Christ's Humility and Exaltation: A Call to Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: The Humility and Obedience of Christ

Jesus, though divine, chose to humble Himself by taking on human form and obeying the Father's will to the point of death on a cross. This ultimate act of humility and obedience serves as our example, calling us to live selflessly and consider others more important than ourselves. Jesus' humility is not just a historical fact but a living example for us to emulate. His willingness to set aside His divine privileges and embrace the role of a servant challenges us to rethink our own attitudes towards service and humility.

In our daily lives, we often encounter situations where we can choose to act in self-interest or in the interest of others. Jesus' example calls us to prioritize the needs of others, even when it is inconvenient or costly. This kind of humility requires a deep trust in God's plan and a willingness to let go of our own desires and ambitions. Reflecting on Jesus' humility can inspire us to live more selflessly and to seek ways to serve those around us. [04:56]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you prioritized your own needs over someone else's. How can you approach a similar situation differently this week, following Jesus' example of humility and obedience?

Day 2: The Exaltation of Christ

God exalted Jesus because of His obedience, giving Him the name above all names. This exaltation means that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. This truth assures us of Christ's ultimate authority and sovereignty over all creation. Jesus' exaltation is a powerful reminder that humility and obedience to God lead to true greatness. His exaltation is not just a future event but a present reality that we can experience in our lives today.

As we acknowledge Jesus' lordship, we are invited to participate in His exaltation by living lives that reflect His glory. This involves recognizing His authority in every aspect of our lives and submitting to His will. When we do this, we experience the fullness of life that comes from being in right relationship with God. Jesus' exaltation also gives us hope for the future, knowing that one day all creation will acknowledge His lordship. [06:28]

Ephesians 1:20-21 (ESV): "That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to acknowledge Jesus' authority? How can you begin to submit those areas to His lordship this week?

Day 3: The Restoration of Creation

God's plan through Jesus is to restore the original order of creation, which was disrupted by sin and rebellion. This restoration process involves putting everything back into its rightful place under God's lordship, bringing healing and reconciliation to all creation. The brokenness we see in the world is not the end of the story. God's redemptive plan is actively at work, bringing restoration and renewal to all things.

As followers of Christ, we are called to participate in this restoration process. This means working towards justice, peace, and reconciliation in our communities and the world. It also means living in a way that reflects God's original design for creation, caring for the environment, and promoting the well-being of all people. By aligning our lives with God's restorative work, we become agents of His kingdom, bringing hope and healing to a broken world. [08:17]

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to contribute to God's work of restoration in your community or environment?

Day 4: Courage and Hope in Christ's Lordship

Knowing that Jesus is Lord over all gives us courage and hope. No power can subvert His authority, and nothing can separate us from His love. This assurance allows us to live confidently and fearlessly, trusting in His sovereign care. In a world filled with uncertainty and fear, the lordship of Christ provides a solid foundation for our lives. His authority and love give us the strength to face challenges and the hope to persevere through difficult times.

As we trust in Jesus' lordship, we can find peace in the midst of chaos and courage in the face of adversity. This trust is not passive but active, involving a daily commitment to follow Jesus and to rely on His strength. By focusing on His sovereignty and love, we can overcome fear and live with confidence, knowing that He is in control and that His plans for us are good. [34:36]

Hebrews 13:6 (ESV): "So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'"

Reflection: What is one fear or anxiety that you need to surrender to Jesus' lordship? How can you remind yourself of His sovereignty and love in that area this week?

Day 5: Living in Obedience

As followers of Christ, we are called to live in obedience, reflecting His humility and lordship in our daily lives. This involves working out our salvation with fear and trembling, growing in our faith, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ. Obedience to Christ is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to follow Him and to align our lives with His will. This process of transformation requires intentionality and perseverance, as we seek to grow in our relationship with God and to live out His purposes for our lives.

Living in obedience also means being open to the work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live in a way that honors God. As we submit to His leading, we experience the joy and fulfillment that come from living in alignment with God's will. This journey of obedience is not always easy, but it is deeply rewarding, as we become more like Christ and experience the fullness of life that He offers. [36:22]

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to grow in obedience to Christ? How can you take a practical step towards greater obedience this week?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound truths encapsulated in the Apostles' Creed and the Christ hymn found in Philippians 2:5-11. This passage, often referred to as the Christ hymn, is a powerful reminder of the humility and exaltation of Jesus Christ. Paul encourages the Philippian church to live in humility, considering others more important than themselves, just as Christ did. This hymn, likely an early Christian song, traces Jesus' journey from divine glory to human form, His obedience to the point of death on a cross, and His subsequent exaltation by God.

The hymn emphasizes that Jesus, though in the form of God, did not cling to His divine privileges but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. His obedience led Him to the cross, but God exalted Him, bestowing upon Him the name above all names. This exaltation signifies that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, fulfilling the prophecy from Isaiah 45:22-23.

This passage teaches us that God exalts the humbled Christ and is in the process of putting all things back together through Him. The original creation was in perfect order, but sin and rebellion disrupted this harmony. God's plan, through Jesus, is to restore this order, bringing everything back into its rightful place under His lordship.

We are reminded that Jesus is not just a great teacher or a moral example; He is the risen Lord, the King of Kings. His resurrection and exaltation assure us that He is sovereign over all creation. This truth gives us courage and hope, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love and power. As followers of Christ, we are called to live in obedience, reflecting His humility and lordship in our daily lives.

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Key Takeaways

1. 7L3ZB-8&t=296s'>[04:56]
2. Exaltation of Christ: God exalted Jesus because of His obedience, giving Him the name above all names. This exaltation means that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. This truth assures us of Christ's ultimate authority and sovereignty over all creation.

3. Restoration of Creation: God's plan through Jesus is to restore the original order of creation, which was disrupted by sin and rebellion. This restoration process involves putting everything back into its rightful place under God's lordship, bringing healing and reconciliation to all creation.

4. Courage and Hope in Christ's Lordship: Knowing that Jesus is Lord over all gives us courage and hope. No power can subvert His authority, and nothing can separate us from His love. This assurance allows us to live confidently and fearlessly, trusting in His sovereign care.

5. Living in Obedience: As followers of Christ, we are called to live in obedience, reflecting His humility and lordship in our daily lives. This involves working out our salvation with fear and trembling, growing in our faith, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ.

### [04:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:51] - Opening Prayer
[03:18] - Introduction to Philippians 2:5-11
[04:56] - Humility and Obedience of Christ
[06:28] - Exaltation of Christ
[08:17] - Restoration of Creation
[10:03] - Reading Philippians 2:5-11
[11:26] - Jesus' Prediction of His Death and Glory
[12:08] - Jesus' Prayer in John 17:5
[12:58] - The Significance of Names in Scripture
[15:22] - Jesus as Very God
[16:38] - The Name Above All Names
[17:25] - Peter's Confession in Matthew 16
[18:58] - Every Knee Will Bow
[19:36] - Revelation 5:13 - Every Creature Proclaims Jesus
[21:04] - The False Promises of Atheism and Autonomy
[22:23] - The Danger of Self-Deification
[23:29] - The Limitations of Human Gods
[24:06] - The Universal Acknowledgment of Jesus' Lordship
[25:15] - The Defeat of Demonic Rebellion
[26:27] - The Story of the Legion of Demons
[27:14] - The Seriousness of Eternal Separation
[28:01] - The Mission of the Church
[28:37] - Vigilance in Keeping Christ on the Throne
[29:11] - Confessing Jesus is Lord
[30:17] - The Challenge of Worldly Pressures
[31:16] - The Importance of Public Confession
[31:54] - The Lordship of Christ in Worship
[32:30] - Worship as a Foretaste of Eternal Glory
[33:47] - Courage and Hope in Christ's Lordship
[34:36] - Hebrews 13:6 - The Lord is My Helper
[35:12] - The Meaning and Direction in Life
[36:22] - Working Out Our Salvation
[37:29] - The Brokenness of the World
[38:02] - The Creation and Fall
[39:15] - The Rebellion of Spiritual Beings
[40:20] - God's Project of Restoration
[41:35] - The Soon and Coming King
[41:53] - Revelation 21:1-7 - The New Heaven and New Earth
[44:07] - Revelation 22:1-5 - The River of Life
[45:26] - The Invitation to Come
[45:43] - The Promise of Jesus' Return
[45:58] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What actions did Jesus take to demonstrate humility according to Philippians 2:5-8?
How does Philippians 2:9-11 describe the exaltation of Jesus by God?
What Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in Philippians 2:10-11, and how is it referenced in the sermon? ([06:28])
According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus being given "the name that is above every name"? ([12:58])

Interpretation Questions

Why is Jesus' humility and obedience to the point of death on a cross significant for Christians today? ([04:56])
How does the exaltation of Jesus provide assurance of His authority and sovereignty over all creation? ([06:28])
What does the restoration of creation through Jesus mean for the world and for individual believers? ([08:17])
How does the knowledge that "every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" impact a believer's daily life and faith? ([18:58])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you struggled with pride. How can Jesus' example of humility and obedience help you in similar situations? ([04:56])
In what ways can you acknowledge and submit to Jesus' authority in your daily decisions and actions? ([06:28])
How can you participate in God's plan of restoration in your community or family? What specific actions can you take this week? ([08:17])
When facing challenges or fears, how can the assurance of Jesus' lordship give you courage and hope? ([34:36])
Identify one area of your life where you need to grow in obedience to Christ. What steps will you take to work out your salvation with fear and trembling? ([36:22])
How can you live out the truth that Jesus is Lord in your workplace or school, especially when faced with pressures to conform to worldly standards? ([30:17])
Think of a person who does not yet acknowledge Jesus as Lord. How can you share the message of His lordship and love with them this week? ([28:01])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We learn that we can fully and completely rely on the good and great power of God. We can release our claims of control over our lives and the lives of those around us and safely and joyfully submit ourselves to the God who will, in his good time, exalt his church. Because nothing can shake us when we, we are in the hands of our heavenly father." [07:20] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God is not king for those who decide he is king. God is king of kings, no matter what the world does. It doesn't matter what the world chooses. It doesn't matter what an individual chooses. It doesn't matter what you think about yourself. Or who you think is in charge. Or who you think is eventually going to put all this back together again. Reality is reality. Jesus Christ is king of kings." [20:21] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Christian finds courage and hope in the universal Lordship of Christ. Because all things belong to Him and because all things will eventually submit to Him, what can happen to me that will take me out of the hand of my God? What can happen to me? Well, officially, nothing can ever take you out of the hands of Jesus Christ. Because there is no one else who is Lord above Him." [34:36] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The promise of atheism, the promise of individual autonomy, the promise of paganism, all of its promises, that you can decide who is God and you can decide what God tells you to do. I was talking to someone this week and a friend of theirs that they play basketball with at the Y. It's a curious fellow. It's a very sharp individual. But he has told this friend of mine, I believe, I am God. I hope not. I hope not. He takes mushrooms. I hope." [22:23] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The Christian finds meaning and direction in life because Jesus is Lord. The very next set of verses in Philippians chapter 2. And there will come a day when we will get to verse 12. I promise you, the day is coming. The very next verses, Paul makes his transition from the hymn back to speaking to the Philippians directly. And he says, therefore, because this is true, I want you to obey everything that you have learned in Jesus Christ." [35:48] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The difference of our faith in Jesus Christ, shows up in the way that we believe. We believe in different things than we used to before we were saved. We believe in different things than the rest of the world does. And that becomes manifest in the way that we live. We behave in different ways as well, especially this matter of humility that he has used to lead us into this hymn. Christ is our primary example of what it is to live humble lives, to allow our lives to be ruled and reigned by Christ and not by ourselves." [04:56] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God exalts the humbled Christ. The story of these verses, Jesus willingly obeyed the father and went to the cross to accomplish the father's will on behalf of sinners. Then, therefore, the text says, God then highly exalts him and he becomes the name that is above all names. So you and I are learning things about Christ and you and I are, learning things about our walk with Christ as well." [06:28] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When the Christian church worships, we embody the promise of all creation in submission to Christ. We become this appetizer to the feast. We become this foretaste to what eventually is going to happen on a cosmic scale. When we gather and we worship, we become a taste of what's going to happen. We worship now. We worship willingly. We worship in love. We worship in anticipation. We will one day join with the creatures of heaven. We will worship together. We will recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ as the one and only." [33:05] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Lordship of Christ is an absolutely critical part of our worship. I think this is really important. In fact, this was a theme in what we sang this morning. When the Christian church worships, we embody the promise of all creation in submission to Christ. We become this appetizer to the feast. We become this foretaste to what eventually is going to happen on a cosmic scale. When we gather and we worship, we become a taste of what's going to happen." [32:30] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The name that Christ has given. This is an interesting illusion. This is something that especially for those in the early church who would have been steeped inside of the Old Testament. This would have made sense to them. It would have rung all of the right bells for them. In the Old Testament, the name of God the Father that he gives to Moses. You may remember as we went through the book of Exodus recently. The name of Yahweh, the very name of God himself." [16:01] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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