It was early this morning that while I was sleeping the Lord put this very familiar passage of scripture in my heart:
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
****As I sleep the parts of the scripture that continued to turn over and over in my heart was:
“ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” and “made himself of no reputation”
***I want to back up and read the beginning of this letter from Paul to the Church at Philippi before this passage so we can gather the introduction to what Paul is introducing.
Turn with me back a page to Philippians Chapter 1 and let’s look together at a few key verses to we can understand where Paul is coming from:
Philippians 1
King James Version
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
***Point #1 of the Message today: God does not stop working on us until we are made perfect at his return.
Ephesians 4:11-15
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Philippians 1
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
***Point #2 Maturity in Christ grows from increase knowledge of God expressed by the fruit of the spirit.
Paul say in verse 9-11: I want you love to abound, in knowledge and Judgement. Do this without being offended or causing offences, being filled with the fruits of righteousness.
2 Timothy 2:15
King James Version
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Back to Philippians 1
- In verses, 12-19Paul wants us to know that his imprisonment, his arrest by the Jews and confinement by Roman government is for the advancement of the Gospel and even causes others to be more bold sharing the gospel of Jesus.
**** In the coming verses 20-26 Paul brings us point #3 of the message today:
Point #3: For the Believer to live is to serve Christ, and to die is to win!
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
**This is where we begin to see the shift in the letter to the church at Philippi and this concept of Paul only continuing to live in the flesh for the sole purpose of winning more people for Christ and teaching, encouraging those believers. Beyond that, Paul says it is actually for my gain to die. Not that Paul was a fatalist or even an escapist……But Paul knew his redeemer and he was confident that he was going to be with him after walking through the door of death into eternal life.
2 Timothy 1:12
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Corinthians 5:6-9
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
***Point #1 of the Message today: God does not stop working on us until we are made perfect at his return.
***Point #2 Maturity in Christ grows from increase knowledge of God expressed by the fruit of the spirit.
***Point #3: For the Believer to live is to serve Christ, and to die is to win!
**** Can I ask you this question today? Can you say with confidence as Paul said?
- for I know whom I have believed
- I am persuaded that he is able to keep me in faith and relationship with him until he comes and takes me home to be with him forever.
***If you cannot say that with confidence today then you need to get to know your savior better than you do.
***Point #4 of the message today. Knowing him is how we have confidence in him.
Philippians 3:10-14
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Back to Philippians 1
Paul finishes out Chapter 1 verses 27-30 reminding the believers they need to stay in unity as they strive together in faith of the Gospel. Paul tells them not to be afraid of those that are against them for their faith in Christ. Paul says to them that they are called not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake.
***Point #1 of the Message today: God does not stop working on us until we are made perfect at his return.
***Point #2 Maturity in Christ grows from increase knowledge of God expressed by the fruit of the spirit.
***Point #3: For the Believer to live is to serve Christ, and to die is to win!
***Point #4 of the message today. Knowing him is how we have confidence in him.
***Continuing in Philippians 2
Philippians 2
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
*** In verses 1-4 Paul tells us that it matters how we serve the Lord and that God cares about our motivations and our attitude toward one another.
Romans 12:3
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Matthew 22:37-39
King James Version
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
***Point #1 of the Message today: God does not stop working on us until we are made perfect at his return.
***Point #2 Maturity in Christ grows from increase knowledge of God expressed by the fruit of the spirit.
***Point #3: For the Believer to live is to serve Christ, and to die is to win!
***Point #4 of the message today. Knowing him is how we have confidence in him.
***All of this brings us to the Key passage of scripture today.
Philippians 2:5-7
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
*** Lets break this down. Let this Mind, let this thought process,
φρονέω phronéō, fron-eh'-o; from G5424; to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience):—set the affection on, (be) care(-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind(-ed), regard, savour, think.
***In the Greek it actually repeats this word twice. It literally says: Savor this thought or think this way. Or Exercise your mind. Or Set your affection on this way of thinking.
Romans 12:1-3
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Philippians 2:6-7
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
First I want to talk about the form:
- the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision
- external appearance
the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision; the external appearance: children are said to reflect ψυχῆς τέ καί μορφῆς ὁμοιότητα (of their parents),
***Jesus was the image of the father:
John 14:9
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
Exodus 33:18-23
18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
21 And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
****Only 3 times in the entire bible is this word Form used: The first time is when Jesus changed his form after his resurrection to the disiples as they walked on the road to Emaus. The 2nd and 3rd times it was used is here in Philippians 2 when Jesus was the image of the father but took on the image of a slave.
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After that he appeared in another form G3444 unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
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Who, being in the form G3444 of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
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But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form G3444 of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
In Closing ***Point #5 Jesus is the image of the Father God but humbled himself to status of slave for our salvation.
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
***the imagery of this word Robbery is expressed from the Greek word har-pog-moss which is only used once in the entire bible. It is defined
- the act of seizing, robbery
- a thing seized or to be seized
- booty to deem anything a prize
- a thing to be seized upon or to be held fast, retained
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
This term to Make himself of No reputation means he "emptied Himself" by taking the form of a human and a servant to the point of death, for our good and for our salvation.
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
- This word Fashioned as a man the habitus, as comprising everything in a person which strikes the senses, the figure, bearing, discourse, actions, manner of life etc.
Hebrews 4:15
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Romans 12:3
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.