Friend: Poster Child For Downward Mobility.
This Economy has people saying same thing.
Philippians text is an Ancient Hymn or Creed.
Celebrates Jesus as a Poster Child Of Downward.
The text has a downward movement to it.
He Was in the Very Nature – Form of God.
- Illustration of the apples.
- Says he had equality with God.
- John 1:1 The Word Was With God.
- Col. 1:15. The image of Invisible God.
He Did not Take Advantage of the Situation.
- I would have taken advantage.
- Valetine’s Day Dinner With Teresa.
- Says that he did not exploit it.
- The Temptation in the Wildreness.
He Emptied Himself Taking the Form of a Servant.
- Does not mean gave up divinity.
- But means he gave up rights and privileges.
- Empty himself: refers to his pouring out of his
life to God in humble, obedient, self-denial,
refusing in any way to act selfishly.
- Not a surrender of divinity but acceptance
of servant role.
- Servant – same word in Greek for slave.
- His very essence like his divinity.
- Image: Cup at last supper. Poured out.
- Image: Spear in side. Water and Blood
- 2 Cor. 8:9, “He became as poor as a beggar.”
He Humbled Himself and Became Obedient.
- He died a terrible death on a cross as a
common thief.
Amazing Thing: He Chose This For Him Self.
- He could have take different route.
- Not just to satisfy blood lust of God.
- John 10:17-18.
See the downward movement is obvious in text.
- God – Man – Servant – Death on a Cross.
- See it in the irony of Palm Sunday.
The End Result: God Exalts Jesus/Lifts his Name.
- The Ressurection of Jesus.
- Affirms Downward mobility.
There are three things the Text asks of us.
1) Confession of Jesus as Lord.
2) Praise and adoration of Jesus.
3) A Call To Downward Mobility.
Christianity is not a ladder to the top.
Illustration: Henri Nouwen page 15-17.
Promise: Pour yourself out – God
will fill you up.