Devote All to Christ - Philippians 2:1-11

Introduction/Seeing the Need

In the passage from Philippians we’re reading today, Paul urged the Christians in Philippi to “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus”. In other words, let your mind default to the way Jesus looked at things. That may sound impossible, but there are some ways we can move in that direction. In this lesson we’ll examine how we might reset ours to more closely match Jesus’ outlook.

Under his own humble circumstances of Roman imprisonment, Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians. Unlike some of the letters Paul wrote, Philippians does not appear to have been prompted by news of a major problem in the church. Paul was in prison at the time, and the Philippian Christians sent a gift to him, personally delivered by Epaphroditus, one of their members. As Epaphroditus prepared to go home, Paul decided to send a letter of friendship with him, addressed to the Philippian church members.

Paul wrote his letter, in part, to address the church’s problems with interpersonal conflict. Paul urged the people to be of one mind about whatever the disagreement was and to come to a cordial and mutual settlement.

Exhortation of Selflessness -

Philippians 2:1–4 NRSV

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1

Paul begins his exhortation by reminding his readers of what they have received as a result of Christ’s selflessness. The first if does not cast doubt on whether the Philippians have received these gifts. Rather, this is a common way of speaking to draw attention to what speaker and listener both agree to be true. Implied at the end of each if clause is “and you do.” The resulting list is a broad catalog of the ways that God’s grace is experienced by Christ’s followers.

The list begins with encouragement, translating a common term in the New Testament. It is also translated comfort, with the idea being encouraged to do what is right. The second expression, comfort, has a broadly similar meaning. This comfort is particularly associated with love, God’s expression of his commitment to bless his people despite their rebellion and unworthiness.

Common sharing signifies both a sense of connection between people and an openness to share their resources. The fellowship is in the Spirit, as the Holy Spirit given by Christ to his people binds them together in a way that transcends differences that exist among them.

What techniques can we use to discipline ourselves in being mindful of the benefits of being connected with Christ in fellowship? What techniques have you seen or experienced that don’t work in that regard?

Paul now describes the right response for having received Christ’s gracious gifts. If we have been drawn together as one by our humble Lord, then living as one must be our aim. Again Paul piles up terms for emphasis. This unity can be described as being like-minded, or thinking the same thing. Christian unity is expressed not as people deny their individuality but as they unite their individualities in pursuing thinking that is like Christ’s - focused on humble service.

Our understanding of Christ must transform every aspect of our lives, inside and out, but it starts with thought. Paul’s aim in sharing the gospel is not just to bring people to initial faith but also to see them grow to reveal God’s intention for their lives together. Paul’s joy is seeing that connection fully realized.

What guardrails can you put in place to ensure that your personal progress toward unity does not drift into expectations of uniformity?

Next Paul encourages the Philippians to “do nothing for selfish purposes. Selfish ambition is the playing out of hostile division among people, the opposite of the Christ-like, humble life. It is paired with vain conceit - that is, the selfish pursuit of empty praise for oneself at the expense of others.

How would circumstances have to change for you to leave a church that is beset with strife rather than staying to help end that strife?

Verse 3 describes humility. We commonly use the word humble to describe a person who is soft-spoken and modest about accomplishments. A humble person is not a braggart. Biblical humility goes beyond this characteristic to genuine lowliness. The biblically humble person does more than avoid the spotlight. Biblical humility takes the position of servant to others.

Verse 4 urges readers to no longer do what seems natural: pursuing and protecting their own interests. They are to abandon that in favor of pursuing the interests of others. Prioritizing others must mean abandoning self-interest, or others are not true priority.

In what ways can you better use your God-given privileges and blessings to serve others?

Revelation of Selflessness -

Philippians 2:5–11 NRSV

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Now Paul makes explicit the basis for this radically humble life to which Christians are called. Again Paul stresses mindset, for the humble life is first a way of thinking about ourselves and others. Then he states directly that our mind must be like Christ’s mind. This mind must govern our lives together, just as it did the life of Jesus, our king. The mindset of Christ must be adopted consciously and pursued vigorously.

Verse 6 begins one of the most profound and memorable biblical descriptions of Christ’s actions. It needs careful attention for accurate understanding. helps us understand what it means for Christ no exist in very nature God. The nature of an individual is the real status by which the being relates to other beings. To be in the very nature of God is to exist as God and be rightly regarded as God by other beings. From eternity, the preexistent Christ was fully divine, the one true Creator God.

Christ made himself nothing, or more literally translated, “emptied himself.” The gospel story shows us that this self-emptying was not the loss of his divine nature or power. During his ministry, Jesus consistently said and did things that only God could truly say and do. As a result, his very nature, the status by which he related to other beings, became that of a servant. Paul’s word literally means a “bondslave,” someone who serves by compulsion.

The servant Christ was a fully human Christ. His humanity was that of all other humans. He experienced everything, including temptation and suffering, that humans experience. But unlike other humans who seek their own interests, he led a life completely characterized by humble service for others. Christ’s first self-lowering was in becoming human, what Christians call his incarnation. But the climax of his humbling was in accepting death on a cross for the sake of others. Paul emphasizes that Christ’s death was death by crucifixion. This act of extreme torture was especially painful and shameful.

As a Christian matures in selfless humility, what will distinguish his or her ministry service from the selfless service of those who serve in secular settings? Why?

In verse 9 we see in response to Christ’s self-emptying and selfless death, God raised him from the dead - not just alive but victoriously alive. God then seated Christ at his own right hand, the position of supreme power.

Thus does the story of Christ demonstrate the real path of human life that bears the image of God. Exaltation comes not by pursuing one’s own interests but by lowering oneself to serve others, surrendering one’s own interests in submission to God. This is not just Christ’s restoration to his exalted position. It is the elevation of the humble, incarnate, human Christ to share in God’s rule.

In verses 10 and 11 Paul words point to Christ’s glory. The glory is the glory that belongs to God alone, the glory of the universe’s supreme king. As Paul refers to heaven.....earth....under the earth, he names every place imaginable and so every being imaginable. Every creature should one day bow because he is the true king, the one who used his authority not for his own advantage but for others.

In verse 11 Paul refers to Jesus as the one to be confessed by all creatures. Paul elaborates on the content of the confession: this crucified and risen Jesus is Christ - that is, God’s anointed one, God’s true king. He is Lord, the one who rules over all.

Conclusion

Jesus emptied himself to turn stones to bread to satisfy his own hunger. He refused. On other occasions, Jesus faced the opportunity to alleviate the hunger of others. He did so. He refused to use his divine authority for himself. He did not consider equality with God something to use for his own advantage. That mind of Christ has been present from all eternity.

How would you describe the direction of your life so far? In your career, family interactions, friendships - is your life about your own advantage or is it about others’ needs? Do you follow the common path of modest selfishness that seems so culturally right, or the Christlike way of lowly, self-giving pursuit of others’ advantage.

We are not the first or the worst to think that serving ourselves seems the right way to live. We can point in any direction and see lives governed by that common mind-set. But every part of the gospel story tells us the opposite. To experience life as God designed it, we need to put into action the mind of Christ.

Prayer

O God help us to perceive the mind of Christ in the situations of our lives and to use that perception to guide our conduct; in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.