Pastor Miller continues preaching through the book of Philippians.
Humble Like Our Lord > Philippians 2:1-11
2:1-2 Much of this book has focused on partnership up to this point: both how Paul has served the Philippians as well as how they can encourage and strengthen him. Here, he lays out one more way: just as the Philippians have received benefits from being in Christ, they are to live and show that same kind of Christ-like attitude in their words and actions towards one another.
2:3-4 What does that look like? In a word, humility. Christians are to count others as more important than themselves. Ambition is to be set aside; serving others and caring for their interests is to take center stage. This, of course, goes against everything we are told and taught in the world: it means giving of your time and talent and efforts to make others look great rather than yourself. It means helping others to grow or get opportunities that you then won’t be able to take advantage of. In short, what Paul gives is a tall order in this life. Why should we take it to heart?
2:5-11 The answer is because Paul is calling us to imitate Christ. Though fully God, He took full humanity upon Himself as well. Though King of the Universe, He lived humbly, serving others. And this He did even to the point of dying for those who were rebelling against Him, taking their punishment. Yet this humility resulted in true greatness: Christ has been exalted by the Father and will rule and reign forever.
Be: If you are a Christian, then you have been deeply blessed by Christ’s humility – it literally has brought about your salvation! This realization must change your way of living.
Make: And that transformed life must result in you imitating Christ in what you think and say and do so that others would experience the blessing and joy of His grace as well.
