Trevor S. Ferguson
February
25, 2012
Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)
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.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
INTRODUCTION
The
world today is largely driven by a self-centered philosophy. People are
primarily concerned about their own interest and often will help others only to
the extent that they perceive some ultimate benefit to themselves. This
self-centered philosophy breeds a number of ills in the society. In order to
get ahead in life people often use and abuse others, people often get involved in corrupt
practices, engage in deception, lying, stealing and ultimately major criminal
activities including fraud, and murder.
Another
common trait seen today is the desire for convenience and ease. Science and
technology has made it easy for most things to be done with little expenditure
of energy or effort. As a result persons shy away from things that are
challenging or that will require prolonged effort before seeing the result.
Sadly,
many of these attitudes have crept into the church. Many of us as Christians
have become self-centered and the spirit of convenience and apathy have become
pervasive.
The
passage in today’s text however challenges us to take a different attitude. We
are challenged to take on the mind of Christ and embrace the spirit of service
and sacrifice. As we reflect of the text today, I will share with you how
Christ modeled this spirit of service and sacrifice, how Paul himself became an
example of service and sacrifice and how we can pattern Christ in embracing the
spirit of service and sacrifice. We will also look at the rewards of service
and sacrifice as we encourage ourselves to walk in the footsteps of Christ.
EXPOSITION
The
passage in Philippians 2 starts with Paul encouraging the Philippians to live
in unity, have the same mindset, walking in love and in one accord. He then
gives some specific instructions concerning their work and service to one
another: Nothing be done through strife or vain glory; each saint should esteem
the other as better than themselves; don’t look out for your own interest but
look out for the interest of others.
On
the surface these look like routine Christian attributes, but as we think a
little deeper we begin to see that it’s not as easy as we initially thought. How
often do we find in the church that we strive one against the other seeking for
prominence and recognition? How often do we find one group of believers
believing that they are better than others? How often do we close the door of
opportunity (keeping precious bits of information secret) so that we may
benefit and others may not?
The
problem however is that if we accept and embrace these negative attitudes we
will have a self-centered, materialistic church and the will of God would not
be accomplished. Paul picked up seeds of these attitudes among the Philippians
and took measures to correct it as we see in verse 5 where he writes: Let this
mind be in you which also was in Christ! As Christians we must strive to have
this MIND OF CHRIST!
Mind
in this context refers to our ‘attitude’ or our ‘mode of thinking’ or
‘mindset’. Paul is therefore exhorting the Philippians to take on the mind of Christ,
which is characterized by humility, self-less service, a willingness to lay
aside power and authority and a willingness to sacrifice. Verse 6-8 illustrates
how Christ modeled this spirit of service and sacrifice: Though he was God, he
did not cling on to the prerogatives of deity (KJV – ‘thought it not robbery to
be equal with God’). He instead made himself of no reputation i.e. He ‘emptied
Himself’; laid aside His heavenly glory, position, rights and the use of His
divine attributes. Having decided to take on humanity He chose to come in the
most humble form – not as a king or person of high esteem, but rather took on
to himself the form of a servant. He went as low as He could go! As a man He
humbled Himself and became obedient. He submitted his human will unto the will
of the Father and became subject to death on the cross of Calvary.
We
begin to understand the magnitude of His sacrifice we he look back and realize
that He Himself had no sin, and therefore was not deserving of death. He had no
personal gain because the sacrifice required would cost him everything. In the
human context, when one give s his life he has given everything.
One
would argue that that was Christ, so can we really live up to that standard? My
answer is: Yes, we can! Take a look at the life of Paul and read from his own
testimony in Philippians 3:4-11.
4 Though I might also have
confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he
might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of
the stock of Israel, of the
tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;6
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which
is in the law, blameless.7 But what things were gain to me, those I
counted loss for Christ.8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but
dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine
own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of
Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may
know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any
means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Here
Paul describes his own experience of selfless sacrifice in order to gain a
better relationship with Christ.
Now,
look at the NIV rendition of verse 17 of chap 2: But even if I am being
poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your
faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
Look
also at 2nd Timothy 4:6 - For I am now ready to be offered, and the
time of my departure is at hand.
Finally
look at Acts 20:22-24 - 22 And now, behold, I go bound in
the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and
afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither
count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy,
and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the
gospel of the grace of God.
In
these passages Paul was essentially saying it did not matter the personal price.
He was totally committed and completely sold out to preach this gospel! We can
therefore see why he instructed the Corinthians to follow him as he follows
Christ.
Let
us take time to point out that there are rewards for this attitude of service
and sacrifice. Verses 9-11 of Philippians 2 describe the rewards Christ
received for His selfless sacrifice: 9 Wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In
2nd Timothy 4, Paul also describes his expectation to receive a
crown of righteousness in recognition for his service in the kingdom.
We
too will be justly rewarded if we take up this attitude of service and
sacrifice
APPLICATION
The
challenge to us today is how can we embrace the spirit of service and
sacrifice?
First
of all we must recognize the grave need in the world and in the church today. A
recent national survey show that one in five Jamaicans are depressed and one in
16 (6%) have contemplated suicide. Most of these persons have no relationship
with Jesus Christ and have no hope for eternal life! Even in the church many are
depressed, frustrated and on the verge of giving up!
There
is an urgent need for workers to spread the good news of salvation! There is an
urgent need for us to travail with seekers until they break through with the
power of the Holy Ghost. There is an urgent need for person to minister to the
needs of members and affiliates of the church.
There
is an urgent need for us to go beyond that which is convenient, to beyond our
person needs and minister to the needs of others. There is an urgent need for
us to take on the mind of Christ. There is an urgent need embrace the spirit of
selfless service and the spirit of sacrifice.
The
voice of God is crying out today: Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Let
us respond like Isaiah – Here I am. Send me!
Link to PDF File
Link to PDF File