INTRODUCTION
Outline.
Christ’s Mind of Submission
Remarks.
1. Today we are going to be discussing the mind of Christ. The beloved apostle Paul encourages the saints at Philippi to: “If there be therefore in a consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each (esteemeth others) better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others,” Philippians 2:1-4. If there is something that we ought to be encouraging the church today, it is that it should cultivate; and maintain the mind of Christ.
2. First, we will investigate the mind of Christ, which was one of submission. Paul states: “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men," Philippians 2:6-7.
BODY OF LESSON
CHRIST’S MIND OF SUBMISSION
A. Christ’s preexistence. In our first point, Paul speaks to Christ’s pre-existence; and mind of submission. Paul wrote: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God: thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself; and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross,” Philippians 2:5-8. It is important for us, to understand clearly the preexistence of Christ, before his incarnation.
B. First, Christ’s submission unto the will of the Father. Let’s hear how He speaks of it: “Jesus answered them, and said, my doctrine is not mine but his that sent me. If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it is of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him,” John 7:16-18.
C. Further, Jesus hath glorified the Father. Notice how He states this: “I have glorified thee on earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest his me to do. And now, O Father; glorified thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with the before the world was... And the glory which thou gavest me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I and them, and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and has love them as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am: that they may behold my glory which thou has given me: for thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,” John 17:4-5; John 17:22-24.
D. Paul speaks of His pre-existence. Paul says: “Who being in the form of God: thought it not robbery to be equal with God,” Philippians 2:6. Paul outlines the divinity of Christ before his incarnation and manifestation to the world. Because this text is so rich in Jesus’ pre-existence, it is important that we attend to each statement that Paul makes regarding Him. Notice:
1. He who being in the form of God. Paul states that Christ was in the very “form of God”; before his appearance on earth, and during his walk among us. He was God in the flesh. Notice:
a. First, the word “Who being” in Gr: is hypárcho, or hoop-ar'-kho; which means to exist beforehand or previously. It denotes, an existence or condition both previous to the circumstances mentioned and continuing after; referring to the deity of Christ, which existed prior to his incarnation and continued at, and after, his birth (and earthly manifestation to the world); and continues NOW and forever.
b. Further, Paul declares the form of Christ. The word “form” in Gr: is morph? or mor-fay'; which means the shape; figuratively, the nature:—form. This is the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision; or, an external appearance, Philippians 2:6-7. His appearance was that of divinity or the “divine nature,” that is, God.
c. Finally, Paul states that this form, He willing “emptied himself of” to appear in flesh as a mortal man; though, still retaining inwardly His eternal nature and that was God.
2. The apostle John speaks to His pre-existence, as “the Word.” This is the same Word, which spake at the beginning, “Let there be light, and there was light,” Genesis 1:3. Notice John:
a. First, His existence in the beginning. He wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made,” John 1:1-3.
b. Further, He was made flesh, or became flesh. Notice John: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father,) full of grace and truth,” John 1:14. One translation puts it as such: “He pitched His tent among us” and dwelt with us for a spell (a short time)!
c. Finally, John speaks of Him as the Great I AM.
1) Recall Jesus declared Himself to be the “I AM” who was before Abraham, as he spoke unto the Jewish leaders in, John 8:58.
2) Jehovah’s appearance to Moses, at the burning bush. Moses asks who should he tell the children of Israel it is that has sent him: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you,” Exodus 3:14. Jesus declares Himself to be that, “I AM” that spoke to Moses at the “burning bush,” John 8:58.
3) Jesus was; and is that “I AM” of both the Old and New Testaments.
d. Lastly, Peter wrote: “We... were made eyewitnesses of His Majesty. For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the Excellent glory, ‘this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,’” 2 Peter 1:16-18; Matthew 17:5.
3. He is equal with God. Jesus Christ is equal with God. The Apostle John wrote:
a. First, Jesus declared Himself to be God. Notice: “But Jesus answered them (the Pharisees), my Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God,” John 5:17-18; John 10:33.
b. Further, Jesus affirms, I and my Father are one. Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life... My Father, which is greater than all: ... I and my Father are one,” John 10:27-30; John 17:22-23.
c. Finally, Philip’s inquiry and Thomas’ declaration.
1) Philip’s inquiry to Jesus: “Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus said unto him: Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayeth thou then, show us the Father?” John 14:8-9. Jesus is: “Who being in the brightness of his glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when he hath by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,” Hebrews 1:3. We will return to this idea later in the lesson.
2) Thomas’ declaration to Jesus: “And Thomas answered and said unto him, ‘my Lord and my God,’” John 20:28. Yes, this was the same Thomas, who at first denied His resurrection: but, now acknowledges His deity, “as Lord and God.”
E. Paul defends the divinity of Christ. He writes to the saints:
1. The Colossians: “And he (Christ) is before all things, and by Him all things consist (exist),” Colossians 1:18.
2. The Ephesians: “God, who created all things in Jesus Christ,” Ephesians 3:9. This same statement was presented by John on the Isle of Patmos. John wrote: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God,” Revelations 3:14; Revelations 1:5.
a. Christ is the originator and beginning of the entire creation of God. Unlike some today (Jehovah’s Witnesses); which teach, that Christ is the chief creation of God; and he is NOT the originator or beginning of the creation of God. However, John and Paul states that he is: “the originator of all the creation of God.”
b. Hear David: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God,” Psalms 90:2; Psalms 93:2.
c. Paul ascribe this prophecy to Christ: “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail,” Hebrews 1:10-12; Hebrews 13:8.
3. The Hebrews: “God who at sundry times and in divers manners...Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power,” Hebrews 1:1-3. It is important for us at this time to note Paul’s use of the word “image.” Notice:
a. The word image in Gr. is charakt?r or khar-ak-tare'; which means the same as; a graver (the tool or the person), i.e. (by implication) engraving (("character"), the figure stamped, i.e. an exact copy or (figuratively) representation):—express image. Jesus is the same or exact image of God, the Father.
b. He is: “The image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature,” Colossians 1:15-16. Christ came to reveal the Father in his own person. The love of God is seen in Christ. He was the visible representation of the “invisible God.”
c. Christ, “Is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence: for it pleased the Father that in Him shall all fullness dwell,” Colossians 1:18-19.
1) The word pre-eminence, in Gr. is proteúo or prote-yoo'-o; from; to be first (in rank or influence):—have the preeminence. Christ has the chief place or position.
2) This word is only used once in the Scriptures; and belongs entirely to Christ, as holding or having the first place, or the preeminence in all things.
3) Paul called himself, “the chief of sinners,” 1 Timothy 1:15. The number 1 sinner!
d. He who: “Being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,” Hebrews 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:3-5. In the next few verses, Paul moves his discussion from the pre-existence; unto Christ’s present existence.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
Christ’s Mind of Submission
B. Remarks.
1. First, we investigated the mind of Christ, which was one of submission. Paul penned of Him: “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men," Philippians 2:6-7.
2. The mind of Christ must be our mind. Obedience must begin in our submission to the will of God through obedience to the gospel of Christ. It will continue in us doing the will of God always. As Christ’s humbling example exalted Him; when we humble ourselves to the will of God; He will lift us up also to our rightful place with Christ.
C. Invitation, H, B, R, C, B.
D. Motivation.
E. Persuasion.
