On Hand, One Heart, One Mind
March 20, 2005 - Philippians 2:5-11
Open It
When was the last time you had a squabble with a family member?
How much of a peacemaker are you?
Explore It
What did Paul exhort believers to have? (2:5)
What did Christ set aside when He became a man? (2:6-8)
How did Jesus limit Himself? (2:6-8)
How was Christ fully God and fully man at the same time? (2:6-8)
How is Christ the best example of humility and unselfishness for us? (2:6-8)
Why did Christ take on the limitations of being human even though He was of the same nature as God? (2:7)
How did God exalt Jesus? (2:9)
How did Christ win sovereignty over all people and over everything? (2:10)
What confession will every person make? (2:11)
Get It
How does your life show that you count on Christ?
How do petty quarrels hold you back in your Christian walk?
How can Christ help you keep peace with others?
What hinders unity in your church?
What kind of disposition does Christ want us to have?
How does Christ's example of humility challenge our natural self-centeredness?
Apply It
What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate humility in your relationships?
For the sake of unity in Christ, what petty squabbles should you clear up right away? How?
Notes
Philippians 2:5-11: Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people. Like Christ, we should have a servant's attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear. Remember, you can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others.
Philippians 2:5-7: The incarnation was the act of the preexistent Son of God voluntarily assuming a human body and human nature. Without ceasing to be God, he became a human being, the man called Jesus. He did not give up his deity to become human, but he set aside the right to his glory and power. In submission to the Father's will, Christ limited his power and knowledge. Jesus of Nazareth was subject to place, time, and many other human limitations. What made his humanity unique was his freedom from sin. In his full humanity, Jesus showed us everything about God's character that can be conveyed in human terms. The incarnation is explained further in these passages: John 1:1-14; Romans 1:2-5; 2 Cor. 8:9; 1 Tim. 3:16; Hebrews 2:14; and 1 John 1:1-3.
Philippians 2:5-11: These verses are probably from a hymn sung by the early Christian church. The passage holds many parallels to the prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53. As a hymn, it was not meant to be a complete statement about the nature and work of Christ. Several key characteristics of Jesus Christ, however, are praised in this passage:
(1) Christ has always existed with God;
(2) Christ is equal to God because he is God (John 1:1ff; Col. 1:15-19);
(3) though Christ is God, he became a man in order to fulfill God's plan of salvation for all people;
(4) Christ did not just have the appearance of being a man-he actually became human to identify with our sins;
(5) Christ voluntarily laid aside his divine rights and privileges out of love for his Father;
(6) Christ died on the cross for our sins so we wouldn't have to face eternal death;
(7) God glorified Christ because of his obedience;
(8) God raised Christ to his original position at the Father's right hand, where he will reign forever as our Lord and Judge. How can we do anything less than praise Christ as our Lord and dedicate ourselves to his service!
Philippians 2:8: Death on a cross (crucifixion) was the form of capital punishment that Romans used for notorious criminals. It was excruciatingly painful and humiliating. Prisoners were nailed or tied to a cross and left to die. Death might not come for several days, and it usually came by suffocation when the weight of the weakened body made breathing more and more difficult. Jesus died as one who was cursed (Galatians 3:13). How amazing that the perfect man should die this most shameful death so that we would not have to face eternal punishment!