The Victorious Result Of Humility (Philippians 2.9-11)

Introduction

Should a Christian do what we do for the praise of others?

We know looking out for number 1 and our selfish ambition is condemned in scripture and ends in our heart and the heart of others

Look at Herod who was struck down for his pride

Or David who ignored his duties to his kingdom and family for what he wanted

CJ mahaney writes in his book on humility“Jesus does not categorically criticize or forbid the desire and ambition to be great. Instead, He clearly redirects that ambition, redefines it, and purifies it: ‘But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all”

Jesus showed we should long to hear from God, well done good and faithful servant

And while it was rightly said of jesus that he did not care about anyone’s opinion, but instead he looked for the vindication of his heavenly father alone

So, we too should be like Jesus seeking the praise of God

Review

This is story of the all powerful God who created all becoming but a humble baby

Last week we discussed this message in Philippians 2

He was in the image of God, the glories of heaven, but left the comfort for the pains of this

He became a “powerless” man…a mere teacher who served others…not a political leader, a general, or an earthly king.

He submitted and obeyed to dying in the most humiliating way, on a cross.

For this reason in verse 9 points back to Jesus’ humiliation

It is not like the humility earned anything, but an obvious and natural flow from humility is exalation because

Matthew 23:12- “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

So, what will vindicate Jesus? What will prove what your learned in Sunday school correct?

3 End Times Motivations to be LOW

Follow Jesus because He will be proven right.

Jesus will be Lifted up, recognize humility is worthy. (9)

Explanation

The Father will reveal the son to be worthy by Lifting him up

Paul reveals something about the Trinity here as he turns to God being the subject of the sentences.

In verse 6-8 the subject is Jesus- He did not regard, he emptied, he humbled

Now God the father is acting Jesus is passive

Jesus is passive

As we saw, In Jesus’ last few hours on earth he prayed

John 10:17–18- “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

Now this comes about

Exalted means to raise higher than everything and anything else.

Went from the most humbled position to a place of ultimate powerWhich Jesus had said would happen :

Which Jesus had said would happen :

“And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”” (Mark 14:62, ESV)

Sitting on a throne to rule alongside the father as king together.

And this happens in the esachaton, or the end times

It is currently a future reality as Jesus is mocked

Trans: And that is equal authority could only be possible if he was equally God

The Father will reveal the son to be worthy by Showing He is God

His name was Jesus

Jesus was just the Greek version of the Jewish name Joshua

A common name as there were lots of Joshuas

And in one sense the name Joshua showed humility as he took this mission

But there is something hidden there… he was the Joshua who would do what even his namesake could not, as the angel said

Matthew 1:21- “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Now God gives him a new name

The Greek is is Karis-o-mai… grace given

Yes, Jesus did everything right and thus deserved every good thing

But this is all about God’s graciousness

Jesus shows the path of humility leads of true Victory

Names in Ancient Near East meant different things than we do.To us it is just an identifier. I’m Chris.

To us it is just an identifier. I’m Chris.

Chris means Christ bearer after St Christopher, but my parents were not even believers then, they had no idea

In the ancient world a name meant an identification of what was inside, who you were.

It contained the dreams/hopes of parents

When someone changed your name, they were making a statement about you.

Abramabraham because he would be the father of many

Jacob’s name to Israel, which means “He who struggles with God

SimonPeter, for he would be a stone in the building of christ’s church.

A new nameWhat is this new name?

What is this new name?

There is Large amount of disagreement on this

Note v 10- The name of jesus is what people will bow to

so He already had the name Jesus during the incarnation, so that isn’t much of a name.

A superior name

But name isn’t always a first name, it can sometimes be a title.

Look verse 11- They will confess or agree with that Jesus is Lord.

The point is that Jesus is far superior to anyone or anything else

So Jesus goes from humiliating death to being declared as God as the one true God…but not by himself, by the Father.

Illustration point-Jesus will be lifted up so we must recognize humility is worthy

And my friends, is there a position more humble than that of mother

Your mother birthed you, fed you, clothed you, taught you, cared for your injuries, comforted your soul

And since scripture is right that folly is bound on in the heart of a child, you fought her

It’s a very humble job hat is not even appreciated by other people as a 2017 economic study in Austriala determined

“One of the areas of greatest untapped potential in the Australian labour force is inactive and/or part-time working women, especially those with children,’’ concluded the landmark study. “There are potentially large losses to the economy when women stay at home or work short part-time hours.’’

we should make it a legal requirement that all parents of children of school-age or older are gainfully employed.

Only when the tiresome and completely unfounded claim that “feminism is about choice” is dead and buried (it’s not about choice, it’s about equality) will we consign restrictive gender stereotypes to history.

But we all know how much mothers work, we know important mothers are in not just seeing us grow, but in defining our morals, and our labors

The humble jobs that others do not always value matter in the long run

Application

John Calvin wonderfully wrote, that this “stirs us up to imitate [Jesus] the more cheerfully, when we learn that nothing is more advantageous for us than to be conformed to his image. Now, that all are happy who, along with Christ, voluntarily abase themselves,”

You should want to be happily humble like Jesus

One aspect of that Humility is living for the right praise

The praise from the other person who matters, mainly God

It is very Christ-like to allow another to be in charge of you and let them pull you up.

We live in a place that says I need to be the best,I cannot accept help from others

Jesus shows a different example:

Christian, be faithful to do your best

Allow others, especially God, to praise you.

Jesus motivated his disciples to want to hear, well done good and faithful servant

And again, it’s mother’s day… it is a good to praise the virtious mother’s in our lives

Proverbs 31:28–29- Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”

Also a theological belief

as we look at Christ’s example

don’t picture Jesus as a poor carpenter is soft robes anymore… no, He is God over all that angels hid themselves from

That Isaiah saw and cried out woe is me.

Trans: When Jesus was on earth he appeared weak, especially on that cross, but his exaltation vindicated his claim, and to be worship… and served, because:

Jesus will be Obeyed; remember humility wins. (10-11a)

Explanation

All will bow

Because of this great name given, all will bow

This is again an eschatological time that we read

Revelation 5:13- And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

Bowing has always been a sign of respect and obedience to authority…sometimes worship

Learned in karate that bowing is the ultimate letting your guard down.

As your head dips they can cut it off

Both people bowing was a submissive move to say I respect you and trust you not to attack yet.

So bowing before a king told him you served and he could do as you will

But what makes this even more of a sight is that Paul is referencing from a famous OT text

Isaiah 45:23- “I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.

This is a chapter about Yahweh’s supreme power over all people

Isaiah 45:18- For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), “I am the LORD, and there is none else.

V18- he created all so there is no other

See v 16- It is also on God alone is strong enough to save , The idols will not give you the support you need

V22-23…God alone can save.

The one doing the saving is Yawheh

Lord is the name of the one true God.

In the old testament, wherever you see alls caps L-O-R-D = Hebrew word Yahweh.

After the exile to Babylon some Jews began to worry about breaking the 3rd commandment and taking the lords name in vain.

So wherever the bible said the God’s name Yahweh, they would say another word, like Adonai, which means my Lord.

When the OT was translated into greek, they gave it the word Kurios, which = Lord

Thus, Paul is highlighting that jesu sis God

Commentator Gordon Fee says, “through Christ's resurrection and at his ascension God has transferred this right to [respect] to the Son; he is the Lord to whom every knee shall eventually bow”

And notice who is recognizing Jesus?

All people will say he is God.

3 groups of people

Those who are in heaven- referring to the angels and spiritual beings

Those who are on earth- Everyone alive

And those under the earth- a term referring to all the buried dead people or demons

=EVERYONE!

And not all will be happy about it

Back to Isaiah:

Isaiah 45:9- “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?

Turn to Rev 19:11-21Sorry for the long passage, but imagine the scene.

Sorry for the long passage, but imagine the scene.

Everyone will agree that Jesus is Yahweh, the only GodBut some will do so with a sword pointed at them as Christ finally brings to completion his kingdom.

But some will do so with a sword pointed at them as Christ finally brings to completion his kingdom.

Yes, Jesus reigns now, but there will be a day when faith will be made sight and all will have no choice

Illustration point-

So, Let’s think about making investments

The self sacrificial investment of mom.. matters a lot

The famous theologian Charles Hodge grew up withut a father as he died in his early childhood

She often had to rent out much of her home to boarders, sometimes leaving only a single room to herself and the boys. ….. she remained active in her church and community and even established a soup kitchen to serve impoverished women. She placed great emphasis on her sons’ education, working long hours and demeaning jobs to ensure they could attend good schools. …... She arranged for her sons to meet with their pastor to recite the Catechism’s questions and answers and, when they had mastered it, to participate in his Bible study

She was far more perfect, but at her funeral, Charles wrote, “ In tribute to his mother, he would say, “To our mother, my brother and myself, under God, owe absolutely everything. To us she devoted her life. For us she prayed, labored, and suffered.””

There is something so assuring if you knew that you knew God’s plan for your life… just wait 31 years and you’ll be married, or wait 6 months for your child to be saved, pick this church and you’ll grow

But we know for sure that humility wins in the end

Application

Here is the reality

Investing in Christianity is not something you just do with your spare change… it is everything

Matthew 10:37–38- Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

1 Timothy 1:18- describes being a disciple as waging warfare

Jesus is Lord, king, master of your life

We cannot be like the Israelites who tried to keep their options open with worshipping other God and keeping the temple with Yahweh in it.

It is so easy to say, if I do business god’s way than I’ll be out of businessWho is the master you will follow?

Who is the master you will follow?

Or if I parent this way my kids won’t be the way I want themWho is the master you will follow?

Who is the master you will follow?

Or, I’ve done my time of serving, its time to retire and make life about me and my familyWho is the master you will follow?

Who is the master you will follow?

Or if I don’t stand up for my viewpoint in this church, no one will.Who is the master you will follow?

Who is the master you will follow?

You will bow to Jesus someday, might as well choose to make it today

And Take hope when the world around you doesn’t serve HIm

Though there may be some who oppose you, do not believe you message, who malign you

But know you will be vindicated.

Trans: We’ve seen Jesus lifted up, we’ve seen him obeyed, now let’s see

Jesus will Worship the father, so live for His glory. (11b)

Explanation

The father lifts up the son so he will be praised above all, and the son uses all the praise to give glory to the father.

Glory is the summary of all God’s attributes, what looks amazing about him

Notice, the objects changes and the glory goes to God

This verse provides a great defense for the charge against the trinity

1 Corinthians 8:5–6- For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

God in 3 persons which no analogy can accurately describe

Water, ice, gas? No, because there are many molecules that make it up and its divided, and God is not divdied

Father, Husband, and Son?- No, its just one man in multiple roles

Just jesus is God and The father is God and the Spirit is God, but they are different from each other

Notice the Humility that exists within the Trinity

Some people will ask how can God not be prideful in focusing everything onto himself

Many good reasons, such as a focus on God actually brings the greatest joy to people

But the trinity provides one answer.Every member of the trinity points the praise to the others

Every member of the trinity points the praise to the others=Mutual glorification.

=Mutual glorification.

This is true love.

Illustration point-We should live for God’s glory

If not, we’re just using God as a means for some idol

I know many a christian moms who somewhere along the line got the idea that if they raise their kids right, then God owes them good Christian kids

You can imagine or know well the pain of those who become atheists, or get into drugs and think well, if only the parents had done better

But then you have one family I know where the kids said something like, I like Christianity, but not your Christianity… you’re just way too serious and devoted, I just don’t really want that

The parents told me they want to have a come to Jesus moment… did we raise our kids for the ultimate reason of getting them to be a certain way, or did we do it for God’s glory… because he said so

No matter if you’re a parent or not

Will we live for God’s glory like Jesus did.

Application

So remember, God alone is worthy of worship… even the Son makes it all about the father

So it is a simple but profound truth… get over yourself

And yet how hard it is to get over myself

It is so easy to want our lives to be about us

And we get discouraged or angry when things do not go our way

It’s mother’s day so we honor you mothers for all you’ve done to raise your children in the fear and instruction of the Lord

However, you should do so even if you do not get honor because like Jesus you’re goal is to honor the father no matter what

And some of us did not have mothers who really lived in a way that is worthy of honor if we’re honest… but who commanded us to honor father and mother?

God did, so we obey His command for His glory over all

But our example, our redeemer, or God, Jesus ChristWhen he was lifted up so that all people everywhere praise

When he was lifted up so that all people everywhere praise

CJ Mahaney in his book humility writes,

“As sinfully and culturally defined, pursuing greatness looks like this: Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification. Contrast that with the pursuit of true greatness as biblically defined: Serving others for the glory of God. This is the genuine expression of humility; this is true greatness as the Savior defined it.”

He just turns and says, Its all about my father

In your success… praise God

And in your trials…. Trust God

What is for His glory is for you good.

Therefore

Since we have seen (Cohesion)-

Be Low because Jesus didn’t stay low, but was lifted up

Jesus will be lifted up

Jesus will be obeyed

And Jesus will Worship the father

We know we must (Resolution)-

Death is a humiliating endeavor

There are a few people who experience death with ease, but most of us will lose all control over ourselves and in pain leave this world behind

And what is life except the call to die to self constantly

As a parent, a caretaker, a worker, whatever

Hope is a person—Christ crucified and risen—and he is lifted up in the life of the church

There we encounter life in the Christ who defeated death not be escaping from it but by coming through it in resurrection triumph.

Hebrews 11:37–39- They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,

Closing prayer

Oh god, allow us to be humble trusting in your final vindication