The Submissive Mind

Introduction

In our chapter today, Philippians chapter 2, therefore, he speaks, I think, about the secret of joy in spite of what people may say or do. In chapter 1, we talk about how there’s joy in spite of circumstances, the single mind. Some might say in chapter 1, the apostle Paul spoke about putting Christ first, to live as Christ to die as gained. In chapter 1, he was a soul winner. But in chapter 2, he becomes Paul the servant. When he says, Christ first, but others next. Look at chapter 2 and verse 3. When he says, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory. But in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let this mind be in you. Which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Now one raises the question how is it possible to really treat others better than self? And I believe before we deal with that, as the apostle would say, let’s consider the example, our Lord and Savior. When you consider Jesus Christ, what was his mind? What was his attitude? He said in verse 5, let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.

1. Being in the Form of God

So let’s consider what was his mind. And you’ll notice there are at least three phrases that I think are so very key in this context. When he says in verse verse six, who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God? One translation says, to be held on to. What do you mean? In the form of God. In the book of John, the gospel, according to John, begins right in the middle of its subject. When it says, In the beginning was the word, the word was with God, and the word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. Jesus Christ is pictured in the book of John as well as in other places as being deity in every sense of beity.

Characteristics. He had the divine qualities. He was on an equality with God. Colossians chapter 1, verses 15 and 16 says, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. By him were all things created that are in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible. Whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created by him and for him. In the Hebrews chapter 1 and verse 3, he is the effulgence of God. He is the brightness of his glory. If you want to know about God, Jesus Christ came to declare him to the world. Indeed, when you stop to think about who he was who he is, and who he, the form in which he existed before he came to this earth, he had the form of God, the qualities, the characteristics.

2. He Emptied Himself and Took the Form of a Servant

Indeed, his glory is greater than ours. Could ever even dream to be. And when we start talking about my rights, let’s stop and think about Jesus, our example. He had rights that are more sure than ours. On an equality with God, and yet he emptied himself. He gave up more than we ever could. He had the form of God, but he gave it up. He emptied himself when he took upon him the position of a servant. Jesus Christ came as a servant, as Philippians 2 and verse 7 says.

Crown me and bow down before me. While he is indeed the king of kings and the Lord of lords. Have you ever noticed in studying the life of Christ that it is Jesus who serves others? Not others who serve Jesus. In fact, Jesus responded to the needs of all classes of people. He responded to the needs of fishermen, even to harlots, to tax collectors who were noted as being sinners among that generation. He came to respond to the need of the sick and of the sorrowing. As in Matthew chapter 20 and verse 28, the scripture says, even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life as a ransom for many. You no doubt remember the story recorded in John chapter 13, the night in which he was betrayed in the upper room as he was instituting the Lord’s Supper, that Last Supper we sometimes refer to, that he took a towel and a basin of water, began to do the work of a menial servant.

He washed his disciples’ feet. So much so that even Peter responded, first of all, not me, Lord. But you know, Jesus, in fact, said, I’ve given you an example. That the servant is not greater than his master. You should do even as I’ve done. What he was saying is not that I’m setting forth a ceremonial rite or service that you need to do every time you come together or certain times of the year. But rather he’s saying, Look, I’ve done the work of a servant. And that’s what I want you, my apostles. And I want you to teach others to be of the same attitude. That even as Christ, the mind of the attitude of Christ was as a servant. So he had the rights of the Son of God.

3. He Humbled Himself and Became Obedient unto Death

In fact, another phrase in Matthew in Philippians chapter 2 is that he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Think about that. It’s so easy for us to say it. We’ve had the Lord’s Supper this morning and remembering it. And maybe sometimes we we go through the Lord’s Supper so often as Christians. Some of you have been Christians for years, 10, 20, 50, 60, maybe, some all in this audience, maybe more than that. And if you’re not careful, you can just sort of take for granted, yes, I’ve heard the story over and over and over again. But it is no small thing that the Son of God walked as a servant on this earth and died on the cross. When you think about the torture that he endured even before they nailed him to the cross.

But then considering the very fact of the type of death, the crucifixion. We have people today complaining about the way that some are put to death in capital punishment in our country. They certainly would outlaw crucifixion, wouldn’t they? Our Lord and Savior died on the cross. But there was more to it than even the physical death, for he died in our place. That is separation from God in some means. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? His utterance on the cross. Separated from God in some main and some measure. He humbled himself. Passage in Hebrews chapter 12, the scripture speaks how that he is the author and the finisher of our faith. But notice the language. For the joys set before him, he endured the cross.

He understood the means that he would be providing for salvation for you and me. But the language says, despising the shame. It was not an easy matter. As he in the Garden of Gethsemane for three different times recorded, with sweat falling from his brow as though it were great drops of blood. If it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will but die and be done. Jesus Christ, obedient even unto death. The language in Hebrews chapter 5, verses 8 and 9 says, though he were a son, yet learned the obedience by the things which he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him. Those who obey him. Jesus Christ is the author of salvation.

4. Examples of Those Who Had the Submissive Mind

He died that you and I might be saved. Indeed, he was obedient unto death. And when you start thinking about my rights, let’s look first of all at Jesus Christ. He is our example. Obedience. Has God asked of us more than we can do? Has he asked too much? Indeed, in Philippians chapter 2, the apostle not only describes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but there are illustrations in chapter 2 of Philippians of those who were submissive, had the submissive mind. We’ve spoken already about the Apostle Paul. Back in our chapter 1, as we looked at last week. He was in prison, but he wasn’t complaining about it, was he? In fact, in chapter 1, verses 12 through 14, he said, I rejoice because at least what I what I’m suffering in prison is falling out to the furtherance of the gospel.

It’s enabling me to preach it in the palace of Rome. Furthermore, I’m encouraging some of my own brethren to be more bold in the preaching. His circumstances were not what he would wish. Why he said, even some of my own brethren would suppose to add affliction to my bonds, but I’m rejoicing that they’re preaching Christ. They may not know about me, Paul would say, like they understand me lest they should, but they’re preaching Christ, and that’s what really matters. In fact, even facing death, he could say, to live is Christ, to die is gain. And I really long to depart. I’d rather depart to be with the Lord, but for your sake, I’ll stay. Paul, are you willing to be submissive? Meaning, even to death? Even in prison?

Even when others don’t understand you? Yes. Why? Because Christ is first in my life. That’s why. In fact, in Philippians chapter 2, verses 16 through 18, he spoke in verse 17 how that if I offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I’d joy and rejoice with you all. Yes, I’m willing. If I can encourage you, and if I can see that the gospel is furthered, I’d even rejoice. Even to die. But not only was Paul of that mind, in verses 19 through 24, he speaks about Timothy as a dear son. In verse 20, he says, I have no man like minded who would naturally care for your state. All seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ. But you know the proof of Timothy.

He’s like a son with a father. He served me in the gospel. I can count on Timothy. Why? Because Timothy has a submissive mind. He put Christ first also. And whatever he good could do in order to assist the apostle Paul, I’m willing to do it. Submissive. You know, it wasn’t a matter, now, look, I have the right to be pleased, and I want this and that and the other. It’s not that spirit of those who really love the Lord. In fact, the third example in this chapter is Epaphroditus. In chapter 2, the last five verses, verses 25 through 30, he speaks about the messenger of the church of Philippi who came and brought to the needs of Paul. And of Epaphroditus, he speaks about him who really risked his life.

5. In Putting Christ First, There’s a Reward

In verse 30, because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life to supply your lack of service toward me. Here were examples of men. It’s not just Christ who was obedient even unto death. Now he speaks about some of these men who had the submissive mind because they put Christ first. But you know, in putting Christ first, there’s a reward for it. Look again at chapter 2, verses 9 through 11, where the scripture then says, Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, things in earth, things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Indeed, God exalted him. He set him in his own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principality, power, might, and dominion in every name that’s named. Not only in this world, but that which is to come. But there’s going to also come a great day of judgment. There’ll be a time when every knee shall bow before him. Exalted? Yes. Because God is in control. Now looking at this text, if Christ indeed had this mind, and we are to have the mind of Christ, what’s the point? Let’s go back and read the first four verses of this chapter. And maybe we’ll see why he made such emphasis upon what Christ did. First chapter 2 and verse 1. If there be therefore any consolation in