I.　In the book of Philippians, the experience and enjoyment of Christ are a Body matter:

A.　Paul remained in the flesh for the saints' progress and joy of the faith—1:24-25.

B.　Paul's joy being made full indicates fellowship as a two-way traffic between him and the believers—2:1-4.

1.　The experience of Christ is a matter of proper mutuality between the apostle and the believers.

2.　Our attitude toward the apostle is a test of our condition.

3.　The proper fellowship between the believers and the apostle is a safeguard to the normal experience of Christ.

C.　Paul, being constituted a drink offering, was poured out upon the sacrifice of the believers' faith—v. 17.

D.　Paul's seeking after Christ resulted in a concern for the church—vv. 20-21.

II.　The secret of the experience of Christ is to be one in soul or joined in soul—1:27; 2:2, 20-21:

A.　If we are only one in spirit but are not joined in soul, we will be hindered and limited in our experience of Christ—4:2.

B.　Differences in the soul are the primary cause of division—1 Cor. 1:10.

C.　Because Timothy was like-souled with Paul, he was in a position to experience Christ to the uttermost in the Body—Phil. 2:19-20.

D.　For the enjoyment of Christ we need such a "co-soul"—v. 2:

1.　Thinking the same thing in our mind delivers us from opinions—v. 2a.

2.　Having the same love in our emotion delivers us from the honey of having different levels of love for the saints—v. 2b.

E.　Being one in soul in the fellowship of the gospel delivers us from envy, strife, and selfish ambition—1:5, 15, 17.

III.　The only way that we can be one in soul is by taking Christ as　our pattern—1 Pet. 2:21:

A.　Christ emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming in the likeness of men, humbling Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross—Phil. 2:7-8.

B.　This pattern is within us—Col. 1:27; Phil. 1:19; 2:13.

C.　The way to take Christ as our pattern is by living the crucified life—Luke 9:23; Phil 3:10.

D.　By taking Christ as our pattern we have His mind to think the same thing— 2:2c, 5; 4:2.