TEXT: Philippians 2:5-11
TITLE: The Most Glorious Became the Most Humble
SERIES: Seriously Ridiculous
TOPIC: Christmas series; The incarnation of Christ
OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, December 7th, 2008
PROP.: God in his wisdom, power and might, truly works in RIDICULOUS ways!
INTRODUCTION: Good morning! I’m Mark Nichols in case you forgot! I want to thank you for being gracious enough to allow me to be gone for the time I was. Lindsay and I were able to spend Thanksgiving with my mom and dad and last Sunday Lindsay and I were at Church in Hessville Indiana.
The Sunday before that, Brigham and I were at our yearly convention. It was phenomenal.
To be honest, while at that convention, I got the idea for this sermon series. The theme of our convention was the theme for this month’s sermons. Seriously Ridiculous!
What does that mean? “Seriously Ridiculous”? I will tell you what I think it means: Galatians 1:27. Memorize it. Put it in your heart. Meditate daily on these words for the month:
27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
It means that God wasn’t born to an earthly king, but a scared, meek, humble virgin.
It means that God comes as a baby to rescue the world.
It means that God started with 12 men who were sinners, who got it wrong a lot of the time, who messed up time and time again but faithfully followed Him.
It means that God would show Himself victorious through dying a criminal’s death.
GOD WORKS IN SOME SERIOUSLY RIDICULOUS WAYS, AMEN? Why would he do that? Because He’s powerful enough to do just that! God can take the most ridiculous thing and use it for his plans, purposes and glory…and that includes coming to this earth as a baby!
During the next few weeks, I’m going to be giving you some seriously ridiculous thoughts!
Our text is very familiar. Philippians 2:5-11.
BACKGROUND: Paul wrote this to the Christians living in Philippi. Paul is in prison at Rome when he writes this letter. Philippi was a cosmopolitan city. There a great number of people all from various backgrounds and walks of life. Acts 16 gives us just a little hint at the great diverse makeup of this church. The church included Lydia, a jewish convert and a wealthy business woman…the church included a slave girl (Acts 16:16,17) probably a native Greek; and the church also included a Roman man who worked as a jailer.
So it’s easy to understand why maintaining unity in this Philippian church would have been difficult. So Paul writes and encourages them to do just that - to remain united!
And in the midst of Paul’s encouragement for unity, comes the first ridiculous thought!
Are you ready for the seriously ridiculous thought of the day?
“The Most Glorious, Became the Most Humble”
Let’s first talk about the:
I. The Glory of Christ (vs. 5,6)
I hope you are here today and you understand that there is something special about Christ. I hope you are here today and have come to worship Jesus Christ because there is something Glorious about Him.
In Philippians chapter 2:5,6, Paul confirms that there is something special about Christ!
Let’s read verses 5 & 6
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
Verse six is pretty short. But it gives some MIND BLOWING details concerning Christ.
A. JESUS HAS THE SAME NATURE AS GOD!
--What does that mean?
Nature speaks of the elements which anything is made up. The nature of Water is H2O…that is, one molecule of water is made up of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus is the EXACT REPRESENTATION of God’s nature…meaning whatever “elements” one finds in the Father, that is precisely what one finds in the Son. They match exactly! If the Father is all powerful, all knowing, all present, infinitely wise, holy, just and good, then so is the son!
And yet, here’s the amazing thing…
B. JESUS DIDN’T CONSIDER EQUALITY WITH GOD AS SOMETHING TO BE GRASPED!
Jesus is equal to God. He’s not just kind of a neat guy. He’s not just merely, a good teacher. HE. IS. GOD. He is THE MOST GLORIOUS! He was worshipped as a baby! He was obeyed as an adult. He is Immanuel - God with us!
ILLUSTRATION: Show some pictures of some famous people.
I want to show you some pictures this morning. What do all of these people have in common? They are more “glorious” than Mark Nichols. These people are well known, famous celebrities!
But I don’t care who the MOST famous or well known or privileged person on the planet is…NONE IS MORE GLORIOUS THAN CHRIST!
Later in Philippians 2, Paul has this to say:
Philippians 2:10,11
“That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall 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.”
And what did Christ do with glory? What did he do with his equality with God? He poured it out. He emptied himself of his glory - temporarily. Our scripture says that Jesus didn’t consider equality with God as something to cling to…as a prize or a trophy.
THAT’S SERIOUSLY RIDICULOUS!
(--The trinity
Listen, it is hard to fully wrap our minds around the trinity. The fact that God is one. And yet three. (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) But please allow this statement to satisfy you today: Jesus is just as glorious as God…deserving of worship, without beginning and without end, Holy, Powerful, majestic - It’s also just as equally difficult to comprehend the incarnation of Christ…and yet We celebrate Christmas knowing that the full deity of God was crammed into a little baby’s body!)
Let’s continue reading verses 7 & 8.
7but Jesus made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[a] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
The most important word in all of verses 7 & 8 is the first word. What is it? BUT!
Paul has just got done saying that Christ is awesome. Christ is powerful. Christ is supreme. BUT. But he chose to be humble!
So let’s explore
II. The Humility of Christ (vs. 7 - 8)
Paul describes the humility of Jesus in three ways.
1st he says:
A. Jesus the servant - vs. 7
Verse 7 says that Jesus took the very nature of a servant.
In Matthew 20:28 Jesus declares to his disciples His mission: “the son of man came not to be served…but to serve. And to give His life as a ransom for many.”
I could give numerous examples of Jesus’ servant hood displayed. But, by far, my all time favorite is found in John’s gospel. The 13th chapter.
You have heard the story. Jesus and his 12 students were preparing for the Thanksgiving meal of their day…only they called it the Passover. This was to be the last meal he would share with his students, friends and followers.
It’s a special time. And then Jesus does the un-expected, the shocking. Before the meal, he goes around to each of the 12 disciples…and washes their feet. Their filthy, disgusting feet. Their callous worn, dirty, smelly feet.
Can I remind you what John the Baptist said about Jesus? Mark 1:7 he said that there is one who is coming who is more powerful than anyone, who sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie!
And yet, Jesus stoops, unties, and washes the feet of the 12 men gathered there with him.
SERIOUSLY RIDICULOUS. The Most Glorious has become the Most humble!
The feet of some that were being washed would betray Jesus. The feet of others would share the good news of what they had seen. And yet, Jesus makes no distinction. He washes all of the feet, dries them, and then teaches them.
John 13:12-17
b“12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me ’Teacher’ and ’Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
Jesus the servant, showed us how to serve! Now that we know these things, we will be surely blessed if we practice them!
B. Jesus the king; made baby! - vs. 8a
Verse 8 says, “Jesus was made in human likeness. 8And that Jesus had the appearance of a man.”
You see, Jesus was used to sitting on a throne. He was used to speaking things into existence. He was used to receiving the praise of angels. He was unchangeable!
When he came to this earth, he couldn’t even sit up on his own. He had to learn to speak. He had to have his diaper changed. But he grew into a man!
Jesus the creator, had become one of his creatures!
ILLUSTRATION: Think about what Jesus had to give up when he came to earth.
1. Position - he gave up the glory of heaven to come to earth!
2. Popularity - he was serenaded by angels…and hated by men.
3. Might - the God who never rests had to sleep when he became tired! He had to eat
when he was hungry. Drink when he was thirsty.
4. Presence - He was no longer Omni-present. He was trapped in the body limited to one
place at one time.
What Jesus didn’t give up by coming to earth was:
1. His holiness - he was sinless perfect!
2. His Power - could still work miracles
3. His omniscience (he was all knowing) - could read people’s hearts and minds
C. Jesus the eternal…died. - vs. 8b
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
-- What an odd thing this must have been for God. God has no beginning and he has no end. And when he came to earth, he had a beginning. And he sadly, had an end. But his earthly end had a purpose!
ILLUSTRATION: we just sang about it. It’s my favorite verse. Verse 3.
Hark the Herald Angels sing vs. 3
“Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark, the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Death is the end result of all flesh. But Jesus’ death was different. He didn’t die of natural causes. He was put to death. This what was prophesied about and predicted since the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden.
Jesus was born to die. And his death would serve a planet of people. It would provide hope and forgiveness to a hopeless and sinful world!
And that translates to you personally here today! Jesus Christ, the most glorious one, humbled himself, became human, so that he could be YOUR sacrifice. So he could be punished for YOUR sins.
That’s SERIOUSLY RIDICULOUS!
Aren’t you glad that Jesus was born and then died.
So…
III. What does this mean for you and me? (vs. 5, 9 -11)
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
A. God makes great those who are humble…great! (vs. 9)
God exalted Jesus at the right time and to the right place!
Now I should say that God won’t make you as Great as Jesus because we just got done saying that NO ONE IS MORE GLORIOUS THAN JESUS! He is God!
But we are told if we want to be considered great in God’s eyes, HUMBLE YOURSELF!
Mark 9:33-36
33They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
SERIOUSLY RIDICULOUS!
But true!
B. If we realize we are not the most glorious, we will get along better with others! (vs. 5)
--Humility binds us closer together
Verse five plainly states: Have this attitude. What attitude? The same the attitude as Christ Jesus had! Be HUMBLE!.
PAUL IS SAYING, LOOK…FOLLOW CHRIST’S EXAMPLE!
Follow Christ’s example:
1. Be a servant!
--Look to help others!
2. Die…to self
Self is the most difficult person to kill! Self is ruthless. Self is thoughtless. Self wants to feel good, look good but not be good.
And yet Jesus calls us to put self to death! Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
If we succeed in killing our own desires and selfish wants and will look beyond ourselves to those in need, we WILL get along. If I’m looking after YOUR needs and YOUR looking after MY needs…we’re both gonna be taken care of!
It is my desire this morning that you have a better understanding and appreciation of what exactly Christ has done for you when he came to this earth!
THE MOST GLORIOUS BECAME THE MOST HUMBLE! And as a result, you were served, loved, and forgiven! CAN WE FOLLOW CHRIST’S EXAMPLE?
CONCLUSION: I want to end with a story that Mark Yaconelli shares in his book, “messy spirituality”
Every month, the youth group at river road church visited the Holcomb Manor, a local nursing home, to hold church services for the residents. Daryl, a reluctant youth group volunteer, did not like nursing homes. For a long time, he avoided the monthly services. But when a flu epidemic depleted the group of sponsors, Daryl agreed to help with the next month’s service, as long as he did not have to be part of the program.
During the service, Daryl felt awkward and out of place. He leaned against the back wall, between two residents in wheelchairs. Just as the service finished and Daryl was thinking about a quick exit, someone grabbed his hand. Startled, he looked down and saw a very old, frail and obviously lonely man in a wheelchair. What could Daryl do but hold the man’s hand? The man’s mouth hung open, and his face held no expression. Daryl doubted whether he could hear or see anything.
As everyone began to leave, Daryl realized he didn’t want to leave the old man. Daryl had been left too many times in his own life. Caught somewhat off-guard by his feelings, Daryl leaned over and whispered, “I’m…uh…sorry, I have to leave, but I’ll be back. I promise.” Without warning the man squeezed Daryl’s hand and then let go. As Daryl’s eyes filled with tears he grabbed his stuff and started to leave. Inexplicably, he heard himself say to the old man, “I love you,” and he thought, Where did THAT come from? What the matter with me?
Daryl returned the next month and the month after that. Each time, it was the same. Daryl would stand in the back, Oliver would grab his hand, Daryl would say he had to leave, Oliver would squeeze his hand, and Daryl would say softly, “I love you, Mr. Leak.” As the months went on, about a week before the nursing home service, Daryl would find himself looking forward to visiting his aged friend.
On Daryl’s 6th visit, the service started but Oliver still hadn’t been wheeled out. Daryl didn’t feel too concerned at first, because it often took the nurses a long time to wheel everyone out. But halfway into the service, Daryl became alarmed. He went to the head nurse. “Um, I don’t see Mr. Leak here today. Is he okay?” The nurse asked Daryl to follow her and led him to room 27.
Oliver lay in his bed, his eyes closed, his breathing un-even and labored. At forty years of age, Daryl had never seen someone dying, but he knew that Oliver was near death. Slowly he walked to the side of the bed and grabbed Oliver’s hand. When Oliver didn’t respond, tears filled Daryl’s eyes. He knew he might never see Oliver again. He had so much he wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come out. He stayed with Oliver for about an hour, then the youth director gently interrupted to say they were leaving.
Daryl stood and squeezed Mr. Leak’s hand for the last time. “I’m sorry, Oliver, I have to go. I love you.” As he unclasped his hand, he felt a squeeze. Mr. Leak had responded! He had squeezed Daryl’s hand! The tears were unstoppable now, and Daryl stumbled toward the door, trying to regain his composure.
A young woman was standing at the door, and Daryl almost bumped into her. “I’m sorry” he said, “I didn’t see you.”
“It’s all right, I’ve been waiting to see you. I’m Oliver’s granddaughter. He’s dying you know.” She said.
“Yes, I know”
“I wanted to meet you,” she said, “When the doctors said he was dying I came immediately. We have always been very close. They said he couldn’t talk, but he’s been talking to me. Not much, but I know what he is saying. Last night he woke up. His eyes were bright and alert. He looked straight into my eyes and said, “Please say goodbye to Jesus for me.’ and he laid back down and closed his eyes.
“he caught me off guard, and as soon as I gathered my composure, I whispered to him, ‘Grandpa, I don’t need to say goodbye to Jesus; you’re going to be with him soon, and you can tell him hello.”
Grandpa struggled to open his eyes again. This time his face lit up with a smile, and he said as clearly as Im talking to you, ‘I know, but Jesus comes to see me every month, and he might not know I’ve gone.’ He closed his eyes and hasn’t spoken since.
“I told the nurse what he’s said, and she told me about you, coming every month, holding grandpa’s hand. I wanted to thank you for him, for me…and well, I never thought of Jesus as being as chubby and bald as you, but I imagine that Jesus is very glad to have had you be mistaken for him. I know grandpa is. Thank you.”
Oliver Leak died peacefully the next morning. If a reluctant follower like Daryl can be mistaken for Jesus, maybe you and I can too.)
CONCLUSION: Humble yourselves for the purpose of serving. And you will see that you will look an awful lot like Christ. As we draw near to the Christmas season, may we have the same attitude that was found in Christ Jesus - Humility.
I want to conclude today’s message by reading Galatians 1:27
27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
SERIOUSLY RIDICULOUS!
