The Glory of Humility in Christ

Maybe this says a lot about me, I am sure I have something to do with it. But I don’t think I am just walking around the house saying, “No! Running away and having emotional meltdowns… then throwing plastic toys at Amber… that’s not my MO!”

But maybe I’m just in denial.

But my kids, I love my kids… but they can be real jerks sometimes.

They are so little but they can be so loud… especially when they’re angry or they’re not getting their way.

And it can seem as though our house as evolved into some sort of LIVE TV DRAMA…

“Go clean your room!”

“I’m not cleaning my room. I don’t want to clean my room. I don’t like you daddy.”

I’m like what?

Look, I’m not the best dad in the world.

But I’ve never told my daughter I don’t want her… so maybe Amber tells her that… […] I don’t know where she learns this stuff.

We learn to disobey so young… we learn to argue so young… the moment we realize we’re an individual, our whole world quickly starts to revolve around us. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY! We are selfish people, we are so self-preoccupied.

So it makes sense that the Bible has a lot to say about humility and unity!

We see this in the character of God — it’s articulated in the scripture we’re looking at today.

If you’re able, please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word. Again, we will be looking at .

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being 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 count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As always, context is important. Meaning: Paul is writing to a people, this is a LETTER.

We’re not reading a fairy tale or a novel or a story… we’re reading a LETTER.

Who’s Paul writing to?

Paul is writing to a church in the city called Philippi and they’re doing fairly well…

(1) They’re meeting together,

(2) they’re teaching about the ways of Jesus — but they’re faced with a lot of external pressure and persecution, that’s to be expected… what concerns Paul is that now they are faced with some internal bickering.

A couple folks within the church are fighting, Paul addresses them directly in chapter 4.

So what does Paul do?

Paul remind this church what their mission is… Paul reminds them of their values… Paul reminds them why they started.

You heard Phil preach the end of chapter 1 last week.

Phil 1:

Philippians 1:27 ESV

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Chrysostom, one of the early church fathers writes this about this passage:

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Propositio: Lives Worthy of the Word (1:27–30)

“All that he has said is for this single purpose, to exhort them to live a life worthy of the Gospel.… What does only mean [here]? This is the one thing looked for and nothing else. Where this is, no hurt can befall us” (Hom. Phil. 5.1.27).

Paul uses the language of unity, humility…

Chapter 1, verse 27, “one spirit, with one mind”

chapter 2, verse 2a, “complete my joy by being of the same mind”

chapter 2, verse 2b, “being in full accord and of one mind”

chapter 2, verse 5, “have this mind among yourselves”

So what’s the big idea of the passage today?

Primary Claim: The way up is the way down.

The way of Jesus is the way of humility. So if we are in Jesus we will be a humble people.

Organizational Sentence:

To that end: Paul gives us an (1) Exhortation and a (2) Reason.

Exhortation (vs. 1-4)

Philippians 2:1–4 ESV

Philippians 2:1–2 ESV

What you have received?

In the midst of this church and their internal conflict between members, Paul asks them 5 questions to remind them: “(1) Have you been encouraged by Jesus? (2) Have you been comforted by his love, (3) has the Spirit of God been at work in you, (4) has their been affection shown towards you, (5) have you received sympathy by the Lord?”

This is a rhetorical question… because the point Paul is trying to make is, “Surely you have! Of course you have experienced these things!”

Church, “you’ve been encouraged by Jesus, you’ve been comforted, you’ve been served and empowered by the Spirit, you’ve been shown affection and sympathy!!!”

Essentially, Paul is reminding them: “Remember how faithful God has been to you!”

“In the midst of this dispute, in the midst of this offense… don’t forget the big picture, don’t forget God’s grace… don’t forget God’s tender care… don’t forget God’s abundant love towards you!”

So Paul reminds the church what they have received in Christ, but then he he exhorts them to act! “THIS IS WHAT THAT SHOULD RESULT IN!”

What it should result in?

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

“The way up is the way down. The way of Jesus is the way of humility. So if we are in Jesus we will be a humble people.”

Paul writes to the church: “Yeah, you’re offended, yeah you’re mad at each other… regardless of the reason… DO NOTHING FROM SELFISH AMBITION OR CONCEIT, BUT IN HUMILITY COUNT OTHERS MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN YOURSELVES. LOOK NOT ONLY TO YOUR OWN INTERESTS BUT ALSO TO THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS!!!”

Meaning what: meaning in Christ, “you don’t always have to be right… you don’t always have to get your way… you don’t always have to be the center of attention… you don’t have to always get picked…”

How? BECAUSE GOD HAS PICKED YOU… GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU… CHRIST HAS PURSUED YOU!!! THAT’S WHAT MATTERS!

And when we own that, when that sinks into our bones, and into our hearts… when we really believe that = we can be humble!

And this is so important because this is so HARD!

The first sin ever committed was the sin of pride!

And we’ve been struggling ever since.

So Paul gives us this exhortation, he’s urging us to live this way!

Ben Witherington, a fine theologian, he writes:

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary 1. The Prime Paradigm: Christ (2:1–18)

The issue here is ethics, which involves both a mindset and a lifestyle.

Meaning: Paul doesn’t ONLY want us to THINK rightly… we must LIVE rightly!

Our faith is not merely an intellectual exercise.

Christianity isn’t just about affirming certain “thoughts, beliefs, understandings...”

For example: I could be the best person in the world at explaining what love is = still be an unloving person, right?

So Paul isn’t interested in the church reflecting on the love of God and just responding with a, “well isn’t that nice… good for him. No.”

Paul is saying, “your confession should result in a changed life. Your response to God’s love is nothing short than complete and utter surrender and dependence towards God!” This is what Paul is aiming at. This is Paul’s exhortation, what he is calling the church towards. THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN.

Now let’s look at the reason Paul exhorts us towards this way of humility...

Reason (vs. 5-11)

Philippians 2:5–11 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Argument:

Paul is saying, “look at Jesus! Keep your eyes on Jesus. How did Jesus live? What did Jesus’ ministry look like? What did Jesus call us to? What was Jesus’ message?”

We look at VERSE (5) and Paul calls us to unity (“have this mind among yourselves”) and in VERSE (6) reminds us that Jesus is God!

And what does God do? What does Jesus do?

VERSE (7) = EMPTIED himself

VERSE (8) = HUMBLED himself

Philippians 2:7–8 ESV

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

I don’t think we could ever grasp the significance of this reality: “THAT GOD, WHO CREATES EXISTENCE… WILLINGLY EMPTIES, WILLINGLY HUMBLES HIMSELF!!!”

Why? To be with us… as verse (8) says, “by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

This is why Paul says, “look at Jesus!”

Paul is speaking to a church in the midst of difficulty… persecution… opposition to the gospel… but also internal conflict/trouble/infighting…

And he says, “Church, look to Jesus… remember how Jesus lived? Remember what Jesus did for us? Do we remember what we’re trying to accomplish here?”

Again, Ben Witherington adds:

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary 1. The Prime Paradigm: Christ (2:1–18)

Paul is mainly interested in the ethical implications of Christ’s example. He wants this example imitated and followed, not merely admired or contemplated.

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary 1. The Prime Paradigm: Christ (2:1–18)

The Philippians must become what they admire, must model their behavior on that of their savior.

This isn’t supposed to end as being an interesting idea… it’s not just about saying we believe and then doing what we want!

Paul reminds us, “to live by the way of Christ is to follow his example!”

Paul is calling the Philippians church to live as Christ lived… “THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN...”

Paul is calling the church to be humble and to consider one another and to FIGHT for unity!

To be centered on the Gospel of Jesus!

Paul is making his argument clear: Live Like We Saw Modeled in Jesus… “THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN...”

But he ends with this beautiful “hymn of about the exaltation of Jesus!”

Aim:

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

phil 2:

Paul ends with this beautiful hymn of praise!

Paul is declaring that everything he has said up to this point, aims at this reality: “at the name of Jesus every knew will bow on earth and in heaven! Every tongue will confess Christ is Lord… GOD HAS HIGHLY EXALTED JESUS and bestowed on him the name that is above EVERY name!”

Our response to Jesus is what ultimately matters.

There are a lot of religious people but not a lot of people who have Jesus as their Savior.

There are a lot of people who would consider themselves Christians, but Jesus is not their Lord and Savior.

Because it’s about more than “lip-service” — does our life reflect the life of Jesus? THIS IS WHAT MATTERS!

Paul reminds the church: THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN. The way of Jesus is the way of humility. So if we are in Jesus we will be a humble people.

Application:

So in regards to application:

Do you consider others?

Would others regard you as humble?

Would others regard you as selfish or selfless?

Are you easily offended?

Do you go out of your way to show care and concern for others?

Are you always out for yourself?

Do you use others for your own selfish gains or do you aim to serve others?

Some might hear that list and say, “well that sounds like a lot of work!”

the reality is this: our humility and care for others do not save us from our sin… but what is does is it displays whether or not we’re in Christ… Do you see?

Our humility and good works are evidence that God has done a saving work in our lives.

Because when God saves people, they slowly change to become more like Jesus.

That’s what happens.

So when you’re faced with relational situations this week… with family, community group, coworkers, friends, neighbors… remember: the way up is the way down. The way of Jesus is the way of humility. So if we are in Jesus we will be a humble people.

Community Group Reflection:

Read . Reflect and share about your own experiences of God’s faithfulness and love towards you.

Read . Why is it encouraging and refreshing that Paul calls the Church to be humble and consider others?

Read . Why is it significant that Jesus humbled and emptied himself?

Read . Spend some time in prayer thanking God for his generous love that has been displayed to us through the ministry of Jesus.

Communion:

L: In the night in which he was betrayed, Our lord Jesus took bread,He gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.Do this for the remembrance of me.

L: Again, after supper,He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying; this cup is The new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.Do this for the remembrance of me.

Silent Reflection – to prepare our hearts toCome to the Lords table

L: Jesus' death brings us life and this meal reminds us that we are fed by Jesus and forgiven because of Jesus.

C: We rejoice that You have died, have risen, and are now with the Father advocating for us. Amen.

L: With our money, time, and talent we give generously, knowing that through Your Son, Jesus, You have generously given to us.

C: We rejoice that You have given everything and we joyfully give everything back to Your care. Amen.

L: If you believe Jesus died to forgive you your sins you are welcome to come,

L: Come for all is ready

Benediction:

As you go, may the Father’s light shine in your darkness. May the Spirit open our eyes to see the glory of Jesus. May He cause us live in and proclaim the grace we have received. Go in hope of the peace He brings to the world. Peace be with you.

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Propositio: Lives Worthy of the Word (1:27–30)

Chrysostom

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary 1. The Prime Paradigm: Christ (2:1–18)

Paul will begin with a community-creating example, that of Christ, who not merely modeled the self-sacrificial behavior Paul is talking about but created a community in the process of doing so. Paul must then show that it is to the advantage of the Philippians to follow such models and behave in such a fashion.

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary 1. The Prime Paradigm: Christ (2:1–18)

Paul is mainly interested in the ethical implications of Christ’s example. He wants this example imitated and followed, not merely admired or contemplated.

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary 1. The Prime Paradigm: Christ (2:1–18)

The Philippians must become what they admire, must model their behavior on that of their savior.

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary 1. The Prime Paradigm: Christ (2:1–18)