Jesus: The Greatest Pattern Of Humility

Text: Philippians 2:7-11   IBCWPM     April 22, 2009

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

      Humility is an excellent mark of a man of character, and composure and humility are inseparable virtues of a wise man. Through the ages, pride has always been evident in human race. God hates proud people, but He extends mercy to the humble. God wants His people to live in humility so they may experience more grace from Him. What a blessing to realize that His Son Jesus came into the world not only to save sinners, but also to demonstrate the kind of humility God wants us to live by.

      Jesus is the greatest pattern of humility to learn from. Having the willingness to follow the Lord and be shaped through the pattern He has shown us will bring us to Christ-likeness.                    

(I)    Christ-like Humility Must Be Seen In The Believers’ Life

Philippians 2:1-8

       If we truly desire to project the true image of Christianity in this sin-troubled world, we must start with step of humility. It is sadly true that the perverted image of Christianity confuses unbelievers and truth-seekers because of spiritual negligence on the part many professing believers. Christ-like humility must be seen in the lives of believers as they serve the Lord.    

Behind Christ’s humility:

-Love

       Love is powerful and animates our moral bearing, and without it, true humility fades away. In Philippians 2:1-3, it is written, 1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (KJV) Love seeks not her own, but always considers others.      

-Sacrificial act for the benefit of others

       Sacrifice brings special benefits to others. Christ shed His blood and gave His life at Calvary and what He did became a blessing to the human race. In this self-centered generation, it is very rare to see people who do heroic acts for the sake of others. In Romans 5:7-9, it says, 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (KJV) What a blessing to contemplate as we follow Christ’s steps.

       Christ humbled Himself and he who follows Him must also live in humility. In Philippians 2:7-8, it is written, 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (KJV) True love produces sacrificial acts.  

      In Philippians 2:30, Paul mentioned a believer named Ephaproditus in his epistle and He said; Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. (KJV) It takes humility to have a servant’s heart. May we pray to God for more Ephaproditus-like believers in our Churches to demonstrate the life of Christ through their lives. True Christians seek not their own, but consider the needs of others.       

(II)   The Lord Jesus Christ Is Worthy To Be Exalted

Philippians 2:9-11

       The Lord Jesus Christ was defamed and rejected of men, but God exalted Him because He is worthy to be lifted up. In Philippians 2:9-11, it is written, 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV) We must exalt the Lord at all times and be thankful for what He has done for us at Calvary.

-Every knee should bow

·         At the name of Jesus

-Every tongue should confess

·         Jesus Christ is Lord

-Every one should glorify God

·         Give glory to the Father

       Judas and the religious leaders defamed Jesus in a disheartening way because of greediness and envy. Sad to say, such defamation still exists today in many ways. In Matthew 26:14-16, It is written, 14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. (KJV) We cannot imagine how sorrowful it was for the Lord to receive such kind of treachery and treatment from professing believers during His earthly ministry.

       May we not be as greedy as Judas and say to the world, “What will you give me, and I will deny Him as my Master?” May we not be like those religious hypocrites and insult the Saviour and compare Him to slave gored by an ox. In Exodus 21:32, it is written, If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. (KJV) Don’t belittle the Lord by compromising yourself with the world.

       Let your knees bow at the name of Jesus, let your tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and let your well-spent life give glory to God. In Romans 12:1-2, it is written, 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV) Do what is right and pleasing before God. Be faithful and humble as you tell the world that Jesus saves.