Text: Philippians 2:7
Philippians 2:5–11: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [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.
NASB: but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
KJV: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
- Jesus _____ Himself.
- Creed of Chalcedon: We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable [rational] soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the God-bearer, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeable, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God, the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has been handed down to us..
- John 17:5; Hebrews 1:1–3; Isaiah 6:1–3; Revelation 4:2–11
- By taking the form of a servant.
- By being born in the likeness of men.
- 2. We _____ with faith and repentance expressed through emptying _____ to serve.
- John 13:3–17
Today's Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today's sermon with a friend, what would you say? In a sentence or two, write down what you would say:
Discussion Questions: What does it mean that Jesus emptied Himself? How does this passage help us to understanding the doctrine of the Incarnation? How would you respond to those who say that Jesus cannot be God because he slept, got hungry, was weary, grew older, bled, and died? What is the significance of the Incarnation for our communion with God? What would it look like for you to follow Christ’s example of self-emptying? What are some practical ways that you could “empty” yourself in order to serve others around you this week?