HARMONY WITH CHRIST Philippians 2:1-11

English Standard Version Chapter 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from flove, any gparticipation in the Spirit, any haffection and sympathy, 2 icomplete my joy by being jof the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from kselfish ambition or lconceit, but in mhumility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you nlook not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 oHave this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,1 6 pwho, though he was in qthe form of God, did not count equality with God ra thing to be grasped,2 7 but semptied himself, by taking the form of a tservant,3 ubeing born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by vbecoming obedient to the point of death, weven death on a cross. 9 xTherefore yGod has zhighly exalted him and bestowed on him athe name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus bevery knee should bow, cin heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and devery tongue confess that Jesus Christ is eLord, to the glory of God the Father.

Introduction:

Today we find one of the greatest passages of scripture that deal with the Person of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul speaks of Christ as a pattern a guide a template for the believer to follow.

But Notice when he get to speaking of Christ he then parenthetically, extends his comments about Jesus.

Paul gives us straight to the point concepts on how the believer is so suppose to conduct him or herself.

one of the things i have noticed that if your going to be alright with anybody or anything you must learn to be all right with yourself.

I. THE METHOD OF HUMILITY V3-4

Paul encourages the believer to humility and selflessness while they are interacting with others.

the Apostle Paul tells us clearly to stay away from selfish ambition and conceit and try hard to value others above yourselves, Paul says try to consider how others feel and not always just be concern with how you feel.

somebody said what is that and now how do you do that? Well I’m so glad you asked

Selfish Ambition refers to a desire for personal gain personal advancement personal recognition.

Conceit refers to vanity, pride, and often has and inflated sense of self importance. remember what i told you a minute ago leran how to be ok with being alright with you see when your alright with you you don’t have to be the one always trying to get the edge on somebody else your not alway trying to get ahead by stepping on somebody else.

When your ok with you you don’t be the most important person in the room sometimes you can come in a space and listen and learn and be ok.

preach

Apostle Paul tells us reject selfish ambition and conceit.

But rather than be full of yourself learn how to look not at your interest but the interest of others.

there is a call for the believers to embrace and value others.

Can i tell you my feels have been hurt since I’ve been a pastor i try to help people and they stab me in the back i try to help people and they lie on me I try to help people and they treat me like the enemy. But can i tell you this morning yes it hurts but that don’t stop me i keep right on trying to help the next person in line.

The text says i have to look beyond my own desires this is why.

Paul tells the believer that we should always be in harmony with Jesus Christ.

II. THE MODEL OF HUMILITY V5-8

v5 listen to what he says Let This Mind Be In You.

can I tell you this morning what we think is what we are.

Lou Rawls had it right when he said a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

The mind is so important to how we conduct ourselves. That is why satan is always try to distract us with our mind with the things of this world. He does everything he can to keep our minds off of the things of God.

Thats why the old saints would say what I woke Up This Morning With My Mind Stayed Of Thee.

He does not say Let this mind be in you and drop you he says let this mind be in you that Which also In Christ Jesus. Christ is the model.

Why Christ the answer is right there if you look

V6 Who being in the form of God Listen this form does not mean shape but it means of the essence of something. Here it is its clear the text reveals that Jesus is and was God.

Jesus was humble willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people.

If Jesus could humble himself willing shouldn’t we to have a servant attitude and love one another as God has so loved us. I told you before its and attitude.

look at Christ attitude

V6 thought it not robbery to be equal with God

Here he makes it very clear i am somebody I am God

that should help somebody because while you trying to be all that and a bag of chips a big baller and heavy weight shot caller need I remind you. You just might really be all that

BUT YOU AIN”T God and if Jesus could humble himself came down through 42 Generations I need to tell you you should also.

III. MERITS OF HUMILITY V9-11

Can I tell you serving God will pay off after while i know sometimes serving Him does not always seem like it when your serving and nobody says thank you nobody notice your sacrifice nobody see’s your struggle but i stopped by today on my way to heaven to tell you if don’t nobody else see God see’s it all he knows it all.

Jesus came and did what God told him to do his family tried to sidetrack him.

His town people denied him but Jesus keep his focus and can i tell you God exalted him the text says

WHEREFORE GOD ALSO HATH HIGH EXALTED HIM

Can i pause before i go and tell you people may honor you but there is no honor higher or greater that being honored by God. look at the word wherefore that tells me God is honoring him for the work that he has done.

the cross precedes the crown and humility precedes honor. so If you want to be honored from God you must met the prerequisite of the wherefore.

he gives him a name which is above every name

the word name in given him a name means a title which speaks of ones office rank, dignity. in other words because of the work he has done his rank title office is above any other rank you can have.

look at the text every knee should bow of the things in heaven and things in the earth, and things under the earth.

oh my brothers and sisters the time is coming that we will recognize and reverence Jesus But can i tell you that not only will your knees be bowing but your hearts will be bowing also Pastor who gone bow you got some good questions

the text says the things in heaven and the things in earth and the things under the earth.

in the King James bible if you look close enough the word things are in italics which means it was added to the text.

it should be beings which means living creature.

all mankind weather saved or lost i did say all that includes all angels weather they are good or bad all creatures regardless of where they are in heaven or on earth or under the eartyh in a place of damnation they will all bow. to Jesus

He has been merited rewarded so

every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord,. to the glory of God The Father

go ahead right there and preach to yourself duplicate every knee that bowed

Every Tongue

that why I’m trying to tell everybody I can about Jesus because your one day going to have to confess weather you knew it before or not you will confess

what will they Confess Yes That Jesus is Lord

DO YOU KNOW HIM