Doctrinal Statement: Christ
Notes
Transcript
The Divine Parabola
The Divine Parabola
Intro:
Do you remember dealing with something called a Parabola in Algebra class? Some of you do...
One definition of a Parabola is: A geometrical shape consisting of a single bend and two lines going off to an infinite distance.
So, basically a Parabola is a line in the shape of a “U” where both ends of the line are assumed to continue infinitely.
As I thought about the message for this week, as I thought through how to present “What we believe about Christ”, I kept coming back to this image.
An infinite line.... with a dramatic turn. An image that expresses how something begins at an infinite high point… curves down to a finite point… a low point.... and the reaches upward expressing an infinite upward arch.
I thought… I wonder if that could be a neat symbol for Christ. An infinite being… coming down from heaven… to live and die… then ascending upward returning to his infinite position in heaven.
Maybe it is not mathematically correct, but it paints a pretty biblical picture.
Wellspring Basic Statement:
We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and entered human form by the miracle of the Virgin Birth, that He lived a sinless life, and that He died for our sins. Christ is the only mediator through whose work we are redeemed. We believe that He rose again on the third day and now sits at the right hand of God as our Advocate (; , , ; ; •, •, ).
While there are many places in the Bible where the truths of Christ are expressed.... there is one expression that seems the most clear and gives us one of the best explanations of the process of Christ’s incarnation and ascension.
Paul reveals these truths to us in his letter to the church at Philippi. Let’s open our Bibles to the book of Philippians, where Paul will express the truths behind the concept of this Divine Parabola.
As you are finding your place in , let’s consider the context of the letter.
Even though Joy is one of the most often used words through the letter, the main idea of Paul’s letter to the believers in Philippi was actually one of unity… highlighted by the main verse or thesis of the book found in 1:27…. “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”.
As you read the letter Paul urges the believers in the church to be unified…. to keep short accounts.. to be one in spirit, one in mind… working side by side with one another for the sake of the gospel… for the furtherance of the kingdom
Paul is encouraging us to live a life that is a true reflection of what it means to be a citizen of heaven! Live a life that is a worthy and accurate reflection of the gospel of Christ that saved us.
Why does Paul spend an entire letter… encouraging unity? Probably for the same reason parents spend an ample amount of time instructing…. or sometimes lecturing their children.
I am fairly sure that my kids think that Veronica and I just randomly shift into lecture mode when we start talking with them about certain things… loving one another… being patient, having self-control… etc….
But, I assure you that when we slip into instruction/ lecture mode, it is not random or by chance… it is typically in response to a need or a problem. There is some area in our family that we see needs attention and we are trying to provide the needed direction and correction.
The same is true here… Paul has heard of a problem within the local church body in Philippi… and he writes to address the core issue.
For most of the letter Paul addresses the core issue of unity in general ways… but when we come to chapter 4, Paul calls out two ladies that are in the church. (Euodia and Syntyche)
Just think about how embarrassing this is for these two ladies. Yes, they have their names recorded in the most read book in the world…. the only book that divinely inspired by God….
But… as their names are penned… they are being called out by Paul…. by name! (For what it’s worth… those are not names that you hear people naming their kids today…)
As Paul pens a letter to the believers in Philippi… He has spiritual growth, unity, and living a life worthy of representing Christ on his mind.
In Chapter 2, Paul further expresses the truth that in order to maintain unity in the body… in order to walk worthy…. in order to live our lives the way that God desires for us to live as Believers…. we are to follow a better example…. the perfect example…. We are to follow the example of Christ.
Let’s look at and see this divine parabola explained as Paul shares with us First: the Example of Christ and then Secondly: The Response of God.
Let’s read the passage together:
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.
Let’s begin by looking at the downward curve… the example of Christ in verses 5-8.
I. The downward curve: The example of Christ (2:5-8)
a. Divine Position: (5-6)
When we come to verse 5, Paul is continuing his thoughts from the previous verses when he says, “Have this mind (attitude) among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus “…
You could also translate this phrase… “Have this attitude among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus…”
What mind… or what attitude is Paul talking about? To answer that we have to remember what He said in verses 3-4..?
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.
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.
So, when Paul says “Have this mind/ attitude among yourselves...”, he is telling us…
... all these qualities that I have just listed.... you need to apply to your lives.... because they were all part of Christ’s life…
… as believers in Christ… we are to have no selfish ambition… no conceit… not looking out for our own interests… but, be filled with humility, and… put the needs of others before ourselves…
As Paul gives these directives to the Believers… in verse 6, Paul presents the best example imaginable… the example of Jesus. — Look at verse 6 —
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
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.
… “though he was in the form of God...”
That phrase basically means that .... Christ exists in the form of God.
The word translated as “form” in our Bibles suggests the continuance of a previous state or existence…
Jesus existed in eternity past, prior to his incarnation… Jesus still exists… into eternity future long after his resurrection and ascension.
Jesus eternally and unchangeably existed… and will forever continue to exist, in the form of God.
The word “form” used here in verse 6 also expresses the outward manifestation of an inner reality. The word itself expresses the essential form of something… which never changes… it cannot be altered.
… Before the incarnation… from eternity past… Jesus pre-existed in the divine form of God… equal with God the Father in every way. By His very nature… Jesus Christ is, always has been, and will forever be fully divine. It is His nature.
If we were to look back at the beginning John’s gospel this same truth is expressed:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The outward appearance of something may change, but its core… the essence of what it is, always remains the same.
Take a human being, for example.
The basic “form” of any human being… is humanity. This never changes. But, a human beings appearance constantly changes. A baby, a child, a boy, a girl, a youth, a man, a woman… no matter what appearance a human being takes.... they are always in the form of a human…
No matter what “form” Jesus takes.... His essence as God… as Divine never changes.
tells us that Jesus… is “the exact imprint of God’s nature...” That nature never changes…
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Looking back at verse 6
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
“… who, though he was in the form of God… “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped…” — some translations read: “Thought it not robbery to be equal with God”
That is a somewhat confusing statement. The phrase “a thing to be grasped”… paints the picture of someone seizing something by force… by grabbing it…
Basically, Paul is saying.... that Jesus Deity… His Divine nature… His God-ness.... was not something He attained by grabbing… and it was not some object that He had to hold onto in order to retain His divine nature…
In simpler terms, the phrase means that being equal with God was not something that Christ had to hold onto in order to keep. It was not something that He was worried about losing.
Jesus, by His very nature is God… no matter what form He is in, … He is God.
So in verses 5-6 when Paul says…
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,
Paul is saying.... as you strive to be loyal citizens of heaven… as you strive to live a life that is worthy of the gospel… as you work to maintain the unity that we have as believers… remember to live your life according to the example of Christ… who is eternally God and even while He was here on earth… He never stopped being God… He never surrendered His God-ness.
Paul presented us with Jesus’ Divine Position: in verses 5-6. Now, Paul further fleshes out the example of Jesus in verses 7-8.
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.
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Emptied:
Humbled:
What does Paul mean here when he says that Christ emptied himself?
What Paul is doing here is describing an aspect of Christ’s humble obedience.
b. Humble Obedience: (7-8)
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.
In verses 7-8 there are two main verbs that help us understand the extent of Christ’s humble obedience. “Emptied and Humbled”.
“but emptied himself, by taking the form of servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form...” (7-8a)
Emptied: This passage is called the “Kenosis” passage. It gets that name because of the Greek word in our text translated as “emptied”.
“but emptied himself, by taking the form of servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form...” (7-8a)
“but emptied himself, by taking the form of servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form...” (7-8a)
The word “emptied” is not telling us that Christ somehow lost some of his God-ness.... or made himself hollow.
It is expressing the truth that Jesus set aside his position or prestige (or privileges) as the Son of God.... He gave up the appearance of His divinity.
When Jesus left heaven, He set aside the independent access to his attributes as God… and took on the form of a servant/ slave. (The word in your text may say servant, but the greek word is most accurately translated as slave…(There is another word in Scripture translated as servant… it gives us our word “deacon”. That is not the word used here. Examples: If we were to look back at , when Paul is introducing himself and Timothy… he uses the same word… slave… “Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus”
If you were to do a word study, you would find the Greek word for slave used often in many of the Apostles writings as an expression of who they are… their identity… slaves of Christ and God. Pretty vivid picture of someone who is under authority.... the perfect picture of what submission and humble position looks like.
Paul tries to define for us what the “emptying of Christ” looked like: he uses two pictures here in verse 7. Taking the form of a slave… and being born.
Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a slave: This phrase tells us that Jesus was in appearance and in being God…
When Christ took on flesh… when he took the form of a slave, He took on the appearance and being of a slave.
Christ didn’t exchange the form of God for the form of a slave… No, he manifested the form of God in the form of a slave… someone who was finite and under authority.
He manifested the form of God… in the form of a man.
Jesus never stopped being God… He never stopped existing in the form of God.
Paul tells us here in that Jesus is the God Man.. the only example in the universe of God, being 100% deity was manifested in the form of a man… who was 100% humanity.
Jesus at the same time was God, very God… and man, very man. 100% God… and 100% man.
Jesus wasn’t just play acting.... He wasn’t just pretending to be man… He was man.
Jesus did not have Superman syndrome. When superman wore his glasses and suit, who was he? Clark Kent. When Clark Kent put on the blue and red uniform… who was he? Superman. But, at no point in time did superman ever become a human. He was always a Kryptonian. He had his powers all the time… he just pretended to be human.
Paul is trying to help us understand that Jesus wasn’t just pretending to be human.... he was 100% human while at the same time 100% God.
Paul further emphasizes this point by telling us (vs. 7-8a) that Jesus was “... born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form...” (7-8a)
being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form...” (7-8a)
Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a man…
Next, Paul describes Jesus’ self-emptying by telling us that
Jesus emptied himself by being born: — By using the phrase, “born in the likeness of men… being found in human form...”
Paul is describing that Jesus was able to fully identify with the human race. Jesus fully participated in our experience as humans.
The Apostle John expressed a similar truth in the first chapter of His gospel. says…
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus was truly man, but not only man.... He is the God-Man.
With the picture of this divine parabola in your mind… Through Christ’s humility, we are shown a visible representation of the downward curve.
When Jesus left heaven and set aside
Jesus.... who is 100% God.... left the glory of heaven… setting aside the independent access to his attributes as God… and without giving up any of his “God-ness” became at the same time 100% man.... and look at verse 8
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
He Humbled Himself:
This is the lowest point of the parabola.
As a real man, Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death…
“Christ’s eternal humility in Heaven is a thing of astounding wonder — Christ never became humble.... he was humble. He is the beginning and perfect example of humility. Jesus’ character of humility is illustrated through His incarnation.” (Hughes)
It is important to point out here that no one else humbled Jesus.... the text tells us that Jesus humbled Himself.
In fact everything that is said about Jesus in verses 5-8 are all done to Jesus… by Jesus.... by his own doing…
his emptying
Jesus
his becoming a servant in body and soul
his full entrance into humanity
his humbling… were all of his own doing!
Christ’s self-humiliation brought ultimate obedience… by becoming obedient to the point of death (8b).
We see Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane overwhelmed… he knew what his death would entail… he knew that he would become sin for us ().
He knew that he must absorb God’s wrath (to be the propitiation) ().
records for us the words of Jesus in the garden when he says, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.”
The Gospel of Luke tells us in chapter 22:43-44 that… “being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
tells us that Jesus prayed,
saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
In Jesus’ humiliation… there was full obedience. When jesus humbled himself.... he did so as part of God’s plan… in obedience to the will of the Father…
That obedience.... Jesus’ humiliation.... led to death… even death on a cross (8c).
Crucifixion is one of the most degrading and loathsome forms of execution. In fact, many among the polite Roman society would consider the mention of the cross to be an obscenity.
The fact that Jesus humbled Himself.... and died on a cross demonstrates in an amazing way the expression of His humble obedience… as part of God’s plan of redemption.
Think about this:
Jesus was eternally humble in heaven
Jesus was astonishingly self-humbling in the incarnation
Jesus was infinitely self-humbling in his death
Why is Paul focusing so much on the humility of Jesus here? Remember back to verses 3-5
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,
This is the divine call for everyone in the body of Christ. If you want to live a life worthy of the gospel… worthy of Christ… then...
Put the needs of others first… consider other people as more significant than yourselves.... Look out for the interests of others....
These are qualities that are to be descriptive of all who are a part of the body of Christ.
Jesus said to his disciples in John 13:14-16;
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Having the image of the downward curve of the parabola in your mind.... Jesus who is 100% God was in heaven... setting aside the independent access to his divine attributes as God…
He left the glory of heaven and manifested himself as a man… Being 100% God and 100% Man… He humbled Himself… to the point of death…even death on a cross.
Illustration: Superman (Jesus is not like Superman)
That is a pretty low point in human history.
But, praise the Lord that is not the end of the story. In verses 5-8 we saw The Downward Curve: The Example of Christ.... now it is time to look at verses 9-11 and consider The Upward Arch: The response of God.
II. The upward arch: The response of God (2:9-11)
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.
God’s response to Jesus’ humiliation is expressed in two ways: the exaltation of Jesus… and the Recognition of Christ.
a. Exaltation of Jesus:
“God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name...”
Jesus’ self humbling brought about his ultimate exaltation.
The exaltation of Jesus was a process that began with the resurrection. He had come down to earth… went down into the grave.... but then the grave could not hold him and he arose!
That wonderful Sunday morning happened, when Jesus came right through his linen wrappings and gloriously announcing to the world…
Look world! Jesus has risen from the dead! The resurrection proclaims the truth… He lives! Jesus is exalted!
Jesus not only was exalted by his resurrection and ascension to heaven… tells us that
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Jesus reigns!
Jesus exaltation is proclaimed through his resurrection, his ascension and by the fact that He is seated at the right hand of the Father.... he returned to his position of glory in the throne room of heaven.
As we saw last week in , in the throne room, Christ is exalted as all those in the throne room proclaim…
saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
Revelation 5:
In , Paul says that Christ is exalted. The word that Paul uses expresses the highest level of exaltation possible. You could say that Jesus was “super exalted”. It is in a class all by itself.
Christs humiliation… eventually led to his resurrection, ascension, and exaltation…
Can you see this divine parabola is taking shape. The expression of an infinite line curving down to a finite point.... and then it begins to arch upward.
Part of Christ’s exaltation has to do with His name. The text says that God “bestowed on Him the name that is above all every name.”
There are many names that Jesus is called by. Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Almighty, Ancient of Days, the Door, the Chief Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, the Word, the Light, the Lamb, the Bread of Life, the Rock, the Bridegroom, the alpha and Omega…
Here in , Paul says that God has bestowed on Jesus the name that is above every name… meaning that it is greater than any other name placed on Jesus.
Actually, it is God’s own name… “LORD”.
Last week we talked about the Greek word translated as “Lord” is used to refer to the OT name for God… “Yahweh”. The personal name for God…
How can we know that this name, which God has bestowed on Jesus is actually the title of Lord? God’s name? Look with me in verse 11....
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Verse 11 identifies Jesus as Lord.
Giving Jesus the name “Lord”/ Yahweh, is the ultimate of all honors because God says in … “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other...”
I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
No one else in the universe has this name. Yahweh is the name that trumps all other titles. … The amazing covenant name of the God of Israel… the name that is above every name!
We expected this right? If we are tracking with Pauls argument… this should not be a shock.
Jesus being in the form of God… sharing equality with God… being exalted by God.... being given a name that is above every name....
Jesus is exalted in position as He ascends to His place in the throne room of heaven… and Jesus is exalted through His name… Lord… a name that expresses the highest honor imaginable… Deity… equality with God.
God not only responds to Jesus’ humiliation by exalting Him through the resurrection, ascension, and a new name… Lord! God responds to the work of Christ by further exalting Jesus as those everywhere and for all time recognize Christ for who He is as Lord.
b. Recognition of Christ:
Look at verses 10-11 with me…
“… 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.”
By stating that Jesus us Lord, Paul is teaching us that Jesus is the sovereign God of both Testaments. As God… every knee will bow and recognize Him for who He is.
The words “in heaven” express angelic beings… “on Earth” designates human beings who are still living… and “under the earth” refers to the dead humans and fallen spirits.
So, basically all beings that have been created… will some day bow the knee to Christ and confess that He is the LORD… the sovereign of the all things.
Not all will bow with gladness and joy… Some will bow with grudging mourning and shame… but, whether they accept it or not.... eventually all creation will have to admit that Jesus is Lord and bow in submission to Him and in worship of Him.
This future event was foretold long ago in the past.
By myself I have sworn;
from my mouth has gone out in righteousness
a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear allegiance.’
By bowing the knee and confessing that Christ is Lord… there is rehearsal of the gospel message.
Jesus Christ is Lord. — This phrase is like Apostolic short hand for the gospel.
Some day… when every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess… whether they believe it or not… whether they responded in faith or not.... all creation will have to acknowledge that the gospel is true.
Jesus, the Son of God… is the Christ… the anointed One of God… He fulfilled all the promises of God… fulfilling God’s plan of redemption… as we are told in … “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
As Jesus is proclaimed to be Lord, that confession… that public declaration will express Jesus’ sovereignty… He is LORD.. and no other.
Jesus Christ is Lord!
According to Paul, whether you believe it or not…whether you respond in faith to that truth or not… one day all creation will acknowledge the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord!… to the glory of God.
Application/ Conclusion:
As we consider this divine parabola… this expression of Christ’s humiliation and exaltation… how are we to respond?
How are we to respond to the truth that Jesus is 100% God… and 100% Man....
He
How are we to respond to the truth that Jesus was eternally God in Heaven… but, then He humbled Himself…left the throne room of heaven and became a man.... lived a perfect life as a man… died on the cross.... fulfilling God’s divine plan of redemption… was buried..... and rose from the grave… ascended into heaven… and is eternally seated at the Right hand of God?
As Paul writes to the believers at Philippi, He is encouraging them to remember this truth:
“Living a life for Christ… requires the humility of Christ”
As believers, we are called to live a life worthy of the gospel that has transformed us. We are to live out lives as an expression of the truth of who Jesus is… and what He has done....
Do you want to live a life that is worthy of your Savior?
If so, then what shall we do?
Put the needs of others first
Consider other people as more significant than yourself
Look out for the interests of others
Stand for the truth
Serve others… physically and spiritually
Be humble as Christ is humble
As a body of Christ… we are called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be able to live all these things… and so much more.
Put the needs of others first… consider other people as more significant than yourselves.... Look out for the interests of others....
These are qualities that are to be descriptive of all who are a part of the body of Christ.
Main idea: “Maintaining unity requires Christlike Humility”
“Maintaining unity requires Christlike Humility”
How do we live a life that is worthy of the gospel? How do we live as citizens of heaven… even though we are still here on earth?
How do we live as citizens of heaven in the midst of hard times… when supplies are running short and sickness is on the rise?
Our hope has to be in Jesus....
Our hope has to be in Jesus. The Eternal Sovereign who left the throne room of heaven… humbled Himself being born a human being… lived life as a man.... died on behalf of mankind.... rose from the grave and ascended back to His position in the throne room of heaven.
We have someone in heaven who knows what it is like to be a person… He knows what it is like to live during difficult times… we have someone seated on the throne who knows what it is like to experience difficulties… hunger.... and suffering.
Let’s trust Him! Let’s trust Him when we experience hard times and joyous times… Let’s trust Him when we are in need and have an abundance.... Let’s trust Him when we have a plan… and when we don’t know what to do.
Our only hope.... is in Jesus.... the lover of our souls… our Savior and Redeemer… Our Holy God....