As we finish this advent season, this Christmas holiday I want to take a closer look at the Hope which has arrived, the Hope we hold on to, the Hope whom we believe in because Hope has a name. We are encouraged to live differently because of that Hope-
we sang songs like:
“O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Shall come to thee, O Israel”
Emmanuel is His name because it means God with us and God arrived to ransom mankind in the person of Jesus! I want to connect that hope with everyday living and interaction with others through the lens of Philippians chapters 1 and 2 in the Bible.
Here’s what we will come to understand about the Hope Jesus brought.
No matter what happens, we are called to exemplify Jesus and put others interests ahead of our own.
It’s more than gifts under the Christmas tree or paying it forward at the Starbucks drive through, infinitely more enjoyable than playing with the thing we just received.
This attitude of others-centeredness is the very antithesis of a me-centered-culture, of self, of nationalistic pride. This mindset and discipline of living is what sets us as Kingdom citizens and people of God apart from the rest of our current world.
No matter what happens, we are called to exemplify Jesus and put others interests ahead of our own.
This does not mean that you don’t take moments of self-care and rejuvenation, nor allow yourself to be trampled and taken advantage of but, it does mean that your platform, our time, our treasures, our talents should be set up to Glorify God and serve others.
Phil 2:4 “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” NIV
Here in the book of Philippians Paul is building a case of servant mindedness, others centered living based on the fact that Jesus exemplified a life which Glorified God and redeemed humanity continually or put others interests ahead of His own- this is why we can celebrate Christmas.
Paul builds this case right out of the gate. He makes it known that he and Timothy are “servants of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:1NIV)
He then reminds them that they are saints because of Jesus, “To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus” or “to all the saints” (Phil 1:1 NIV) you and I have been set apart, chosen for a different way of living, once you have made Jesus the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.
Paul tells us of this discipline of setting his mind and heart on others.
“I thank my God every time I remember you”, “in all my prayers.” (Phil 1:3,4NIV)
I appreciate his openness as he continues in verses 7 and 8, “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains (which he is) or defending (which he is) and confirming (which he is) the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. (Phil 1:7,8NIV, emphasis mine)
Paul even while he is under house arrest found the time to exemplify Jesus and put others interests ahead of his own.
If you jump to verses 20-24 of chapter 1 we read a fervent statement from the apostle
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (remember no matter what happens) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” (Phil 1:20-24NIV, emphasis mine)
Those are his options, Jesus take him home or Jesus leave him home but he stays on behalf of others, because the people need him and there’s still work to do.
We get a heavy charge in the 27th verse, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”(Phil 1:27NIV)
It’s a heavy charge because of the weight he is going to present in chapter 2. This is why we celebrate Christmas, life and celebrate the steps Jesus took to present himself as the gift of God in exchange for the wrath of God, on our behalf.
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ (entering into that sainthood) if any comfort from his love, (he loved us even before we came to love him) if any common sharing in the Spirit (being united as a family by the Holy Spirit), if any tenderness and compassion (not treating us as our sins deserve*, as our actions and reactions deserve), then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” (Live in this way) (Phil 2:1,2NIV, *Ps 103:10 NIV, commentary mine)
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phil 2:3,4 NIV)
This is counter culture to the current Christmas idea. This is counter culture to the current political upheaval, this is counter culture to the culture of me first!
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others. Humble people are so focused on serving others, they don’t think of themselves.” – Rick Warren
They have learned the secret to contentment and that is to Glorify God by exemplifying Jesus no matter what. The methods of how and what we do should always place another person in the position of being comforted, loved, cared for, protected and valued.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5 NIV)
He told us what that meant and now Paul is going to break down what Jesus actually did when he traveled from the Kingdom of Heaven to the Kingdom of Earth as a sojourner, a stranger in our land.
Christ Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage” (Phil 2:6 NIV)
Jesus used his position and platform to Glorify God the Father then Jesus took it further as an example to us.
“rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Phil 2:7 NIV)
100% God became 100% human and not someone in a position of power but of a commoner and average person, oh and also a baby. Jesus fully went through the process that we, his creation go through. Luke 2 tells us that, “ Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Lk 2:52 NIV)
Humility is the creator now being placed in the position of being comforted, loved, cared for, protected and valued by his own creation and in the most vulnerable of ways, a baby.
Paul enhances the description and example of humility by pointing us to the mission Jesus was on from eternity into Christmas day if you will. Born to die so humanity, you and I can conquer the second death; so that our souls could be redeemed. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Phil 2:8 NIV)
Jesus’ whole purpose and mission brought Glory to The Father and put others’ interests ahead of his own; we are called to exemplify Jesus in the same manner.
Then we get this beautiful piece of the exaltation of Jesus, fit for a Conquering King!
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2: 9-11 NIV)
How then can we walk this way, live this way? Well he’s told us in the text.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence (thats integrity and character)—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Phil 2:12,13 NIV)
God’s Going to finish the work he started in redeeming mankind to himself, for his Glory, we are called to exemplify Jesus and put others interests ahead of our own, no matter what so that others will know of the redemption he offers.
Here’s the how from the text we just read.
- A willing obedience- it’s a matter of the heart. Some of us have yet to experience our “salvation with fear and trembling” there is a very real agitation and wrestling of the faith when we are placed in a position of, “How does our faith fit in this situation?” Sadly, many have gotten so comfortable with life on this side of eternity that we are just coasting through.
- Pray for people-put a face to a name and tell people you are praying for them.
- Encourage others- they have value and significance in the eyes of the Father.
- Be Kind- “Tender & Compassionate”, do other people, non-believers know you as a friend?
- Be in God’s word- we can’t know the unity of the Spirit if we aren’t being taught by the Spirit of unity.
So saints no matter what, if I haven’t reiterated enough we are called to exemplify Jesus and put others’ interests ahead of our own. We can do that because Hope has arrived, our Hope is Jesus not our circumstances.
speak life, inspire dignity, do good 