If you’ve ever heard about the life of Mother Teresa, you know her story is remarkable. She spent decades serving the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta, India, tending to people who had nothing—no money, no health, no hope. She didn’t live for comfort, recognition, or personal success. She lived for others.
Once, someone asked her why she gave up everything for people who could give her nothing. Here’s how she answered: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Her humility, her willingness to put others first, brought dignity to the forgotten and brought joy to the hopeless.
That’s the kind of humility Paul points us to in Philippians 2. It’s a humility that doesn’t focus on self, but lifts others up. And when we embrace this kind of humility, something very special happens—joy begins to flourish. Not the kind of fleeting joy we chase after in the world, but a deep and abiding, defiant joy that’s rooted in Christ.
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been walking through Paul’s letter to the Philippians, looking at this theme of Defiant Joy. In Week 1, we saw how joy grows when we’re united in gospel partnership, working together for the glory of God. Last week, Paul reminded us that joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances. Even in adversity—even in a Roman prison—he found joy because the gospel was advancing.
Now, as we step into Chapter 2, Paul shifts his focus. He turns to the key ingredient that keeps a community of faith united and full of joy: humility; Joy in Humility. But not just any humility—Christlike humility. He calls us to reflect the attitude of Jesus, who willingly set aside His rights and privileges, taking the form of a servant, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross.
This morning, we’ll unpack three key movements in this passage. First, we’ll see the encouragement we have in Christ—a foundation for unity and humility. Then, we’ll look to Christ’s example, His journey of selfless love and sacrifice. And finally, we’ll celebrate His exaltation and how it points us to the joy that flows from glorifying God.
At the heart of it all is this core truth: Joy flourishes when we embrace Christlike humility. So let’s dive in and discover how Jesus’ humility not only transforms our hearts, but brings lasting joy to our lives and our church.
In the first few verses we see …
I. The Encouragement of Christ (vs. 1-4)
Follow along in Philippians chapter 2, starting at verse 1 – “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Paul begins this section with a powerful word: “Therefore …” It’s a reminder that everything he’s about to say is built upon what he’s already said.
In the previous verses, Paul urged the Philippians to live in a manner worthy of the gospel—standing firm in one spirit, striving together for the faith, even in the face of adversity. Now, he shifts his focus to the internal health of the church. He’s about to explain how they can remain united and joyful as they navigate life together in Christ.
Paul begins by pointing them to the encouragement they already have in Jesus. Listen to these words again: “If there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion …” These aren’t questions of doubt—they’re statements of fact. He’s not questioning whether these things are a reality. Paul is saying, “Since you have encouragement in Christ, since you’ve experienced the comfort of His love, since you share in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and since you’ve known His tender mercy, let those realities shape the way you live.”
The encouragement of Christ is our foundation for humility and unity. It’s the reminder that we are loved, accepted, and strengthened by Him. And because of what we’ve received in Christ, we’re called to reflect that love and grace to others.
Paul’s first appeal is that we are to Strive for Unity. He writes, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Notice the repetition here: same mind, same love, one spirit, one purpose. Paul isn’t just asking them to tolerate each other or agree on the big things. He’s calling them to a deep and abiding unity that touches every part of their shared life in Christ.
This unity isn’t something we achieve by sheer willpower. It flows from the encouragement we have in Christ. When we remember His love and grace, we’re reminded that we’re not just individuals—we’re part of a body. And as members of His body, we receive the same Spirit, we experience the same love, and share in the same mission.
Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. We don’t all look the same, think the same, or bring the same gifts and abilities to the table. But it does mean we’re moving in the same direction, with the same heart, for the same purpose: to glorify Christ and make Him known.
Can you imagine how much joy Paul must have felt as he thought about a church living this way—standing together in love, united in purpose? That’s the kind of unity that reflects Christ to the world.
This unity doesn’t happen by accident. It’s something we strive for and it requires something radical. It requires … humility. Paul challenges us to Live in Humility. Look again at verses 3 and 4 – “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Think about how countercultural this is. Everything around us screams, “Look out for number one! Put yourself first!” But Paul flips that on its head. He says, “Don’t act out of selfish ambition. Don’t live to make yourself look good. Instead, be humble. Think of others as more important than yourself.”
Now, let’s be clear: humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself—it’s about thinking of yourself less. It’s not saying, “You don’t matter”, but it’s about recognizing that the people around you matter, that their needs, their struggles, their joys, and their stories are important … and then living as if they’re more important than yours.
This kind of humility requires us to take our eyes off ourselves and fix them on Christ. When we see how He humbled Himself for us, it changes the way we relate to others. His humility becomes the model and the motivation for our own.
Paul’s vision for the church is beautiful: a community of believers where people aren’t competing for recognition, but are serving one another in love. A church where people aren’t consumed with their own interests but are genuinely looking out for others. That’s the kind of community where joy flourishes, because it reflects the heart of Christ.
So, how do we live this out? It starts by reflecting on the encouragement we’ve received in Christ. Think about His love, His grace, and His faithfulness in your life. Let those truths sink in and shape your heart.
Ask yourself: Where is God calling me to strive for greater unity? Maybe it’s reaching out to someone in the church you’ve had a disagreement with. Maybe it’s being intentional about serving alongside others instead of going it alone.
Ask yourself: where is God calling you to live in greater humility? It might mean listening more than you speak, or choosing to serve in ways that aren’t noticed or celebrated. It could mean putting someone else’s needs ahead of your own, even when it’s inconvenient.
When we embrace Christlike humility, we don’t lose—we gain. We gain deeper relationships, greater unity, and a joy that can’t be shaken.
Humility isn’t easy, is it? It goes against everything the world tells us about putting ourselves first. But Paul doesn’t just tell us to be humble and leave it at that. He gives us the ultimate example to follow …
II. The Example of Christ (vs. 5-8)
In verses 5 through 8, Paul takes us to the very heart of the gospel – “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
First, we see His Attitude of Humility. Paul writes, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” This isn’t just a suggestion or a nice idea—it’s a command. Paul is saying, “Think like Jesus. Live like Jesus. Love like Jesus.” And then, to show us what that looks like, he paints one of the most powerful pictures of Christ in all of Scripture.
Paul begins by calling us to adopt Christ’s mindset. This word, “attitude” or “mindset,” carries the idea of a continual way of thinking—a pattern that shapes every aspect of our lives. What is this mindset? It’s a heart of humility, a willingness to put others first, and a commitment to God’s purpose above all else.
Think about Jesus for a moment. He didn’t come into this world demanding the recognition He deserved. He didn’t cling to His rights or privileges. Instead, He let go of everything for the sake of others. That’s the mindset Paul is calling us to.
And here’s the incredible thing: this mindset doesn’t lead to loss; it leads to life. When we adopt the mindset of Christ, we find the freedom to love others selflessly and the joy that comes from living for something greater than ourselves.
We not only see His attitude of Humility, but also His Journey of Descent. In verses 6 through 8, Paul describes the astonishing humility of Jesus. He writes, “Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
These verses take us on a journey—a downward journey of humility.
Christ’s Nature (vs. 6): Paul begins by reminding us of who Jesus is. He existed in the form of God – meaning that He is fully divine, fully God. Yet He didn’t cling to His divine privileges or use them for His own advantage. Instead, He chose to let go of His rights for our sake.
Christ’s Incarnation (vs. 7): Paul shows us the incredible step Jesus took. He emptied Himself—not of His divinity, but of His glory and privilege. He took on human flesh, becoming fully man while remaining fully God. And not just any man—He became a servant. The King of kings chose the lowest position.
Christ’s Obedience (vs. 8): Finally, Paul brings us to the ultimate act of humility. Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death—and not just any death, but death on a cross. Crucifixion was the most shameful and excruciating way to die, yet Jesus endured it out of love for us.
Can you see the depth of Christ’s humility? He gave up everything—His rights, His glory, His life—for us. And He did it willingly.
Paul’s call is clear: “Have this attitude in yourselves.” We’re called to reflect the same humility Jesus displayed. Here’s what that means for us:
Let go of entitlement: Is there something you’re clinging to—your time, your comfort, your preferences? Jesus shows us the beauty of letting go.
Take on the posture of a servant: Where is God calling you to serve? Maybe it’s in your family, your church, or your community. Like Jesus, we’re called to serve, not to be served.
Live in obedience: Jesus’ humility was expressed in His obedience to the Father. Are there areas in your life where God is asking for greater surrender?
When we follow Christ’s example of humility, we not only grow closer to Him—we also bring His love and grace to the world around us.
We’ve seen the encouragement we have in Christ, the ultimate example of Christ, and finally, we see …
III. The Exaltation of Christ ( vs. 9-11)
Follow along beginning with verse 9 … “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
These verses reveal the culmination of Christ’s humility: God’s vindication and exaltation of Him. God the Father bestows upon Him The Name Above All Names. Verse 9 tells us that “for this reason”—because Jesus willingly humbled Himself—God lifted Him up to the highest place. The phrase “highly exalted” implies supreme elevation. God raised Jesus not just to prominence, but to preeminence.
I’m reminded of what we read elsewhere in the scriptures – God exalted Jesus “... far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” [Ephesians 1:21-23].
Verses 10-11 reveal a picture of universal worship and acknowledgement of who Christ is. Paul reveals a future where “every knee will bow”—in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. No one is excluded. Every tongue will confess that “Jesus Christ is Lord,” a declaration not only of His authority, but also of His divinity.
But notice the ultimate purpose of Christ’s exaltation: “to the glory of God the Father.” Even in His glorification, Jesus the Son directs all honor to the Father, demonstrating perfect humility. This is a picture of how humility and glory are intertwined in God’s kingdom.
In all of this we see The Joy of His Glory. Christ’s exaltation reminds us of the paradox of joy in God’s kingdom: it’s not achieved through self-promotion, but through self-denial.
Jesus’ journey from glory; to humility; to glory shows us the pattern of how God’s joy works. Humility leads to unity, and unity glorifies God. When we embrace humility, we not only reflect Christ, but also share in His joy.
Paul’s message is clear: Just as God exalted Jesus, He promises joy and reward to those who walk in humility. James 4:10 echoes this truth: “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Our joy is found not in elevating ourselves, but in lifting others and glorifying God. Joy flourishes when we embrace Christlike humility.
This section of Paul’s letter is more than a call to humility—at its core, this is a declaration of the Gospel. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, humbled Himself, taking on human flesh, walking among us, and bearing the penalty for our sin. He willingly endured the shame of the cross so that we could experience forgiveness, freedom, and new life. But the story didn’t end at the cross. God exalted Him to the highest place through the resurrection, proclaiming His victory over sin and death, and giving Him the name above every name.
The question before us today is this: Have you surrendered to Jesus as Lord?
This scripture warns us: there is coming a day; a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This is not a question of if, but when. The invitation of the Gospel is to bow willingly now in repentance and faith, to confess Jesus as Lord while the grace of God is still extended.
You know this to be true … and maybe you’ve been holding back—clinging to your own way, your own pride, or your own plans.
Listen, It all begins with letting go of those things; it begins as we embrace christlike humility. Today is the day to humbly lay it all down at the feet of Jesus. Surrender your heart to the One who gave everything for you. Turn from sin and trust in His finished work on the cross.
The Gospel isn’t just good news for the world—it’s good news for you. Will you respond? Will you bow your knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?
