Consider Jesus
Five Steps to Humility
Philippians 2: 5-11
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Introduction
-- What is humility ?
---- More than the negation of pride
---- The firefighters and the police officers on 9/11
-- We need humility
---- To save our families from falling apart
---- To save our communities and neighborhood
---- To save our church from dying
---- To save our nation from going down the tube
Setting the Text
-- Paul was in prison.
-- The epistle is about joy, humility, peace of mind, and unity == Mind of Christ.
-- Two women were fighting.
-- The Judaizers and Gentiles.
-- Paul wants to unite the church.
-- “Consider” means a change in attitude.
1. Consider who you are (v.6a)
-- Uparchoon – “Being”
---- Present, Active, Participle
---- He was continually existing in eternity past
---- John 1: 1 and Gen. 1: 1
-- Morphe Theu – Form of God
---- Form? – God is a spirit
---- The very essential nature of God
-- Do you know who you are?
-- If you are a Christian…
---- You are a child of God.
---- You were elected and chosen.
---- You have been forgiven of your sins.
---- You have obtained an inheritance.
---- You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.
---- You have rights and privileges.
2. Consider your rights (v. 6b)
-- “Iso” – equality
---- Isosceles triangles – two equal sides
---- The status of being equal with God
-- Harpagmos -- Something to be grasped
-- “robbery” is the wrong word to use here
---- Something you have that you voluntarily give up.
---- Are you willing to give up…
------…your rights and privileges?
------…your TV time, so you can play with your kids, wash dishes, be with your wife?
-----…your Wednesday nights, so you can pray with us?
-----…sometime to have Bible Studies, daily devotions?
-----…your time, treasures, and talents to expand the kingdom of God?
3. Consider emptying yourself (v. 7-8a)
-- Kenosis – He emptied Himself.
---- By taking or adding as opposed to “subtracting”
-- Morphe doulous – very nature of a servant
---- Jesus has two natures
---- He is 100% man, 100% God.
---- He can therefore be our Mediator.
Are you willing to empty yourself?
--…by serving your spouse, children, or family?
-- …by serving in this church?
----- Senior/Adult, Young Couples, Youth and Children outreaches
----- Financial and prayer support
----…by serving in the community?
Community survey and evangelism
4. Consider the cross (v. 8b)
-- Obedience
-- Death on the cross
---- The most gruesome way to die
---- Like today gas-chamber or electric chair
-- Are you willing to obey?
-- Are you willing to die?
5. Consider the Prize
-- He was highly exalted.
-- He was given the name – Jesus!
-- All will worship him!
-- All will confess!
-- All will glorified the Father.
-- The ultimate prize = Glorify the Father
