These notes have not yet been put into an "easy to read" format (they are my speaking notes) but, I do believe that they contain a lot of helpful information if you are studying this section of Scripture.

Words directly from Scripture are in purple.
Exercises/Prompts are in red.

Phl.2:1
If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship (sharing/one town drinking of the same fountain) of the Spirit, if any affection and mercies
*PROMPT-Look at the list—take 1 minute—think of instances of how you have experienced consolation, comfort, or fellowship of the Spirit.  Then, let yourself experience it now.  Give a prayer of thanks!

Since we have been given these things…then…

Phl 2:2
Fulfil ye my joy—Making Paul Joyful--it will also  make our joy complete
that ye be likeminded—same  opinion of yourselves—harmonious
having the same love,--Same as above—(autos) having the same love
[being] of one accord,--lit=same soul (united/harmonious)-like a symphony-many
                                      instruments working in unity to make one beautiful sound
of one mind.—thinking, feeling, understanding.

Phl 2:3
This verse is the how…
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition—ambition is not bad-just when it is selfish
or conceit-thinking more of yourself than you are
but in lowliness of mind –Humility-not the absence of importance or power, but setting
                                          that aside as less important
let each esteem others better than themselves.-mutually/reciprocally “lift others up more than yourself”—Highly regard others as deserving of love…why?...Christ died for them!!

Phl 2:4
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.—Don’t look out ONLY for myself—think about this…even a “good deed” could be for my own best interest!
Go to Acts 2:42-47-an example of vs.4, but also pulls together vs.2-4
*PROMT-ask yourself...from Acts—“One thing that looks appealing to me is_______,
                  one thing I would have a difficult time with is______.”    (exposes flesh)

Phl 2:5
The perfect example of vs. 2-4!
Let this mind be in you—These are instructions! “Think like or have this opinion of yourself” --It’s a choice, will I let this mind (the mind of Christ) be in me??
was also in Christ Jesus:--Our focus!!--as our eyes are on Christ we will become more
                                          conformed to His image!
Phl 2:6
Who, being in the form of God=He ALWAYS was, and is God!
thought it not robbery to be equal with God-Did not demand to cling to His rights as God

Phl 2:7
But made Himself of no reputation-“He emptied Himself, not by laying aside His powers, but by refusing to use them independently from the will of the
                                                         Father, in accomplishing the mission for which He came.”—Radmacher

Ex: A General in the trenches or a pro-ballplayer playing catch with his son.--His power/position is not lost He just is setting the use of it aside
       and took (not an exchange, but in addition) upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:


Phl 2:8
And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.—

About Crucifixion...                                                                                                             

A CURSE -One of the reasons may have been the curse associated with crucifixion. The Old Testament speaks of those being cursed who hang upon a tree.    *When someone is convicted of a crime punishable by death and is executed, and you hang them on a tree, their corpse must not remain all night upon the tree; you shall bury them that same day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God's curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you for possession (Deuteronomy 21:22,23).   *By having Jesus crucified, the religious leaders may have thought that this would end any talk about Him being the Messiah – since the Messiah certainly would not have been cursed.

FOR THE LOWEST OF SOCIETY-Another reason may have been the way the Romans used crucifixion. A Roman citizen was never crucified- they were put to death by the quick method of beheading. Only slaves, political rebels, and the lowest criminals were put to death by crucifixion. The cross was a symbol of shame for the Romans. Christ did this for us!!                                                                                                  

**LOOK AT VS.—14—WITHOUT GRUMBLING!!!                                            

**Look at Rom. 5:5-11 as an example of Christ attitude for us—Did not wait for us to become “worthy” of love.
                                                                      

*PROMPT-One minute of silent prayer thanking Him for His love and example—declaring your choice to have the same attitude as Christ--asking to
                    see specifics of how to do this today/this week.