City Life Starter

I. The Word: Philippians 2:6-11 

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

 

II. Reflection Questions

 

1. Who is someone in your personal life that you wish to emulate?

 

2. Why are they so influential to you?

 

3. Is Christ-like humility desirable to you?

 

When searching for a perfect example of living a life under lordship, we can look no further than our Lord Jesus Christ. Who, as today’s text says: “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (v.8). We are brought back into a relational union with God, by the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; we are set on a relational adventure with God, by following our Savior’s lead, i.e. ‘Lordship’. This can only be done by setting the gaze of our hearts upon the humility of our Lord and Savior, who “emptied himself by taking the form of a servant” (v.7).

Looking back at the moments in my life where I have been humbled by the servant’s heart of my mother, teachers, and coaches, brings a burst of inspiration that propels me to model their servility. These are the individuals who have made the most impact in my life, because they were willing to “empty themselves”, so that I can have the opportunity to be successful. I would not be the man that I am today without their godly example.

Though the people mentioned were not looking for it, because their expression of service came from the overflow of a genuine heart, I began to “exalt” them, and at the mention of their name, even to this day, my face would light up like a child seeing all of their friends at their 5th birthday party. However, even my best expression of jubilation, could not begin to compare to the joy and pure pleasure that God must have had to “exalt him (Jesus) and bestow on Him the name that is above every name” (v.9). The obedience of Christ shown in both His willingness to defeat death on our behalf, AND to live a victorious life over sin, provides us the perfect example to follow.

In fact, the Bible says that if we are indeed brought into union with God through Christ, “we should live our lives as Jesus did” (ref. 1 John 2:6). Daunting task! However, as we remember the Gospel, we are reminded that it is not our merits that earns us anything in our relationship with God, but it is our intentional emulation of Christ that allows us to both express our love to our Father, as well as experience the victorious life over sin that Christ has modeled for us, through His life of humble obedience. May we be transformed day by day, more and more, into His glorious image (ref. 2 Corinthians 3:18).

 

Prayer

Lord, help me to desire to emulate you, in an attitude of humble obedience. God give me grace day by day, to serve those around me, without looking for anything in return. Jesus thank you for being my perfect example. Steady my heart to always hope in you, and not in how well I am, or am not doing from day to day. Jesus, this all in your matchless and victorious name that I pray, Amen.