Example of Humility

Intro

Rhetorical Question: Is Jesus Christ humble?

Call to Care

Those who care deeply about the person of Christ should see this passage as most know information.

I pray that we would reflect that care in how we study today

Let’s pray

Background

This is likely a hymn that Paul is drawing from

Isaiah 40-53 background

Main Point: 3 actions of Jesus Christ so you might see the humility that God desires

Philippians 2:5–11 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1) Christ before Creation

Philippians 2:5–6 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) Chapter 2

2:6 in the form of God. The word “form” refers to the underlying reality and not to appearance only. Jesus’ being in “the form of God” means that He is divine, just as His taking “the form of a servant [slave]” entailed His humbly embracing that identity in His incarnation (v. 7).

The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 2

Paul also could have chosen one of two Gr. words for “form,” but he chose the one that specifically denotes the essential, unchanging character of something—what it is in and of itself. The fundamental doctrine of Christ’s deity has always encompassed these crucial characteristics

2) Christ on Earth

Philippians 2:7–8 ESV

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 2

He set aside the voluntary display of His divine attributes and submitted Himself to the Spirit’s direction (cf. Matt. 24:36; John 1:45–49); 4) eternal riches—while on earth Christ was poor and owned very little (cf. 2 Cor. 8:9); and 5) a favorable relationship with God—He felt the Father’s wrath for human sin while on the cross

Matthew 24:36 ESV

36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Matthew 24:36 KJV 1900

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

How would you explain this verse?

Potato in an exhaust pipe

Ethical implications:

McDonald’s vs. High End Steakhouse

3) Christ Now and Forever

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 2

2:10, 11 bow … confess. The entire intelligent universe is called to worship Jesus Christ as Lord (cf. Ps. 2). This mandate includes the angels in heaven (Rev. 4:2–9), the spirits of the redeemed (Rev. 4:10, 11), obedient believers on earth (Rom. 10:9), the disobedient rebels on earth (2 Thess. 1:7–9), demons and lost humanity in hell (1 Pet. 3:18–22). The Gr. word for “confess” means “to acknowledge,” “affirm,” or “agree” which is what everyone will eventually do in response to Christ’s lordship, willingly and blessedly or unwillingly and painfully.

Conclusion