You Were Created To Become Like Christ Series

Philippians 2:1-18 February 8, 2004

You were Created To Become Like Christ

What do you think of when you hear that phrase? Things you should not do?

Colossians3:5-10

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Things that you should do?

Colossians 3:12-14…

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

The do’s ant don’t’s of the Christian life are an important aspect of becoming like Christ. They should be obeyed. We must be righteous people. But, if we only emphasis the do’s and don’ts of the faith we are in danger of a dead legalism that kills the soul and leads to pride.

Today I want to go deeper into becoming like Christ and do some heart surgery. I want to talk about our attitudes becoming like Christ’s.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God

Did not consider equality with God

Something to be grasped,

But made himself nothing,

Taking the very nature of a servant,

Being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a human being,

He humbled himself

And became obedient to death –

Even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

And gave him the name that is above every name

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

In heaven and on earth and under the earth,

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

To the glory of God the Father.

Your Attitude, The Same As Jesus’

Jesus Knew Who He Was

“who being in very nature God…”

This phrase could be read in two different ways, “although he was in very nature God…” or, “because he was in very nature God…”. Because he was God he didn’t grasp at the position of being God, Because he was God he became a slave, because he was God he died for us…”

Because Jesus knew his standing, he did not have to prove it through force or coercion.

At his Baptism – Matthew 3:16- 17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Right after this the devil comes and tempts him about his identity

At the Last Supper John 13:3-5

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Before Pilate

John 19 8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

The reason that Jesus was able to have the attitude of humility that he has is because he knows who he is at the core of his being.