The Christ Hymn (Part 2) Series

Technicolor Joy: The Christ Hymn (Part 2)

Philippians 2:9-11

Pastor Jefferson M. Williams

Chenoa Baptist Church

6-25-2023

Church of the Holy Rude

Many of us have been vicariously enjoying Scotland through Geoff and Jen Trembley’s pictures. One of the places that Geoff was fascinated with was the Church of the Holy Rude. (Rude in Gaelic means Rose).

This church was built in the 12th century. On July 29, 1567, thirteen-month-old James the VI was crowned King of the Scots in this church. John Knox preached the sermon.

In 1656, the congregation had become so divided that a wall was erected inside the church and the congregation split into two. The wall literally divided the cross on the wall.

This happens in churches all over the world as they fight over trivial matters. I read about a church that split and sued each other, something specifically prohibited by Scripture. When the story came out, the conflict began when an elder was given a smaller piece of ham than the child sitting next to him at a potluck!

I will give you the rest of the story about the divided church at the end of the sermon.

In Philippians, Paul’s focus on unity has real-world applications. When we are divided, the world has a hard time seeing Jesus. But unity can only come through humility.

Paul began this chapter by listing four blessings of being in the faith:

Encouragement in Christ

Love of God the Father

Fellowship of the Spirit

Tenderness and Compassion

I recently watched the documentary, “Being Mary Tyler Moore.” Her son was killed when a gun he was handling went off accidentally. She was distraught. In the interview, she said, “Since I don’t have any religious belief at all, times like these are very hard. I really have nothing to hold on to. I wish I did.”

Since these are realities in their spiritual lives, Paul issues his command - make my joy complete.

Linda.

“…then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

He is saying, “I love you guys. It gives me joy when I pray for you. Make me even happier by ruthlessly pursuing unity with the church body.”

Being like-minded (Matthew and Simon)

Having the same love (not just mind but heart as well)

One in Spirit (souls that beat together)

One mind (being united in one purpose, one focus, one mission)

Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph 4:3-6)

What’s the secret to unity? It’s humility.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

The word humble means “a sense of modesty, without arrogance, the opposite of pride.” It produces a correct view of ourselves, our relation to Christ, and others.

When we get the order correct - Jesus. Others. You. That produces JOY!

That humility will lead to holy helpfulness.

“not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

I’m reading Bono’s (lead singer of the group U2) autobiography entitled, “Surrender.” In it, he tells the story of being led through a maze of security in the Spring of 2022 to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

His country was under attack and what struck Bono was his concern for others. Ukraine supplies about a third of the world’s wheat, barley, corn, and half the world’s sunflower oil. Zelenskyy is worried the blockade will cause famine in places that need it most. In the midst of war, wearing camo, he is still trying to look after the interest of others.

Then Paul takes an early Christian hymn that his readers would have been familiar with and uses it to paint a picture of what true humility looks like.

Last week, we studied verses 5-8 (His humiliation) and 9-11 (His exaltation) this morning.

Turn to Philippians 2.

Prayer

Super Exalted

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place…”

Some of your translations may say “for this reason.” The first half of the hymn is the story of Jesus descending - going down, down, down to the lowest point of humiliation - death on a cross.

The second part of the hymn is about God’s response to the obedience of the Son. From the depths of humiliation, God exalts Him.

But He doesn’t just exalt him. The Greek word is SUPER EXALTS! He exalted Him to the highest possible pinnacle.

This began with the

Resurrection.

Jesus had made it clear to His disciples and to the religious leaders that after His death He would rise again.