Joy Through Humility

JOY THROUGH HUMILITY Philippians 2:1–11 (ESV)

Big Idea: Joy comes when we have the mind of Christ—humble and others-centered.

INTRO: “Complete My Joy”

Picture a man in prison. Not for a crime, but for preaching hope. He’s cold. Forgotten. Facing death. And instead of asking for help, he writes: “Complete my joy…”

We expect him to say: “Pray for my release.” “Send help.” “Visit me.”

But he doesn’t.

Instead, he says: “Be humble. Consider others more significant than yourselves. Have the mind of Christ.”

Paul’s joy isn’t tied to comfort—it’s tied to their humility. Last week, we saw Paul’s joy in terrible circumstances. This week, we see how their humility completes his joy.

Big Idea: Joy comes when we have the mind of Christ—humble and others-centered.

We’ll walk through Philippians 2:1–11 in four movements:

Have this mind — Paul’s command to adopt Christ’s mindset

What mind? — A mindset that puts others first

Whose mind? — Christ’s descent into humility and sacrifice

What result? — God’s exaltation and the promise of joy

Let’s read the passage together.

I. HAVE THIS MIND (v. 5) “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5

Paul doesn’t say, “Try harder.” He says, “Think differently.” This is a command—not a suggestion. A call to adopt the mindset of Jesus.

“Have this mind” — Set your thoughts, values, and priorities to match Christ’s.

“Among yourselves” — This is about relationships. Marriage. Friendship. Church life.

“Which is yours in Christ Jesus” — You already have access to this mindset. The question is: Will you live it out?

The way down is the way up. This is the mind of Christ.

II. WHAT MIND? Others-Centered (vv. 1–4) “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy…” — Philippians 2:1

Paul begins with four “if” statements—but they’re not uncertain. He’s saying: “Since these things are absolutely true…”

You’ve received encouragement from Christ.

You’ve been comforted by His love.

You’ve experienced the Spirit’s presence.

You’ve felt God’s affection and mercy.

Response: Because you’ve received all this—now give it to others.

“Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” — Philippians 2:2

Paul longs for unity. Not uniformity—but unity of purpose, love, and spirit.

Fourfold emphasis: same mind, same love, full accord, one mind.

Unity brings joy. Division kills it.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” — Philippians 2:3

Paul identifies the enemies of unity:

Selfish ambition — “I know best.” “My way or the highway.”

Conceit — “I need to be seen.” “I deserve recognition.”

These make everything about me instead of we.

The antidote? Humility.

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” — Philippians 2:4

Paul isn’t saying ignore your own interests. He’s saying don’t stop there.

Reflection:

In your marriage: Are you asking, “What do I need?” or “What does my spouse need?”

In your workplace: Are you protecting your turf or helping others succeed?

In this church: Are you fighting for your preferences or considering what serves others?

The way down is the way up. This is the mind of Christ.

III. WHOSE MIND? Christ’s—The Descent (vv. 6–8) “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped…” — Philippians 2:6

Jesus was fully God. He had every right to stay in glory. But He didn’t cling to His status.

“But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” — Philippians 2:7

Step 1: God → Man

Jesus gave up:

The independent use of His divine privileges

The glory and honor He deserved

The privileges of His position

He didn’t come as a king or general. He came as a servant.

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” — Philippians 2:8

Step 2: Man → Servant → Death

He didn’t just become human. He served.

He didn’t just serve. He died.

He didn’t just die. He was crucified.

Crucifixion was:

Excruciatingly painful

Publicly humiliating

Spiritually cursed

Three downward steps:

God → Man

Man → Servant

Servant → Cross

→ This is the mind we’re called to have: willing to descend, to serve, to sacrifice.

The way down is the way up. This is the mind of Christ.

IV. WHAT RESULT? Exaltation and Joy (vv. 9–11) “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…” — Philippians 2:9

Because Jesus humbled Himself, God exalted Him.

“So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth…” — Philippians 2:10 “And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” — Philippians 2:11

Universal worship is coming.

Every knee — No exceptions

Every tongue — No resistance

Every creature — No escape

The principle: The way down is the way up.

Jesus humbled Himself → God exalted Him

Jesus descended → God lifted Him

Jesus died → God gave Him the name above all names

Promise for us:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” — James 4:10 “Humble yourselves… so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” — 1 Peter 5:6

The way down is the way up. This is the mind of Christ.

V. APPLICATION: Where Do You Need to Go Down?

Paul doesn’t say, “Try harder.” He says, “Have this mind.”

In your conflicts—do you have the mind of Christ?

Are you clinging to your rights? → Jesus let go of His

Are you demanding your way? → Jesus became a servant

Are you protecting your reputation? → Jesus went to a cross

In your relationships:

Marriage: Defend your needs → or elevate your spouse Workplace: Climb the ladder → or serve others Church: Fight for preferences → or fight for unity

Personal challenge:

What right do you need to release?

What preference needs to die?

Who do you need to consider more significant than yourself?

Guided Reflection:

Let’s pause. Who is God calling you to elevate this week? What would it look like to go down so joy can rise?

This isn’t weakness. It’s worship. It’s not losing. It’s following Jesus.

The way down is the way up. This is the mind of Christ.

CLOSE: The Way Down Is the Way Up

Paul says, “Complete my joy.” Not by fixing his circumstances. But by having the mind of Christ.

Jesus went all the way down— From glory to manger, from servant to cross. And God lifted Him all the way up— To the name above every name.

This week:

Go low

Serve well

Release rights

And watch how joy rises

The mind of Christ is already yours. You don’t have to earn it. You just have to activate it.

The way down is the way up. This is the mind of Christ.