Scripture Reference: Philippians 2:5-11 (New International Version)
(The last sermon preached by Rev. Clyde Smith)
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.
[Context is crucial in understanding this passage. This is not an isolated theological statement about the person and work of Christ. The previous paragraph (2:1-4) contains Paul's appeal to put aside selfish ambition and the pursuit of empty glory and to embrace self-sacrificial humility in the interests of others and with a view to unity in the body of Christ. Verse 5 is a transition to the premier example of such a life. When Paul says, "Have this attitude in yourselves," he has in view the attitude just described in vv. 1-4. The most perfect illustration of "this" attitude or mindset is Jesus himself ("which was also in Christ Jesus"), whose self-giving for the sake of others is explained by Paul.]
How do we or anyone else know what we think? It becomes readily apparent by what we say, how we feel about things, and what we do (actions).
Many are confused about what they really think. One may assume that he thinks a certain way without realizing that it is very easy to mislead even oneself, and actually think quite differently (self-delusion).
The ordinary mind is not one that is with or “like” God’s. Ask yourself: What do you think about during your ordinary hours? Does God occupy much of your daily thinking? Does His will and His way lead you in your daily activities?
Paul points to the mind of Christ as the absolute model of what we should aspire to be. (5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.)
Jesus existed as essentially one with God (vs. 6). He existed in eternity before creation. He was identified with the being, nature, and personality of God. This form of God Christ laid aside in His incarnation, renouncing the dignity, and resigning the glories of heaven. He was willing to regard himself as nothing by taking on the form of man, considering the work of love a greater thing than the manifestation of power and glory of heaven. [And as far as the context is concerned, Paul's point is that this is precisely the attitude (v. 5) we are to have toward one another in the church!]
In verse 6, “…did not consider equality with God something to be grasped”, the meaning of “to be grasped” is not taking hold of, but of holding on to, or clinging to. He already had all the rights and privileges of God, which He could never lose. But He refused to selfishly cling to His favored position as the divine Son of God as a possession to be used for Himself. He laid aside the form of God, and took upon Himself the nature of man; making Himself nothing – of no consequence.
The emphasis here is upon his humiliation. His great object was to identify himself with humanity; not to appear to men as DIVINE but as HUMAN. Had He come into the world emphasizing His equality with God, the world would have been amazed, but not saved. He counted humanity as His prize, and so He laid aside the conditions of His preexistent state to become “fully” man.
Jesus also made Himself of no reputation (v. 7). Literally, He emptied himself. He laid aside the existence which was proper and peculiar to Him as one with God. It was the complete and characteristic expression of the slave’s being. What Christ grasped at in His incarnation was not divine sovereignty, but service.
One of the keys to humility is found in this verse. He “emptied himself.” He didn’t stop being God but He did empty Himself of His self interests and His privileges to take the form of a servant to become a man. He didn’t come so others could serve Him but so He could serve others. He became really and essentially the servant of man. The totality of His being could not appear to men, for that involved the form of God.
Vs. 8 “…became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” After He had assumed the conditions the conditions of humanity, and man’s attention was drawn by Him, they found Him to be like a man. Not being found a man but as a Man, keeping up the idea of semblance expressed in likeness. He humbled himself: Not the same as emptied Himself. It defines that word, showing how the self-empting manifests itself.
Christ became obedient unto death – up to the point of. His obedience to God was rendered to the extent of laying down his life.
As to the death on a cross – this formed a climax of humiliation. Not only was he surrendered to death, but to the death reserved for a malefactor. This was the “offence” or “stumbling block” of the cross. To a Greek, accustomed to clothing their deities with every outward attribute of grace and beauty, the summons to worship a crucified malefactor appealed to “foolishness.” (I Cor. 1:23)
Because of this humiliation, God freely bestowed on Him the most exalted, high place. This honor given just as freely as Christ humbled himself to death on the cross. God gave Him a name that is above every other name. A name that is so high that all in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth would bow. The name of Jesus is “Lord” and it is a powerful name.
[Verse 10 affirms that the whole intelligent universe is called to worship Christ; they that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. The whole universe of intelligent beings will bow the knee and confess Jesus Christ is Lord. John MacArthur says: “Those in heaven consists of two groups: the angels and the spirits of redeemed believers (who await the resurrection of their bodies). Those who are in heaven already acknowledge Jesus is Lord. Those on the earth is us – the obedient believers who have confessed Jesus as Lord. It’s also means the disobedient on earth will bow…by compulsion. When He comes again and is revealed from heaven, those who have not accepted Christ will bow, before they are removed from the earth and cast into hell. They will know the truth. "Under the earth" refers to hell, the place of eternal punishment, which is occupied by damned demons and men. They also will acknowledge the lordship of Christ--not by enjoying His reign, but by bearing the unending expression of His wrath.]
Christians sing: Fill my cup Lord. I lift it up, Lord. Come and fill the longing of my soul, etc. Have you emptied yourself? Do you have the mind of Christ? What have you given up because of your faith in Him? What is different about your life now from what it was before you became a Christian?
Is Your "Cup of Tea" Full or Empty? There is a story of a Nan-in, a Japanese master in the Meiji era (1868-1912), who received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!" "Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"
Even God cannot fill a cup that is already full; full of fears, anxieties, concerns, problems, preconceptions, deceit, selfish ambitions, self-reliance - all locked up inside. Even God cannot fill you unless you are obedient and willing to empty yourself. It takes humility, willingness, and trust. Are you humble and willing? Do you trust the Lord; enough to empty your cup and ask Him to fill it up?
Fill my cup Lord.
I lift it up Lord.
Come and fill this longing of my soul.
Bread of heaven,
Fill me till I want no more.
Fill my cup,
Fill it up and make me whole.