GOD DOES SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
Philippians 2:5-8
Dr. Glenn A. Jent, Pastor
INTRODUCTION
During the Christmas season, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This event may definitely be described as God doing something significant. Let us examine this beautiful passage of Scripture from Paul’s letter to the Philippians and see this unique event. Jesus is described as being in very nature God. He had an exalted position in Heaven. He was Creator and Sustainer of all that we see today. Yet, He did not consider His position of equality with God as something to be grasped. Rather, He willingly gave all of that up to come to earth to become our Savior. Let us examine what Paul says about Jesus.
I. HE MADE HIMSELF NOTHING.
1. He emptied Himself of the splendor of His reign in Heaven.
2. He emptied Himself of His divine appearance.
II. HE TOOK THE VERY NATURE OF A SERVANT.
1. He accepted the form, or characteristics, of a slave.
2. He accepted this abased condition without resistance.
III. HE WAS MADE IN HUMAN LIKENESS.
1. He became like a human being on the inside, having human qualities.
2. He had the figure of a man on the outside, having human appearance.
IV. HE HUMBLED HIMSELF.
1. He abased Himself to become a man, rather than God.
2. He entered this world as a humble, defenseless baby.
V. HE BECAME OBEDIENT TO DEATH.
1. He submitted Himself fully to the human condition—birth, life, death.
2. He submitted Himself to living with the limitation of space and time.
CONCLUSION
Let us read the Christmas Story found in Luke 2:1-20.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
God did something wonderful! Everyone that saw the Baby Jesus went away rejoicing and telling others what they had seen and heard. Will you do the same?
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