Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Your Humble & Exalted King! - Philippians 2:5-11

Bryan Schneider · October 28, 2018

Philippians 2:5-11

sharonrpc.org/sermons/your-humble-exalted-king

Summary

Philippians 2 presents Jesus Christ as the supreme pattern of humility and the saving Lord on whom believers fix their attention.
The eternal Son truly became man and took the form of a servant without ceasing to be God or surrendering his divine nature.
Christ willingly humbled himself under God's law and obeyed to the point of the shameful death of the cross for sinners.
His obedience supplies the righteousness lawbreakers lack, and his death bears the judgment they deserve; salvation therefore rests in Christ rather than imitation alone.
God highly exalted the crucified Christ, and every creature will finally bow and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Believers imitate Christ's humility, confess his lordship, and seek the Father's glory because their Redeemer and King lives.

What does Philippians 2:6-8 teach about both Christ's deity and his true humanity?
Why must Christ be more than a moral example if sinners are to be saved?
How does Jesus' willing obedience answer the disobedience and guilt of his people?
What does the cross reveal about the character of Christlike humility?
How does Christ's exaltation give courage when earthly rulers or circumstances feel overwhelming?
Do I presently bow to Jesus with trusting worship, or merely acknowledge facts about him?
Whose good can I seek in a way that reflects Christ's servant-hearted mind?
How can my obedience and worship aim at the glory of God the Father?

Form of God: Paul's affirmation of the Son's true divine status and glory before describing his willing descent into servant-form.
Incarnation: The eternal Son's taking a true human nature so that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man in one person.
Humiliation of Christ: The Son's willing lowliness in becoming man, living under the law, suffering, and dying the death of the cross.
Obedience: Christ's perfect fulfillment of the Father's will and law, extending even to his voluntary sacrificial death.
Exaltation of Christ: God's public vindication and enthronement of the risen Jesus, whose lordship every creature will acknowledge.
Lord: The supreme title confessed of Jesus Christ, expressing his divine identity, sovereign authority, and rightful claim on every person.