Image by: Randy OHC

Introduction

In todays sermon we are going to learn 4 lessons about the attitude of Christ.

Bible verse: Philippians 2:5-11

1. Christ’s attitude doesn’t hold anything back (v. 5-6)

Now what on earth is the attitude of Christ? The answer is found in v.6

who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,

If I want to have the same attitude that Jesus had I must be willing to loose my titles, my positions and my recognition. Do you know that people who chase after status are the main source of church problems and conflicts?

2. Christ’s attitude always seeks to serve, (v.7)

Jesus always sought to serve others not to be served by others. He taught His disciples,

If any one wants to be the first he should be the slave of everyone (Mark 9:35).

Even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28).

Jesus demonstrated this when he washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:1-16) In Jesus’ day many house holds had a bond slave. Now who is a bond slave?

• A person who is the property of and wholly subject to another; a bond servant.
• A slave was not considered a person, but rather a tool, a lifeless material, something which you replace once worn out (once grew older).
• A slave had no rights.

In Jesus' time it was customary for the slave of the master's house hold to welcome the guests arriving at the meal by washing their feet. Needless to say those days the roads were full of dust and dirty. Washing a guest’s feet was not funny, and it definitely dried down the appetite. But this is what Jesus did. He is God. He was the leader of the twelve. He is everything. Yet became a model servant leader. Are you ready to wash each other’s feet?

3. Christ’s attitude is humble and obedient, (v. 8_)

He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross!

In Jesus’ day criminals were crucified. This means,

• Murderers
• Rebels
• Rapists
• Thieves

were subject to be crucified. But Jesus had no sin within him. Thus 2 Corinthians 5:21 says,

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

He obeyed when He prayed,

"Father, take this cup away from me if it's possible, but not my will let your will be done". (Luke 22:42)

Jesus went under the greatest pressure that no one can handle. Yet he fully obeyed.

4. God loves people with the servant attitude, (v. 9)

A. Jesus was exalted

Why Christians need to have a Christ like attitude? The answer is found in the 9th verse. God loved Jesus. He loved him even more when Jesus surrendered him self in submission and obedience to the heavenly father. He became lower than a slave and God exalted him above everything and everyone.

Mark 14:61-62 says Jesus is seated in the right hand side of God. Jesus possess the same authority and the attributes of God the father.

B. His name is above every name, (v.10)

In the early church those who followed Jesus was called Christians. Today this may not mean much to us except a religious name, but those days the term Christian was a term of insult. Jesus was called a thief, a blasphemer, a rebellion and a cursed. Today everyone one bows down before Him and His name.

C. Jesus is Lord, (v. 11)

"Lord means “Master,” plain and simple. It also extends into other meanings given the context, such as in the context of a Kingdom, which then suggests the authority and kingship of the Lord. There are also other contexts, such as “master” with reference to “servant” and also “teacher” with reference to “pupil”; however, the King-Subject example will suffice for my purposes.

Lord, as used in the Bible, has been twisted and distorted by modern interpreters who have ignored context. They posited it as primarily (i.e. only) a theological term with reference to the deity of Christ. However, Lord in its proper context is primarily political in its meaning.

In Jesus’ day, “Caesar is Lord” was the political pledge of allegiance, required in a way not unlike “Hail Hitler” was required in the 1930s and early 1940s in Nazi Germany. To call Jesus “Lord” meant that there is a power in Jesus more important than the power of the king of the greatest state in history. To say “Jesus is Lord” was then (and should be now!) a profoundly political statement-affirming the authority of a “powerless” Jewish rabbi with scarred feet over the power of Caesar himself with all his swords, spears, chariots, and crosses." (Generous orthodoxy and the Lordship of Christ by Brian McLaren)

Application and conclusion

Titles should not control our attitude.

We are given different titles which is followed by a job description at our work places. May be you are an important person in your organization. Do you let your title to shape your attitudes?

Remember your attitudes become your actions. Actions become your Character. We must be ready to step down and to be identified with the others. You conquer the minds and hearts of people when you don’t give priority to your title.

Are you ready to be the servant of everyone? Let me tell you, if you seek to be the top person in your community, you are the lowest. We all like to command others. To give orders. (I am not talking about delegating) To be in control. Let me explain you how did I put this in to practice.

In the church where I serve as the Assistant Pastor, we have only a handful of Christian workers. Yet they respect my leadership and listens to me. However last Sunday I was watching angrily as they were trying to setup the overhead projector while the guest speaker was already presented. There were only 5 minutes before the service starts. At that time the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, "Why can't you do it? You know better." Later on that day I told them that I am going to arrive in the church early and setup those things my self. I believe I set an example for them.

Jesus said after he washed the disciples' feet and sat to have the meal.

"Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 12:13-17)

Do you obey?

If you disobey your leader your followers will follow your example and rebel against you one day. If you are not humble your followers will never learn to be humble. When I was a student at AGBC I had a big problem, submitting to my dormitory leadership. I saw the dorm leader’s weaknesses and did not want to obey him. Everything he did appeared wrong to me. Our student’s Dean became aware of this and shared his experience which really convinced me.

"To obey your leader whether the leader is right or wrong is #1."

If you humble God will exalt you.

God has a reward for Christ like attitude.

Let me share with you another story from my real life. I remained faithful to my ministerial duties regardless of my low salary. I did everything thanking God. Then God blessed me with my beautiful wife Sheryl. I God honored my attitude.

Conclusion

Would you like to have a Christ like attitude?