The One God Opposes

This summer, we continue to work through the book of Philippians together. This book was written by Paul to the church in Philippi to encourage his brothers and sisters in the faith there. He writes this book from a Roman prison, showcasing true joy in the face of difficulty. This week, we are focusing on verses 5-30 where Paul gives us the ultimate example of humility and selfless service - Jesus Himself.

The Mindset of Christ

In verses 1-4, Paul encourages us to do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit. Now, in verse, 5, he says this: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” He gives us the ultimate example that we should follow - not just something that we should admire, but somebody who we should emulate. In our relationships with one another, our model for all of our behavior and mindset ought to be Christ Himself. He is the one who provides us with the ultimate model of humility and obedience. 

Jesus is the Ultimate Model of Humility & Obedience

Verses 6-11 are written like a poem or a hymn. Many scholars believe this was an early Christian song - meaning that Paul was not just trying to teach theology here, but help believers sing and remember it. Verses 6-8 reveal the extent of Christ’s humility while verses 9-11 unveil the exaltation that He receives. 

We see that Jesus, though “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8).

Jesus willingly laid down His rights and embraced humility, obedience, and suffering. Because of that, God exalted Him. He didn’t grasp for status - even though He had the rights to. He chose the lowest position - even though He deserves the highest honor. He was obedient to death itself, the most shameful version of it - even though He is the author of life itself. 

The result of this? “Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Chrsit is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (verses 9-11).

Jesus showcases a truth that we see all throughout Scripture. God exalts the humble, and brings down the prideful. Christ has every right to exalt Himself being fully God, but chooses to become flesh, to become an infant, and embrace a cross - the worst death imaginable. The cross becomes our example for service and sacrifice to others. The cross is where we get the power to serve and sacrifice for others. The cross is where we receive forgiveness when we fail in serving and sacrificing for others. 

Humility Shows Up in How We Live, Not Just What We Believe

Now that Paul has lifted our eyes to Jesus, he brings it down to the ground level - Paul now shows us what this humility looks like when lived out. “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13). Paul is encouraging us to let the example of Christ be worked out tangibly in our lives. How?

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation” (Philippians 2:14-15). We live out humility not by trying harder but by cooperating with the Spirit - with joy, without grumbling, and by holding firm to God’s word. Our humility shows up not just in what we believe, but in how we live.

Humility means obediently living out your salvation. Gospel humility isn’t passive - it moves us to live with reverence, obedience, and joy - knowing that God is working in us. If you believe in the Gospel, it should motivate and spur you to action! Paul is encouraging us to live out the implications of our salvation. This doesn’t mean that we earn or achieve our salvation, but that we allow our salvation to shape our thoughts, actions, and character. 

This requires that we do life in community in order to work out the relational implications of our faith. In verses 12-18, Paul is teaching on working out your salvation, shining like stars, and living without grumbling. He emphasizes personal responsibility, joyful obedience, and public witness.

Humility is Practiced in the Church Before it Shines in the World

The church becomes the training ground for this type of humility and service. If you won’t serve your brothers and sisters here in the church, you won’t serve your neighbor or enemy outside of the church! Paul is specifically writing to a church community here, not to individual households. He’s urging them to serve one another in unity, humility, and obedience. In the context of Philippians 2, the church is the primary proving ground Paul has in view.

The home is where humility gets tested daily, but the church is the proving ground of Gospel servanthood. Serving in the church tests your humility in real time - with people you didn’t choose, preferences you don’t always share, and work that often goes unnoticed. Humility leads to obedience. Obedience leads to service. Service leads to shining like stars! If you want to shine like stars in the world, start by picking up a towel in the church. 

Humility Cares Deeply & Serves Sacrificially

Paul then gives us two examples of individuals who didn’t sit back but got involved in serving humbly. In verses 19-30, we see Paul bring up Timothy and Epaphroditus. He speaks of Timothy as one who “will show genuine concern for [their] welfare,” as one who “has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with [Paul] in the work of the gospel” (verses 19-24). Epaphroditus is referred to as a “co-worker and fellow soldier” who “almost died for the work of Christ” and “risked his life to make up for the help [they themselves] could not give [Paul]” (verses 25-30).

Paul gives us two examples of Christlike humility - Timothy, who cared deeply, and Epaphroditus, who served sacrificially. They weren’t superstars, they were humble, faithful men who lived out the mind of Christ in practical, personal, and costly ways. Humility doesn’t just think lowly of itself, it thinks highly of others. It genuinely cares, and it’s willing to risk comfort, reputation, and even safety to serve like Christ. 

Real humility isn’t just taught - it’s lived. Timothy and Ephaphroditus weren’t apostles, but everyday men who modeled the mindset of Christ through consistent, selfless service. Just like Timothy and Epaphroditus, you don't need a title or a platform to reflect Christ. Faithful, humble, behind-the-scenes service is what builds up the church and honors God. Honor the quiet servants - and become one. Will your story be one of gospel humility, or quiet self-preservation? 

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Philippians Week 4: June 22nd, 2025. Preached by Ben Dieterly

Article Edited by Julia Castro