Philippians - Attitude of Jesus

Last week, we talked about the importance of unifying around the mission, and this week, we get to talk about: 

Your Attitude.

Your attitude is one of the most powerful tools you have. It shapes your present experiences and influences your future. When we approach failure with a negative attitude, we’re more likely to see failure rather than success.

When faced with failure, the person with a negative attitude says to themselves:

I'm not good enough

I can't do this

I'll never succeed.

Things never go my way

I'm stuck like this forever.

On the other hand, when we approach failure with a positive attitude, we’re more likely to see opportunities rather than obstacles.  

When faced with failure, the person with a positive attitude says to themselves:

I got this. Things will work out. I'll bounce back. I won’t give up. I’ll keep trying.

Sometimes, our attitude can change.  We can bounce between positive and negative – but today – the most important thing you will walk away with is learning to have the attitude of Jesus.

Philippians 2:5-11 (NLT2) 

5  You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6  Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7  Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8  he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9  Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10  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. 

One of the reasons the religious leaders had a difficult time believing that God sent Jesus to save people from their sins is because of the irony of his life. In the days before and after Jesus, leaders were recognized and defined by their power, title, and authority. 

Herod the Great was known for building cities, temples, and fortresses. He executed family members and murdered thousands of male Jewish babies. The Pharaohs of Egypt were considered gods on earth and had absolute power over their subjects.

Leaders like Caiaphas, Tiberius Caesar, and Pontius Pilate were known for their power and authority. They often ruled harshly to maintain political or religious control. Jesus was like no leader the world had ever seen.  He made a radical departure from cultural norms.  He gave up his power, title, and authority to live as a servant to his creation.

And you and I are supposed to live with his attitude.  

Never forget, as difficult as life feels sometimes:

YOU WERE CREATED TO BECOME LIKE JESUS

Philippians 2:5 (NLT2) 

5  You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 

Now, Jesus's attitude on earth cannot be categorized simply as positive or winning. His attitude was much more complex.

He wanted people around him to succeed by surrendering their lives to God. He wanted people around him to be blessed by following God obediently. He wanted people around him to experience peace, joy, and hope that could only come through experiencing the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus knew the only way to achieve this was to give up His right to rule and dominate as God and become a servant to show us the way to Heaven. Jesus always knew He was the most important person in the room, but He always treated others like they were most important. Jesus always knew He was the most important, most powerful, and most dominant force on the planet, but He gave up His life for us as though we mattered more.

And you and I were created to become like Jesus.

That means our attitude toward others and about ourselves must be shaped by His attitude toward us. If Jesus was willing to lay His life down for sinners like you and me, shouldn’t we be willing to sacrifice our wants, desires, and preferences for other people?

I love watching my daughter Naomi play Volleyball.  She plays in the position that is called the “setter.”  She plays on the front of the line, and her job is to “set” the ball to the “hitters” on the left, right, and middle.  Their job is to get it across the net in a way that can’t be returned.

The hitter gets the recognition, but the setter gives them success. Naomi’s job is to help the people of her team shine.

You and I are called to become like Jesus in our attitude and help all those around us win and succeed. So, let’s continue to become more like Jesus every day and, in our attitude, give up our rights to help others win. And with that thought comes another perplexing and ironic truth:

THE UNCHANGING GOD CALLS US TO CHANGE

One of the greatest ironies for followers of Jesus to accept is that our God, who never changes, calls us to change. The Bible teaches us that God’s character can always be counted on because He NEVER changes.

Malachi 3:6 (NLT2):

“I am the LORD, and I do not change…”

Numbers 23:19 (NLT2): 

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”

Since before creation, God is, was, and always will be. His character has never changed, and his heart for you has never changed. He has always longed for you to know Him as your Heavenly Father. You might ask, since Jesus gave up His rights as God and became a human servant, doesn’t that mean God can change?Did Jesus change if He stepped away from power and authority and took on the nature of a servant?

That would be the case if God had never demonstrated His servant heart toward us before the days of Jesus. But we see God's servant heart at work in creation. God, the Creator, served mankind by creating us and giving us life. He designed our bodies to draw in oxygen, our hearts to pump blood, and our brains to think thoughts higher than ourselves.

We see the servant heart of God when He held back the hand of Abraham from sacrificing his son Isaac. We see the servant heart of God when He parted the waters of the Red Sea and rescued the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. We see the servant heart of God as He raises up kings, appoints judges, and protects His people.

Jesus stepped away from God's power and authority and embraced God's servant heart, which God had always demonstrated. That is why we can say with confidence that our God is unchanging. And that:

Hebrews 13:8 (NLT2):

 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

And – if you are a follower of Jesus: By that, I mean if you understand that God created you. You sinned and rebelled, choosing to live your life your way. If you know that because of your sin, God says the punishment for rebellion is separation from God and death. And if you know that Jesus paid the price for your sin, died on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead. If you believe He ascended into Heaven and will one day return. If you think all that – and you surrendered your life to Jesus: Then, at that moment, you became a NEW CREATION.

Since that moment of surrender, God has been calling you to change and live more and more like Jesus every single day. The unchanging God has called you and me to change. Personally. If a follower of Jesus is constantly changing individually, then as a church filled with changing people, our church must embrace change, too.

Songs will change. Ministries will change. The way we do things will change. However, we will always have the same mission because God is unchanging in His purpose for the church. So, saying, “We have never done things like that before, is okay, as long as we pair it with, “So let’s try it that way to see how it goes.”

That is the attitude and mindset that we are called to have. And finally, we see in this passage that:

ALL PEOPLE WILL CONFESS, BUT NOT ALL WILL BE SAVED

Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT2) 

9  Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10  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. 

If you have ever wondered what life after death will be like, Paul explains clearly what happens after you take your last breath on this earth. At some point, everyone in this room will die and afterward will stand before God's full majesty, power, and marvelous glory.  You will stand before the one who created the Galaxies. The One who exists outside of time. The One who holds the keys to life and death in his hand. The one who rescued Egypt. The who walked on water. For a moment, all will recognize that Jesus paid the price for their sin because God Loved the world. They will realize Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  They will recognize that Jesus is the only way to Heaven.

All people will drop to their knees and confess that Jesus is the LORD, God, and Savior.

All people.

All religions.

All beliefs.

All who have ever lived will behold the glory of the Living God and will not have any other choice but to fall to their knees and cry out, “Jesus is Lord.”

And the final irony?  All will confess, but not all will be saved.

Some people will confess that Jesus is Lord, too late.

Some people are so stubborn and have such a negative attitude toward Jesus that they will wait to surrender their lives to Jesus only after they pass from this earth.  And, for them, Jesus will say: “Depart from me. I never knew you.”

But you.

You, do not have to be one of those sent away from entering into Heaven.  Today, you can begin a new life in Jesus by surrendering to Him.

Romans 10:9 (NLT2) 

9  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

If you are ready to surrender your life to Jesus, read through the words of this prayer: 

PRAYER OF SURRENDER

God,

I believe that Jesus suffered for my sin on the cross and died.

I believe he rose from the dead; he is now with you in Heaven

and will return to earth one day.

I surrender my life to you and receive Jesus as my Savior.

Thank you for forgiving my sin and changing my life.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Make that prayer, your own prayer, and turn your life over to Jesus.

How is God calling you to Change?

How will you live today more like Jesus?