Culver Community Church

Pastor Chris Sweeney

Sermon Notes

February 16, 2020

Philippians 2:5-11 Christ’s Mindset

{Philippians 2:5-11 NIV} What a wonderful text!  Within it, we see the full breadth of Christ’s life, from eternity past to Earth to eternity future (glory)!  What a wonderful God and Savior!  We just had to read this as one piece!  It is believed by many scholars that these verses, which are very poetic or lyric in form, were actually an early Christian hymn.  Paul either appropriated it ‘as is’ to serve his point or he may have modified it.  Now, of course we will go back and look at what this text means in context and what other truths can be pulled out from it!  For us today, as we travel through the book of Philippians, the most important thing to note is that Paul (and the Holy Spirit) did not just drop a Religious thesis on them (and us), just for the sake of having it! (This can happen in higher education sometimes – grand ideas dropped into a class even though they have little or no relevance.)  Scripture, however always declares the most wonderful doctrines, in the most casual of ways.  Let me give you an example: Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth.” – God is simply assumed to exist; there is no discussion or proof just God created!  Most introductions would begin by telling us Who God is or at least what the word ‘God’ means.  God is declared to be the Creator, we see that He existed before anything was created and then the story simply flows on.  In today’s text the most marvelous and detailed New Testament description of the Incarnation is simply inserted - - - as an example of humility!  We read the transition verse (vs 5) last time “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”  This is also the theme or key to our text.  Paul is continuing his teaching about unity and humility in the body of Christ by giving us the ultimate example - - - the humble nature, and actions of God, the Son!  Jesus chose to be humiliated, to come as a servant and serve us!

This section is commonly known as the “The Doctrine of the Kenosis” or “The Great Parabola”.  Kenosis refers to the Greek word translated ‘emptied Himself’ or ‘made Himself nothing’ in verse seven, which we will look at a little later.  A parabola, in mathematics describes a ‘U’ shaped curve; in this text we see Jesus go from the highest glories in Heaven, to the lowest of lows (a servant and the death on the cross), only to be exalted back to the glories that He previously had with the Father.  This is the largest U-shaped journey in all of history, really the largest path possible!  He took that journey, not because it was fun (this was no Sunday drive) but because in doing so, He opened a way for you and for me to go with Him!

{vs 6} Who – verse five ends with Christ Jesus, and this is the Who – our subject for the entire section.  Jesus is the one being (not the ordinary or common word for being) – this word expresses the idea of quality of existence or essence and it is in a continuous or ongoing state.  We could say subsisting – the nature of a person which continues, unchangeably.  Right from the start, we have this amazing statement that tells us Jesus is God (sorry, I don’t mean to jump ahead) and He was, He is and He always will be – His nature cannot change!  In eternity past Jesus, the second person of the Godhead - - - is God!  In the womb of the young virgin named Mary - - - Jesus is God!  As a preacher wandering the land of Israel - - - Jesus is God!  Betrayed in the garden, on trial for His life, on the cross and in the tomb - - - Jesus is God!  And just in case we missed that point, there’s more!  Jesus being in the very nature God!  This is the Greek word morphē, meaning form.  However, there are two ways to describe form in the Greek – one, schema which describes the outer appearance or shape, which can change.  Our word, morphē describes a form which fully expresses the being which underlies it. That is to say, it is a form true to the essential nature.  Let me explain – we are born into this world as male or female, that is defined by our DNA and cannot be changed (no matter what some people tell us).  When we are young, our forms are those of children (Schema) and we grow up and eventually old – it changes based upon God’s design, our choices and life experiences.  However, our unchangeable male or female form (morphē), the inner makeup of who we are does not change. So Jesus being in the very nature God – tells us that Jesus is the self-existing, unchangeable God.  He possesses the being and nature of God.  The doubters will try to tell you that the Bible never says that Jesus is God - - - WRONG!  He is, always has been and always will be unalterably God!  (i.e. Colossians 1:15-17 NIV)

Remember, this was taught to first generation believers!  There is none of this ‘myth grew’ nonsense.  Paul is telling people who may well have seen, heard or even touched Jesus that He is God!  And not only is it the truth but they accepted it!  Now that this is established, we can see how Jesus is our example!  This sets the scene, but it is not in His deity or His unchanging nature that we can be like Him.  We are to have the same mindset, the thoughts and attitudes of Christ – this is what we see next!  “Jesus being in the very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage;”  Notice that we again clarify Jesus’ deity – His equality with God!  Jesus, God the Son who is in essence and nature God – equal to God in every way thought that His deity was not to be used in a self-seeking way!  Some translations word it differently, “did not consider it robbery to be equal with God” which can confuse.  However, the idea is that it was not something to grasp for or cling to - - - a treasured thing worth guarding or stealing!

Remember, last week Paul taught us not to be self-seeking (Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit – vs. 3).  This is Paul’s point, and the context for this text - we can be like Christ, in our humility!  This wonderful journey Jesus takes begins with a thought, a mindset – that my strength, power and authority should not be to used for my benefit – it should be in love and humility used for others!  We must put on this mindset!  By nature, we sinful creatures are want to lookout for number 1!  However, as new creations in Christ, we should like Him – look to the interests of others.  If Jesus had not done this, we would have all died in our sins, not knowing God’s love for us!

{vs 7} In contrast (not that, but this) - Jesus instead “emptied Himself.”  Rather than clinging to His heavenly glory and privileges, He divested Himself of them.  Some heretics have taught that Jesus emptied Himself of His divinity (which we saw is impossible from this text).  No, in order to make His sacrificial death work and to become our perfect mediator and high priest – Jesus must, retain His existence and nature as God.  However, He must also become like us – taking on, adding to His eternal nature the lower nature of a servant - the “form of a bondservant” (bond-slave).  Jesus is fully God, who added the attributes of humanity to who He is.  Jesus did not just add humanity, but He added the nature of a slave!  Somewhat paradoxically, God the Son became the slave of God the Father.  Jesus always did the Father’s will, spoke His words – doing nothing on His own.  Although Jesus, still God could have made stones into bread by His own Devine power and authority – He chose to set them aside and do only God’s will.  Not only in will, and in power – but Jesus also divested Himself of glory (except at the Mount of Transfiguration where God showed that glory).  Jesus not only walked as one of us, without anything to attract us but He walked as a slave among us – without possessions.  Have you ever noticed that Jesus was always borrowing, He had no place to lay His head, He borrowed fishes and loaves, boats, donkeys, rooms to hold Passover, gardens to pray in and yes, even a tomb to be laid in in death!

The word for ‘form’ is once again morphē – not just an outward appearance, not the shape of a human or some disguise. He became one of us! Interestingly, the only other use of morphē in the New Testament, other than these two uses here, is in Mark 16:12 where Jesus takes on His resurrection body (the one He will have forevermore!)  Understand this – Jesus (God) loved you and I so much that He forever added our nature to Himself!  After ten thousand years (and ten thousand more) – Jesus will be in Heaven with us as the Lamb of God, with the marks of His slaughter (Revelation 5:6)!  In heaven, each of us will have perfected resurrection bodies and Jesus will be there with us, with the reminders of what He did on the cross - - - the scars of love!

{vs 8} Jesus followed God’s will, He became “the Lamb who was slain from the creation [foundation] of the world.” (Revelation 13:8)  Given the appearance or form (Schema) of a man - He was truly human in every sense, yet He was without sin.  Being born human was humbling enough, but He continued to humble Himself.  He was obedient to God to the most difficult point, to the point of paying the ultimate price - - - His very life!  And not just any death, but the excruciating, shameful death of crucifixion!  He who knew no sin became sin for us, He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities and He died in our place.

{vs 9-11} Because Jesus humbled Himself (from the Highest to the lowest place), God lifted Him back up!  This is how God’s economy works! – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10 NIV)  “Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4 NIV)  God rewards the humble but opposes and mocks the proud.  Jesus who was our perfect example was ultimately humble (again from highest to lowest) and so God ultimately exalted Him!  God raised Him from the dead (approving His sacrifice); He ascended into Heaven into God’s presence and sat at the right hand (place of honor) of God the Father!  His name (remember this represents all that a person is) is above every other name.  Every person (in Heaven, on Earth and under – that leaves no place to hide!) will bow before Him and admit that He is Lord!  Some (believers) will do so from love and gratitude but others will do so because God brings them before Him to receive their due judgement!  Which will you choose?

There has never been such a clear and perfect demonstration of humility!  So, Paul points us to Christ.  Because of His perfect humility but also because being perfect, He was humble!  This is the way to be perfect!  We are called to do the same.  Jesus came to seek and to save, to serve!  He deserved better, it was His right to be worshipped, but He washed the stinky feet of His disciples.  He deserved our love, but He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. (Isaiah 53:1)  He was perfect and without sin, but we judged Him worthy of death.  Now in light of His humility, how can we (such lessor beings) say in pride, “I don’t deserve to be treated like this!” or “I can’t, I won’t do that – it’s beneath me!” – how dare we?  Let us learn the lesson, walk humbly before our God and allow Him to lift us up in due time.