The Reward of Humility

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 70

Psalm 70 ESV

To the choirmaster. Of David, for the memorial offering. Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!” May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 66:22-23

Isaiah 66:22–23 ESV

“For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain. From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the Lord.

Sermon:

Well once again and as always good morning church, I was glad when they said to me let us go and worship in the house of the Lord.

Well, this morning, we turn our attention to The tenth sermon in our series through the book of Philippians. But the third sermon in this little mini series. Since we started Philippians chapter 2, The focus in this time has been humility. How we are called to be humble, how Jesus is our example, and our source of humility. And then, ultimately today, what we'll be talking about Which is what is the end result and the reward.

What's the payoff For all of this humility stuff that Paul has been talking about. We need to be careful. And even as I say, and as I titled this sermon, the reward Of humility. If you are being humble, For the sake of what it gains for you. I would argue you're not being very humble. You're still only thinking about yourself and doing things for your point of view and for for your gain.

That's not humble. Humble is as Paul described it earlier is Doing nothing from selfish ambition but counting others. More significant. Than yourselves. Humility in our example from Christ is laying aside that which we think we deserve and can earn and are worthy of and rather accepting Our role and whatever God has placed Us in. So even as we think about reward, note, spoiler alert for what we're going to talk about for the rest of today. Your reward is going to be missing from our conversation Today.

As we've been doing this sort of mini series. I've been reading all of Philippians 2 1 through 11. It is really one section that I've had to break into three passages. This is the third. So we will be looking at Philippians 2 9 through 11 the last three verses this morning but I'm going to read as we have been this whole section for us.

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

These are the words of the Lord for us this morning. Let's open. The word of prayer.

Our Father in Heaven. We do thank you. For all of the gifts that you give us your grace and your mercy, thank you for the precious gift of your son. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We thank you for his example of humility, his willingness to lay aside all of the riches and treasures of Heaven and condescend into creation. Thank you for the precious gift of Salvation. You would save us and redeem us to the work of your son. We are grateful. Help us to see him more clearly, give us eyes and ears to see and hear. Give us lips that will praise him. And praise you. If it's in his name that we pray, the name above all other names, the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord Amen.

Before we dive into this last part, the what ends up being the reward of humility? I want to start with review.

REVIEW

What have we been talking about for the last two weeks? Because we can't get to the reward before we get to What brought us to see and need to see and understand what this reward is.

Two weeks ago, we talked about.. I called the sermon the ties that bind the the heart behind that name was to see that humility is what unites us. What draws us together? It's what gives us as Paul described the same. Mind the Same Love being in full Accord and of one mind. But ultimately, the sort of thought process behind that section is What's the motive for humility? What motivates us to be humble? And truly, it is the gospel at work within us what God has done to save us and redeem us. And as we focus on and dwell on and live in the hope and truth of the Gospel of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done and what that means in our lives. Then we will find ourselves being more humble. And that humility draws us together. We lay aside our wants and our desires in order to serve and love and care for one another. We I already read it but I'll read it again. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. We love and care for one another. So that we look not only to our own interests but the interests of others. The motive is our love and care for one another as the gospel is at work in our lives. But as Paul described that and he thought, okay, so the the gospel, wait a second.

The gospel is what empowers us to be humble and then we looked at the source, this was last week, the source of our humility, which is Jesus Christ. His mind in us, imitating Jesus in his humility. The one who though he was in the form of God, he had all of the necessary and essential things to make him. God he was and is and for all time will always truly be fully God, Jesus, the second person of the Trinity.

He lay aside, all of the, the high things of In order to save and redeem a people. The source of our humility is Jesus saving us redeeming us and then Jesus alive within us. The Holy Spirit moving us to imitate Christ in his humility. So so we have the the motive. It's the gospel and our love for one another. We have the source, and it's Jesus, but Paul can't seem to help himself. Because even here as he's talking about our need for humility in Christ, soaring infinite the depth and beauty of Christ's humility. We get. The payoff we get to the reward.

But as Paul starts, he wants us to be humble. And the encouragement for us to be humble is Jesus humility. But as we get to the reward note, I said this earlier, it's not your humility, that's rewarded. It's Jesus's. The reward of humility. Is Jesus. Exaltation.

the reward: JESUS’ EXHALTATION

Verse 9. Therefore, God has highly. Exalted.

The idea here is what one commentator calls a super exaltation. Right. There's there's like being lifted up. You know, this person did good, you give him an award. Maybe they get a bigger, it's a lifetime Achievement Award. Maybe there's a, a whole Ceremony to honor this person and their life and what they've done. Great. That person's being exalted. Jesus. Is HIGHLY exalted. It is an exaltation that shows that all other exaltation are nothing compared to the soaring heights of the exaltation of Jesus.

And before we dive into what this looks like and how this pans out, we first have to start and realize. The reward of humility is Jesus exultation. It's the reward of Jesus's humility but it's also the reward of my humility. As I am, humble, as I live, as I am called to live as I Find encouragement in Christ comfort, from love participation in the spirit affection and sympathy as I learn to count others, as more significant than myself, as I am discovering, how to lay aside, my own interests for a time and care for the interests of others as I learn these things. I don't receive Glory. Jesus does.

Because of this Christ at work within me. That teaches me and shows me and helps me and empowers me to do and be and live this way. Paul, in particular, I believe is speaking of the reward of Jesus humility. This is the Jesus. Who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God. A thing to be grasped but he emptied himself by taking the form of a servant being born in the likeness of men and being found in human form. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore,

This therefore has everything to do with what Jesus has done. His willingness to sacrifice, not just the high things of heaven, but ultimately himself on the cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him. The end result of Jesus condescension, the end result of Jesus. Death and Resurrection, the end result of every miracle He did — the end result of everything that he taught — The end result of everything that has happened is: Jesus receives Glory.

The reward of our humility of Jesus humility. Is that Jesus receives Glory honor and praise He is highly lifted up. This is the song, we will be singing for all time in Revelation.

Revelation 5:6–13 ESV

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

the end result of Jesus Humiliation is his glory for all time, for all eternity. We will be singing these songs. That's the reward.

But I'd like to dive into how Paul presents this because there's sort of, Simultaneous yet, different threads that Paul will pull out to show, Jesus's exaltation. And we can start by seeing this has happened in the past.

in the PAST

For those of you who have been here a while, You'll know, I I have There's a phrase that I love because I find it perfectly and adequately describes. A lot of Christian Life “already, and not yet”

we live in the time of already and not yet were there things that are true already but are not yet true because there's levels to these things. And so Jesus exultation we find these same flavors of already not yet. But notice this. Therefore God HAS highly exalted him. It's already happened. He HAS bestowed on him, the name that is above every name. Already now because in the past God, exalted Jesus, as he ascended into heaven, where he then sat at the right hand of God, the Father. Jesus king of kings and Lord of lords ruling and reigning. Where he is now. Worthy of all glory, honor and praise for all time forever. He already has the highest name for it. Is the only name under Or on Earth or under the Earth by which man can be saved? He already has the highest most beautiful name. He has already been Vindicated and shown that he has received all Victory, and power and authority when Jesus came in Matthew 28, to give us our Great Commission.

What dis he say? all authority on Heaven and on Earth has been given to me. He already has it, he rules and Reigns Jesus’ Exaltation has already happened, And so my humility right to keep it in context here. My humility serves to show that Jesus is already. King. It's already happened.

Jesus has been Highly exalted. He has been given the name that is above every name. He is worthy of all. Glory, honor, praise adoration, affection worship. He is worthy of all of this. And so we praise him. Why is he worthy of this? His humility.

Ultimately, it's because he's God... But here, what Paul is thinking and focusing on is Well, it's his humility. That saves us and redeems. We wouldn't be able.. The the beauty of what God has done in sending Jesus, we miss these things a lot. But we could go to John 1.

No one has seen God, no one knows God. But the only God, who is at his side, he has made him known. We are able... this is this is what... spoiler alert.... This is what we will be talking about in Grace groups this week. That we are empowered. The only reason we are able to praise God is because Jesus came.

We can give glory to God in beautiful ways, because Jesus came and showed and taught because Jesus was humble. Does Jesus deserve exaltation because he is just of course he does. Does Jesus deserve Exultation. Because he is ruling and reigning. Of course he does. Does Jesus deserve exaltation because of his love and mercy. Of course he does.

But Paul's point here is Jesus deserves this exaltation because of his humility. Because he humbled himself because though he was in the form of God, he did not count. Equality of God With God, a thing to be grasped. Because he took on the form of a servant, because he was obedienting to the point of death, even death on a cross because he was resurrected and he now rules and Reigns because of these things. Jesus. Is exalted. High and lifted up. He is. Our King. May we praise him. Forever we WILL praise him for all time. And forever.

This is the point. In the past. He has been highly exalted, but This will continue. In the future.

in the FUTURE

Paul has. I try not to always inundate you with these big theological words, right? If you went to Grace group this week, you got such Greatest Hits as hypostatic Union and christology. They're helpful. Another fancy word is eschatology, which just means end time. Right? The study of the end time. Anytime you hear ology? That just means study of. So, what's the eskat in Eschatology. Well, the escaton is the the last day, so it's the study of the last days.

Paul is writing. To these people. The Philippian Church be humble. Be humble because Jesus was humble. And he thinks: Any things be humble because Jesus was humble. Such that he would live and die for you but immediately Paul cannot talk about what Christ has done without looking forward to. What Christ will do? And so he continues, he has bestowed upon him. The name is above every name, so that One day. At the name of Jesus, every knee, should bow. In heaven and on Earth and under the Earth. And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ. Is Lord. One day. Jesus who deserves and has been highly exalted will receive the praise that he is due from every tongue from a from every tribe tongue and Nation. Every person who has ever existed Every Soul that has walked the face of this Earth. Every single one will confess that Jesus is Lord.

The two options are do it now. And then glory for all time in heaven or Do it in Humble sorrow. As you realize who Jesus is When he is treading out the wine press of the wrath of God Almighty, these are your two options in Humble service now, or in dread, fear and Terror later. But every knee will bow. And every tongue will confess

Jesus will Have all the glory that he deserves. And his humility is, what purchased this, Such that Now there are some tongues that are confessing and knees that are bowing but there will be an end result of the humility of Christ which is every knee will bow every tongue confess, form the the most vile Hated enemy of Christ to the most loving and devoted servant, each and every one of them Will one day be forced in Humble submission to bow before him. For he is King. That's the reward.

So to repeat: I am not getting any reward here, except for this one. Don't miss this. My reward is A head start. On praising Jesus.

If I can understand. What Christ is calling me to now? I have his mind within me. I'm seeing and living in his humility. And praise. And exalt him. Starting now. I'm looking forward to all time. That's my reward.

There's.. Hear my heart. When I say these sorts of things… There is no Even inkling. Of. Tangible. Physical reward. That Paul gives us here.

The closest, the closest I think that we could go, we'd have to go all the way back to the beginning. And understanding encouragement, Comfort participation, affection. And sympathy go back two weeks you can go, listen to that. Sermon The closest thing we have to like a real tangible physical benefit is you feel the love of God? And yet. Paul speaks of the great reward, we have here higher than anywhere else. And anyone wants to cheapen Christianity and what we get to sort of tangible, physical benefits misses the point, completely.

What we get is to worship the king of kings and the Lord of lords. And forever.

For he has been.. in the past.. he was given the name that's above all other names and in the future one day, every knee will bow. And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And in all of this Jesus is being exalted. That's the point.

And we get to participate in this.

There's just there's just one more wrinkle. That I want to highlight here. All of this happens. Look at the very last line of this passage To the glory. Of God. The father. The reward of humility ours and Jesus’ Is it? This is all for God's glory.

for GOD’S GLORY

Jesus is lifted up for God's glory. We are saved for God's glory. We live humbly for God's glory. We do everything for the glory of God. May he receive all glory, honor and praise. It's never been about you. It will never be about you.

The point that Paul is making. Our humility brings glory to God. Our lives bring glory to God. We could go through and just remember all of the things that Paul has talked about in the book of Philippians. This is now our 10th week in this book.

Paul is in prison for God's glory.

Paul is suffering, persecution for God's glory.

Paul is remembering the precious gift that the Philippians gave him. Why did the Philippians give Paul a gift? So that God would receive Glory.

Why do we do these things? So God receives Glory

Paul is okay... you know, what? If people preach the gospel out of selfish ambition and if people preach the gospel out of a humble and wonderful heart either way, Christ is proclaimed. God receives Glory.

The thing Paul cares about more than anything else. Is that God Receives Glory

because why? for Paul to live is Christ and die his game because either way God receives Glory

live your life, we looked at this before a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Why? So that God receives Glory.

That's the point. Don't take it for yourself. You have none Anyway. give all the glory to God.

Live a humble life, why? So that God receives glory. This Is what Jesus did. He came, he lived, he suffered, he died so that we could be saved… Yes. But that's just a happy result of the real reason. So that God would receive glory.

As as God Saves his people. Redeems them, snatches them from the fiery clutches and jaws of hell as he saves his people. He receives glory. And then my life becomes one that becomes part of the tapestry of every knee, that is bowing every tongue That is confessing that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God, the Father. It's all for his glory. It's all for his praise and adoration. That's the point.

Why should you be humble? Let's try to try to tie a bow on all of this. Well, it starts out because It's good for the life of the church. It'll make Paul happy. Make my joy complete, he said. Why that's your motive? It's the gospel what God has done. What he's building and doing sure. And you have this mind among yourself, which is yours in Christ Jesus. The source is not from you. This is how we can show God the glory. The source is not you you're not good enough. You're not smart enough. You're not nice enough. You sure aren't humble enough. Sorry, but don’t worry, I'm not either.

We do this so that God receives glory. And that's the point.

Jesus. Now, given the name above all the other names, the name that that to which every knee will bow. And every tongue will confess, that's the name. He's been given. Why? So that God receives Glory

all of this to the glory of God the Father So, be humble. It's good for you. It's good for the church. But most importantly, It's how we live the way we are called to live.

Question, one of the Westminster catechism asks, what is the chief end of man? Their answer. I think they put this in the right order. To glorify God. And enjoy him. Forever. And here Paul's telling us the way we glorify God. Just to be humble. The way Jesus was humble.

Let's pray.