Philippians 2:1-11 - Imitating Christ's Humility

I.) Verses 1,2

  1.) What does like-minded mean in verse 2?

a.) Text note says “not uniformity in thought but the common disposition to work together and serve on another – the ‘attitude of Christ’ (attitude in v. 5)

            b.) Romans 12:16

            c.) Romans 14:1-2,4

            d.) Romans 15:5,6

  2.)We need unity in the Church. Like minded = be in harmony with each other and have an attitude like Christ.  Common goal/end/purpose. Common doctrine and faith.

II.) Verses 3,4

  1.)How then, do we act or What does Humility entail?

            a.) John 13:13-15

            b.) Look at example of Christ.

III.) Verses 6-11

  1.) Christ shown as the ultimate example.

  2.) 6-11 are historically called the “Mind of Christ.”  Does it fully describe his attitude?  His mind?  Is there a difference?

  3.) What is the difference between humiliation and humility?

            a.)Definitions:

            Humiliate – to cause to feel shame

            Humility – humble quality

  4.) Jesus “taking the vary nature of a servant while he was really “in very nature God” exemplified his humility while dying on the cross humiliated him.

IV.) Verse 6

  1.) What the heck does that mean?

a.) Could not physically grasp all of God’s power due to holding back – not even he knew when the last day was.

b.) Could not be mentally grasped or understood.

V.) Verse 7

  1.) “made himself nothing” literally means “emptied himself”  Text note says He did not do this by giving up his deity.  He chose to lay aside his glory and being humiliated.

VI.) Verse 8

  1.) “Obedient” – Hebrews 5:7-8

            a.) Did Jesus need to learn obedience?  Does he learn anything?

            b.) “Once made perfect” implies he wasn’t always.

VII.) Verse 9

  1.) John 17:5 – asking to regain previous position of glory (occurred at resurrection).  Exchange humiliation for glorification.  Key word - Previous

VIII.) Verses 10,11

  1.) Fulfilling the prophecy - Isaiah 45:23