Humility and Exaltation
Notes
Transcript
Christ’s Humility and Exaltation
Christ’s Humility and Exaltation
The Apostle Paul opens chapter 2 with a series of “if” statements that may be better understood as “since” or “because.” The “if” refers to certainties, not possibilities. These vexations reiterate to all believers the cords of love that cement all of us together as God’s people.
The first “if” is continued encouragement in Christ.
We have the blessing of knowing Christ Phil 3:10 and being found in Him (3:9).
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God upon faith,
We have been given the gift of faith (1:29). Does anything lift our spirits more than knowing we are in Christ? Amid trial and suffering, find encouragement in your relationship with Jesus.
For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Second, we have the consolation of love through Christ.
This is a reference to the love of Christ that comforts us.
Philippians 1:7 (LSB)
For it is only right for me to think this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are fellow partakers with me in this grace.
He is ours, and we are His. What comfort!
“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;
I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
It may also be that Paul may also be referring to the mutual love for one another that flows from this relationship with Jesus.
Paul loves the church “with the affection of Christ Jesus” (1:8). We know God’s love, and His love makes us love others.
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Third, we’re reminded that we share in the fellowship with the Spirit.
The Greek word translated as “fellowship” (koinonia) in the first verse is the same as in Verse 1:5 and Corinthians 13:14.
because of your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.
The Spirit unites us as brothers and sisters (1:27), partners in the gospel, and the Spirit help in our weaknesses (Rom 8:26).
And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
Paul expresses that Christians worship God “by the Spirit” (Phil 3:3).
For we are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
Paul knows disunity threatens the Philippian congregation, so he reminds them of their shared Spirit-produced fellowship. In the third chapter, Paul demonstrates the futility of the flesh versus the Spirit in all things, including that Hebrew circumcision does not guarantee access to the Kingdom of God. Since circumcision was such a strong and divisive issue in the early church. Paul uses himself to demonstrate the uselessness in his own Pharasitical position before being called by Christ. Paul shared that he could not see the forest because of the trees.
Fourth, we share affection and mercy towards others.
This affection, translated as “tenderness” in the NIV, flows from our union with Messiah. As we compare Verse one with Col 3:12 and verse eight.
So, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience;
Christ has loved us with exceptional tenderness.
He has shown us infinite affection.
Mercy or “sympathy” (ESV) or “compassion” (NIV) has also come to us from the source of all compassion, our great God (see Ps 103; Rom 12:1; 2 Cor 1:3). We share a common experience of being the objects of God’s compassion.
Bless Yahweh, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless Yahweh, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
This tender care should cause us to look out for the interests of others (Phil 2:4) and serve sacrificially, as illustrated by the life of Epaphroditus (2:25–30; 4:18). We enjoy these incredible blessings as fellow believers.
We need to observe Paul’s approach to the Philippians in his letter. He’s not only warm and pastoral, but he’s also quick to first mention the blessings of the gospel of Christ before giving specific exhortations and directions.
If all you ever do is tell people what they’re supposed to do, they will get burned right out of being a Christian. We need to retell the people the blessings first while instructing any charitable Christian priorities second. Do this for your soul, and do this for other Christians.