 2 About The Author..................................................................................................................................... 3 Dwelling Together in Harmony .............................................................................................................. 5 Sharing Christ with Great Enthusiasm................................................................................................. 15 Putting God First in all Things ............................................................................................................. 21 Grasping the Declarations of the Cross .............................................................................................. 30

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Dwelling Together in Harmony

(Philippians 2:1-4)

Question: What brings you great delight? What brings you great joy?

I thought about those questions and came to the conclusion that many things bring me great delight.

I delight greatly in reading books. I enjoy reading. I just wish I had more time to read.

I delight greatly in writing. I enjoy putting my thoughts down on paper.

I delight greatly in my work. I get great satisfaction out of encouraging people to grow in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I delight greatly in my family. They bring me great enjoyment (some heartache at times).

I delight greatly in seeing people going on for the Lord. I get great satisfaction out of seeing people maturing in the Lord.

You know we feel many things but delight seems to be one of the most enjoyable. It is a satisfying feeling to be delighted.

Do you know that God has feelings of delight? Do you know that there are certain things that bring great delight to God?

Proverbs tell us that God delights in honesty (Proverbs 11:1)

Proverbs tell us that God delights in prayer (Proverbs 15:8)

? Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM

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more-free-online- King David tells us in the Psalms that God delights in harmony.

Psalm 133:1, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity."

In fact, King David likened the unity of Gods people to the fragrant perfume that was used in anointing Aaron as priest.

As someone said, "It was poured on Aarons head, then ran down on his beard, and from there to the edge of his robe. The pleasing scent was enjoyed not only by the priest himself but by everyone in the vicinity.

When you smell a fragrant perfume, what is your response? Thats nice I like that.

In the same way, when Gods people dwell together in unity, it brings great delight to God and to others.

Also, King David likened the unity of Gods people to that of the refreshing dew of Mount Hermon.

The dew of Mount Hermon symbolized that which was fresh and invigorating. In other words, there is freshness about Gods people dwelling together harmony.

As someone said, "No one can measure how far reaching is the influence or impact of believers who walk in fellowship with God and with one another."

Not only is it a delight to be part of a church that is unified, but also it is attractive to others. There is something nice and refreshing about it.

? Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM

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In this passage of Scripture, the apostle Paul urges his readers to dwell together in harmony. After all, not only will we be blessed, but also we will be a blessing to others.

As I read this passage, I believe Paul presents three principles for dwelling together in harmony.

Before we look at these three principles, lets look at the context in which Paul urged his readers to dwell together in harmony.

The apostle Paul founded the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey in AD 49.

In Acts 16, it tells us that Paul shared the gospel with a group of women (16:13).

Lydia heard the gospel and she became a Christian. Lydia was Pauls first convert in Philippi.

Later a slave girl who was demon possessed came to faith in Christ. This was Pauls second convert.

While Paul was in Philippi, he was thrown into prison for preaching the gospel. But through that experience, a Philippian jailer and his family became Christians.

It seems out of these converts the church emerged.

Now, twelve or so years later, Paul was under house arrest in Rome, and the Philippian Church sent their pastor, Epaphroditus, to minister to Paul and bring a gift.

It would seem that Epaphroditus shared with Paul that there was disunity in the church at Philippi.

? Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM

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more-free-online- It seems that there was rivalry between some members and tension between others.

In fact, Paul named two specific persons, Euodia and Syntyche. So, Paul wrote them this letter to thank them for their gift and to urge them to dwell together in harmony.

Thats the context in which Paul gave these three principles.

The first principle for dwelling together in harmony involves...

1. Having a unity of focus (2:1)

I believe focus is so important to harmony. If our focus is right, then usually harmony prevails. If our focus is wrong, then anything may prevail.

Paul gave four focal points that lead to harmony.

A. The first focal point is encouragement in Christ (2:1a)

Look at the beginning of verse 1, "If there is any consolation in Christ, and there is...fulfill my joy by dwelling together in harmony."

Christ is the key to any harmonious relationship--if it be in the church, if it be in the family or if it be in a marriage relationship.

Christ is the one who draws people together.

Ephesians 2:14 says, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us."

When our focus is on Christ, harmony will prevail.

? Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM

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