Sunday, October 21, 2018 pm
STUDIES IN PHILIPPIANS (10)
Imitating the Mind of Christ
Philippians 2:5-11
Tonight, we continue our study of Philippians.
We have begun to address Paul’s doctrinal concerns as he calls
for unity among these brethren he so dearly loves.
In the past two lessons we have observed what this unity
involves and how it begins with our own humility and thinking of others
better than ourselves.
We concluded with vs. 5 as Paul appealed to an example of humility they
should follow – that of Christ Jesus.
In this lesson we want to observe what is said about Jesus as it
relates to the subject of humility.
a.
We need to imitate
Christ. He is the perfect
example in everything – what to do and not to do.
1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Peter 2:21.
A few years back, there was a popular phrase – WWJD.
While this could be abused, it is a good sentiment when we face
various situations.
He is the ultimate example we need to follow.
b.
In this case, we are
dealing with humility – a fundamental quality needed in the Christian
life.
Paul has described how with lowliness of mind we think of others.
Jesus taught humility – Matthew 11:29 – speaking of Himself, He
said, “I am gentle and lowly of
heart…” This was not
boasting because of its truth.
Teaching about humility consider – Matthew 20:26-28,
Luke 14:7-14 – when invited to a feast, sit at the lowest seat and let
the host exalt you. Vs. 11
notes, For whoever exalts himself
will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
He gave further instructions, invite the poor and lame to
your dinner – God takes note.
Jesus illustrated
Luke 18:14 – the tax collector who prayed (with humility) was justified
by God.
c.
As disciples (learners)
of Christ, we need to follow His teachings – Luke 6:46.
Matthew 7:24 – whoever hears these sayings of mine…
John 12:48 notes that the words He has spoken will judge us in the last
day.
a.
Being in the form of God, He did not consider it robbery to be equal with
God (6) –
He was deity. John 1:1-2 states clearly, He WAS (and IS) God.
Called “Immanuel” – Matthew 1:23, Hebrews 1:3, 8 - He said of the Son,
“Your throne O God…”
He manifested the qualities of God.
While on earth He accepted worship – Matthew 14:33
He forgave sins – Matthew 9:2, 6.
John 8:58 – Before Abraham was, I AM.
John 17:5, as Jesus prayed, He said,
And now, O Father, glorify Me
together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before
the world was.
Comprehending the deity
of Jesus helps us more fully appreciate what He did for us.
It was/is the ultimate act of humility.
b.
He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant.
(7) The NASB says He “emptied Himself.” The
point is He put on flesh and became a human being.
Considering who God is – omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal,
holy, etc. – for the “potter” to become the “clay” so as to further help
the clay of the world is a wonderful thing.
He was in heaven, where there is no sin, troubles, etc.;
In heaven, where He ruled as
ruler of this universe with all the authority of deity in all things; In
heaven, a place of immense and unimaginable beauty; In heaven, where man
cannot malign Him and mistreat Him in the least bit.
He came to this earth, NOT to be treated with utmost royalty as a king
would desire (think of how the Romans and Greeks viewed their deities –
supposing if they came they would be highly worshipped and treated with
the greatest of reverence and ceremony.
But Jesus came as a simple, poor Jewish boy – born into a simple
carpenter’s family and lived a lowly life.
At times He had nowhere to lay His head (homeless).
He was treated as someone common and more easily accepted by the
poor than the rich and powerful.
THIS is the ultimate act of humility.
Matthew 20:27-28 notes
And whoever desires to
be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for
many.”
Luke 22:27, “For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it
not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who
serves.
c.
Being found in the
appearance of man – He humbled Himself.
2 Corinthians 8:9 – though He was rich, for your sakes He became poor.
Be reminded how we just mentioned that He came in the form of a
bondservant.
Perhaps the greatest illustration of this was when He washed the
disciple’s feet – John 13:1-15, esp. 14-15 where Jesus directly ties
this to our humility toward one another.
d.
He became obedient to the point of death on the cross
–
Matthew 20 28 – He came to give His life, a ransom for many
John 15:13 – greater love…
Romans 15:2-3, Let each of us
please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even
Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of
those who reproached You fell on Me.”
Hebrews 5:8-9 – He
learned obedience, ultimately in his dying for us.
This is also a call for OUR obedience.
NOTE: Paul specifically mentions the cross here – consider the torturous
nature of that death.
a.
Therefore God has highly exalted Him –
NOTE: Do not dismiss His resurrection, though not specifically mentioned
in this verse. (Ephesians
1:19-21, Romans 8:34 - Who is he
who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who
is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Acts 2:33 – this was a point in Peter’s sermon on Pentecost.
At least 8 times beyond Acts we read that Jesus was seated at the
right hand of God – indicating His place of rulership as Lord.
He stands as judge over us.
Understand also that God ACCEPTED His sacrifice for OUR sins!
b.
Given Him a name above every name – He is the source of salvation.
Acts 2:36 – God made Him both Lord and Christ, Acts 4:12 – there
is no other name under heaven…
Acts 10:43 – preaching to Cornelius Peter note that all the prophets
witnessed that through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive
remission of sins.
c.
That at His name, every
knee shall bow
– in heaven, on earth and under the earth (again Ephesians 1:21).
I am convinced this is notice that all mankind will at some point bow
before Him, meaning they will submit to Him.
In the midst of a passage dealing with our judgment, (Romans
14:10-12), we find a quote from Isaiah 45:23 that notes every knee will
bow.
d.
At His name every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
–
We are living in a time we fewer and fewer are willing to confess Jesus.
Even among believers there is a timidity.
Jesus Himself taught that whether or not we confess Him will
determine whether or not He will confess us – Matthew 10:32-33.
God has made known who Jesus is with enough evidence there is no real
reason to deny Him, though many certainly do.
e.
But here’s the point -
eventually, EVERYONE will bow before Him and confess Him.
In both of the above expressions, as we have noted, we are
dealing with the judgment to come.
The only question is when!
The ultimate act of His humility – the death of Jesus -
Conclusion: If Jesus is our Savior and Lord.
If we are striving to imitate Him, we see the degree to which He
humbled Himself, and God the Father exalted Him because of this, what
does that say about our need to be humble within ourselves and in
dealing with others?