#15 7-01-07
Have the Attitude of Christ
Text; Philippians 2:5-8
I. The Need for Humility
A. The lack of harmony in the Philippian church (4:2) Euodia and Syntyche
B. Humility described (2:3,4)
1. No contentiousness (promoting self over others)
2. No empty conceit (conceited without any reason)
3. Regard others more important than self
C. Humility helps build unity
II The Example of Christ
A. Christ is God
1. “He existed in the form of God”
2. Christ being God He had all power, preeminence, privileges, and possessions
B. He didn’t selfishly hold on to His rights as God
1. “equality with God to be grasped”
2. He didn’t demand honor, privilege and glory
C. “He emptied Himself”
1. He did not empty Himself of His deity
2. He gave up His right to display His glory
3. He gave up His right of the free exercise of His deity
D. “Became a bong-servant”
1. He had the right to be served
2. But he came to serve
E. He became a human being
1. He was fully human
2. He appeared normal
F. He was obedient to the point of death on the cross
III. Follow Christ’s Example
A. Our self-centered will sits enthroned on our hearts
1. We have the given right by God to choose who sits on the throne
2. We can choose to live a self-centered life
B. We can dethrone self
1. We can choose to deny self
2. We can enthrone Christ
3. We can surrender all to Christ as our Lord
C. We can choose to live a life of service
1. Be a bond-servant of Christ
2. Live to minister to others
Man’s pursuit of joy, a quote; “Men have pursued joy in every avenue imaginable. Some have successfully found it while others have not. Perhaps it would be easier to describe where joy cannot be found:
Not in unbelief—Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote; “I wish I had never been born.”
Not in pleasure –Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote; “The worm, canker, and grief are mine alone.”
Not in money – Jay Gould , the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said, “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”
Not in position and fame – Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more that his share of both. He wrote. “Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.”
Not in military might – Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he sail. “There are no worlds to conquer.”
How do you choose to live your life?
Do you choose to live your for yourself?
Do you choose to live your for Christ?
