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.
