It’s obvious when reading Philippians chapter 2, these Believers lived among people with an overwhelming preoccupation with “self.” Notice the following verses:
V3-4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
V20-21 “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.”
He offers a challenge to the church in Philippi to follow Christ’s example of total selflessness.
1. He chose a humble attitude.
V5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation,”
2. He chose to relinquish privilege.
“and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”
3. He chose a subservient role.
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death”
4. He chose to place the needs of others above of His own needs.
“even the death of the cross.”
ALL this He did out of obedience to the Father for the needs of others. In turn, God the Father has exalted Him and given Him a place of prominence in Heaven.
V9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
LESSON - God has made a similar promise to us if we choose to follow Christ’s example of selflessness. 2 Tim. 2:11-12a “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.”
The message is simple...Choose genuine humility and selflessness now in this life or experience it in eternity forever.
~Mike
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