Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:3-5 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”

I titled todays message “The way up is down”

This passage in Philippians is written in chiastic poem structure:

• It is a mirror upon itself
• V. 6-8 humiliation
• V. 9-11 Exaltation

Philippians 2:6-11 “Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!”

First Step – Jesus was God

Colossians 1:15-18 “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together“

Second Downward Step – Equality with God not something to be used for his own advantage

Jesus went from:

• Heaven to earth
• Throne to the cross
• Being worshipped to being mocked

Third Downward Step – Made himself nothing

Fourth Downward Step – He became a servant

Fifth Downward step – He became human

Sixth Downward Step – He humbled himself

Seventh Downward Step – By becoming obedient to death

Luke 14:11 “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves…that He may lift you up in due time.”

• God does the lifting
• We need to do the lowering

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” C.S Lewis

Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”

First Upward Step – God exalted him to the highest place

Second Upward Step – Given the name above all names

Third Upward Step – Every knee shall bow

Fourth Upward Step – Every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord

And because of that:

• The pathway to greatness in God’s kingdom is not climbing higher
• It is bowing lower!