5. Exhortation to Unity—Part II (Philippians 2:1-4)

The Subject/Complement and Exegetical Outline

Subject/Complement: Paul’s command for the Philippians to be unified in one mind and purpose is based on their personal experience of certain spiritual realities and the humble attitude of seeking others first.

A. The Command: Be Unified (2:1-2)

1. The Grounds for an Appeal to Unity (2:1)

a. Encouragement in Christ

b. Comfort Provided by Love

c. Fellowship in the Spirit

d. Affection or Mercy

2. The Command To Unity (2:2)

a. The Command Proper

b. The Nature of the Command

B. The Application: Looking Out for Others (2:3-4)

1. Treat Others as More Important than Self

2. Be Concerned about the Interests of Others

Homiletical Subject/Complement and the Teaching/Preaching Outline

Underlying Questions: What is the spiritual context of unity and what does it look like practically?

Underlying Homiletical Question: How to stick together in tough times of persecution or opposition.

Homiletical Subject/Complement (Big Idea): In tough times, stick together by drawing on your spiritual resources and by humbly looking to the interests of others first. The exegetical outline will work fairly directly as a homiletical outline. All you need to do is give the appropriate textual details, illustrations, and applications.

A. The Command: Be Unified (2:1-2)

1. The Grounds for an Appeal to Unity (2:1)

a. Encouragement in Christ

b. Comfort Provided by Love

c. Fellowship in the Spirit

d. Affection or Mercy

2. The Command to Unity (2:2)

a. The Command Proper

b. The Nature of the Command

B. The Application: Looking Out for Others (2:3-4)

1. Treat Others as More Important than Self

2. Be Concerned about the Interests of Others