When Jesus Gave Himself Series

Christmas: It’s All About Giving

WHEN JESUS GAVE HIMSELF TO MAN

Philippians 2:5 - 8

One of the joys of being a parent is the opportunity to reflect on how much my parents gave to me. As a child I really did not understand the sacrifices they made in order that my brother, sisters and me could have a good life. There was no way I could fully appreciate it. But now, I cannot thank God enough for them. I cannot thank them enough for the sacrifices they made just to clothe and feed five children off of meager incomes much less see to it that we all went to college. I cannot thank them enough for the nights they stayed up when we were sick and then worked a full day the next day. I cannot thank them enough for the little extra things they did to my our lives more joyful even when they had to be sacrificing their our needs and wants. When I think about it, they simply gave themselves to us and never complained. They blessings came from meeting our needs.

In reality, as much as my parents gave unto me and as much as I will ever be able to give to my children, my Lord Jesus gave even more. As we approach Christmas, I want us to stop and reflect on what Jesus gave to us when He chose to make Himself man.

Before we can understand what Jesus gave up, we must first understand what he had before He to earth.

THE PRE-INCARNATE STATE OF OUR LORD JESUS (2:6)

Who, being in the form of God,thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

1) His Divine Person

"being in the form of God..."

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

John 1:1 3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God

Heb 1:3a Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power,

2) His Majestic Position

"...thought it not robbery to be equal with God."

-Sovereign King of Kings

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

(Isa 6:1 4) In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

(Isa 66:1) Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest

3) His Unlimited Power

(John 1: 3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

(Col 1:15 17) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

THE INCARNATE STATE OF OUR LORD JESUS (2:7-8)

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

"...made Himself of no reputation..."

(kenoþ: 1.. to empty, make empty:

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright 8 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc.)

(kenow) to completely remove or eliminate elements of high status or rank by eliminating all privileges or prerogatives associated with such status or rank ’to empty oneself, to divest oneself of position.’ (Greek English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain. Copyright (c) 1988 United Bible Societies, New York.)