Suffering Servant - Exalted King
Jesus Amazed • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 4 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Jesus did some amazing miracles throughout HIS earthly ministry. But… the thing that is the most amazing is that Jesus lived a perfect life, HE treated others honestly, HE loved everyone genuinely, HE served others willingly, and laid down HIS life for us by choosing the cross.
If we are not amazed by Jesus we really don’t know Jesus. As followers of Jesus we must allow our amazement for Jesus to transform our life by living like Jesus, serving like Jesus, and loving like Jesus.
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
PRAY
Paul exhorts believers to cultivate unity and humility by following the example Christ sets for us. Despite HIS divine nature, HE humbled himself to the point of death on a cross.
Jesus demonstrated perfectly that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found NOT in power and self-importance but in humility, service, and sacrificial love.
We want to be amazed by Jesus enough for us to embody humility and servanthood in our lives. Jesus demonstrates that real strength lies in our willingness to serve others.
1. Unity is Established through Spirit-Led Humility
1. Unity is Established through Spirit-Led Humility
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
We are all called to model our life after Jesus so keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. That’s when the things that come out of our mouth and the things that we do will reflect the heart of God.
God is always in unity with HIMSELF and HIS Word. That’s why Spirit let… Spirit empowered humility is essential if we are going to live in unity.
Unity isn’t always agreeing but we always honor and love one another all the time. Our differences aren’t excuses for anger or disrespect but are opportunities for Spirit-Led Unity to take root. The truth is that we are all different but we are all dearly loved by God. If we are all loved by God, as followers of Christ we are commanded to love one another as Christ loved us, even if we don’t agree with certain things or embrace certain viewpoints or lifestyles.
We are free to debate but we are not free to hate. Debate isn’t about you being right, it’s about Christ being exalted.
Paul mentions 4 if statements…
The 4 results of unity in the Body of Christ.
if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ.
if any comfort from his love.
if any common sharing in the Spirit.
if any tenderness and compassion.
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
The word translated “encouragement” is paraklesis, also translated “exhortation” (which can mean either comfort or rebuke).
Jesus used a form of the same word when he spoke of the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete) as the Counselor or Comforter.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
Every believer has received encouragement, exhortation, correction and comfort from Christ so if that’s common in our experience that ought to unite us as believers.
if any comfort from his love.
If you have received Christ’s love that should unite us and bring us comfort. Also having that common love for Christ should cause us to love one another.
If any common sharing in the Spirit.
This might be better translated, “The Spirit has brought you into fellowship with one another.”
Each believer should have that personal fellowship with the Holy Spirit throughout the week so when we come together in fellowship with one another we are to be unified by the same Spirit.
Since there is only one Spirit, there can be only one body
4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
If there is one body, that means division must have no place in the body of Christ.
If any tenderness and compassion
Good fruit is produced when we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in our life.
“Tenderness” refers to sensitivity to others’ needs or feelings;
“compassion” means feeling the sorrow of another person and desiring to help alleviate it.
When any part of the Body of Christ hurts, we hurt individually as well. When tenderness and compassion are active in the church that has the power to unify any body of believers.
Paul gives the “if’s” and then gives the “then”
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Because of their common experience in Christ and their common fellowship with the Holy Spirit, as believers we should then be like-minded.
This does not mean that the believers have to agree on everything; instead, each believer should have the mind (or attitude) of Christ.
This was Jesus’ prayer for the church.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.
We have the same love, the same Spirit, and the same mind so stand firm in unity like Christ. Our mission and our purpose is to spread the gospel to all mankind so let’s overcome those small differences and work hard fulfilling our mission and our purpose as HIS Church together.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Paul had to address some issues within the Philippian church. Their actions and attitudes were causing discord because they desired recognition or distinction.
Whenever we think too highly of ourselves and our abilities, we begin to place ourselves above others.
When this attitude within a group begins to fester, discord and division will become the identity of the church.
Basically this happens when the church is absent of encouragement, comfort, fellowship in the Spirit, tenderness and compassion.
When there is no desire for like-mindedness and love for people the church begins to divide and isolate.
Stop comparing ourselves to others. Stop justifying our sin because we think we are not as bad as so and so. Those kind of comparisons will only lead to pride, self-centeredness and division.
As followers of Christ we are all called to die to our selfishness and pride. In Humility, value others above yourselves, not looking only to your own interests, but taking an interest in others as well.
When we are pursuing humility we start reflecting Christ’s character and genuinely consider others’ needs before our own.
2. Christ’s Perfect Pattern
2. Christ’s Perfect Pattern
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
If anyone didn’t understand what Paul meant by acting out of humility and looking first to others’ concerns, then Paul gave us a clear pattern to follow. Our attitude needs to be the same attitude of our Lord Jesus.
Paul was speaking to the Philippian church as a whole, describing this should be the attitude of the church, that each believer must have as part of the whole.
Many people feel that they can’t control their moods or attitudes. But Paul doesn’t accept the fact that as a Spirit-filled believer we are somehow slaves to our attitudes.
If it was Christ’s attitude it’s got to be our attitude as well.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Our emotions and feelings are a part of us but we must not simply do what our feelings indicate.
The truth is that yes, we must be in touch with our feelings but we must follow Christ and do what HE requires regardless of our feelings.
Once Jesus is our Lord we are called to obey our Lord because of who HE is and what HE has done on our behalf.
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Jesus Christ is God…
Christ has always existed with God.
Christ is equal to God because HE is God (John 1:1–14; Colossians 1:15–20).
Though Christ is God, he became a man in order to fulfill God’s plan of salvation for all people.
Christ did not just have the appearance of being a man—he actually became human to identify with us.
Christ voluntarily laid aside his divine rights and privileges out of love for his Father.
Christ died on the cross for our sins so we wouldn’t have to face eternal death.
God glorified Christ because of his obedience.
God raised Christ to his original position at the Father’s right hand, where he will reign forever as our Lord and Judge.
Jesus Christ was not merely a human who lived for thirty-three years on this earth; instead, Jesus existed with God before time began.
In Jesus’ prayer before his death, he said
5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus Christ is in very nature God. The Greek word translated “nature” appears in the New Testament only here.
The very nature of God means that Christ expressed the very nature and character of God.
Everything God is, Christ is but Jesus did not consider this equality something to be grasped. Christ did not have to seize or grasp his equality, it was already HIS.
We are to have the same mindset or attitude as Christ.
There is no place for flaunting our rights or authority. As the church we must serve, not promoting our own power, survival, or security.
As the church we must not hoard our resources of money and people but should make them available to God’s worldwide mission.
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Christ voluntarily gave of himself, poured himself out, put himself on the line so he made himself lowly.
Taking the very nature (or form) of a slave was not an exchange, but an addition to his essential nature. Jesus did this voluntarily but HE did not give up his deity to become human.
Jesus was in very nature God and, upon his birth as a human being, he took the form of a slave.
From HIS birth, to the life HE lived and through HIS death, even though Jesus was divine, HE was devoted to serving others as a slave.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Jesus died the worst possible torture—death by crucifixion. Death on a cross was the form of capital punishment that Romans used for notorious criminals. It was excruciatingly painful and humiliating way to die.
Prisoners were nailed or tied to a cross and left to die. Death might not come for several days, and it usually came by suffocation when the weight of the weakened body made breathing more and more difficult.
Jesus’ human life was not a script that he passively followed. It was a life that he freely chose.
17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Jesus chose to obey, even though his obedience led to suffering and death. This was Christ’s perfect pattern.
If HE valued humility over self-promotion. If Jesus accessed true strength through serving others then take the world and give me Jesus. Our pattern must be Jesus’ as well.
3. Exaltation Through Service
3. Exaltation Through Service
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
That Jesus’ name is above every name. In the Bible, names often reveal a person’s character. Jesus’ name is above any other name because his dignity and honor are above all others. Because Jesus did not grasp at his equality with God but willingly obeyed God. Jesus was obedient in carrying out the plan of salvation, God honored that obedience by giving Jesus this name above all names, a name with great power.
This means that one day every knee will bow before him.
Those in heaven refers to the angels;
those on earth means all humanity;
those under the earth refers to the underworld—possibly to unsaved people who have died or to demons.
Those who love Jesus will bow in adoration and worship; those who refused to acknowledge him will bow in submission and fear.
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. This does not mean that eventually everyone will be saved. Every tongue in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will recognize Jesus as Lord, either because of belief or because of mere acknowledgement of the indisputable fact. No tongue will be silent; no knee will remain unbowed. All of creation will recognize that Jesus Christ is Lord.
In this life, personal commitment and affirmation of Jesus’ lordship is required for salvation.
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Jesus is Lord! Whether we agree… support… surrender…
Salvation is here… today is the day of salvation but salvation is a choice. Jesus stands at the door and knocks are we willing to let HIM in today!
Christ is exalted because HE humbly and willingly obeyed HIS Father. Jesus fulfilled the work so that we can be saved so that we can follow HIS perfect pattern of humility and service as we worship Jesus.
Our reward may not be here on earth, we may not receive accolades from man, but following Jesus’ perfect plan of humility and servanthood will bring a well done from our heavenly father and a heavenly reward that is eternal.
Take Away
Is our awe and amazement for Jesus leading us to live the way Jesus lived?
Are we seeking after power and position or are we letting go through humility and servanthood?
Who or what are we worshipping? Are we seeking after the temporary passions and pleasures of this world or are we seeking Jesus by following HIS pattern by laying down our passions and pleasures?
