Philippians 2:1-11

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming 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 acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

 

 

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Our attitude should be the same as Christ’s.

  1. What should this
    attitude “reveal”?

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

What is the mark of Christ’s ownership of you?

What difference has Jesus’ trademark made in your life?

“I’ve done this for you.
Now, you go and do that same thing for others.”

Christ’s “trademark”

4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

  1. What is this
    “attitude of Christ?”

WILLINGNESS to do what you don’t HAVE.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Jesus is God

Jesus became a servant

He was obedient.

“Obedient unto death”

Basin Theology 1

Matthew 27

He knew what he should have done but he took the easy way out; he passed on to others the responsibility which should have been his.

Basin Theology 2

John 13

“…Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John 13:8

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:15

Jesus’ basin serves as a contrast to that of Pilate’s. Whereas Pilate uses his to avoid his rightful responsibility,
Jesus uses his basin to take on responsibility which most would have said was not his at all.

If we are going to be associated with Him, we will not be shunning responsibility but looking for opportunities to be more than responsible.

III. So why don’t we Christians do this more often?

1st – many Christians get the false impression that somebody else will take care of it.

There may never be someone else that will do the job quite like God wants YOU to do it.

2nd – many Christians get the false impression their contribution is so small it won’t make any difference to God.

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2 Chronicles 16:9

God’s desire is to watch us when we TRY to make a difference for Him because our good works on His behalf give Him pleasure.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and GLORIFY YOUR FATHER which is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

But the 3rd reason I can think of is that they don’t know what to do.

We serve a big God who makes our weakness into strength.

Let us Imitate Christ!