The Cruciform Life Part 6: Philippians 2:5-11
The Cruciform Life Part 6: Philippians 2:5-11
Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11
The sermon begins by recalling Paul’s imprisonment in Philippi to set the stage for Philippians 2:5-11, a passage that upends common assumptions about power, status, and glory in both the ancient Roman world and Christian life.
Paul calls the Philippians to adopt the mind of Christ, the self-giving, humble stance embodied in Jesus’ life and death. Jesus, though in very nature God, did not exploit divine equality but “made himself nothing” by taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient to death on a cross, the lowest and most shameful form of execution in his culture.
In contrast to worldly systems that measure power by domination and rank by privilege, this passage presents a reordering: true greatness is found in humility and surrender.
Finally, God exalts Christ, giving him the name above every name so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.