The Tragedy of God

The Tragedy of God

Philippians 2.1-11

And Can It Be?

The feebleness of the church is being criticized today, and the criticism is justified. One reason for the feebleness is that there has not been this focus on the true center of spiritual power. We have not dwelt enough on the tragedy of Calvary or on the meaning of redemption. -Oswald Chambers

As we begin Advent this morning we are looking at the condescension of Christ. This has been referred to as the Self Emptying Passage. Bible Scholars and Theologians have come up short trying to describe all we are being told here. Each time I look at this passage there are new things that surface. The depth of it must be appreciated and embraced. When we get to heaven we will know fully the depth of all of God’s Word.

This section of scripture describes what was going on behind the Christmas Account. We see the manger with our eyes. This is taking us into the Heart of Jesus. Our hearts and His together as we begin the Christmas Season, Advent.

This passage is showing us God’s heart, His Son’s heart and it is calling us to be like Jesus! It calls us to have this same mind!


1. He Humbled Himself v.8
In His Incarnation

Appearance as a man
Now in flesh appearing
Appearance= to have, i.e. to hold, to possess, to own
to hold one's self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to

He did not hold onto His position in Heaven but clung to His becoming a man, in the flesh
He emptied Himself.
He made Himself nothing. v.7

Christ laid aside equality with or the form of God.

The Word became flesh. John 1.14

The Condescension Jesus leaving heaven to be conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit.


Proverbs 16.18 Pride goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit before a fall.

Jesus is the embodiment of humility!
He humbled Himself in choosing to leave heaven. He stepped down, way down.

How we need to humble ourselves
In the sight of Almighty God
In the issues of life
With others
In the US

2. He Took On the Form of a Servant.  v.7
morphe
A Slave
One who gives himself up to another's will; those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men

He washed the feet of the disciples
He taught the Truth about God, with authority
He went about like a doctor would only better by far. Some doctors in the first century were slaves.
He fed the multitudes. He turned the water into wine.

He took our place on the cross.

The Humiliation



3. He Became Obedient To Death.  v.8
The ultimate tragedy of God.
He created life. The Lifegiver giving up His Life.
The Creator dying for the creation.

The Crucifixion the method was horrible and humiliating. It was so inhumane.
It was used a a deterrent for crime.

Christ submitted to this cruel and horrific treatment.
He knew this is what His Father wanted. He loved the church and gave Himself up for her. What a mystery of grace and love.
It is mystical union that exists between Christ and the Church.



4. God Has Highly Exalted Him.  vs.9-11

Isaiah 16.5 In love a throne will be established;
    in faithfulness a man will sit on it—
    one from the house of David—
one who in judging seeks justice
    and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Name above all names
Every Knee bowing
Every Tongue confessing  that Jesus is LORD.

The Highest Heavens


The Exaltation


5. Salvation Is Found In No One Else.

Jesus is it. He is the Way!
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4.12
 The Invitation
Matthew 11.28 “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Good Friday was not good for Jesus.
Christmas began the journey to the cross.
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Seek to become like Him.
Let this mind be in you that was in Him in coming and dying.