The Humble King

If you have your Bible and I hope that you do, please turn with me to Philippians 2. We are talking today about how Gospel unity flows from Gospel humility and we’re going to look at Christ as our ultimate model.

Today, we are looking at the unity that Paul instructs the Philippian church to have. And as we’ll see, it’s not simply a nice idea — it’s essential for Gospel mission. The church in Philippi was suffering from disunity. Imagine a team of horses tied to the same cart — but each one is pulling in a different direction. The harder they pull, the less progress they make. Eventually, they’re exhausted, frustrated, and going nowhere.

A church without humility is like that. Everyone’s pulling — but not together. In Philippians 2, Paul shows us how to pull together in the same direction: we remember our call to Christlike unity, we build on a foundation of humility, and we look to Jesus as the example.

Let’s stand together in honor of God’s Word as we read Philippians 2:1-11

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Our Gracious Father, we thank You for this day that we get to learn about Your Word. You have commanded us to set aside one day in seven to worship You and delight in You. We commit ourselves today to You and plead with You to do Your will in our lives.

Today, are study about humility, unity, and the Gospel, I want to continue praying for this church. You have called me here and I thank You for how You are working in our congregation. But Lord, there are still many that desire their own way and I admit that I fall into that category more often than I should. So help us all today to humble ourselves before You and gain the mind of Christ.

Father, I do want to lift up to You many in our congregation that are sick and battling various ailments: for Spencer and Janice that are recovering from COVID, for Steve Warren as he continues to heal from his surgeries with cancer, for Denny Johnson as she continues chemotherapy, for Judi Jewell who is fighting cancer, for Judy Griswold as she recovers from surgery, for Clem Felchle as he has many health issues and may be resuming rehab soon, for Charlie Roden and many others that I’m sure I’ve missed Lord, we lift them up to You. Please work in their lives and help them to grow in their season of suffering, and we pray for their sanctification.

Father, we love You very much. Thank You for Your Son and the salvation we have by faith in Him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Paul has spent the first chapter talking about his imprisonment being for Christ and address the disunity that is spreading through the church. You have Christians that are exhibiting selfishness and living for this world. They aren’t living for eternity! They aren’t living as citizens of the heavenly kingdom and because there are many that are looking out for what they want and their desires it’s causing Gospel work to be hindered.

This passage is a shift — not so much on the outward struggle of standing and suffering, but on the inward attitude that sustains unity in the gospel mission. Our passage begins with Paul giving the Philippians something to consider. In fact, what Paul is doing is trying to get the Philippians to think about the motives for their behavior of being disunified.

Think of these verses this way: “Is there any encouragement in Christ?” Is there? Yes! Absolutely! “Is there any comfort from love?” How do you answer that? Yes! “Is there any participation in the Spirit?” Yes! “Is there any affection and sympathy?” Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Each of these blessings is both objective — grounded in God’s own character — and subjective — personally experienced by the believer through the Spirit. They are individual and yet communal — enjoyed personally but meant to be shared in fellowship.

These things are true of Christians because they’re ours in Jesus Christ. This is what gives fellowship in the local church. It is in Christ by the Spirit that we have encouragement, comfort, fellowship, and affection. These things are enjoyed individually because of our relationship with Jesus, and yet they are experienced corporately by one anothering but you know — the Philippians weren’t experiencing this one anothering.

So Paul gives them

A Call to Christlike Unity

Paul is giving them Gospel encouragement to be of the same mind, love, and in full agreement and this is what will give them spiritual unity. Paul pleads with this church that he helped plant to be of the same mind, the same love, in full accord and of one mind.

Unity here is not blind uniformity, but harmony in the truth of the gospel — many different voices singing the same song under the same Lord. 

That means unity is not about agreeing on the color of the carpet, the style of music, or the time of the service. It means that if you and I both love Christ and are submitted to His Word, we can pull together even if we wouldn’t decorate our houses the same way. In our church, are you willing to yield your personal preferences so that the Gospel can advance without friction?

Paul says that if they can find any agreement in those things that they can make his joy complete. What? This means that his joy is incomplete. Why? It’s not because of being imprisoned, it’s because the Philippians are not living like citizens of heaven. They are behaving like Romans, Gentiles and Jews. They’re divided and disunified and this absolutely increases the suffering that Paul is experiencing in prison. They’re not able to contend for the faith because they’re not able to “striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”

Paul identifies 4 problems that they have:

They’re not unified in their thinking. 

They don’t have the same mind. They’re so focused on their own desires that they neglect their fellow Christian. So their thinking is completely wrong.

Because Christ did not cling to His rights but laid them aside for you, you now have the freedom to lay aside your preferences for the sake of others. When you enter a ministry conversation or a church decision, remember that your Savior gave up the glory of heaven to serve your eternal good. That same grace now empowers you to ask, not ‘What do I want?’ but ‘What will serve the Gospel best?

This is the “mind” of v. 2 — opinions and attitudes — which must be shaped by Christ, not by cultural preferences or personal agendas. Yet, we aren’t called to blindly agree to everything that a believer wants. There is diversity under the Lordship of Christ Jesus.

I could list specific examples in our church, because we do struggle here. But I’ve also seen God’s grace among us — members quietly meeting needs without recognition, reconciling after disagreements, praying for one another in hard times. Those are glimpses of Christ’s humility. Let’s build on these evidences of grace and ask God to root out anything that pulls us apart.

2. They’re not loving in their heart. 

This love is the self-sacrificial love that flows from the Gospel of grace and it’s the love that is poured into believers’ hearts. It is the love that abounds and which he demonstrates by sending Epaphroditus. It’s the love of Christ being displayed by His dying on the cross. This is the same love Paul prayed would abound in them in 1:9 — the love they’ve received in Christ now poured out toward one another.

You can’t fake this love. It’s not just smiling on Sunday; it’s praying for people when they frustrate you. It’s making the call when you’d rather stay home. Who in this church is God calling you to actively love this week — not just in words, but in actions?

Everything flows from a right relationship with God. When we are made right with God, authentic love for Him and especially for other Christians is the hallmark of the believer. I don’t know a mature Christian that doesn’t love Christ’s bride.

3. They’re not in harmony with each other. 

Believers in the local church ought to be in agreement. Think of a church as an orchestra playing a piece of music. Everyone has their gifts and talents —Everyone brings their instruments and plays the pieces as they’re written to play music in wonderful ways under the Great Conductor!

The Lord conducts His church — harmony comes when all submit to His score and His direction.

This is one of the things I love about Vacation Bible School — everyone’s focused on the mission. Crafts, music, Bible teaching, snacks, games — all different parts working in harmony to reach kids for Christ.

4. They’re not unified in their purpose. 

The first “mind” refers to opinions, here it’s about goals, the unity of mission — being one in purpose.

My point here is that we must be united in mission and stand together in the Spirit of God for the sake of Gospel work! Satan doesn’t fear a church that is disunified. The gates of hell do not tremble when Christians fight. The demons do not cower when division fills the sanctuary.

If the enemy were to evaluate our church today, would he be worried or relaxed? Would he see a people so focused on the Gospel that nothing can distract them, or a people so distracted that the Gospel barely moves forward? What will you personally do this week to keep our mission clear and undiluted?

So how can we get there? Well, we look to what Paul says — that our unity begins with remembering who we are in Christ and the shared blessings we have. We must remember the Word of God being the foundation for lasting unity in the church. Paul’s appeal is not sentimentality — it is grounded in our positional reality in Christ and the Spirit’s ongoing work in us.

But Paul is explicit in what not to do: he says “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit.” “Do,” that’s an imperative. “Nothing,” that’s an all-encompassing word. Not one part of a Christian’s life should be influenced by these two things: 1) selfish ambition and 2) conceit.

Selfish ambition is the self-promoting rivalry seen in politics and everyday life — making oneself look good while undermining others.

Conceit here is empty pride. It emphasizes a much higher view of oneself and implies vanity, definitely Roman qualities. Of course, Philippi was a Roman city, and these values of self-promotion and rivalry were deeply ingrained in Roman culture. But they are also deeply ingrained in every fallen human heart — whether Roman, American, or anything else. Paul’s call isn’t just ‘Quit acting like Romans!’ but ‘Quit acting like citizens of this passing world.’ You are citizens of the heavenly kingdom — so live out the culture of Christ.

II. The Foundation of Humility

Paul gives us some positives here: we are to, with humble hearts, “count others more significant than yourselves.” This “count” is another thought word and is understood as “consider.” So we can understand this to say “consider others as excelling yourself.” 

That’s not natural — everything in our culture trains us to think, ‘My needs first.’ But the Gospel turns that upside down. Imagine what would happen in our church if every member showed up asking, ‘How can I lift someone else up today?’ Who is one person here you can deliberately serve before you leave this building?

Paul had this mind, didn’t he?

Philippians 3:7–8 ESV

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

We are to have a proper view of ourselves and a better view of others. This means we do not have elites in the church. The world looks at ranks and status. They want to know the letters behind your name, the personality profiles you have, the accomplishments and everything. What does Paul say about those things? They’re garbage compared to knowing Christ. Absolute rubbish!

And yet, we are to simultaneously view others as our betters! Sincerely, our betters — because the Christian life is not about personal honors but selflessness. Our lives are to be marked by humility and service.

Markus Bockmuehl put it well: “The biblical view of humility is precisely not feigned or groveling, nor a sanctimonious lack of self-esteem, but rather a mark of moral strength and integrity… entrusting one’s fortunes to God rather than one’s own abilities or resources.” In other words, humility isn’t weakness or poor self-esteem — it’s moral strength that trusts God instead of self.

We see this modeled in Jesus’ life.

Matthew 20:25–28 ESV

25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Paul writes that this teaching doesn’t mean that we don’t take care of our business. Paul writes, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Paul is simply rephrasing what God has taught.

Mark 12:31 ESV

31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

So how do we handle this? Is this a contradiction? No! Biblical humility is about rejecting self-centeredness as our driving motivation. It’s about laying aside my wants and desires for the sake of the glory of God.

So when a decision in this church didn’t go the way you wanted, humility says, ‘Praise God, His work is still being done.’ When someone else gets the credit, humility says, ‘It’s not about my name; it’s about His name.’ Which voice is louder in your heart — the Spirit reminding you to rejoice in others’ good, or the flesh whispering, ‘You deserved that’?

And we see this modeled in the life of Christ, don’t we? It’s about seeking others’ good and not personal honor. At the beginning of Christ’s ministry, He was insanely popular and instead of going to Jerusalem and sitting on the throne — which is what most people wanted — He rejected the honor of the world in order to follow the Father’s plan of redemption to save His people.

Jesus wasn’t indifferent to people’s needs. He met their needs. And He was genuinely loving and interested in them. It was never surface level.

But we have to be of the same mind — and unity has limits. Paul never advocates unity at the expense of truth. In Philippians 3, he will warn against those who distort the gospel, echoing Galatians 1:8–9

Galatians 1:8–9 ESV

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

We must hold to the pure, true, and unadulterated Gospel!

III. The Example of Christ

Paul says to have this mind — another thought phrase. Think like this, look at the example of Jesus, and all believers are to have this mind which is ours. Paul is correcting the thought patterns of this church that is battling selfish ambition, self-centeredness, and pride, and showing them that the culture’s way of thinking is not Jesus’ way of thinking. This mind is not something we have to obtain through effort; rather, this mind is ours in Christ Jesus.

His Mind

We don’t know all the thoughts of our Savior, but we do know His entire purpose was to do the will of the Father. Jesus’ life was laser-focused on pleasing His Father in Heaven. And we can have this same mindset because we are united to God in Christ.

This is not mere imitation — it is imitation undergirded by imputation and indwelling. Christ’s Spirit enables what He commands.

And we can live out the mind of Christ because we are empowered to do so by the indwelling Spirit of God.

His Advent

The Word existed fully divine before He became the Son according to John 1:14

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This passage is understood as being in the “form of God,” that is the likeness of God, and was counted as equal with God. This means that Jesus did not achieve divinity — He is divine and has been so eternally.

And Jesus did not count equality with God something to be grasped — as in something to take for Himself to lord it over others. The Greek term for “a thing to be grasped” doesn’t refer to something He didn’t have, but something He already possessed and refused to exploit.

Remember that Christ is the Second Adam. Adam took for himself the fruit that was forbidden. Christ is the one that crushes Satan’s head. Satan tried to take for himself the throne of heaven instead of remaining in his place.

But Christ has every right to be the Lord, Master, and King of creation! When He came, He would have had every right to smite everyone and execute justice on the earth. And yet, He emptied Himself — not of His divinity — but took on the form of a servant. That is, when Jesus was born, He became Man. Jesus has always been the form (actual) God, and Jesus took on the form of (actual) Man. Fully God and fully Man. the fullness of both in one Person.

So when you’re tempted to cling to your rights, remember — Christ had every right to stay in heaven, yet He laid them down for you. That’s the standard for our humility. If He could step that low for you, what step of humility is beneath you? Can you not lay aside a preference for the sake of unity?

Notice that the Christians in Philippi built up themselves — their selfish ambition and empty pride — and Christ took on selfless ambition and emptied Himself by becoming a servant. And this emptying by service was a path of unparalleled obedience to the will of God.

There was not one time in all of history where Christ walked apart from the will of the Father. From an infant, Christ was perfect. Throughout childhood, He was obedient. That boy grew into a perfect Man, and this Man had a unique purpose to obey God to death by dying on the cross for the sins of mankind.

His Exaltation

Therefore… because of Jesus’ perfect obedience and service, God has exalted Him. Jesus is not higher than He was before creation — we just have His true identity now. He is exalted, and His name is above every other name. The name of Christ Jesus commands power and authority!

And now there is coming a day when every knee will bow. Paul isn’t creating new imagery here — he’s echoing Isaiah 45:23

Isaiah 45:23 ESV

23 By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’

Paul is showing us that Jesus shares the very divine identity of Yahweh. This moment when every knee bows is not an optional display of respect; it is the inevitable fulfillment of God’s eternal decree. The whole sweep of redemptive history — from creation, to Israel’s hope, to the cross, to the final judgment — is moving toward this moment.

Paul is doing what he’s done in this passage in using all-encompassing language to drive home the point. He’s said “any,” “do nothing,” now he’s saying one day “every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The phrase “under the earth” likely includes both the dead and spiritual powers of evil — meaning no being in existence is excluded from Christ’s lordship.

All creation will bow to Christ. From the highest angels and elders around the throne of God, to believers here on the earth, to those who rejected Christ and warred against Him. Yes, even Satan will begrudgingly pay homage to the King of Creation before he is cast into the Lake of Fire. Paul’s point is absolute — no being anywhere will escape the moment when Christ is acknowledged as Lord.

We began this morning with an image of a team of horses pulling in opposite directions — exhausted, frustrated, and going nowhere. But what happens when the reins are given to the rightful driver? What happens when every heart is submitted to the same Lord, pulling toward the same goal? The cart moves. The mission advances. The Kingdom grows.

Church, Christ is that Driver. He is the humble King who laid aside His rights for you, He died in your place, and He is now exalted above every name. One day, every knee will bow — in heaven, on earth, and under the earth — and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Let’s not wait for that day to give Him the glory. Let’s live it now — together — with one mind, one love, and one mission, for the sake of His Gospel.

So let’s not wait for that day to give Him the glory. Let’s live it now — together — with one mind, one love, and one mission, for the sake of His Gospel. That means reconciling with the person you’ve been avoiding — because Christ reconciled you to Himself at infinite cost. That means choosing unity over preference in the next church decision — because Christ chose the cross over His comfort. That means pulling together for the advance of the Gospel — because the Lamb who was slain is worthy to receive the reward of His suffering. His glory is not only our goal — it’s our purpose.

Head: God wants you to know that Gospel unity comes through humility and following Christ’s example.

Gospel unity isn’t possible without humility, because pride pulls believers in different directions. Christ showed us the way by laying aside His rights to serve and save us, and we are called to follow His example.

Heart: God wants you to believe Christ’s humility is the model and source of true church unity.

Christ’s humility is both our example and the power that makes true unity possible. When we trust Him and follow His example, the church can live with one mind and one mission.

Hand: God wants you to set aside self-interest to pursue Gospel unity.

Putting the Gospel first means letting go of personal agendas that divide Christ’s people. When we lay aside self-interest, we make room for love, service, and shared mission. This is how First Baptist will move forward together in the power of Christ.