Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(Php 2:9)  “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,….”  He Who died and then came back to life the third day bearing a resurrected, gloried body; He Who gave Himself freely for the sake of unworthy sinners; He Who bore in humility a robe of flesh; has been publicly and eternally recognized by the Father! Words fail me to rightly express this! The Lord Jesus Christ now sits where no man has ever sat before, at the right hand of Almighty God, and……..He……..deserves it!!!!! 

(Php 2:6) “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  If the God of the universe would humble Himself as a man to die for you and me, shouldn’t we be willing to humble ourselves in order to live right, do right, put others first, think well of others, love them as much as we can in the Name of the Lord? Am I wrong to think me and you love ourselves much too much when it comes to these things?

(Php 2:5) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”  God was “made” in the likeness of man. He was not that before hand, but took such upon Himself to live as we should have in order to be able to die in our place! What a precious, wonderful, merciful God He is!  

(Php 2:5) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,….”   Jesus Himself once said, (Mat 20:28)  “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”   Truth is, when we walk into church, most of us are thinking of receiving, not giving of ourselves. “I’m going to be fed in the Word, going to enjoy the singing, and bask in the fellowship.” That’s a wonderful by-product. But first, let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, “Let me give of myself to others sacrificially. Let me serve in the Name of the Lord.” 

(Php 2:6) “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (Php 2:7)  But made himself of no reputation,….”  Here we see demonstrated humility in every sense. As God, He rightly could have come to this earth, even as clothed in human flesh, and demanded our love, devotion, sacrifice, and servitude. He did none of those things! In fact, He didn’t even come identifying Himself as one to be served. His flesh disguised His Person. He sought not to receive, but to give! Remember, verse 5 says to you and me, “Let this mind be in you….” May it be so! 

(Php 2:6) “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”  This speaks to the pre-existence of Jesus Christ. The form of God refers to the Godhead, a triune Being Who exists as One God, manifest to us in three distinct personalities – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Plainly the Bible tells us that He is one and equal with the persons of the Godhead. Again and again Isaiah speaks of the one God. There He goes so far as telling us there has never been another God nor would He ever create another. So, the conclusion is plain and obvious: Jesus Christ is God in human flesh!  

(Php 2:5) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”  The previous verses have appealed to us on a fleshly level, to move to a great spiritual level of conduct! We might find ourselves balking at this. Before us, we find that as these verses proceed, our Lord is not asking anything of us He has not done Himself on a far greater level than most of us will ever be called upon to practice or endure. May the Lord give us such a heart as is asked of us!  

 (Php 2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”  Simply put – if you and I would practice this, then all our conflict would cease!  “So and So offended me! I can’t believe they said that!” If our reaction would be,  “Oh, but I know he (or she) would not have done that on purpose; or maybe something is going on their life; or they simply didn’t think that statement out.” That is esteeming other better than ourselves. Think highly of others! Put them before yourself! Put your hurts aside and love them! Life will be much better for you and me if we practice this precept of Scripture!  

(Php 2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;….”  “Vainglory” – the worthless glory of self! So often conflict occurs within the church simply because our minds are fleshly, wrapped up in self – me, myself, and mine! Our pride is hurt (pride is never used in a positive way in Scripture, yet we mimic the world in our verbiage, ‘I am so proud of my children”). The first thing we should look at when our feeling are hurt is “why”? Am I in “need” of the compliments or thankfulness of others. Truth is, if it is given to God, then it is He and He alone we will look for a response!