Following the Example of Christ

The Example of Christ

(1st 3 points from Preaching Holiness Today pg 117 by Richard S. Taylor)

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Scripture

Philippians 2:5–9 KJV 1900

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Phillipians 2:7-8 (add 9 later)

I. A willingness to be small in the eyes of men (of no reputation) v7

II. A willingness to accept the role of the servant (took upon him the form of a servant) v7

III. A willingness to serve in unconditional obedience (became obedient unto death) v8

I. A willingness to be small in the eyes of men (of no reputation) v7

We as Christians are to follow in the great example of Christ. Christ made himself of no reputation. Jesus Christ who was and is part of the divine trinity, who truly is God himself, made himself of no reputation. Jesus is our divine example. We are told in I Peter that Christ has left us an example, that we should follow in his steps. If we are to follow in his steps we will be willing to be small in the eyes of men.

The story is told of a wealthy businessman. His office, and the hallways of his office building were lined with the picture of him with important people. There were pictures of him with the wealthiest of business men, like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Pictures of him entertaining various presidents on his yacht. And many more such pictures, that showcased his wealth and importance. He was almost an icon in his business.

Then tragedy struck. He was stricken with a fast moving and debilitating cancer. He was told he only had a few months to live. This man of great wealth and importance found himself looking back at his life, and seeing, instead of the pictures of wealth, the broken relationships with his family, the ignored and shattered friendships, sacrifice on the alter of importance. And many many such regrets. He found that although he was immensely successful, wildly respected, and iconic in the business world, he had lived an empty meaningless life.

Against all odds he beat the cancer and returned to work, but only for one day. He came to work to announce the new owner. He sold out of the business. Now a multi-billionaire the man disappeared.

Many years later, at the funeral of a small town janitor known as Joe stories were told. Students and staff alike told of how he had changed their lives, through his quiet and Godly influence. Near the end of the funeral an obviously wealthy business man got up to share. He shared that “Janitor Joe” was not some poor old man, working to put food on the table, but rather he was the disappearing billionaire.

You see, when faced with death, “Janitor Joe” realized what really matter. He found God. He gave up his status, his importance, and became a humble janitor. He rebuilt his relationships with his family and friends and focused on what really matters. Instead of focusing on building wealth and fame, He made himself of no reputation, and focused on God, and people.

We are called to follow in the footsteps of Christ. We are called to become like Christ. The word Christian was applied to people who were “Christ-like” in the early church. These people were also known as “Little-Christs”. Can the same be said of you? or me? Have we made ourselves of no reputation? Or do we try to build ourselves up in the eyes of others? Do we seek the approval of people, or the approval of God?

The approval of people brings a certain satisfaction. Building a reputation of being successful, or even of being Godly feels good. And it is good to have a good reputation, a good name. But when you sense the stamp of approval from God, it all feels like nothing. The approval of men leaves you searching for more, demanding of yourself to get more of that approval. Making yourself of no reputation, and seeking only to please God brings the greatest joy and satisfaction available on this side of eternity.

II. A willingness to accept the role of the servant (took upon him the form of a servant) v7

As we read on in verse 7 we see that Jesus took on him the form of a servant. One of the ways that this is shown when He washed the feet of the disciples. Foot washing was for the lowest of the low of servants. It was an unpleasant job. The feet of travelers in those times would be caked with dirt. A regular traveler, men like the disciples, who walked often and lived mostly rough and active lives would have dirty, cracked and calloused feet. Dried out from the dusty streets of Israel. Yet Jesus Himself washed the feet of the disciples. Not only did he make himself of no reputation, he took on the form of a servant. Instead of the disciples serving him, the master served the students.

A story in the “Our Daily Bread” devotional reads like this.

“A truly humble man is hard to find, yet God delights to honor such selfless people. Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, was an outstanding example of this truth. Shortly after he took over the presidency of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman. Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her. Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Professor Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested. When he was finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace. A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady.

The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. "It's perfectly all right, Madam," he replied. "Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it's always a delight to do something for a friend." She shook his hand warmly and assured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart. Not long afterward she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute.”

Booker T. Washington could have reasonably denied such a request. He was quite famous, he did not do menial work such as chopping wood, he shaped the minds of future generations. Yet, as Christ he made himself of no reputation. He did not even mention that his name Mr. Washington. No, he gladly forgot his importance, and began the work of a servant. He would never have been found out had he not been recognized. He lived out an example of service.

Again the question come to us? Do we live out Christ’s example of service? Do we not only serve those in authority over us, which everyone does, but do we serve those who should be serving us? If we are to truly follow in the example of Christ, as we are commanded, we will live a life of service. we will not seek credit for this service either. We are to do things for others, happily, without complaint, and without expectation of recognition. This is the example of Christ.

III. A willingness to serve in unconditional obedience (became obedient unto death) v8

In verse 8 this passage further expands on the example of Christ. Christ Became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Now death on a cross is in some ways more that just death. The cross was a special form of execution that was not for everyone. It was reserved. No Roman citizen could be executed by the cross for it was to cruel a death even for the worst Roman. Beyond that, free men were not usually executed. The cross was death specially reserved. It was used to strike terror into the subjects of the mighty Roman empire. When the Romans conquered, they crucified, and in this way struck such fear into the conquered that they rarely revolted.

The cross was reserved almost exclusively for rebels, and murderers. It was a slow, painful death. It was a shameful death, for it announced your absolute depravity, and the executed were generally stripped of their clothing. Crucifixion was an exceptionally cruel and demeaning death.

Jesus became obedient unto death on the cross.

This example of Christ gives us two points.

a. Obedience to the death of self

b. Obedience unto physical death

Jesus did not desire death on the cross. Yet he gave up his own will to die on the cross. We must, if we follow the example of Christ, die to our own will.

Paul said it best. “For I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth within me.”

Paul considered himself essentially dead. What he wanted, what he desired didn’t matter, only the will of God mattered. That is the place we must be to make it to heaven. if we allow our selfish desires to live, we will die. Our own wills will without exception lead us astray, draw us away from God, and eventually cause us to sin. The Psalm’s tell us that “the heart,” or our own desires, “is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” If we “follow our heart” as is the common phraseology today, we will follow our heart right into wickedness. We will die spiritually. We must crucify ourselves with Christ to follow his example. We must give up our will, our plans, our wishes, and as the Bible says in so many places we must die.

This is the best way to live and the only way to follow God is to follow Him entirely. God knows what is best for us, and only wants the best for us. So when we sacrifice our desires, we receive much greater things in return.

IV. Exalted above all (vs 9)

We have not reached the end of our reading this evening. I would like us to look at verse 9 once again.

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.”

When we follow the example of Christ we also receive a reward. No, we do not get a name above every other name, but we are rewarded.

The reward is both earthly and eternal.

On earth we receive friendship with God, and guidance from Him. We are led in paths that we should go. We have a relationship with Him who made us, Him who saved us. We live with a confidence that somehow it will be ok in the end. That through God we can survive. Things still don’t make sense, people still do us wrong. Things still do not go the way they should, but we know that we can trust the master, and even though its hard, and confusing, we know that when we follow God we are on the right path.

But not only is our reward earthly, it is heavenly. At the end of our lives, we go to heaven, we meet our savior face to face, and we live forever in perfect fellowship with Him.

Conclusion:

So, I urge you tonight, follow the example of Christ. Be willing to be of no reputation, be willing to be a servant to others, be willing to be obedient unto death. It will be worth it. As the song says, it will be worth it all when we see Jesus. When he says to us “Well done thy good and faithful servant, enter in to the joy of the Lord” we will certainly have no regrets. Living for ourselves, building a name on earth, does nothing in the end. It only brings misery and dissatisfaction. Living like Christ however, brings joy, peace, satisfaction and eternal life with Christ. Are you a “little-Christ” are you like Christ? Are you living after the example of Christ? Shall we stand for dismissal prayer.