The Mind Of Christ Series

The Mind of Christ

Text: Phil 2.5-8

Introduction:

• What is Christmas all about? -v.5.

• Christmas doesn’t belong to the world and they world cannot give Christmas its meaning.

• The passage tells us what Christmas is really about, it’s about Jesus Christ. He truly is “the reason for the season”.

• Here we find the true view of Christ expressed in three aspects of His advent to earth…His Divinity, His Humanity, and His Humility.

I. The Divinity of Christ – v.6.

A. False Views of Christ’s Deity –

1. Jehovah’s Witnesses - Jesus Christ is not

God, but rather a created being.

2. Mormons - Jesus is not the unique Son of

God. - One of their writings notes, “The

Divinity of Jesus and the Divinity of all

other noble and stately souls… can be

recognized as manifestations of the

Divine[of Divinity].”

B. The Biblical View of Christ’s Deity –

1. He existed (eternally) in the form of

God. This word form is philosophical in

nature rather than material and refers

to Jesus as possessing the very nature of

God.

2. Jesus in His pre-incarnate state was

“equal” with God. (Isa 46.5ff)

3. A corollary reference - 1 Timothy 3:16 –

“And without controversy great is the

mystery of godliness: God was manifest

in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen

by angels, preached among the Gentiles,

believed on in the world, received up in

glory.”

II. The Humanity of Christ –v.7

A. False Views of the Humanity of Christ –

1. Gnosticism - Denial of the reality of His

human body. - The Gnostics claimed a

superior capacity for knowledge and were

heavily influenced by pagan philosophy.

They denied the humanity of Christ, even

to the point of denying the reality of

His body.

2. Asceticism – The belief that the flesh is

evil and only the spiritual is good. This

pervades many false religions in some way

or another, especially Eastern Mysticism.

B. The Biblical View of Christ’s Humanity –

1. From the “form” of God to the “form” of

a bondservant – v. 7

2. A corollary reference - Hebrews 2:14 –

“Inasmuch then as the children have

partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself

likewise shared in the same. . ..”

III. The Humility of Christ – v.8

Christ “emptied” Himself. That is; He voluntarily “limited” Himself in the expression of His Deity. He did not give up “possession” of Deity but He did give up “expression” of Deity.

How?

A. He Limited the Expression of His

Omniscience – Lk 2.52.

B. He Limited the Expression of His Divine

Presence – His half-brothers and sisters did

not realize He was God until after His

death, resurrection, and glorification.

(*John 7:1-5)

C. He Limited the Expression of His

Omnipotence –

1. He was hungry, thirsty, and tired –

Matthew 4:2; John 19:28; John 4:6.

2. He was not able to do everything – *Mk

6.1-6

3. He was killed – Jn 19.30

D. He Limited the Expression of His Authority

– Jn 12.49 "For I did not speak on My own

initiative, but the Father Himself who sent

Me has given Me commandment, what to say,

and what to speak. “

E. He Limited the Expression of His Divine

Rights as God by dying for us on the cross –

v.8.

Conclusion:

• Christmas is not about the gifts we give to people, it’s about the Gift God gave to all people.

• Christmas is not about lights on a tree, but about the Light of the World in our hearts.

• Christmas is not about our spending for material possessions, but about what Christ spent for spiritual possessions.

• Christ has taught us by His example that; Christmas is not about us, Christmas is about others.

Let us purpose to live this Christmas season in the true spirit of the season. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Let’s see if we can keep this spirit of Christmas alive year round.

Invitation.