Christology, Part 1

We’re taking a break in Mark again.

Pastor Jeremiah is away, so we’re just going to do some unimportant things, right?

Wrong!

This is an intentional break in the Mark study. We left off last week on “Jesus had compassion” right before the feeding of the 5,000, the walking on water, and more miraculous healings.

We are going to study Christology this morning. The fancy term is just a summary of the person and work of Christ.

Questions like: Who is Jesus? What is Jesus? What did Jesus do in his life? On the Cross? While he was dead? in the Resurrection?

I. Why Christology?

Pastor Andrew, why do we need to do this? I know who Jesus is!

Do you really? Can you explain our passage here without falling into serious error?

Philippians 2:7 CSB

Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man,

Did Jesus empty himself of his Godhood? Did he become less of a god?

Maybe Jesus was really God, which nullified his humanity, making him not really all that human?

We’re going to have to engage our minds if we have any chance of knowing Christ and making him known.

For example: Imagine your spouse comes in the room.

They say, “I’ve fallen in love all over again”

Your first question would be “with who?!”

Love requires an object, and a known object at that

Here are some other benefits to studying Christology.

A. Unity is found in Christ alone

Look at v.2.

Philippians 2:2 CSB

make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Unity is at stake here in Ch. 2. What is the solution given?

Consider Christ’s attitude.

Not only should we consider his attitude,

B. Unity is found in copying Christ in his:

Humility - Christ isn’t passively humbled, but he humbled himself. 1 Peter 2:20–23 “For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God. For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.”

Obedience - Christ knew the order of things. He submitted to the Father since He was his Father. John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”

Exaltation - Christ was passively exalted. He did not seek after fame and fortune, but found it anyway. Proverbs 27:2 “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— a stranger, and not your own lips.”

Mission - Christ never strayed from his mission. Even in the Garden near his death, he said, not so that the world would know him, but he says this: John 17:9-11

John 17:9–11 CSB

“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they are yours. Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine, and I am glorified in them. I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one.

If we copy Christ in his humility, obedience, and mission—and if we expect the exaltation promised by the Resurrection—we will be unified as a church.

Why?

Because, as Pastor Andrew reminded us, we will have one mission—Christ’s mission.

As Pastor Jeremiah reminded us, we will have have a profound and abiding joy—Christ’s joy in obedience.

What all this means is that:

C. More Theology = Better Christians

We need desperately to be students of Christ, so that we can be imitators of Christ, which will lead us to accurately behave as the body of Christ.

Philippians 1:9–11 CSB

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

We need to have a love founded in the truth of the gospel and deep knowledge of our God. That way we will be able to distinguish between right and wrong; right and almost right; good and superior; purity, blamelessness, righteousness, and the glory of God.

This brings us to:

II. Christology in Philippians 2

A. Humiliation of Christ

The first area we will consider is the humiliation of Christ.

The humility of Christ is important, but it can be somewhat complicated.

Dangerous Speculation

For example: R.C. Sproul in The Work of Christ said that there are some scholars that came up with a way of understanding this passage as if Christ laid aside his deity in the incarnation. They say that when Christ “emptied himself,” he stopped being omnipotent, omnipresent, and all the rest.

This is dangerous territory.

Christ could not have taken off his deity without God changing! Remember, our key doctrine of the Trinity is that there are three equal persons in one eternal God. If God the Son stopped being God, then God was, at that time, not three equal persons. In other words, to think of our passage in this way denies the Trinity. Sproul goes on to say “In other words, these theologians had emptied themselves of their common sense.”

So what is the right way to think of Christ’s humility?

The verbs are “assumed” and “taking on.” Christ’s humility had to do with some addition, not subtraction.

The emptying therefore had to do with the part of Christ that no longer held all glory, privilege, and exaltation. In other words, Christ’s humanity was really human. It was weak and frail. It had limitations and restrictions. His humanity was not deified in any way. Jesus was a man.

Calvin helpfully says:

Paul speaks of Christ wholly, as he was God manifested in the flesh, but nevertheless, this emptying is applicable exclusively to his humanity. —Calvin

Ambition

Another potential error here is that we think of humility as opposed to ambition. We will often think that an ambitious person can’t possibly be humble.

C.J. Mahaney reminds us that:

. . . Jesus does not categorically criticize or forbid desire and ambition to be great. Instead, He clearly redirects that ambition, redefines it, and purifies it. —C.J. Mahaney

He is of course referencing Mark 10

Mark 10:43–44 CSB

But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all.

Notice the ambition in the passage. “Want to become great” is not condemned here. In fact, it is highlighted. The method for success, greatness, exaltation is (as we will see) through humility.

Condemnation of others’ views

Even worse in our culture is someone that says declarative statements without qualification. The highest esteemed thing today is self. We have a national religion today of self-realization, self-actualization instead of self-control. Self-control references the truth and submits our wills to the truth. Often, self-control looks like condemning people for serious errors.

When I read R.C. Sproul’s assessment of the Liberal view of this passage, some people will bristle. “What, are you saying they are wrong, Mr. Sproul?” Yes. That is exactly what he was saying. And he wasn’t being prideful to do so.

In fact Jesus often told people they were wrong.

Examples: “You have heard it said, but I say to you.” The Sermon on the Mount is full of this. “Those people are wrong, I am right.” Says Jesus. Is this prideful?

“Woe to you hypocrites” or Matthew 22:29 “Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God.”

It is actually the most humble position Jesus could have taken, because he wasn’t concerned about his reputation. He wasn’t concerned with stepping on a few toes to be faithful to the truth. He wasn’t afraid of being humiliated.

So the humility of Christ is present when he is silent before his accusers, and when he is himself an accuser. Calvin again:

Christ’s humility consisted in his abasing himself from the highest pinnacle of glory to the lowest ignominy: our humility consists in refraining from exalting ourselves by a false estimation. He gave up his right: all that is required of us is that we do no assume to ourselves more than we ought. —Calvin

Is this the humility of Christ that you believe in?

B. Obedience of Christ

The second area to consider from our text is v.8-9. Jesus’ actions are described as obedience.

Have you ever considered Jesus’ obedience?

examples:

John 6:38 CSB

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

Romans 5:19 CSB

For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Isaiah 53 CSB

Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground. He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him, no appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was taken away because of oppression and judgment, and who considered his fate? For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people’s rebellion. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully. Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely. When you make him a guilt offering, he will see his seed, he will prolong his days, and by his hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished. After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities. Therefore I will give him the many as a portion, and he will receive the mighty as spoil, because he willingly submitted to death, and was counted among the rebels; yet he bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.

Suffering Servant

Perhaps the most odd verse is found in Hebrews.

Hebrews 5:7–9 CSB

During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,

Why spend all this time on obedience?

Obedience is the Bible’s primary category of talking about Christ’s life and death. Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly. He obeyed the Law perfectly. And Hebrews shows why this is so important. Jesus, in his deity, had always been perfectly in harmony with his role as God the Son. However, this says he learned obedience. Or in Philippians, he humbled himself by becoming obedient. How does God the Son learn obedience?

The answer is that he learned obedience in his Humanity. If Jesus communicated his knowledge and majesty, perfection and holiness to the human nature, obedience wouldn’t mean anything. But Jesus obeyed as a man.

Also, Jesus didn’t have obedience happen to him.

When we read that he became obedient to death, we think about how we become obedient to death. It doesn’t take much. A stray bullet, a bad decision while driving, severe food poisoning. . . all of this happens to us.

With Jesus, this is not the case. He goes to death with the full knowledge of what was required by the scriptures for a blood sacrifice, and he does it with the exact right attitude in his heart.

John 10:18 CSB

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

John Murray has much to say about Christ’s Obedience in Redemption Accomplished and Applied (check it out in the library). But here is his summary for us:

It was not through mere incarnation that Christ wrought our salvation.

It was not through mere death that salvation was accomplished.

It was not simply through death on the cross that Jesus became the author of salvation.

Death upon the cross, as the . . . [required] price of redemption, was . . . the supreme act of obedience; not death inflicted, but death willingly and obediently.

Christ’s obedience is your salvation.

Here’s an essential truth: To learn true humility, we need more than a redefinition of greatness; we need even more than Jesus’ personal example of humble service. What we need is His death. —C.J. Mahaney

Is this the obedience you believe in?

C. Exaltation of Christ

By this point you have likely picked up what I am doing. Each of these subjects needs to be understood correctly so that we understand Christ.

What about Exaltation?

In our text, it says “For this reason.” Why did God exalt Jesus? Because he was perfectly obedient.

Not because he was God. Not because he was wrongly put to death.

Jesus was exalted due to his perfect obedience to the father.

Notice the pattern Jesus followed.

Jesus humbled himself

Jesus, out of humility, obeyed

Jesus won a reward by nature of his obedience

Potential error

This is where we are tempted to err again. We want to say we follow this same path. If I am humble and obedient, God will reward me.

Friends, this is the error of legalism. The New Testament is full of warnings against legalism. We cannot justify ourselves before God.

So why do we seek to imitate Christ if God has said we may not justify ourselves?

The reason is that, in the exaltation, we see that Christ’s perfect obedience applies to me. What Christ did in his humility and obedience worked. Christ, in his humanity, represented all those that believe in him. Therefore, our humility is imperfect, but God looks on us as if we possessed Christ's humility; our obedience is imperfect, but God looks on us as if we possessed Christ’s obedience. Christ is our mighty champion, conquering sin and death, and our inability, by his willing obedience.

So in the exaltation, we receive hope. If what Christ received was on the basis of his work—which is placed onto your account, Christian—then we can expect and ask for exaltation.

Is this the exaltation you hope in?

D. Purpose of Christ

Why did Jesus do all this?

V.10-11 show us exactly why. It starts with “so that.”

Jesus humbled, obeyed, and was exalted “so that,” what?

At first glance, you may be tempted to err again. It looks like “so that people would be saved.” If that is the case, it proves too much. Everyone everywhere, including the demons, are mentioned here. This section cannot be talking about salvation.

No, it is talking about the glory of God.

Jesus did what he did to glorify God.

Where do I get this?

First, we see Jesus elsewhere highlight this.

John 7:18 CSB

The one who speaks on his own seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

If that weren’t enough, we see God in the Old Testament promise that He would be about this sort of work:

Isaiah 45:20–25 CSB

“Come, gather together, and approach, you fugitives of the nations. Those who carry their wooden idols and pray to a god who cannot save have no knowledge. Speak up and present your case— yes, let them consult each other. Who predicted this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the Lord? There is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior; there is no one except me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; truth has gone from my mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to me, every tongue will swear allegiance. It will be said about me, ‘Righteousness and strength are found only in the Lord.’ ” All who are enraged against him will come to him and be put to shame. All the descendants of Israel will be justified and boast in the Lord.

What do we get from this?

Jesus Christ is Lord so that God would be glorified.

You are saved so that God would be glorified.

Is this the mission you believe in?

This leads us into our applications.

III. Applications

A. From our text

Humble yourself

Philippians 2:1–4 CSB

If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

Unity is described here as flowing from humility. Paul’s reasoning goes from here to a command to observe Christ. Our Christian unity demands humility. The ambition of the church to be effective and successful must be found in humility.

Do you consider others more important than yourself? If not, unity is not possible. Your own interests are important, but others are more important. Most important is God’s glory.

Christ’s humility can and should be imitated by Christians everywhere. This doesn’t mean being a pushover, refusing to make strong statements against things, or ensuring the self-expression of everyone else. No, it means insisting on truth without compromise—no matter what that may do to your reputation.

Observe Christ’s Humility —> Imitate Christ’s Humility —> The Church will be unified

Obey Christ

Philippians 2:12–18 CSB

Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.

Paul goes on in Philippians to discuss obedience. The obedience of Christ should encourage us to be the same. The joyful, willing, perfect obedience of Christ is the standard. Where are you? Do you grumble and complain about the things God has called you to? Or are you blameless and pure in a crooked generation?

Look to Christ’s obedience, and as much as is possible, imitate him.

Observe Christ’s Obedience —> Imitate Christ’s Obedience —> Shine like stars in a dark world

Hope for Exaltation

Philippians 1:6 CSB

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:21 CSB

He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.

Your salvation, Christian, is not bound up in what you do. Repeat.

You cannot sin your way out of heaven, or work your way in. You cannot increase or decrease Christ’s love for you. You cannot, by obedience, move God’s hand to bless you, or by sinning move God’s hand to curse you. Salvation is way more sure than that.

It has been accomplished by the humility and obedience of Christ!

So, are you hoping in the exaltation of Christ at the proper time?

Or are you trying to justify yourself before God?

Trust in him. Look to his exaltation as hope for your life.

Observe Christ’s Exaltation—> Plan as if it is promised for you

Engage in the Mission of Christ

Philippians 4:18–20 CSB

But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Christ’s mission is not the same one I was taught to engage in as a kid. The salvation of the world is important, and a piece of the plan, but God’s plan is for his glory. If it was anything less, God would be worshiping an idol! No, God is the only ultimate good, so he has to be about the preservation and establishment of himself.

Where are you in this? Do you seek for Christ’s mission of establishing God’s glory?

Observe Christ’s Mission —> Engage in Christ’s Mission

B. From our study in Christology

Do you see why knowing more about Christ helps us life a Christian life?

That is why we did this. I wanted to demonstrate to you the importance of this study for your own heart and life.

If I had to summarize what I want us to be able to do after today, I want us to stop spurning the deeper things of the scriptures for platitudes, prosperity gospel, and myths. We need the deep things of the scriptures for our very life blood.

So, here is the call.

Know Christ! Really know him! Study him. Learn about the intricacies of his person and work. submit to His perfection, his plan, his logic. To be what He has called to to be, you must know what He has called you to know—namely himself. Can you know somebody whom you have never met? Do you know your wife if you forget her name? do you know your parents if you don’t regard their authority? Do you know Him? Do you Know Jesus? do you even want to know him?

I leave you with three questions:

Do I love Christ enough to study him?

Am I engaged in the same mission as Christ?

Have I adopted the same attitude as Christ?

2 Peter 1:8 CSB

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.