Imitate Jesus' Attitude

IMITATE JESUS’ ATTITUDE (Outline)

April 17, 2011 - Palm Sunday - PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11

INTRO: Today God’s holy word reminds us to watch what Jesus did. For a time there was a fad that asked people to consider “What would Jesus do?” Really? Jesus urged Judas to go quickly in order to betray Him. When betrayed and arrested Jesus proclaimed it was a time of glory. While being nailed to the cross Jesus said: “Father, forgive them…” These thoughts of God are much higher than our thoughts. Can we really, truly know what Jesus would do? Instead, we watch what Jesus did. When we watch what Jesus did we learn of the great love God has for each and every one of us. When we watch what Jesus did we learn about the path of faith for our lives. "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God" (3 JOHN 11). Friends, we have seen God. We do know now what is right in God’s sight. May the Lord direct our full attention to watch what Jesus did. Then, and only then, can we

IMITATE JESUS’ ATTITUDE.

I. Walk humbly with God. II. Rejoice in eternal glory.

I. IMITATE JESUS’ ATTITUDE – WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD.

A. Verse 5. The apostle Paul directs the attention of these believers to Jesus and his life and attitude.

1. Verse 6. Jesus was (and still is) God. While on earth Jesus hid His divine power and glory.

2. Jesus did not appear as a king. He did not have any splendid earthly throne or palace.

B. Verse 7. Jesus “emptied himself” of that which was divine. Jesus hid his godliness.

1. Jesus was still God. His human flesh and body covered up that which was divine.

2. Jesus walked, talked, lived, and even touched other human beings. They did not die.

a. No one can see God and live. b. Jesus’ power protected others from divine destruction.

C. Verse 8. Jesus humbly walked with God even unto death. Death on a cross was absolute agony.

D. Watch what Jesus did. Jesus was innocent. Jesus let the crowds shout, “Crucify, crucify!” Jesus allowed the soldiers to nail him to the cross. Jesus did not complain. He did not proclaim his innocence. Instead, Jesus walked humbly with God. Jesus did all of this for us. Jesus did all of this for the sins of the world. "He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth" (ISAIAH 53:9). Jesus never did anything wrong. Jesus never spoke even one evil word. For this he was put to death. Watch what Jesus did in his humble walk for us.

E. Very few of us, if any would stand silently before our accusers: especially if completely innocent. But this is exactly what Jesus did for us. We cannot save ourselves. Not one single good deed can pay for one single sin. All the money in the world is not enough to make a down payment for one single sin. We watch what Jesus did and are filled with awe and respect because of such great love for undeserving sinners. God reminds us through his Son, Jesus, our Savior that we are not alone. "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (MATTHEW 11:29). Watch what Jesus did and you see the sinless sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Watch what Jesus did and you will discover rest for your souls: divine, free, eternal forgiveness.

F. Watch what Jesus did and you will see a humble walk with God. Jesus’ humble walk is the example for our Christian life this wicked world. In this life we face difficulties, heartaches, sorrows, and sickness. In faith we humbly walk with God. In faith we love God because he first loved us. "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" (1 PETER 5:5, 6). In any and every worldly care our Lord God Almighty lifts us up in his time. No matter how prosperous the wicked world appears, God still opposes the proud. God gives us grace -- undeserved love. We watch what Jesus did to imitate Jesus’ attitude. Jesus’ love moves us to walk humbly with God.

IMITATE JESUS’ ATTITUDE.

We will walk humbly with God until we rejoice in eternal glory.

II. IMITATE JESUS’ ATTITUDE -- REJOICE IN ETERNAL GLORY.