Christ's Journey: From Servant to Savior
Summary
In this Christmas message, we reflect on the profound journey of Jesus Christ as described in Philippians 2:5-11. This passage, often considered one of the earliest Christmas carols, encapsulates the essence of Christ's mission: beginning in the highest place as God, descending to the lowest as a servant, and ascending again in glory. The focus is on the phrase "Christ emptied himself, taking the form of a servant," which reveals the heart of Christmas. Jesus, who was in the form of God, chose to become a servant, embodying humility and obedience even to the point of death on a cross.
This act of servanthood is likened to a work assignment, where there is an assignment, completion, and reward. God has given each of us a divine assignment, encapsulated in commands like loving God and our neighbors, doing justice, and walking humbly. However, we recognize our inability to fulfill this assignment perfectly, leaving us with an unlimited liability. Herein lies the good news of Christmas: Jesus, the one who assigned the work, became the servant to complete it on our behalf. His birth, life, death, and resurrection fulfill the assignment we could not, offering us peace with God and the assurance of heaven.
The message emphasizes that our peace with God and assurance of heaven do not rest on what is done in us or by us, but on what Christ has done for us. His righteousness is imputed to us, and through faith, we are united with Him. This union means that all Christ accomplished is counted as ours, providing a solid foundation for our hope and assurance. As we celebrate Christmas, we are invited to trust in Christ's completed work, allowing His righteousness to cover us and transform our relationship with God.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Journey of Christ: Jesus Christ's journey from the highest place as God to the lowest as a servant and back to glory illustrates the heart of Christmas. His humility and obedience, even to death on a cross, reveal the depth of His love and the purpose of His mission. This journey is a model for us to follow in humility and service. [03:22]
2. Our Divine Assignment: God has given each of us a divine assignment, which includes loving Him and our neighbors, doing justice, and walking humbly. However, we recognize our inability to fulfill this perfectly, highlighting our need for Christ's intervention. This realization should lead us to rely on His grace and strength. [07:00]
3. Christ's Completed Work: Jesus took on the role of a servant to complete the work we could not. His birth, life, death, and resurrection fulfill the divine assignment on our behalf, offering us peace with God and the assurance of heaven. This completed work is the foundation of our faith and hope. [10:15]
4. Peace with God: Our peace with God and assurance of heaven do not rest on what is done in us or by us, but on what Christ has done for us. His righteousness is imputed to us, providing a solid foundation for our hope and assurance. This truth should bring us comfort and confidence in our relationship with God. [20:16]
5. Union with Christ: Through faith, we are united with Christ, and all He accomplished is counted as ours. This union transforms our relationship with God, allowing us to stand before Him with confidence. As we trust in Christ's completed work, we experience the fullness of His grace and mercy. [21:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Christmas Greetings
- [00:29] - The Pastor's Commission
- [00:47] - Introduction to Philippians 2
- [01:19] - The First Christmas Carol
- [01:40] - The Highest and Lowest Points
- [03:22] - Christ as a Servant
- [04:00] - The Work of a Servant
- [05:22] - Our Divine Assignment
- [07:00] - Summary Statements of Our Calling
- [09:19] - Unlimited Liability
- [10:15] - Christ's Completed Work
- [15:22] - Application for Today
- [20:16] - Peace with God
- [21:22] - Union with Christ
- [30:21] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 2:5-11
- Micah 6:8
- Matthew 5:44-48
---
Observation Questions:
1. What does Philippians 2:5-11 reveal about the nature and mission of Jesus Christ? How does this passage describe His journey from divinity to servanthood and back to glory? [01:04]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "Christ emptied himself, taking the form of a servant"? How does this relate to the heart of Christmas? [03:22]
3. What are the three parts of work or service as described in the sermon, and how do they relate to Christ's mission? [04:00]
4. How does the sermon describe our divine assignment, and what are some of the summary statements given in the Bible about this assignment? [07:00]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the journey of Christ from the highest place to the lowest and back again serve as a model for humility and service in our own lives? [03:04]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our inability to fulfill our divine assignment highlights our need for Christ's intervention? How does this realization impact our reliance on His grace? [09:02]
3. What does it mean for Christ's righteousness to be imputed to us, and how does this concept provide a foundation for our hope and assurance? [20:16]
4. How does the union with Christ, as described in the sermon, transform our relationship with God and affect our confidence in standing before Him? [21:22]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with humility or service. How can Christ's example of servanthood inspire you to approach similar situations differently in the future? [03:43]
2. Consider the divine assignment of loving God and your neighbors, doing justice, and walking humbly. Which of these areas do you find most challenging, and what steps can you take to grow in that area? [07:32]
3. How can you practically rely on Christ's completed work rather than your own efforts to find peace with God? What changes might this require in your daily life or mindset? [20:16]
4. Think about your current relationship with God. How does understanding your union with Christ encourage you to stand confidently before Him? What specific actions can you take to deepen this union? [21:22]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel overwhelmed by the demands of your divine assignment. How can you invite Christ to take on the role of a servant in that area, completing the work you cannot? [09:19]
6. Reflect on the assurance of heaven as described in the sermon. How does this assurance affect your perspective on life's challenges and your approach to spiritual growth? [22:00]
7. How can you share the message of Christ's completed work and the assurance it brings with someone in your life who may be struggling with their faith or understanding of God's grace? [29:56]
Devotional
Day 1: The Humble Descent of Christ
Jesus Christ's journey from the highest place as God to the lowest as a servant and back to glory illustrates the heart of Christmas. His humility and obedience, even to death on a cross, reveal the depth of His love and the purpose of His mission. This journey is a model for us to follow in humility and service. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that true greatness in the kingdom of God is found in humility and servanthood. Jesus' willingness to empty Himself and take on human form is a profound demonstration of love and sacrifice. His life challenges us to consider how we can embody humility in our own lives, serving others selflessly and putting their needs above our own. [03:22]
Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV): "But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you practice humility and servanthood in your daily interactions this week?
Day 2: Embracing Our Divine Assignment
God has given each of us a divine assignment, which includes loving Him and our neighbors, doing justice, and walking humbly. However, we recognize our inability to fulfill this perfectly, highlighting our need for Christ's intervention. This realization should lead us to rely on His grace and strength. Understanding our divine assignment is crucial, as it aligns our lives with God's purposes. Yet, acknowledging our limitations is equally important, as it points us to the sufficiency of Christ. In our weakness, His strength is made perfect, and through His grace, we are empowered to live out our calling. [07:00]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Identify one area where you struggle to fulfill your divine assignment. How can you invite God's grace to empower you in this area today?
Day 3: The Fulfillment of Christ's Work
Jesus took on the role of a servant to complete the work we could not. His birth, life, death, and resurrection fulfill the divine assignment on our behalf, offering us peace with God and the assurance of heaven. This completed work is the foundation of our faith and hope. The beauty of Christ's completed work is that it liberates us from striving for perfection. Instead, we are invited to rest in His finished work, knowing that our salvation is secure. This assurance allows us to live with confidence and joy, knowing that our relationship with God is not based on our efforts but on His grace. [10:15]
Hebrews 10:12-14 (ESV): "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."
Reflection: How does understanding Christ's completed work change the way you approach your relationship with God and others?
Day 4: Experiencing Peace with God
Our peace with God and assurance of heaven do not rest on what is done in us or by us, but on what Christ has done for us. His righteousness is imputed to us, providing a solid foundation for our hope and assurance. This truth should bring us comfort and confidence in our relationship with God. The peace that comes from knowing we are reconciled with God through Christ is transformative. It frees us from fear and anxiety, allowing us to live with a sense of security and purpose. As we embrace this peace, we are empowered to extend it to others, becoming agents of reconciliation in a broken world. [20:16]
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: Reflect on a situation where you lack peace. How can you invite God's peace into that situation today?
Day 5: Union with Christ
Through faith, we are united with Christ, and all He accomplished is counted as ours. This union transforms our relationship with God, allowing us to stand before Him with confidence. As we trust in Christ's completed work, we experience the fullness of His grace and mercy. Our union with Christ is a profound mystery that offers us a new identity and purpose. It means that we are no longer defined by our past or our failures but by His righteousness and victory. This union invites us to live in the reality of His presence, drawing strength and wisdom from Him daily. [21:22]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: How does your union with Christ influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? What changes can you make to live more fully in this reality?
Quotes
The commission of every Pastor is to present as clearly and as compellingly as possible who Jesus Christ is, what he has done, and what that means for all of us today. [00:36:04]
Jesus Christ was in the form of God. Now there's nothing that you can get that is higher than that. He was in the form of God. The word was with God, the Word was God. He was all that God is, and he does all that God does. [01:32:56]
Christ emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. He was in the form of God, but he takes the form of a servant. A servant, a person who gets the work done, that's what it means. [03:23:20]
God has assigned certain work to us. He is God, he is the one who has given us life. We are his servants, and he has given us certain work to do. He holds us responsible for completing that work. [05:19:72]
What does the Lord require of you? And here's what it is: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. That's something that God assigns for you to do. He calls you to do. He holds you responsible for doing it. [06:55:20]
Look at what Jesus Christ has done, and here we get to the heart of what Christmas is all about and why it is such good and such marvelous news. He was in the form of God, and what's he done? He has taken the form of a servant. [09:32:00]
Completing this work that God has given us to do involved for Jesus Christ his birth, his life, his death, and His Marvelous resurrection. And all of these are right here in Philippians chapter 2. [10:11:32]
Peace with God and entrance into heaven does not rest on anything that is done in you. It really doesn't. When you begin to follow Christ, there will be a difference in your life. Sins that were spoiling you before begin to fall away from you. [18:02:91]
Peace with God and entrance into heaven does not rest on anything that is being done by you either. When you become a follower of Jesus Christ, there are certain things that you do: you believe the gospel, you repent, you offer yourself in service to Jesus Christ. [19:43:28]
Peace with God and entrance into heaven rests on what Christ has done for you, his atoning death, his righteous life. Christ took the form of a servant. He came to do work for us to fulfill the purpose of God, and he's completed the assignment that was given to us. [20:22:03]
When you turn to the Savior, and if you will do that for the very first time today, and you trust him and you receive him, God forms a wonderful Union between you and Jesus. You are in Christ, and Christ is in you. [21:22:60]
Your salvation rests on the word and the work of Jesus Christ. His life, death, and Resurrection underwrites it. His promise seals it. His name is tied to it. His promise is given to you based on this work in which you put your trust. [27:31:99]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 24, 2012. Do you have any questions about it?