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.
A. Verse 8. Remember these believers are the first generation of believers following Jesus’ life.
1. This is the first generation to be told about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
2. Thus Paul proclaims these very basic and essential foundational truths of Christianity.
B. Verse 9. The name of Jesus was (and still is) the name that is above every name.
1. The angels told both Mary and Joseph to name their Son, Jesus. Jesus means to save.
2. When the people of Jesus’ time heard that name they heard the word to save.
C. Verse 10. Paul moves the believers’ attention to the Last Day. Then all will recognize Jesus.
1. Verse 11a. Every eye that sees Jesus return will know that he is Lord on the Last Day.
2. Verse 11b. People will praise Jesus as Lord, all to the glory of the Father in eternity.
D. Everything that Jesus did brought glory to his Father. This is not always the case with us sinful human beings. We are quite self-centered, selfish, and always sinful. We do not always think about doing only those things that would bring glory to God. This is why it is absolutely necessary for us to watch what Jesus did. We certainly do not have the real know-how or understanding to answer “What would Jesus do?” It is far more important to watch what Jesus did. "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering" (HEBREWS 2:10). Through the suffering servant Jesus our eternal salvation has been perfected. As believers we are now children of God whom Jesus freely brings into God’s glory.
E. As believers we also remember that our efforts are of no value securing eternal salvation. “All our righteous acts are filthy rags…” That name of Jesus is what is necessary for our eternal salvation. That saving name Jesus is found only in the Bible. Therefore we will always to value God’s Word. We value God’s word whenever we read, study, or hear it. Peter proclaimed the simple truth of God’s saving gospel. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (ACTS 4:12). Jesus means to save. Jesus is our Savior. Watch what Jesus did.
F. Too often our focus in our lives is a bit too limited. At times we might overlook the great plans and eternity the Lord God Almighty has in store for each one of us. We can easily get caught up in all the attractions and distractions that this world offers. Yet, we learn, sooner or later, how little lasting value is attached to anything this world has to offer. "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 CORINTHIANS 4:17, 18). We watch what Jesus did. We fix our eyes on Jesus who now sits at the right hand of the Father.
CONC: Today we are reminded to IMITATE JESUS’ ATTITUDE. We will want to walk humbly with God even though the world would advise against it. In the end we enjoy the very presence of God when we rejoice in eternal glory. This is God’s gift to us. "Christ forgave us all our sins…having dis-armed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (COLOSSIANS 2:15). Jesus took all our sins and nailed them to the tree. Jesus took the condemnation of the law and nailed it to the tree. By that instrument of torture and death Jesus was the One who was victorious – for us. Our sins have been paid for. Death is conquered. The devil is defeated. These truths we know, believe, and confess as we watch what Jesus did for us and for the world. May we all always have the courage and boldness to walk humbly with God. God will always give us the confidence to know that we will eventually rejoice in eternal glory. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
PALM SUNDAY rdgs:
ZECHARIAH 9:9, 10;
PHILIPPANS 2:5-11;
MATT. 11:1-11;
(PSALM 24)
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