Emptying Self

Introduction

Our world rarely appreciates sacrifice. While there are times that it is highlighted in a news story, the passion of the world is to accumulate more. But this culture’s mindset isn’t just about accumulation of wealth. There is a philosophy which exists that is selfishly driven. “Get what I can get while not worrying about others” or at best to given only a token nod toward others. “Toot your own horn” or “Look out for number one” or “Take care of yourself because no one else will take care of you.” This cultural view can spill over into congregational life. Elders can be driven by a philosophy of power; individuals can be driven by preferences assuming their view is better than another.

Such a selfish philosophy is in stark contrast to the mind of Christ. Today we are going to look at Philippians 2:1-11. I have been struggling with this text. I know what it says. I know what it means. Carrying it out is another thing altogether. This text is challenging. This text is convicting. This text can be transformational. Allow yourself to be challenged, convicted, and to begin the process of being transformed to more closely reflect the mind of Christ.

Unity

The apostle Paul had a special relationship with the church in Philippi. This congregation had often supplied for Paul’s financial needs as well as trying to provide encouragement at various times in Paul’s ministry. Even as Paul is filled with joy and expresses his desire that the believers in Philippi share in this same joy, he writes this letter to deal with some special circumstance within the body of Christ. There is disharmony. 4:2 tells us that Euodia and Syntyche are at odds and their strife has spilled over to the other believers. Additionally, in 2:2, the congregation is challenged to think about their unity and that such unity will lead to a common mind, love, and purpose.

In 2:3-4 Paul instructs the believers to take a position of humility in reference to others. It is this humility which will secure the unity that Paul and God wants. To illustrate the depth of this humility, Paul uses Jesus as the example. Some believe verses 5-11 is one of the early hymns of the church. Whether it is an early hymn or not does not change the intent of the illustration.

Verse 5 instructs us that our attitude should be the same as that of Christ. The language here is very intriguing. The word translated “attitude” is the word “think.” Paul is instructing the readers to think like Jesus thinks. Think like Jesus thinks. We could spend much of the rest of our time together trying to get our mind around this kind of thinking. While this is somewhat off subject, let me suggest to you that the only way we are going to think the way Jesus thinks is to spend time with him. How? The gospel accounts. Read the life of Jesus. Put yourself next to him. See people the way he sees them. Think the way he thinks.

But Paul quickly moves into verse 6 and tells us how Jesus thinks. Verses 6-7, Jesus in his equality with God; in all his divine glory chose to empty himself or as the NIV says made himself nothing. And it is this idea of “emptying” self that has captured the attention of so many throughout the centuries. But notice the result of Jesus’ choice. When he emptied himself and chose to become human, he did not come as prince or king; he did not come as wealthy nor even as well off. No. When he came he chose to be servant. From equality with God to equality with the lowest. From exalted to abased. From heaven to earth. From life to death. He chose this. He emptied himself.

Application

The point of the text is to illustrate through Jesus how we as believers are to think. Think like Jesus thinks. How does Jesus think? He thinks about emptying himself. To empty oneself is to seek to do God’s will at all costs. This is what Jesus did. He became servant and obeyed God even to the point of death on a cross. We must see this. Jesus emptied himself not so that he can demonstrate abased living but so that in emptying himself he encouraged and provided for relationship with God. To be self-abased because one feels unworthy is not emptying self. It is the intent to give up self for the benefit of another that exemplifies what Paul is discussing. Emptying is recognizing what you have and giving it up for another.

To truly empty ourselves means that we think about others. It means that we give effort to seeing the world through another person’s eyes. It means to speak to others with the same compassion and assurance as we would want to be spoken to. It means thinking less about how we appear in the eyes of others and how we can make sure that God looks good through us. Jesus had every right to hold on to the portals of heaven. He had every right to remain next to the Father. But he chose a different path—a path that led to this earth to identify with the lowly and eventually to suffer the death of the discarded for the sake of all.

This is where we have the hardest time thinking like Jesus. To empty self means to take a lower position—to serve another—in order to deepen relationship. To think like Jesus means putting our preferences on the shelf. It means thinking of another before we think of self. What does this look like? First of all recognize that I am not talking about denying the validity of doctrine and dumping our moral compass. We are constantly to look for a way to call all to follow Jesus by faith through repentance. But on personal levels this call to empty ourselves has to find practical practice.

Congregationally, it means as older members we listen to younger ones as they express their concerns and desires for the future of our congregation. As younger members it means listening to the wisdom of older members who can provide insight and validity to living for God. It means understanding that our role in the body is to benefit another not to receive recognition. It means that we do not hold congregational life hostage by our own preferences.

In the community, it means giving up your rights so that another may be served. It means not demanding your way. It means to reject the basis of relationships in our world—power and control. It means to be compassionate, identifying with the pain of a needy world, and then being ready to suffer with it. This is what the text means. Think like Jesus thinks.

Have you heard the phrase “he is full of himself?” It is a phrase meant to capture the arrogance and pride one possesses about self. The phrase means that the person sees life only from his vantage point and believes that life should revolve around him. Here is the reality. There is no room for God and his will when one is full of self. And what Jesus demonstrates is that when one chooses to empty self then there is room for God’s will and purpose. Think like Jesus thinks.

If we are serious about touching lives the way Jesus did then we must think as he thinks. We cannot be greater or above our master. If Jesus is Lord, then we will choose to empty ourselves as our Savior did. If Jesus is Lord, then the only thing that matters is that he be seen through us. If Jesus is Lord, then our world needs to see less bravado and more humility through us.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.