Have the Attitude of Christ, Philippians 2:1-11

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

What is Paul asking of every true believer?

If you have the Spirit and you are a child of God, then live it out together. Don’t be divided as some would like you to think.

Mark 3:26 And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. So how will the church stand divided?

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Selfless acts! If we took this truth and practiced it, there would be very few problems within the church, it’s leadership, teaching or music departments.

Why do you do what you do in the church? If anything. If you don’t do anything within the church, get involved. But only get involved to glorify God alone. If you grumble about serving stop and ask yourself why? Why are you there? Why are you working within the church? Why am I angry? Why?

At VRM, we don’t give out certificates or have special Sunday services to honor our people. We need to adjust our thinking patterns and give the day to Him alone. God offered up His son, how can we compare to this.

Look at Romans 12:9-10 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

What was Christ’s attitude like? This is what we are to be. Look back to verse 2 again …… 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. This is a statement of unity. Not denomination, club or association, just one body.

6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.

He walked away from His position with no concern.
Do you think Christ was concerned about his position in the family business while he was away? Did he tell Pop’s to keep on eye on Gabriel or Michael, because he thought they were gunning for his position as the right hand man. NO.

7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
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.

What did we just read?
1. Gave up his privileges
2. Accepted a position of a slave
3. Became weak as flesh
4. Submitted to the will of God
5. Die as a criminal

Look back at verse 8, He (Jesus Christ) humbled himself in obedience to God. As a result of his humble obedience he received what?

As a result what happened to Christ
1. God gave him highest honors
2. The name above all other names
3. With just the mention of his name, every knee should bow in heaven and on and under earth
4. Every mouth would confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

I sometimes wonder about certain words. In this case it is the word confess. I wonder what it really means for someone to confess that Jesus is Lord?

When you confess, you are only admitting something. It doesn’t mean you accept it and even what it. It is just a fact of truth. All will confess!!! Believers and not.

John 13:16-17 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Jesus leveled the playing field for everyone. Each of us can go to the Father. But remember each of us also have a responsibility to profess and share the truth of Christ.