Unity Through Humility (4): Self-Denial Exemplified

Unity Through Humility (4): Self-Denial Exemplified (Phil. 2:5-8) July 8, 2018 Read Phil 2:5-8: Phil 2:2: “Complete my joy by being of the same mind.” What mind? – the “mind of Christ.” That is a tall, tall order. It’s what this whole passage is about – vv. 1-11 -- “unity through humility.” Paul has shown us the Motive (1) (the work of God in our lives), the Mission (2) (unity), the Means (3-4) (humility). Now the heart of the passage – the Model – Jesus. This is the mindset that should characterize every true believer. Rom 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” That’s the mind of Christ. He never made a move without knowing it was the will of the Father, and Paul urges us to follow Him there. “Don’t think like this world; think like Jesus.” This defies natural instincts. Maybe you heard about the pitcher who walked the first 9 batters in a row. The manager came to yank him. But he protested, “You can’t take me out. I’ve got a no-hitter going!” It’s a me-first world! It’s always been that way, but people used to put a façade of humility on their ego. Not anymore. We live in a chest-thumping, fist-pumping world. And that’s just the politicians. Imagine when you get to the sports heroes! It’s a “me first” world and we’re all infected. But God desires us to get beyond that infection. When we act like the world, we don’t show God off for who He really is. We fade into the background when we act like everyone else. The church in Philippi was infected with the “me first” virus. Former stalwarts in the gospel were now fighting and it was about to tear their church apart. We don’t know if it was style of music, building design, who should chair the elders or what. But there was conflict. So Paul writes in Phil 2:2: “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.” Strong words. And not a single worldly principle! Paul’s not saying, “Harass, pontificate, manipulate or politic to get your way!” There’s no, “Get your act together. Mediate, facilitate, conciliate, take a vote, get some counseling.” None of that! Rather he says, “Change your mind. Get the mind of Christ. Leave yours behind. Put the concerns of others above your own!” Think that’s easy? Then you haven’t tried it. But it’s the kingdom way. It’s Jesus’ way. What is the mindset of Christ? Three elements: I. In Regard to Self – Stop Playing God. II. In Regard to Others – Seek to Serve. III. In Regard to God – Submit to the Death. We’ll unpack the first today and the others next week. The first thing Jesus’ example shows: It’s not necessary to act like God. I. In Regard to Self: Stop Playing God Paul starts with profound, stunning theology: Phil. 2:5, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6) who, though he was (literally is existing) in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.” Christ exists in the form of God. “Form” =  which means an outward manifestation that is truly representative of the inner essence – the abiding nature of a person or thing. Our English term “metamorphosis” comes from μορφε which describes the change in outward and inward form from a caterpillar to a butterfly. It’s different, for example, from the word σχημα, “appearance” which we find in v 8 and which simply means whatever a person looks like outwardly. As used here the word means Jesus shared with the Father the very essence of God. He is in the “form” of God, later adds the “form” of man and takes on the “appearance” of a man. Now, nowhere does Paul say Christ ever lost or gave up the “form” of God. In fact, in the original language, “was in the form of God” – please look at it – is a present tense participle – literally “is existing in form as God” or “existed and continues to exist in the form of God.” It’s the only present tense in these verses and indicates Jesus’ continuous state of existence. He was God. He is God. He always will be God. Even on earth. Jn 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” That’s never changed and never can change. You can’t resign from being God! Jesus couldn’t stop being God any more than you can stop being human. Imagine saying, “I think I’ll be an ant today!” Can’t be done, can it? Far less could God ever stop being God. But v 7 does say that He emptied Himself of something. If it wasn’t the “form” of God, the essence of God, what was it? V. 6: who, though he [is existing] in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7) but emptied himself.” He didn’t give up the form of God, but equality with God He could and he did give up. He didn’t cease to be God; He simply quit operating as God. People on earth didn’t look at Him and automatically say, “There goes God.” He was so human that Isa 53:2b: “he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” If you’re average looking, join the crowd. So was Jesus. But inside, it was a different story! It’s like Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper. The prince decided to trade places with a pauper so he could see how the other side lived. He didn’t cease to be a prince, but he ceased to act like one. That’s the way it was with Jesus, except in a way unexplainable to us, He became both prince and pauper simultaneously! Yet, for a time, he cease to look or act like God. Prior to coming to earth, Jesus not only was God; He acted as God. He did “God things.” He created. He reigned. He received worship and prayer. He lived in Glory! It’s that acting as God that He gave up. Simple as you can say it – He quit, for a time, acting as God. Imagine that! Tho He had every right to, Jesus quit acting like God. And now -- He’s asking us to do the same! So, to have the mind of Christ is to give up acting like God. You say, “Well, that’s easy. I never act like God.” But be honest, in a world where it’s all about me, we ALL act like God at times – most of the time. Let’s see 4 ways Jesus quit acting as God, and if you’re honest, you’ll see yourself there. A. Gave up His Rights 6b: He “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.” He gave up His rights as God. He had the right to stay in heaven. He had the right to control the world. He had the right to receive worship. He had the right to be treated as royalty. He had every right to come down off that cross -- He was bearing our sin, not His. His was the greatest miscarriage of justice in the history of the world. He had the right to say, “Enough!” But in all His time on earth, He never, ever insisted on those rights. Not once! Think that was easy? Re-read his struggle in Gethsemane the night before He died. His dread was so acute that He sweat drops of blood. But in the end, He gave up every right He had. Why? So that you and I could have sins forgiven and hearts cleansed. Still think you never act like God? When did you last give up your right to watch a ballgame in order to help make dinner or clean up the kitchen? When did you last give up your right to win an argument!? When did you give up your right to relax to help the kids? When was the last time you gave up your right to enjoy worship so you could teach children? Teenagers, when was the last time you gave up your right to video games to help Mom? Where and when in our life are we routinely giving up genuine rights for the benefit someone else? Our “me first” world says, “NEVER do that!” But the mind that is being renewed is looking for one more right to give up. A farmer was driving along his country road one day when he came to a bridge under construction. The road narrowed to one lane with a light at either end. He stopped for the red light at his side, and when it turned green, he started up again. Halfway through he met another car coming toward him. The driver, obviously from the city, leaned out his window and shouted, “Get out of the way. I don’t back up for idiots.” The farmer simply put his car into reverse and called back, “No problem. I do.” That’s the attitude of Christ. Jesus illustrated this in Mt 5:41: “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” Roman soldiers could compel any Jewish man to carry a load for a mile. It was law. So, on your way to work on day a Roman centurion grabs you and says, “Hey, buddy, see that backpack over there? Put it on. Uncle Caesar wants you. You’re mine for the next mile.” But after that mile, the Jewish man was perfectly within his rights to stop. Far from going the extra mile, most of us would’ve been plotting to get out of the first mile! But Jesus’ principles are revolutionary. The redeeming act is not to refuse the unfair requirement; it is, in fact, to extend it. Been there lately!? When we give up our rights, we’re pointing people to the cross, bearing witness to the loving, self-sacrificing character of God. We’re inviting everyone to see the greatest giving of all, and to respond to it. B. Gave Up His Reputation A 2nd way Jesus ceased to act like God was He gave up His reputation. He’s the only sinless person who ever lived. But II Cor. 5:21, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Look at Him in Gal. 3:13, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” What is more humiliating than hanging naked on a cross, suffering a death reserved for the worst of the worst? By the time He got to the cross, Jesus didn’t have a reputation. The crowd preferred a murderer to Him. Words can never describe what it meant for the sinless Christ to hang there with the words betrayer, adulterer, liar, prostitute, deviant, idolater, cheater, murderer, coward, fornicator – sinner written large across Him. That’s what He did – for us! And now He is saying, “Will you follow me there? Worried about your reputation? Give it up – for my sake.” Euodia and Syntyche weren’t there yet. They were at each other’s throats. We don’t know why. But both had a reputation at stake, and neither would give. Paul says, “Look at Jesus. He had a reputation too, but he became sin for you. Can’t you give up your reputation for Him?” How we fear being thought different – being mocked. We don’t want to be thought weird – a religious fanatic. What are we doing? Protecting our reputation. How we love our reputations! Some of us are the guardians of theology. We just know that we should be teaching sublapsarianism, not supralapsarianism. Or we are the culture expert and know it’s guitar over piano these days. Or the teaching expert -- chairs in circles is the way to go. We forget Jesus said they will know we are His disciples by our love – not by our precision in identifying the order of God’s decrees, or by what musical instruments we use, or by the order of our chairs – but by our love. That’s the example Jesus gave us – love over reputation. There’d have been no cross if not for that. C. Gave up His Riches II Cor. 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” What riches Jesus gave up – unimaginable. Not even a pillow for his head. You say, “Well, I’ve got you there. I barely get by. No one can accuse me of playing God by hanging on to riches.” But let me ask, do you have any material possessions at all? Yes? Do they belong to Jesus? Or are they only for you? That’s playing God. Whatever God has given us is on loan to help glorify Him. I Cor 4:2: “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” A pastor received a call from the IRS seeking to verify a $15,000 tax credit claimed by a parishioner. The pastor said, “Well, I can’t tell you for sure today. But it you’ll call back tomorrow, I’m sure the answer will be Yes.” Is that why we give – a tax deduction? Churches who stand on the Word may soon lose those. But our real motive is love for Jesus who gave up all His riches so we might become rich. Now He asks we use our riches for His glory. So, when was the last time you used the house God’s given you for a Bible study or to host someone in need. Is it clean and inviting, a place where the Lord lives? Do you see it as a tool for the Lord’s use? Has God given you a car? Does it go places that please Him? Has God given you an income? “Me first” thinking says, “It’s mine. I earned it and I’ll spend it.” Kingdom principles say, “I have nothing that God didn’t give me. So at least 10% goes directly to His work, but more importantly, I will use it to glorify Him rather than waste it all on my own indulgence.” A day of accountability is coming, but our real motive is love for the One who gave all for us. D. Gave Up His Rulership As God, Jesus had every right to exercise all authority. But here’s how He lived: John 5:30: “I do not seek my own will, but the will of Him who sent me.” Jesus’ whole life was devoted to one thing – the Father’s will. For Him, it was all about the Father; for us, it’s usually – about us! I saw a fascinating program on baboons once. They live in groups with a complex system of order or rank recognized by everyone in the group. The big leader in the TV group was Grinner. He would occasionally meander over to where another baboon was sitting and take his spot. The other just deferred with no fuss – got up and moved on. But guess what he did? He moseyed straight to where some lesser member was sitting and took his spot. This went right own down the line as many times as Grinner, or any stronger member decided he wanted to exert his authority. We must ask, could that be us. Thankfully, I don’t see that much in our church as it is in most churches I’ve been in. God help us to stay that way. My advice is this -- don’t seek out leadership. Let it come to you. Seek rather to serve. That’s Jesus’ example. He gave up all rulership to serve us by His death on the cross. And now He advises in Luke 14:11, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Let God do the exalting. Conc – So Jesus gave up acting as God – meaning He gave up His rights, His reputation, His riches and His rulership – all to provide salvation for a fallen, broken race – for you and me. Is it too much for Him to ask in return that we demonstrate unity through humility by following His example? In her book The Key, Karen Mains has a wedding parable. The families are seated; the groom and attendants are in place. The minister is waiting. The bridesmaids are in line. The organ begins the bridal march and everyone rises. The door opens to reveal the bride and an audible gasp goes up from the crowd. The bride limps in. Her gown is ripped and covered with mud. One eye is purple and swollen. Her hair is mussed. The groom, of course, is Christ. The bride – well, that’s us, and the author asks, “Doesn’t He deserve better than this?” Indeed, He does. Part of our beauty is to give up acting like God. Self-promotion is the greatest enemy of unity; humility its greatest friend. Living out the gospel means humbling ourselves to His Lordship, like He did for us. Let’s pray.