I. The blessings needed to build unity.

The word "if" introduces in the Greek what is called a first-class conditional clause. The Greeks have different conditions in their "if" clauses. And based upon the construction of the Greek, you can tell what that "if" means. For example, if it's a first-class conditional it means "if, and it is true," or "if, as the fact is." There is a conditional clause that means “if, and it might be true”; there is one that means “if, and it is possibly true”; but the first-class conditional form of the Greek means “if, and it is true.” – John MacArthur

A. Consolation / encouragement in Christ.

Romans 15:5-6 - Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

B. Comfort of love.

Psalm 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

C. Fellowship of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:7, 13-14 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: … For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

D. Affection and (tender) mercies.

Matthew 14:14 - And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

II. Building unity by thinking like Christ.

A. Unity will bring Paul joy.

John 17:21 - that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

3 John 4 - I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

B. Like-minded with each other.

1 Corinthians 1:10 - Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Philippians 3:16 - Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

C. Like-minded with Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16 - For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Colossians 3:2 - Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Next Sunday’s Sermon Text: Philippians 2:3-4