Philippians 2:3-11

Bringing the sermon home:

In calling the Philippians to “let their manner of life be worthy of the gospel,” and having already drawn their attention to his own life and suffering as an example, Paul now draws their attention to the life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. What greater example could there be of sacrificially seeking the good of others than God the Son taking on a human nature to suffer weakness, pain, and death in order to grant us eternal life?

The humiliation and exaltation of Jesus poetically communicated in this “Christ Hymn,” as it has come to be known, is a powerful call to follow in the path of our Savior by adopting the same humble, others-oriented mindset, for Paul is insisting that humility is required for unity within the church, and unity is required in order for us to be effective in gospel ministry.

May we who “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” live in such a manner that His Lordship over us is plain for all the world to see, especially in our humble interactions with one another as we labor together for the gospel.

By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ (Isaiah 45:23)

(See follow-up article here.)