A Christ-Like Attitude. Philippians 2:5-11

Transcription

1 A Christ-Like Attitude Philippians 2:5-11

2 A Christ-Like Attitude John s prologue is one of the greatest Christological sections in the New Testament. Another great Christological section of the New Testament is found in the second chapter of Paul s epistle to the church in Philippi.

3 A Christ-Like Attitude In the first four verses of Philippians chapter two, Paul talks about unity within the church.

4 A Christ-Like Attitude Philippians 2:1-4 1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

5 A Christ-Like Attitude 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

6 A Christ-Like Attitude In an effort to unite a group of believers, Paul points to Jesus and holds Him up as their perfect example. Deep theological truths and practical application always go hand in hand. When you know and understand God s truth, you will have the necessary foundation for living your life according to His will.

7 A Christ-Like Attitude Philippians 2:1-4 1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

8 A Christ-Like Attitude 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

9 A Christ-Like Attitude Philippians 2: Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men.

10 A Christ-Like Attitude 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

11 A Christ-Like Attitude 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 I. Have the Attitude of Jesus (5) In verse five, Paul makes a transition from exhortation to a theological illustration. In Philippians 2:2 Paul said that his readers should be of the same mind and be intent on one purpose. We can all be of the same mind, if we get our focus in the right place.

13 I. Have the Attitude of Jesus (5) Philippians 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, Paul s purpose is to describe the attitude that all believers should have. This attitude, which is seen in the life of Jesus, is crucial to having real unity in the church.

14 I. Have the Attitude of Jesus (5) 1 John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus described Himself as being gentle and humble in heart. The more we possess the mind of Christ, the more humble we ll be.

15 I. Have the Attitude of Jesus (5) Philippians 2:3-4 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

16 II. Jesus Didn t Cling to His Position (6) Philippians 2:5-6 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

17 II. Jesus Didn t Cling to His Position (6) Jesus was, by His very nature, fully, completely, and eternally God. Jesus possessed the essential and unchanging nature of God. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

18 II. Jesus Didn t Cling to His Position (6) Jesus has always been and will always be in the form of God. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus always existed as part of the Trinity.

19 II. Jesus Didn t Cling to His Position (6) Morphē (mor-fā') has to do with the essential nature of something. Jesus possessed every essential attribute of God. If, at any time in His existence, He lacked any of the divine attributes, He would not be God.

20 II. Jesus Didn t Cling to His Position (6) Colossians 2:9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, Jesus didn t feel the need to cling to the rights and privileges of His divinity. To be grasped refers to holding on to, or clinging to something.

21 II. Jesus Didn t Cling to His Position (6) 1 John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

22 II. Jesus Didn t Cling to His Position (6) Mark 10: But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

23 III. Jesus Was a Servant (7) Philippians 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. The word emptied comes from the Greek word kenoō (ke-no'-ō). Kenoō (ke-no'-ō) means to empty something, or to lay something aside, or to make void.

24 III. Jesus Was a Servant (7) Because of His great love for His people, He willingly chose to become a bondservant. What exactly did Jesus emptied Himself of? It was impossible for Him to empty Himself of any of the attributes of God.

25 III. Jesus Was a Servant (7) Jesus emptied Himself of the right to cling to the position and the glory that were rightfully His in heaven. We also see in Scripture that, at times, Jesus limited the use of His divine attributes.

26 III. Jesus Was a Servant (7) Morphē (mor-fā') has to do with having the essential nature of something. In the incarnation, Jesus perfectly possessed all the essential qualities (or attributes) of a bond-servant or (in the Greek) doulos (dü'-los). A doulos (dü'-los) is one who willing puts himself under the ownership of another.

27 III. Jesus Was a Servant (7) Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. At all times during His incarnation, Jesus possessed the form of God and was completely equal with God in essence and nature.

28 III. Jesus Was a Servant (7) Jesus willingly chose to submit Himself to His Heavenly Father. 1 Corinthians 4:7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

29 III. Jesus Was a Servant (7) The example Jesus gave us also shows us that we are to be in full and complete submission to the Father. And, we are to live our lives as a servants to those around us.

30 IV. Jesus Sacrificed Himself (8) Philippians 2:8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humbled (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).

31 IV. Jesus Sacrificed Himself (8) Jesus left the glory of heaven, became a bond-servant on our behalf, and died on the cross for our sins.

32 V. Jesus was Exalted (9-11) Philippians 2: For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

33 V. Jesus was Exalted (9-11) After His humiliation and death, God the Father exalted Jesus. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. 1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

34 V. Jesus was Exalted (9-11) Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.