The Descent that Defines Us

I. Introduction: The Upside-Down Kingdom (2 minutes)

Open with a brief story or question: "What would happen if we actually treated others as more important than ourselves?"

Introduce Paul's letter: written from prison, filled with joy, calling believers to unity and humility.

Transition: Philippians 2:1–11 shows how Jesus' descent into servanthood becomes the model for the church’s life together.

Philippians 2:1–11 NASB 2020

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

II. The If-Then Call to Unity (vv. 1–2) (5 minutes)

Key verses:

“If there is any encouragement in Christ… make my joy complete by being of the same mind…”

Philippians 2:1–2 NASB 2020

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Speaking Notes:

Paul uses four “if” statements that are rhetorical — they are true.

The goal: unity in mind, love, spirit, and purpose.

This is a radical oneness—not uniformity, but shared purpose rooted in Messiah.

Paul begins with four “if” statements: if there’s any encouragement, comfort, fellowship, affection—then live as one. He’s not asking hypotheticals. These are real experiences in Christ, and they form the foundation for unity. Unity isn’t uniformity; it’s choosing the same purpose and direction because of a shared King.

Question: What if we fought for unity the same way we often fight to be heard?

Application:

Ask: “What disrupts unity in our churches? What might change if we pursued it this way?”

Philippians 2:3–4 NASB 2020

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

III. The Heart of Humility (vv. 3–4) (5 minutes)

Key verses:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit…”

Speaking Notes:

These verses confront pride head-on.

True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.

This love is others-focused, not self-centered.

Paul goes deeper: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition.” Consider others as more important. Don’t just look to your own interests—look to theirs. This is humility in action. Not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.

Reflection: Who are you being called to lift up instead of compete with?

Application:

Invite a pause: "Who in your life are you called to consider more significant than yourself?"

Philippians 2:5–8 NASB 2020

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.

IV. The Descent of Christ (vv. 5–8) (10 minutes)

Key verses:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…”

Speaking Notes:

Christ did not exploit his status with God—he emptied himself (ἐκένωσεν).

Form of a servant: lowest social status.

Obedient to death—even death on a cross: Roman shame + Jewish curse.

Then comes the example: Jesus. Though equal with God, he didn’t use it to his advantage. He emptied himself—ekénōsen—and became a servant. He descended further—obedient even to death, and not just any death, but the most humiliating: a Roman cross.

This is not just theology. This is a pattern. Jesus shows us what love looks like.

Background:

This is a hymn. Paul may be quoting an early Christian creed.

Echoes of Isaiah 45 (every knee shall bow) suggest Jesus shares the divine identity.

Application:

Ask: “What does this kind of obedience look like in our daily lives?”

Challenge: “Are we more concerned with image or imitation?”

Philippians 2:9–11 NASB 2020

For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

V. The Exaltation of Jesus (vv. 9–11) (5 minutes)

Key verses:

“Therefore God has highly exalted him…”

Speaking Notes:

The descent leads to exaltation. This is God's pattern.

The Name above every name echoes shem theology—divine presence and rule (cf. Isaiah 45:23; see also Name Theology doc)Name Theology.

Every knee will bow—cosmic submission, not coerced, but acknowledging reality.

Therefore—because of his descent—God exalted him. Gave him the Name above all names. The same Name Isaiah 45 attributes to Yahweh. Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess. Jesus’ exaltation reveals the reward of humility and the reality of his divine identity.

Application:

Encourage: “In our humiliation, obedience, and service, God is at work.”

Argument:

Often. Too often in my opinion, we concentrate on the exaltation of Christ

We fail to see that his exaltation is tied to his descent.

Jesus lowered himself so we all can rise

VI. Conclusion: What If? (3 minutes)

Reflective Questions:

“What if we actually lived like Jesus—placing others first, letting go of pride, serving humbly?”

“What would our families, churches, and communities look like?”

“What if the church was known for this kind of humility and unity?”

“How would the world see Jesus differently—through us?”

Final Call:

Let this mind be in you.

The descent of Christ isn’t just a doctrine. It’s a way of life.

The Descent that Defines Us