Imitating Christ Humility
Philippians 2:1-11
Introduction-
This is the first Sunday of Advent .
It is the time set aside for preparation. Preparation and celebrating the birth of Christ.
We heard the Advent readings from Scripture.
Jeremiah 33- restoration of Israel, the prophets proclaimed that a righteous branch will come from the seed of Kind David. That that seed will redeem mankind. And His name will be called “The lord of righteousness.”
Psalm 25- that this redeemer of mankind , we can put our hope and trust in Him.
Show me your ways Lord, guide me in your trust.
He says he guides the humble, all the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful.
Advent is about preparing our hearts to worship our redeemer, to remember what he has done.
Advent is also a time to understand who Jesus is... the humility of our savior coming
Society today is all about power. All about being the best, getting the best. All about being the master of something or someone. Very little about humility and being a servant.
Take a marriage, if it is dominated by one having power, we see that as power increases, love decreases.
Manipulative power and unconditional love are opposites.
You have trouble at work, you’ll scream-who’s in charge
You don’t get satisfaction in a store,.... who do I have to talk to get this corrected?
We ask the question: who’s the boss?, who’s in charge? The Christian should ask- who’s going to be a servant? Where can I serve?
The mind set of the world is power, control. The mind set of God- who will be a servant?
Who will have the mind of God?
After reading the text, we should be asking.
Who is going to imitate Christ?
Who is going to have the mind set of Christ?
Who’s attitude will be that of Jesus Christ?
Apostle Paul in chains advanced the gospel, constantly living in Christ humility.
“WWJD” What would Jesus Do A lot of people wear those bracelets.
Philippians 1:27-30 read from Bible.
Do you grasp the meaning?
“Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped”
Does that mean Jesus really was not God? No
“In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us”
Jesus was not created. He is the creator
We think God likeness is getting our own way, being in control, telling people what to do.
Jesus says that God-likeness is “giving yourself away” “pouring yourself out”
That is the incarnation That is why Jesus came.
We are remembering the great outpouring of God himself for mankind and our attempt at modeling what Jesus did so others could see Christ.
Jesus Christ came, did what He came to do.
He made the divine exchange.
He went from the supremacy of being God to the ultimate sacrifice so mankind could go from sinner to saint saved by grace of God.
Do you realize that Jesus is crazy about you? Most do not grasp that.
Look to the one next to you and say Jesus is crazy about you.
Love is the most transforming power in time and history.
The love that Christ has for each of us is mind blowing.
To have the mind set of Christ, to have the attitude of Christ, (v4)
“Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others”
He became nothing, he humbled himself, he became obedient.
God the Father exalted Him to the highest place, and gave him the name about every name.
Jesus Christ, Son of the living God.
Every knee will bow every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
To have the mind set of Christ, we cannot even scratch the surface.
I know it has to begin with a concern for others.
Illustrations (listen how one author describes someone who lost concern for others
Blessed are they who are too tired and too busy to go to church on Sunday, for they are my best workers.
Blessed are they who are bored with the ministers mannerism’s and mistakes, they get nothing out of the sermon.
Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church for he is part of the problem instead of the solution.
Blessed are they who gossip, for they cause strife and divisions that please me.
Blessed are they who are easily offended, for they soon get angry and quit.
Blessed are they who do not give their offerings to carry on God’s work for they are my best helpers.
Blessed are the trouble makers, for they shall be called children of the devil.
Blessed is he who has no time to pray, for he will be easy prey.
Concerns for others. Genuine concern for others.
Praying that those who have been missing/ pick up the phone and call
Praying for those who are sick/ helping where you can.
Praying for unity? Not being part of the problem.
Praying for the love of God to be shown in our lives/ praying that revival starts with us.
(V6) “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself and became obedient to death- even death on the cross”
Listen:
You want the humility of Christ, it is going to cost you something
His salvation is free, but to walk with Jesus will cost you everything.
“Whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will find it.”
God can accomplish more in our weakness that we can in our power (repeat)
William Penn said:
“To be like Christ is to be Christian. To be Christian is to become like Christ.”
When we have concern for others, we don’t see all the negatives, we see positives.
Giving to others before you buy everything you need or could have.
You know what Gandhi said when asked about becoming a Christian?
“Christianity is good, but Christians are bad”
II Mind set of God is to serve and obey
Jesus came to seek and save the lost while serving and obeying God the Father.
There are some things that will never change.
Mankind will abuse power. Mankind will for the most part think of themselves.
Advent teaches us that we are the most like Christ when it is not our ability to control, but willingness to love.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourself.”
......taking the very nature of a servant.
It is very easy to throw a dollar in the Salvation army kettle 2 times a year. That is not being a servant. A servant is looking all year round who they can bless.
It is not about only those who have money. You can be flat broke and be a servant of God. It cost nothing to pick up the phone. It cost nothing to care for someone.
D.L. Moody
“The measure of a man is not how many servants he has, but how many men he serves.”
This is where it gets sticky, this is where most say no thanks Jesus
Jesus say serve and obey. The world says be served, and do your own thing. They are complete opposites.
III. Love like Christ loves
(v2) “Then make my joy complete by being like minded, have the same love, being one in spirit and purpose”.
There is only one way you can love like Christ. It is by Christ dwelling within you. You cannot love like God without God.
If your going to love like Christ. You must be transformed. You have to be immersed in Christ.
You know why the church is not full? It is not that there are not people who need God in their life. The reason the church is not full is because the believers are not filled.
Humility leads to obedience.
Throughout Jesus ministry, he was determined to do the will of the Father. It drove Him to the cross.
Our determination to love like Christ will drive you to the cross everyday. You cannot do this on your own.
It is about giving up your rights once in a while so that others might find Christ.
It is about having a teachable spirit.
It is about not having a closed mind. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
It is about warfare, who side are you on?
It is about bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
It is about not being double minded, tossed to and fro by everyone else and having selective hearing for God.
Closing:
V5- “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”
The health of your relationship with Christ, how is it?
Your tired of struggling , Christ is crazy about you...He’s calling you.
You cannot love like Christ, until you realize how much Christ loves you. Until you really grasp that.
The act of obedience is better than a 1000 sermons you don’t respond to.
Please rate this sermon.
