The Model of Humility: Christ's Descent (Philippians 2:5-8)
This sermon delves into Philippians 2:5-8, a passage often studied for its rich theology, but here presented as a vital guide for practical Christian living. It invites listeners to reflect on Christ's ultimate act of self-giving as the pattern for their own journey of humility and service.
This sermon presents Philippians 2:5-8 not just as theology, but as an ethical model of Christ’s humility. This self-sacrificing attitude is essential for believers to foster genuine unity within the church.
Overview
The sermon begins by highlighting Philippians 2:5-8 as a profound theological text describing God becoming man, a "Christological gem." However, the preacher emphasizes that its primary purpose is ethical, serving as an illustration for Christian living rather than solely a doctrinal statement. Its main point is to show that in God becoming man, we find the supreme illustration of humility.
This passage on Christ's humility is presented as the model for the attitude described in Philippians 2:1-4, which calls believers to selflessness, valuing others as more important, and looking out for their interests. This humble mindset is critical for maintaining the unity of the church, a goal deeply important to both Christ and the Holy Spirit.
The core of the sermon then details Christ's "descent" as a step-by-step illustration of this profound humility. From existing in the form of God, Christ did not selfishly cling to His divine privileges but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and becoming fully like men. This progression illustrates how humility, for believers, starts from their own exalted position as children of God.
Christ's journey continued through His appearance as an ordinary man, His obedience to the point of death, and ultimately, death on a cross. This profound self-abasement, a willingness to go as far as necessary to meet a need, serves as the ultimate pattern for believers to follow in their own lives, particularly in their interactions with others to promote unity.
Key points
- Philippians 2:5-8 is presented as a profound theological text whose primary purpose is an ethical illustration of humility.
- This passage serves as the model for the selfless attitude described in Philippians 2:1-4, which is crucial for church unity.
- Christ is the perfect pattern for humility, demonstrating self-sacrifice and self-denial by not clinging to His divine privileges.
- His 'descent' involved emptying Himself of certain privileges, taking the form of a bond-servant, and becoming genuinely human.
- Jesus identified completely with humanity, even partaking in the results of fallenness (pain, sorrow, death) yet without sin.
- His humility culminated in His obedience to death, specifically the excruciating death on a cross, to serve men and pay for sin.
- Believers are called to pattern their lives after Christ's humility, letting go of their own privileges to serve the needs of others, as this is the price of church unity.
In John MacArthur's words
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”
“Humility, you see, goes as far as it has to go to meet a need.”
“We'll have unity when we have humility.”
Outline
- I. Philippians 2:5-8: A Christological Gem with an Ethical Purpose
- A. Theological depth of Christ's incarnation
- B. Primary purpose: Illustration of a proper attitude (verse 5)
- II. The Attitude for Unity (Philippians 2:1-4)
- A. Doing nothing from selfishness or conceit
- B. Regarding others as more important than oneself
- C. Looking out for the interests of others
- D. Importance for the unity of the church
- III. Christ as the Perfect Model of Humility (Philippians 2:5)
- A. Pattern for us to follow in every area of life (1 John 2:6, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Romans 15)
- B. Jesus' own teaching on humility (Matthew 11:29, John 13)
- IV. The Descent of Christ: Steps of Humiliation (Philippians 2:6-8)
- A. Existed in the form of God (verse 6a)
- 1. He is by nature fully God
- 2. Our humiliation also begins from a lofty level as children of God
- B. Did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped (verse 6b)
- 1. Humility begins with not clutching privileges
- 2. Willingness to let go of exalted identity
- C. Emptied Himself (verse 7a)
- 1. Attitude becomes action: divesting privileges for others' needs
- 2. He did not cease to be God, but set aside privileges
- 3. What He gave up: heavenly glory (John 17:4-5), independent authority (Hebrews 5:8, John 5:30), prerogatives of divine nature (Matthew 24:36), eternal riches (2 Corinthians 8:9), favorable relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- D. Taking the form of a bond-servant (verse 7b)
- 1. Came all the way down to slavery (Luke 22:27, Matthew 20:28)
- 2. Carried the burden of sin (Isaiah 53:6)
- E. Being made in the likeness of men (verse 7c)
- 1. Became a genuine man, with attributes of humanness
- 2. Partook of the results of fallenness (pain, sorrow, hunger, thirst, weariness, death) without sin (Hebrews 4:15)
- F. Being found in appearance as a man (verse 8a)
- 1. Appeared so much like them that they perceived Him as no different
- 2. Total identification and compassion
- G. Humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death (verse 8b)
- 1. Willingness to die for men as the epitome of humiliation
- 2. Necessary sacrifice to deliver men from sin
- H. Even death on a cross (verse 8c)
- 1. The worst form of tortured death
- 2. Costly and painful, but the extent of His service
- V. Conclusion: The Price of Unity is Humility
Scripture references
- Philippians 2:5-8
- Philippians 2:1-4
- 1 John 2:6
- 1 Corinthians 11:1
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6
- Romans 15
- Matthew 11:29
- John 13
- Luke 22:27
- Matthew 20:28
- Isaiah 53:6
- Hebrews 4:15
- Hebrews 5:8
- John 5:30
- Matthew 24:36
- 2 Corinthians 8:9
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- John 17:4-5
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
Insights
Humility is not merely an attitude; it is a profound descent into service.
Christ's example reveals that true love releases personal privilege for others.
Unity in community is cultivated through radical self-giving for another.
Questions & answers
What is the main point of Philippians 2:5-8 in this sermon?
The sermon argues that while theologically profound, Philippians 2:5-8 is primarily an ethical passage. It illustrates Christ's supreme humility, which believers are called to emulate for the sake of church unity.
How does Christ's humility apply to believers?
Believers, who also hold a lofty position as children of God, are called to follow Christ's pattern by not clutching their privileges. Instead, they should empty themselves and serve others out of a deep concern for their needs.
What 'steps' of humiliation did Jesus take, according to the sermon?
Jesus descended from existing in the form of God by not clinging to equality, emptying Himself of privileges, taking the form of a bond-servant, becoming like men, appearing as a man, and humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross.
Why is humility important for the church?
The sermon explains that humility is the means to achieve unity in the church. It encourages believers to consider others more important and to look out for their interests, rather than their own.
What did Jesus give up when He 'emptied Himself'?
The sermon notes that Jesus gave up heavenly glory, independent authority as God, the full exercise of His divine attributes like omniscience, His eternal riches, and a favorable relationship with God.
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