Some believe it is one of the greatest passages in the Bible concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.
It gives us a picture of the humility of Christ like we have never seen before. If the church today is ever going to accomplish anything for the Lord, we are going to have to know and possess the humility of Christ.
Illus: Some of the New Testament Christians caught this vision. The attitude of John the Baptist should be the attitude of every believer. John had become influential in Palestine, but after he baptized Jesus, the people began to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. When he was questioned about this, John said, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
This is the age in which folks walk around bragging about all kinds of things.
Illus: A Texan was bragging to an Englishman about how big Texas was. The Texan said, "Why you could get on a train in east Texas on Monday morning, head due west all day Monday, continue overnight, and still be in Texas at sunset Tuesday," The Englishman said, “You could do the same in England. British trains are just as slow.”
Illus: Yesterday in the middle of the service the back door of the church flew open and in walked one of the biggest, meanest black bears that I have ever seen. He was standing on his hind legs, growling and snarling and threatening everybody. The women were screaming, the children were crying and the men were throwing hymn books that only made the bear madder. Then, from nowhere there came this little tiny dog about the size of a Chihuahua and it barked, growled, and nipped at the feet of that bear and ran him right out of the church.
Now my brother, do you believe that story? The man answered, “Well of course I do, that was MY dog!”
Most of the bragging people do is about how great they are.
Illus: A Kentucky woman boasted to a Texan that there was so much gold in Fort Knox that you could build a wall of solid gold 10 feet high all around Texas. The Texan answered, "Well you just go ahead and build it, little lady, and if I like it, I will buy it."
Illus: Many today make you think of some of these professional wrestlers or boxers on television, grabbing a microphone and telling everyone, “I am the greatest!”
We need more Christians today that are yelling, “He must increase but I must decrease!”
We can never become like Him, UNTIL WE BECOME LIKE HIM!
WHAT WAS HE LIKE? He was the greatest individual to ever walk the face of the earth, but He was so full of humility that many had a hard time believing that HE WAS THE SON OF GOD!
IF He had come as a mighty King riding a White Horse from heaven, they would not have had a hard time believing He was the Son of God! But instead, He came as a helpless baby, depending upon mankind and living a humble life among mankind.
HOW CAN WE EVER BECOME LIKE THE HUMBLE SAVIOR WHO DIED FOR OUR SINS?
This passage of scripture reveals to us what we must do. I would like to show you TWO things from this wonderful passage of scripture. We need to consider -
I. THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS
Look at Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST? Our mind controls everything about us. It controls our every movement and our every deed.
Illus: In 1929, a German scientist by that name of Hans Berger discovered that there is electrical activity in the brain.
(Humor: What he did not discover though, is that some seem to run on 220 volts while others are running on about 110. Just kidding!)
His discovery revealed for the first time in history that doctors could look at what was going on inside the brain. We now have many modern machines which allow even a closer look at the brain, things like the EEG, CAT scans and brain scans.
Doctors can not tell what a person is thinking with these machines, but they can tell a great deal about the function of the brain.
Listen, I hope they never will be able to invent a machine that reveals our thoughts. WOULDN’T THAT BE TERRIBLE?
• Can’t you imagine the divorces that would cause
• Can’t you imagine the fights that would cause
• Can’t you imagine the murders that would cause
I repeat, I hope they never invent a machine so doctors or anyone else can look into our minds and tell what we are thinking. THAT NEEDS TO BE LEFT ALONE!
But suppose they did have a machine that they could hook us up to and look into our minds. What would they discover?
IF they could do such a thing, they should be able to look into the minds of BELIEVERS and see that their MINDS are not like the lost world.
WHAT KIND OF MIND SHOULD THEY FIND? They should see that believers have:
• The mind of Christ, and we like what He likes
• The mind of Christ, and we dislike what He dislikes
Remember, the reason we should have the mind of Christ is because our minds CONTROL every decision.
Illus: Years ago, the teenagers wore bracelets with the letters “WWJD” on them. These letters stood for “What Would Jesus Do”.
Most of us Christians do not wear such a bracelet, but as we confront the issues of life we should be asking ourselves, “What would Jesus do if He was facing what I am facing?”
If doctors could look into our minds they should see that we have the mind of Christ. They should see a number of things in our life also, such as:
A. WE HAVE A RENEWED MIND
WHAT IS A RENEWED MIND? Romans 12:2 tells us, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
• A “Renewed mind” is untainted by original sin
• It is a mind that is not centered on this world, but on things above
The scripture makes it clear that a renewed mind has not conformed to this world, but has conformed to the perfect will of God.
For example, THE MIND OF CHRIST (the renewed mind) -
• Does not agree with the immorality of this world
• Does not accept the standards of the world, but accepts the standards of the Word of God
Something that is very disturbing in our society is that many professing Christians do not seem to have this RENEWED MIND. No matter what comes along, they seem to accept it and go along with it. WHERE IS THE OUTCRY TODAY!
There was a time when, if the devil and his cohorts tried to prevail, those who had the MIND OF CHRIST STOOD UP AND SAID “NO WAY!”
Illus: You that are old enough remember the outcry years ago:
• When Marilyn Monroe started wearing tight sweaters and skirts
• When Elvis Pressley appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and they would not allow the camera to go to his waist because of the vulgar movements he made with his body
Even on the news today they show men kissing men, and women kissing women, promoting same sex marriages.
It no longer shocks us now that we have politicians who will openly state they are in favor of abortion, civil union and same sex marriages! In the Bible this is called sodomy and it has brought down the wrath of God
Where is the outcry today? There is no outcry because Hollywood has molded and shaped the thinking of the SINNERS and the SAINTS!
If they could look into our minds, they should see that we have the MIND OF CHRIST, that is, we have a RENEWED MIND.
B. WE HAVE THE LOVE OF GOD
Look at Luke 10:27, "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."
When is the last time you told God you loved Him? When you pray to God, do you tell Him how much you love Him?
Illus: All who have grandchildren know the sweet sound of, “Papa, I love you!”
C. WE HAVE A MIND THAT IS SET ON THINGS ABOVE
Colossians 3:2, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
The lost world knows that if they can get the control of our minds, they can gain the control of our lives. Every day through television, radio, magazines, billboards, and advertisements, the world is coming at us from all directions to get the control of our lives.
Living in this world can be difficult at times. But I am here to tell you that everything the world invents and shoves in our face one day will go up in smoke, and the only thing that is really going to count is what we have done for the Lord. Those are the things we need to keep our minds on, for the only things that will last are the things of above.
D. WE HAVE A MIND OF HUMILITY
It is not a mind -
• Obsessed with the riches of the world
• Concerned with keeping up with the Jones’
• That wants power and authority
It is a humble mind.
Romans 12:16, "Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."
I call on each and every one of you here today, just as Paul called on those in Philippi, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
The mind of Christ that we are commanded to have is one of humility.
Jesus is the greatest person who ever walked on this earth.
WHAT MADE HIM SO GREAT? He was God in the flesh, He humbled himself to become a mortal man.
Look at verses 6-7, we read, “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:”
Notice, He is made in the “likeness of men.” That is -
• He hurt like we hurt
• He was tempted as we are tempted
No one can ever say to Him, “But you do not understand.” He understands because He was made in our likeness.
Notice, the Bible says, “But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.”
When we say He made himself of no reputation, we literally mean He emptied himself of all His greatness, to become a servant.
Illus: It would be the same as having a glass of water and completely emptying it until there was not a drop left in it. Oh how He must love us to do such a thing!
This passage reveals that CHRIST WAS NOT LIKE GOD, HE IS GOD!
Some might say, “SOME EXAMPLE HE IS, HE IS GOD! I could never be a GOD!” The Lord knows that, and that is why HE BECAME A MAN and became an EXAMPLE FOR US, that we can have the mind of Christ within us and become like Him.
Never has the world seen such humility. We are most like Christ when our life reflects we have the mind of Christ and we live a life of humility.
Look at what He did in verse 8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
He DIED FOR US, and now He wants us to LIVE FOR HIM!
We looked at THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS, now let’s look at-
II. THE EXALTATION OF JESUS
Look at verses 9-11, we read, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
In John 13 we see one of the most magnificent illustrations that has ever been given. Look at v. 3-14, we read, “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.”
This passage of scripture is absolutely amazing. The Lord Jesus washed the disciples feet. Then he commanded them to wash each other’s feet.
IS THE LORD ESTABLISHING FOOT WASHING AS ONE OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH? Some churches teach He is, and they practice foot washing. That is not what the Lord is teaching these disciples. We have to keep this passage in the context it is given.
WHO IS IT GIVEN TO? It is given to His disciples!
WHY WAS IT GIVEN TO THEM? As the Lord’s fame began to spread and the multitudes began to grow, the disciples began to argue about who would sit on His right hand and who would sit on His left.
The Lord was very displeased with their attitude and he set THE EXAMPLE of humility for them to follow. Nowhere in the scripture do we see where this practice was carried out again.
Let me say this about foot washing, WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO DO IT!
There are times when a believer gets sick and we should be willing to help and assist a brother or sister.
• Sometimes it might mean a man shaving another man who can not shave himself
• Sometimes it might mean a man bathing another man who can not bath himself
It means that we are willing to do whatever needs to be done.
The GREATEST OF ALL was willing to stoop to do the lowest task. WHAT AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY!
Illus: Following Christ’s call to be a servant isn’t always easy. I’ll admit, I’ve sometimes thought, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God called me to be a missionary to Hawaii?”
Jesus did not live to make a show of his authority, but to humbly serve. Do we have a heart to serve?
If we are willing to humble ourselves and serve God, He has promised to reward us!
Notice, after he humbled Himself, He is raised to the highest.
Look at verse 9, we read, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” He is not only given the HIGHEST POSITION, He also is given the HIGHEST NAME.
Look at verse 10, we read, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”
Conclusion:
The Lord humbled himself and became a servant, even to the point of “death on the cross.” (Verse 8)
While many today reject Him, neglect Him, and ridiculed Him, God has promised that one day “… every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
We have looked at:
I. THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS
II. THE EXALTATION OF JESUS
