God the Son became what I was so that I might become what He is (Romans 8:29).
He took on flesh, so that I might partake of divinity (2 Peter 1:4). He became poor, that I might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). He was rejected, so I could be accepted (Isaiah 53:3). He was whipped, so I could be healed (1 Peter 2:24). He was filled with sorrow, so that I could be joyful (Isaiah 53:4). He was cursed, so I could be blessed (Galatians 3:13-14). He became sin, that I might become righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was put to death, so I might live forever (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
The pre-incarnate Son of God, became man while still maintaining His divinity; He became the God-Man (John 1:1,14,18). In doing so a human will reign over God the Father’s Kingdom forever (Hebrews 1:5-14).
Let us learn from Jesus’ example of humility and exaltation as we celebrate His birth.
SERMON TEXT
Philippians 2:1-11 (MSG):
1-4 If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
9-11 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
Christmas time is about more than gifts, it is about God giving the world the greatest gift- God the Son becoming man!
