Imitate Christ's Humility

Philippians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  43:18
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Introduction

Last week we considered the first four verses of Philippians 2, where Paul exhorted the Philippian believers to live lives in which they were intentionally seeking the benefit of others. The reason for him exhorting them in this way was in order that they may foster and maintain unity in Christ as His body. That unity that was and is to be maintained is grounded and rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Gospel message. And what Paul said the believers were to do is to live in humility; considering others; considering their interests; not thinking only of self, but thinking of other people, and seeking always to serve others.
It’s very difficult to have strained relationships where you are purposefully and intentionally humbling yourself in service of others. When you live to serve, and those around you likewise live to serve, it is unlikely that you develop strained relationships. Remember the words of James 4:1-3, in terms of what causes fights and quarrels.
Having outlined that attitude that is to mark the lives of believers - an attitude that is in radical contradistinction to the normal human nature, Paul now gives the believers the supreme example of this humility that is to characterize their lives. They are not to live so-called humble lives, but then place all sorts of reasoned, rationalized limitations and boundaries on their service of others. As we come to our passage this morning, Paul is going to proceed to set before us the example that is to be followed in terms of the extent and nature of the humility that is to mark believers. The example that he gives is none other than the humility of Jesus Christ. Christ is the one that we are to imitate as we serve one another in humility.
The title of my sermon this morning is “Imitate Christ’s Humility.”
Let’s read together what Paul says in these verses, beginning at verse 5...

Scripture Reading

Philippians 2:5–11 NIV84
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
As we come consider this example of the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who sets for us the example to be imitated, keep in mind that this section of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is a critical and central pillar in the Epistle as a whole. Throughout this letter, Christ is the supreme example, and is set before these believers as the One that should be followed as they live out their lives in Gospel community.
Remember also that this life of Christ is our example today, as we live our lives in Gospel community, as we live our lives as servants of Christ; as we live together and function together as the body of Jesus Christ.
As we consider this example of Jesus that Paul sets before us, we will do so under 4 major headings:
The Principle of Christ’s Humiliation (v.5)
The Pattern of Christ’s Humiliation (v.6-8)
God’s Pleasure in Christ’s Exaltation (v.9)
The Purpose of Christ’s Exaltation (v.10-11)

1. The Principle of Christ’s Humiliation (v.5)

As we being our look at this text, we must notice first the principle for humiliation that is laid down for us in verse 5 of this passage. Paul writes:
Philippians 2:5 NIV84
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
In the preceding four verse, Paul was speaking about believers humbling themselves. This was in order to foster and maintain unity. But here, the example is given: Jesus Christ.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus...
The example of humiliation has been set down for us. It is incumbent upon us as Christians to follow in the example of Christ. In fact, it is our goal in life to live lives that reflect the image and glory of the One in whose image we have been created. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden resulted in us as people becoming marred and distorted image-bearers. But since there is reconciliation, our goal is to become more like Christ, to grow in Christ-likeness!
Listen to what some Scriptures teach us in this regard.
Matthew 16:24 NIV84
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
To follow Christ means to walk with him and learn from Him. This is not merely a suggestion to walk the paths of Christ, but it is to learn His attitude and His entire life, and to become those who are increasingly becoming like their teacher.
Listen to the way in which this comes through in John 13:13-14 (the account of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples)...
John 13:13–14 NIV84
13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
Our goal as those who are the children of the living God, as those who are in Christ, is to be like Christ. That’s our goal. That’s our desire in our hearts. That’s what we live for as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ - to bring glory and praise and honour to the Father through obedience and conformity to the likeness of the Son!
Paul said to the Corinthian believers:
1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV84
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
And again, He said to the Ephesian believers:
Ephesians 5:1–2 NIV84
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
The Apostle John said:
1 John 2:6 NIV84
6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Christ came into the world and set the example. He set down a principle to be followed, and this principle was one of humiliation.
That leads us to necessarily consider that humiliation.
So notice secondly with me:

2. The Pattern of Christ’s Humiliation (vv.6-8)

In verses 6 through 8, Paul outlines the pattern of this humiliation that was a part of the life of Jesus, that really marked who Christ was, and the attitude He had as He came into this world.
Firstly, we can see in this pattern of humiliation,...

2.1. The Nature of His humiliation

If we’re going to understand the nature of Christ’s humiliation, then we must understand the nature of Christ’s pre-existence - who He was before he humbled himself.
We begin reading in verse 6, that Jesus was in very nature God.
This is a critical doctrinal truth that must be fully accepted and comprehended by believers! The NASB translates this line this way: “He existed in the form of God...”
Christ has always existed… He has been perfectly united with the Father - in fact being One with the Father. The fullness of God has always been in Christ.
John 1:1 NIV84
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The word was God - the language is clear. The JW’s try to change this to read, the word was a god.... But the grammar doesn’t allow it (and neither does the rest of Scripture!!)
2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV84
4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Hebrews 1:3 NIV84
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Colossians 1:17 NIV84
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Nothing in all of creation exists without the Son, and nothing that continues to exist in this day, nothing that continues to live, and to have its very being, does so without the Son holding it together. We are here this morning, seated, breathing, living beings because the Son is holding all things together, and He has done since before time began.
This is the One that would humble Himself. We see further in verse 6, and into verse 7, that Jesus...
If we would understand the humility of Christ, we must understand His pre-existent glory.
And I would add (but delve into it) we must begin to know the glory of God - because if we make God to be like us, then we have the wrong starting point.
But as we go on, note that verse 6 says further
“…did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing...”
Now here we have before us some very important words that deserve our careful attention.
Jesus did not consider his state of existence in a manner equal with God something to be maintained or held on to.
This verse does not mean that Jesus emptied himself of His divinity. There is a false teaching that says that when Jesus humbled himself, he stopped being divine, he stopped being God. And they will then teach that Jesus didn’t live his life, and perform His miracles as God, but in right relationship to God. That’s not what this is saying.
Christ could never cease to be God. God cannot stop being God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
It simply means that there was a humility in coming perfectly in human form, and entering into the realm and living in the place of sinful humanity, and limiting His exercise of His divine functions.
Recall the moment on the mount of transfiguration where the glory of Christ was revealed to Peter, James and John. That was a brief exposure to them of the veiled glory of Jesus Christ.
But having said that, let us not lose sight of the significance of this moment - where Christ enters into the world, in the form of little baby, through a natural delivery process from his mother. Tiny. And not even into exalted circumstances; not born in a palace as royalty. But rather lowly, born in a stable, laid a manger.

2.2. The Manner of His humiliation

But not only that, we read further in verse 7 that he made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.

Of his earthly mission it has been truly said, “The only person in the world who had the right to assert his rights waived them” (Wuest).

As we live our lives in this world, we see all around us people pushing their rights, their agendas to bring about so-called “equality”. But people are consumed with their own rights. They have something that they are passionate about, and they agitate, and pursue their rights...
I don’t want to speak against people speaking out for rights… I think about the rights of the unborn child in the womb, and the blatant murder of these children… I think about those who are oppressed, and there is harm and pain inflicted as a result of greed on the part of other men… These are injustices that we cannot simply keep silent about.
But the point is this: We so quickly become so consumed about our own personal rights and agendas that we lose sight of the fact that we ought to be gracious, merciful, loving servants. Yes, speak the truth and stand up boldly for that which is right.
Luke 22:27 NIV84
27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Matthew 20:28 NIV84
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Further to that, we read that he was made in human likeness, and was found in appearance as a man!!
In doing this, Christ was identifying with us.
being made in human likeness - he identified with us.
John 1:1 NIV84
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 NIV84
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
1 Timothy 3:16 NIV84
16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
What is important to note however is that while Christ identified as a man, he did so as the perfect man, without sin.

But he assumed that human nature not in the condition in which Adam had it before the fall, nor in the condition in which Christ himself now has it in heaven, nor in the condition in which he will reveal it on the day of his glorious return, but in its fallen and therefore weakened condition, burdened with “the results” of sin (Isa. 53:2).

Some verses that are relevant…
Romans 8:3 NIV84
3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,
Hebrews 4:15 NIV84
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

2.3. The Extent of His humiliation

Submission
…And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
Not only was he found in appearance as a man, but he humbled himself under the hands of mere created beings.
John 1:11 NIV84
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
John 5:18 NIV84
18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
John 12:37 NIV84
37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
Isaiah 53:3 NIV84
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Jesus didn’t become a man, but then sit on the throne as king and lord over all people. Rather, he became a man who was lowly in heart. He took on the nature of a servant. He became as one who was insignificant, not highly esteemed. Even though He himself was God.
Consecration
He became obedient to death.
Christ was obedient to the Father. He lived a life of obedience in every respect, although He himself was equal with the Father. He never sought to do His own will, but always the will of the Father who sent him.
John 5:30 NIV84
30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
John 6:38 NIV84
38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
John 14:24 NIV84
24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
Crucifixion
This is seen particularly in the death of Christ. He became obedient to death, even death on a cross!!!
He was prepared to go all the way in humility, even in humiliation. God willed that Jesus his Son not only be obedient to die as the means for paying the punishment for our sins, but that He die on the cross, a death reserved for the worst offenders; a death that was reserved for those who were to not only die, but also to be humiliated in death. For the Romans, the crucifixion was a demonstration of power
The death that He died was painful. It has been said that the one who dies by crucifixion dies a thousand deaths, simply due to the extreme suffering and pain that it subjects its victim to.
Deuteronomy 21:23 NIV84
23 you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.

3. The Pleasure in Christ’s Exaltation (v.9)

But the reality was that Christ wasn’t left subject to such humiliation. In fact, this is essential for us to understand. As a result of the obedience of Jesus Christ, of his willingness to endure this suffering until its full measure, there was an exaltation that took place. Verse 9 says:
Philippians 2:9 NIV84
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
The rule that Jesus laid down for His disicples, as found in Luke 14:11 was this.
Luke 14:11 NIV84
11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This principle was now directly applied to Jesus Himself by God the Father. Christ had lived in perfect obedience and submission to the Father’s will, and it now pleased God to exalt Christ to this highest place!
The word that is translated as “Exalted” here is used only one time in the Scriptures (original languages) and it is in an intensive form - it speaks of Christ being exceedingly exalted; or super-exalted; or being elevated in a transcendentally glorious fashion.
In the Greek version of the Old Testament, this same word is used in Psalm 97:9 to speak of the exalted nature of the LORD - Jahweh.
Psalm 97:9 NIV84
9 For you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
Well this is the exaltation that God was pleased to bestow on the Son.
Acts 5:31 NIV84
31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
Hebrews 1:3 NIV84
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Ephesians 1:19–22 NIV84
19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
Jesus Christ has been given the name that is above every name. There is none greater than Christ. There are no alternative gods through which to approach the Father. There are no alternative ways to heaven. There is no other prophet that comes or can come, that can claim some new way, or some alternative way. Christ alone is exalted to the highest place.
Christ reigns on high.
Christ rules in power.
Christ is worthy of our worship and submission!

4. The Purpose of Christ’s Exaltation (vv.10-11)

This is clear from the final two verses of this passage, which speak of the Purpose of Christ’s exaltation.
What is the purpose of God’s exalting Christ to the highest place.
Firstly, it is that every knee should bow in worship.

4.1. Every knee Bowing (v.10)

“…that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow...”
The person of the Lord Jesus Christ has been highly exalted, so that at His name, in other words before Him as a person, the One who has lived perfectly in submission to God, then One who humbled Himself to death, even death on the cross - at His name, because of what He has done, every knee will bow.
Every knee - notice the extent of this - in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth!!!
It doesn’t matter who this is, every knee is going to bow and worship Jesus Christ. This will be no feigned, pretend, half-hearted worship of Jesus Christ. This is going to be true, reverential, awe-filled worship of the King of kings. People are going to be struck with a full sense of the magnitude of Christ’s authority; of the greatness of His glory; of His beauty and majesty. And they will fall down in worship.
We must ask, what will be the motivation for our bowing the knee in worship?
Will it be because of Christ’s grace towards us that we have willingly, gladly, humbly received? Will it be just a final demonstration of that which has lived in our hearts having been saved by grace through faith in Christ? In other words, our hearts are already bowed before Jesus and we live our lives in deep reverence and submission to Him, and so when He comes it will merely be a natural posture that is taken up as we continue singing His praises?
Or will it be because our lives in this world have been lived without due regard to Christ and his lordship. Where we although we may know of Jesus, and may know all about him, and may even know all the truths of the Gospel, but have failed to live our lives here with our hearts in glad submission to Him, and so when he returns we are bowing in fear, because we know that we have not submitted to Him in our lives?
Revelation 6:12–17 NIV84
12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Certainly, there are those for whom the return of Christ will be as it is mentioned in Rev.6:16-17, where they are in great fear. But this should lead us to worship even now, so that on the day of Christ’s return, we bow down and worship Him with gladness.

4.2. Every Tongue Confessing (v.11)

But not only every knee bow, but every tongue will confess Christ as Lord.
Philippians 2:11 NIV84
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus Christ is Lord!!! Let that fact not escape our minds.
Whether or not we treat him as Lord, even as those who claim to be Christians, believers - He is Lord. And He is worthy of our worship. And it is a great delight and pleasure to worship Him!
Not only will people bow down to Christ, but they will openly confess with their lips that Jesus is Lord.
The most devout and vocal atheist, actively working to turn people away from God, will in that day be brought exceedingly low, and will have to confess that Jesus is indeed Lord. What he so vehemently militated against will be seen to be nothing less than the glorious truth, and he will bow the knee and confess Jesus as Lord. Sadly, that confession will be too late for the purpose of His own salvation.

Application and Conclusion

As we draw to a close, just some basic points of application for our own lives.

A.1. Humility is our Goal

We are called to live as Christ lived - to humble ourselves and live such lives in this world.
As we interact with one another, as we seek to live out our Christian lives in this world, they must be lived in deep humility. That means, they must be lived with eyes taken off of ourselves and our desires and wants, and with eyes looking to serve those around us.
Christ did not come to be served, but to serve.
Are you living as one who deliberately serves others? Do you live your life seeking to benefit others through your actions and what you do?

A.2. Glory is the Reward

Matthew 23:12 NIV84
12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
James 4:10 NIV84
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
1 Peter 5:6 NIV84
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

A.3. Live a life of Service

In this body, the church, serve!
In your life at home, serve!
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