“BODY BUILDING- THE LEGO CHURCH” Philippians 2:1-4

1 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, (Philippians 2:1)

2 then make my joy complete by being like- minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Philippians 2:2)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

I. Introduction What are you building?

II. The Call to Unity in Christ

27 Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel...” (Philippians 1:27)

5 In your relationships with one another have the same attitude and mind Christ Jesus had... (Philippians 2:5)

“Every act of self-control of the Christian is also a service to the fellowship. Every member serves the whole body, either to its health or destruction.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

“We are not to stand in the world and witness to Jesus, but to stand in Jesus and witness to the world.” Eddie Gibbs

III. THE BLESSINGS CHRIST HAS BUILT IN US

III. The Blessings Christ has built in us The blessing of Christ’s Salvation 1 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ…”

III. The Blessings Christ has built in us The blessing of Christ’s love “… if any comfort from his love,”

III. The Blessings Christ has built in us The blessing of Christ’s Fellowship “… if any fellowship with the Spirit,”

III. The Blessings Christ has built in us The blessing of Christ’s Compassion “… if any tenderness and compassion,”

Practical Application Take a look at your life; and at your church, in what ways have you/the church received: The blessing of Christ’s encouragement? The blessing of Christ’s love? The blessing of Christ’s fellowship? The blessing of Christ’s compassion?

IV. THE BLESSINGS FROM CHRIST WE BUILD IN OT HERS (Verses 2-4)

“Life can be understood backwards: but it must be lived forward.” (Soren Kierkegaard)

LEGOS Legos work best in connection and relationship to others. Legos are better together, than apart. Legos are harder to separate after they have been together a long time and under stress

LEGO Church A few quick facts: 1 ½ year of planning, building and photographing. 75,000 pieces 7 feet by 5 ½ feet by 30 inches Seats 1,372 lego people 3976 windows

IV. The Blessings from Christ we build in others 2 then make my joy complete 1. The blessing of being (L) Like-minded ”by being like-minded...” (Encouragement in Unity – an appeal to our head)

(L) Like- Minded (Encouragement in Unity)

IV. The Blessings from Christ we build in others 2. The blessing of an (E) Enfolding Love having the same love, (Comfort from Love – An appeal to our heart)

(E) Enfolding Love (Comfort from Love)

IV. The Blessings from Christ we build in others 3. The blessing of a unified (G) goal being one in spirit and purpose. (Fellowship with the Spirit – An appeal to our hands)

(G) Unified Goal (Fellowship with the Spirit)

IV. The Blessings from Christ we build in others 4. The blessing of (O) obedient lifestyle 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

(O) Obedient Lifestyle (Compassion)

Our Attitudes: (Negatively) Surrender our superiority: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (Positively) Serve Selflessly: Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Our Actions: not only looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others

Put yourself aside, help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (The Message)

IV. Conclusion/Application: Christ’s Model for Unity “ 5 In your relationships with one another have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had...”