Philippians 2:5-11 - Humbling One's Self
Introduction
Review of Last Week:
I. The Characteristics of Christ Life In Us (v.1)
A. Consolation in Christ (v.1)
B. Comfort of love (v.1)
C. Fellowship of the Spirit (v.1)
D. Affection and mercy (v.1)
II. Paul’s Appeal (v.2-4)
A. Fulfill my joy – Things That Bring Unity (v.2)
1. Being like minded (v.2)—Paul said he had no one like-minded (2:20-21)
2. Having the same love (v.2)
3. Being of one accord (v.2)
4. Being of one mind (v.2)
B. The Four Let’s (v.3-4)
1. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit—This bring division (v.3)
a. But in lowliness of mind—This bring unity
2. Let each esteem others better than himself—this bring unity (v.3)
3. Let each of you look out not only for your own interests—this bring division (v.4)
a. But also for the interests of others—this bring unity
4. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus—this bring unity (v.5)
III. The Supreme Example of Humbling One’s Self (v.5-11)
A. Jesus Christ is the Supreme Example of Humility
1. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
This is what we will learn today, the Supreme Example of Humility, Jesus Christ, and how we are to follow His example by…
2. “Letting this mind [attitude] be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (v.5)”
a. To be great in God’s Kingdom, we must learn to be the servant of all
b. To be the servant of all we must have the Mind of Christ, What is the mind of Christ?
c. Humility. How do we humble ourselves?
1) don’t be self-centered but be others centered
2) don’t thing that you are better than other people
3) don’t look out only for your interest but also for others interests
4) bear one another’s burdens
APPLICATION-How can we have our attitude, mind changed according to PSALM 119:9-11, 33-40?
SEVEN STEPS DOWN
B. Christ Is The Very Nature of God
1. #1-Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God (v.6)
a. Being in the form of God—“the outward expression of the inward nature.”
b. Hebrews 1:3—Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image [exact representation just as a coin] of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:3 NKJV)
c. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15 NKJV)
d. This means that Jesus Chris was God…
1) In eternity past—John 1:1—preexistence—he existed before His birth
2) While He was on earth—John 1:14
3) Now in heaven—Hebrews 1:3
e. Jesus Christ is equal with God; He possessed all the qualities and attributes of God Himself.
f. He did not consider it robbery or demand and cling to His rights as God.
g. Was He a thief? Jesus did not have to rob or grasp after the Deity of God; He is God!
1) Jesus said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30).
2) The Jews wanted to stone Jesus for making Himself on equal basis with God (John 10:32-33).
3) When He left heavens glory, there was no danger of Him losing His Status in Heaven while He lived on earth 33 years.
4) It’s not as though Gabriel was going to fill in for Him while He was on earth.
5) The position belonged to Him & Him only
How can I apply this to my life?
1) PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4
C. #2-Christ Emptied Himself and Became A Man
What do you think Jesus emptied Himself of? v.7
1. He made Himself on no reputation (v.7)
a. Note: He emptied Himself; He did this of His own will, not reluctantly HEBREWS 12:2.
b. He emptied Himself as a pitcher turned upside down until the last drop drained out. JOHN 17:5,1 :1-4, 14; 2 CORINTHIANS 8:9
c. Did Jesus stop being God while He was on earth? NO!
d. He set aside His divine privileges and took on the limitations of man, but His deity was never surrendered only veiled MATT.17. HE WAS ALWAYS 100% GOD, 100% MAN!
What do you think Paul meant by saying Jesus took the form or nature of a servant? v.7
#3-He took the form of a servant (v.7)
a. The emptying was not a subtraction but an addition; He took the form of a servant.
b. FORM—is the same word as verse 6, Jesus was actually a servant on the inside!
c. Jesus did not come to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom for many MARK 10:45.
d. Imagine this…
1) The Lord whom we are to serve, came and served us.
2) The Lord whom we are to love, came and loved us.
3) The Lord whom we are to wait upon, came and waited upon us.
4) The Lord whom we are to seek, came and sought us.
5) From heaven to earth, from glory to shame, from Master to servant, from life to death, “even the death of the cross.
2. #4-He came in the likeness of men (v.7), and being found in the appearance as a man (v.8)
a. Jesus looked like other men.
1) He did not have a bright radiant light about Him wherever He went
2) Judas betrayed Him with a kiss so they could recognize Him
3) The Jews wanted to stone Him, for they thought He was an ordinary man.
b. Ant illustration—the ants are in danger and I need to tell them, so I need to become one of them.
D. #5-Jesus Christ, the eternal God Humbled Himself (v.8)
1. Jesus Christ humbled Himself to the Father.
2. For it was the Fathers will for Jesus to come to the earth and to die for the sins of the world JOHN 10:18; 4:31.
3. Jesus Christ humbled Himself to men JOHN 10:18
E. #6-He became obedient to the point of death (v.8)
1. His death was planned before the foundations of the world ACTS 2:22-24
2. Jesus was born to die, in His death is my birth
3. He didn’t have to die, He wanted to die. Why? IN ORDER THAT HE MIGHT SAVE YOU AND ME IF WE PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM.
Since Jesus gave His body as a sacrifice to die on a cross for us & was obedient unto death, according to ROMANS 12:1-2 what does God ask us to give Him daily? Total submission to God.
When Jesus came in the likeness and appearance of a man was humbling enough for Jesus.
What was His ultimate humiliation and why? V.8
F. #7-Even the death of the cross (v.8)
1. Such a death was only for criminals—Jesus never sinned!
2. Such a death was very painful
3. It was also very shameful HEBREWS 12:2
4. It was accursed DEUT. 21:23; GALATIANS 3:13
Philippians 2:6-8 tells what Jesus chose to do in obedience to His Father’s will.
What did the Father do in response according to verses 9-11?
IV. The Exaltation of Christ’s Humility (v.9-11)
A. #1-God Has Highly Exalted Him (v.9)
1. MATT. 23:12—“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
2. He that would be great among you, let him become the servant of all.
3. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. IPet. 5:6
B. #2-God Has Given Him The Name Which Is Above Every Name (v.9)
1. We must never use His name in vain, but to exalt His name.
2. The Jews considered the Name of God Extremely Holy—illustration of Scribes & manuscripts.
3. For His name is the only name that can forgive sins “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47 NKJV)
4. His name is the only name by which we can have access to God JOHN 16:23-24; 14:6.
C. #3-That At The Name Of Jesus (v.10)
1. Jesus means Savior MATTHEW 1:21-23
2. You & I can’t save ourselves we all need a Savior and His Name is Jesus.
3. ILLUSTRATION OF A SINKING SHIP & A HELICOPTER DROPPING A ROPE.
D. #4-Every Knee Should Bow (v.10)
1. ISAIAH 45:22-23 IS PROOF OF THE DEITY OF CHRIST
#5-Of those in heaven
#6-Of those on the earth.
#7-Of those under the earth
a. This is in reference to those in hell
b. They will not be saved but acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
E. #8-Every Tongue Should Confess That Jesus Christ is Lord (v.11)
1. One day all will confess that He is the Lord of the Universe
2. It is possible to confess Him as Lord now & receive His gift of Salvation ROMANS 10:9-10.
3. TO BOW BEFORE HIM NOW MEANS SALVATION
4. TO BOW BEFORE HIM AT THE JUDEGMENT MEANS CONDEMNATION REV. 20:11-15
F. To The Glory of God The Father (v.11)
1. JOHN 17:4—this should be our goal—to glorify our Father in Heaven & finish the work which He has given us to do.
2. MATTHEW 5:16—we must let our light shine before men
3. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31—Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
4. The willingness to set aside what we are to serve others.
APPLICATION:
1. PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13
Working out what God is working in, bring it to full completion.
2. JAMES 1:22
Be doers of the Word & not hearers only, putting into practice what we have just learned