THE CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE PHILIPPIANS (series) THE CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE Philippians 2:1-11

“HAVE THIS ATTITUDE IN YOURSELVES WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS…” Philippians 2:5

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ATTITUDE IN JESUS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ATTITUDE IN US

Philippians 2:1-11 “If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself.

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

“Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:1-11

7 STEPS OF HUMILITY THE CONDESCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST THE CONDESCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST WHO WAS ‘IN THE FORM OF GOD’! WHO WAS ‘IN THE FORM OF GOD’! “…who although He existed in the form of God” (Phil. 2:6) “…who although He existed in the form of God” (Phil. 2:6)

STEP #1 JESUS CHRIST LET GO OF HIS RIGHT AND PRIVILEGE TO BE ON AN EQUAL LEVEL WITH GOD! “…He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped…” (Phil. 2:6) HE GAVE UP HIS RIGHT OF EQUALITY WITH GOD!

STEP #2 JESUS CHRIST THEN EMPTIED HIMSELF OF THE APPEARANCE OF GOD! “…but He emptied Himself…” (Phil. 2:6) (kenosis) HE GAVE UP HIS APPEARANCE SO THAT HE WOULD NOT BE RECOGNIZED AS GOD!

STEP #3 JESUS CHRIST WAS THEN MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF A MAN! “…And being found in appearance as a man…” Phil. 2:8 HE GAVE UP HIS EXISTENCE IN SPIRIT FORM FOR AN EXISTENCE IN THE FORM OF FLESH AND BLOOD!

STEP #4 JESUS CHRIST TOOK UPON HIMSELF THE POSITION AND STATUS OF A SERVANT! “…Taking the form of a bond-servant…” (Phil. 2:7) HE GAVE UP AGAIN POSITION AND STATUS!

STEP #5 JESUS CHRIST BECAME OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH! “by becoming obedient to the point of death…” HE GAVE UP HIS LIFE!

STEP #6 JESUS CHRIST DIED A CRIMINAL’S DEATH! “…even death on a cross…” HE GAVE UP HIS DIGNITY AND HIS REPUTATION

STEP #7 JESUS CHRIST DESCENDED INTO HELL (HADES) (THE PLACE OF THE DEAD) “For Christ also died…being put to death in the flesh…in which He went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison…” (I Peter 3:19) HE GAVE UP EVERYTHING!

2 QUESTIONS! 1.HOW DOES GOD GO FROM THE THRONE OF HEAVEN TO THE PIT OF HELL? 2.WHY WOULD GOD DO SUCH A THING!

*JESUS THOUGHT YOU WERE MORE IMPORTANT THAN HIS OWN LIFE!! *JESUS THOUGHT YOUR INTERESTS WERE MORE IMPORTANT THAN HIS OWN INTERESTS!! *JESUS GAVE UP EVERYTHING REGARDING HIMSELF FOR THE SAKE OF YOU AND ME! “HAVE THIS ATTITUDE IN YOURSELVES WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS” (Phil. 2:5)

WHAT DOES SUCH AN ATTITUDE AND ACTION HAVE TO DO WITH MY LIFE TODAY? WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE TO MY LIVING?

FIRST: SUCH AN ATTITUDE OF HUMILITY IS KEY TO ANY HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP! THE KEY TO MARRIAGE! “Husbands love your wives…” “Wives, be submissive to your husbands” THE KEY TO FRIENDSHIP!

SECOND: SUCH AN ATTITUDE OF HUMILITY IS KEY TO HEALING A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP! Someone has to humble themselves and say:

THIRD: SUCH AN ATTITUDE OF HUMILITY IS KEY TO SUCCESS IN LIFE! “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in the proper time.” (I Peter 5:6)

FOURTH: SUCH AN ATTITUDE OF HUMILITY IS CHRIST’S EXAMPLE TO EACH ONE OF US! “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…” Phil. 2:5

FIFTH: FOR EVERYONE OF US, SUCH AN ATTITUDE OF HUMILITY IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION! “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3,4

THE CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE PHILIPPIANS (series) THE CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE Philippians 2:1-11