Kenosis

Philippians 2:5-11

New Living Translation Chapter 2

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

8 he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor

and gave him the name above all other names,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Kenosis

In the greek, it means “an emptying”

Jesus and Kenosis

Gave up the form of God

to be one of us

To live without sin

to Die in his body

He did not give up his divine nature, just changed his clothes

2. Became the obedient servant

Served his father’s will

Obeyed human authorities

Parents

Local Rabbis

rulers

Roman Authorities

This obedience is what rendered Jesus humble

The further he went in obedience, the further he grew in humility

3. Became the apparent Criminal

Crucifixion was the lowest and most shameful death possible

made for the scum of the earth

Christ made himself a nobody and a servant to all through this humility

The New King James Version Chapter 13

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

Paul experienced the same

gave up his reputation

initially rejected by the church

Spent nearly a decade in Tarsus

Considered All things but loss for Christ (Phil 3:8)

A Personal Kenosis

We need to be:

Obedient unto the death of our sin and self will

Obedient unto the cross

rejections

enemies that just stick

condemnations

public ridicule

other hardships

My own example

Our Reaction is critical!!!

if we remain proud, unchanged, we will be useless to God

If we accept Kensosis, following in Christ’s humility in true diligence, the Spirit with change our characters into Christ’s image

Free from my pride and self will, God can raise me to the place he has appointed me.