06PM October 8 Philippians 2 5_18

October 8, 2006—Evening Worship

The Authentic Demonstration of Sacrifice

Truths that will Transform the World

Philippians 2:5-18

Intro:  Self-preservation is all-important in our culture, whereas self-sacrifice is not so highly regarded. & yet on 9-11-2001 we saw time & again how NY Firemen & Policemen ran into the twin towers in order to rescue people they didn’t know & had probably never even seen before. All those brave men & women gave of themselves sacrificially. They gave what is often called the “ultimate sacrifice.” They gave their very own lives.

          Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ, the Son of God & God in the flesh, hung on a cross & died for all those who throughout all time would believe. Jesus gave the “ultimate sacrifice” b/c He gave His life, not just to physically save us—but to save us spiritually for all time & eternity.

The passage we study tonight teaches us that self-sacrifice is the very heart of the Christian faith. Sinclair Ferguson said, "That any good man should be willing to humble himself in this way for the blessing of others is breathtaking, but that the offended One, the Lord of Glory, should willingly enter into such humiliation, should bring . . . adoration to our hearts."

READ Philippians 2:5-18

The 1st transforming truth found here is that…

1. Jesus Embodies the Essence of the Gospel (vv. 5-11).

1. Central to Paul's theology is the idea that what we think determines how we will act.

2. The NT uniformly teaches that behavior is the product of belief.

3. If we’re to become effective Christians in the world, we need to become more & more like the Christ we serve.

4. For this reason the little phrase "in Christ" occurs often in Paul's writings.

5. When you become a Christian, you do not simply make an intellectual assent to a God who is "out there," but an actual uniting to Christ through faith.

6. Then all of His benefits become yours: His death becomes a death for you; His resurrection becomes a new life for you; His Holy Spirit lives in you, giving you victory as you grow in Christ-likeness.

7. V. 5 could be paraphrased, "Develop this Christ-like mindset in your congregation," b/c the statement here is plural, focusing on the church in Philippi.

8. Paul was saying that the genuine example of the gospel is seen in Jesus & needs to be exemplified in us.

9. The implication of that is that all forms of pride are absent in God's people.

10. In vv. 6­8 there are 2 key verbs that explain what that meant for Jesus & what it means for us.

1st we see…

    A. Jesus as God: He Made Himself Nothing (READ vv. 6-7)

1. Vv. 6­11 are in poetic form. This passage is one of the great hymns in the NT. 2. It's a great Christological poem.

3. It's one of the most profound expositions of Christ & the gospel found in all of Paul's letters.

4. In context, however, this passage is not just abstract theological theory.

5. It has a motivational application to your everyday life.

6. We miss the whole point of the passage if we don't see how it challenges our attitudes & our behavior.

7. V. 6 does not mean that Jesus ceased to be fully God but that He chose not to guard His rights as the Son of God & His heavenly position at all costs.

8. Instead, Jesus emptied Himself. He didn't empty himself of deity but of dignity.

9. He didn't empty Himself of divine attributes, but He did take on a human nature.

10. He looked & seemed like a normal human (v. 7­8). Jesus was, however, unlike any other human b/c He was fully God--yet He became a servant.

2nd we see…

    B. Jesus as Man: He Humbled Himself (READ vv. 8-11)

Someone Once Said...

   "We often settle for a Christian veneer of humility. It reminds me of the bestselling author whose book was entitled, Humility & How I Achieved It."

Augustine, when asked to list the principles of the Christian life said, "1st, humility. 2nd, humility. 3rd, humility."

1. Throughout His life Jesus demonstrated loving service to God & to His fellow man.

2. Do you see how that is the polar opposite of Adam & of the fallen human nature we received from him?

3. Jesus was ready to leave His heavenly status & become man, but Adam wanted that heavenly status: to be equal w/God.

4. Adam's rebellion resulted in a death sentence for all of humanity, whereas Jesus' life of humility & loving obedience resulted in His becoming the atoning sacrifice for the whole world!

5. When we think of the Cross of Jesus--the pain, the shame, the rejection, & the amazing love & grace for us--how can we be anything other than humbled into the dust that God should do that for us?!

6. The inevitable outcome of the Cross is embodied in verses 9­11: Jesus is exalted as Lord of all.

The 2nd transforming truth found here is that…

2. Christians Exemplify the Lifestyle of the Gospel (vv. 12­18).

This exemplary lifestyle…

    A. Is a Personal effort (READ v. 12)

1. Paul would come to us, as he wrote to the Philippians, & say, "My dear friends who have gathered for this service today, have you received this great salvation that the Lord Jesus brought you?

2. Very well, then, work it out. Carry it out. Do it through your continued obedience in awe, in trembling, & in love to such a great Savior.

3. When you look at Christ, you see the exalted God who is full of glory & strength.

4. When you look at yourselves, you see weakness & pride.

5. Jesus willingly left all His glory to rescue you, so won't you work out your humility in your lives & work out that salvation?"

This exemplary lifestyle is a personal effort…

    B. That requires Supernatural power (READ vv. 13-18)

1. V. 13 turns despair into possibility. We can have confidence that God will accomplish this in us.

2. God never calls you to do anything w/o providing you the means to do it.

3. Hebrews 13:20-21

4. Paul then explains what humility looks like practically

5. This is how we accomplish working out our own salvation

6. We learn to be content; we learn to become blameless

7. We learn how to shine w/the glory of God in the darkness of this world

8. We hold fast to the word of God; we lean on it; love it; live it at all times

9. Even through offering yourself as a sacrifice--should the gospel require it

Conclusion:  How we live will either commend or deny the gospel we preach. If unbelievers find the same pride & self-centeredness in us that they see in the world, why should they take the gospel seriously? Why should the world think that Christianity has any relevance at all if they see the church divided? Jesus came & emptied Himself to bring people like us into His own likeness.

Invitation:  What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel? Are you willing to give the “ultimate sacrifice” of your life? That’s what Jesus did for you & me. How could we not be willing to give our lives in obedient service to Him?

          Have these truths truly transformed your life? Are you living out the salvation you’ve been given through practical, visible demonstrations of self-sacrifice? If not, would you come in repentance & seek the Lord’s will?

          & would you come tonight offering yourself as Romans 12:1-2 says?

Hymn 287 Take My Life, Lead Me, Lord