Humble Joy (Message 3)

The Scriptures

Phil. 2:5 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;

Two Reminders for this Series

One of the greatest OUTCOMES of humility is JOY.
J - Jesus O - Others Y - Yourself

When it comes to the difficult quality of HUMILITY, we have some wonderful EXAMPLES to follow.

Philippians 2

After making three SHORT visits to Philippi over a several year period, this church had become a FAVORITE of Paul's.

As he writes this letter to his friends, the ONLY concern that seems to be addressed is DISUNITY in the church.

Paul encouraged the Philippians to “make his joy COMPLETE,” with attitudes and actions of HUMILITY.

Philippians Chapter 2

After making three SHORT visits to Philippi over a several year period, this church had become a FAVORITE of Paul's.

As he writes this letter to his friends, the ONLY concern that seems to be addressed is DISUNITY in the church.

Paul encouraged the Philippians to “make his joy COMPLETE,” with attitudes and actions of HUMILITY.

Paul continues by giving four EXAMPLES of humility beginning with Jesus Christ.

From Last Week . . .

Pre-Existence — His DEITY
Phil. 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, . . .
Jesus has ALWAYS existed and is God by His very nature.

Pre-Existence — His ATTITUDE
Phil. 2:6 . . . did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
Jesus’ attitude was that although He had the RIGHT to hold on to His deity solely, He determined that “this is not about ME."

His Humility — His Action
Phil. 2:7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

a. The word “RATHER” helps us understand Jesus’ choice.

b. “Made Himself nothing,” literally reads “He emptied (κενόω, kenoō) Himself”. This is a MUCH-debated concept (kenosis theory) to try to determine what was actually LOST or “emptied.” It simply refers to Jesus’ temporary renunciation and SURRENDER of divine power and PRIVILEGE.
Matt. 24:36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matt. 26:53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

c. Jesus took the NATURE or form (μορφή, morphē) of a servant (δοῦλος, doulos — bond servant) which means that He had no RIGHTS or privileges.
Matt. 20:28 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.”
Rev. 19:15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” . . .

d. Jesus became a MAN (human, anthropos) — an unbelievable act of LIMITATION (100% man, 100% God).
John 8:40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
1John 4:2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

His Humility — His Humility Again
Phil. 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself . . .

1. Even though Jesus did not give up His DEITY, He had the APPEARANCE (σχῆμα, schēma) of a man. Only ONCE during His earthly lifetime did He APPEAR as God.
John 10:33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
Matt. 8:27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? . . .
Matt. 17:2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

2. And then, He humbled Himself AGAIN.

His Humility — His Humiliation
Phil. 2:8 . . . by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

1. Becoming a man meant that Jesus would have to face DEATH — and He was OBEDIENT to it.
Heb. 9:27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
Rom. 6: 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2Cor. 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1Pet. 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

He ALSO humbled Himself to the most HUMILIATING of deaths.
Luke 24:20 chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
Deut. 21:23 you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Gal. 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

Consider:

The purpose of this passage is to move the Philippian people towards UNITY. Humility PROMOTES unity, and Jesus is our GREATEST example.

Because Jesus took the FULL nature of a man, and died on our BEHALF, we have the JOY of abundant life and an eternity with our Lord.

Walk The Talk

Which of the Greek words studied in this text had the most meaning to you and why?

What does it mean to you that Jesus “made Himself nothing”?

Why is death on a cross such a curse and why was it necessary for Jesus?