The Humility of Christmas

Pastor Phil Andrukaitis, December 10, 2023, 3rd Advent Sunday

Advent Theme for 2023:  Christmas, What’s It All About?

Sermon Title:  The Humility of Christmas

Sermon Text:  Philippians 2:5-11

Subject:  The Humility of God

Complement:  Jesus Christ humbled Himself as God’s sacrificial gift for our eternal well-being (salvation).

Dominating Idea:  The perfect gift is rooted in a humble heart.

INTRODUCTION

As we are well into the Christmas season, a season known for giving gifts to others, consumers are frantically spending money and running up credit card balances to provide “Christmas gifts” for family and friends.  But a question arises, why do we give gifts to one another at Christmas?

Consider the following true story:  Margaret, an 81-year-old woman…has received plenty of holiday gifts in her time. The one gift that stands out as her favorite is a flower box her son David installed on the balcony outside of her room after she moved into assisted living housing a decade ago.  David came up with the idea on his own and surprised me with it, said Margaret.  I hadn’t realized how much I missed my garden until he installed it; the whole thing made me so happy. To this day, Margaret continues to beam as she tells her story to others.

Kit Yarrow of “Time Magazine” believes that Margaret’s son has hit upon the “magic trifecta” of the perfect gift:  generosity, insight, and emotional impact.[1]

While gifts are designed to bring joy and happiness to the recipient, it is important to realize that gifts are a powerful form of communication.

Consider the gifts you have received throughout your lifetime.  If we were to take a poll, I’m sure many of you would admit to having received a bad gift from time to time.  What makes for a bad gift?  Here are some characteristics, though far from being an exhaustive list.

      • When the gift is “all about me”:  In other words, when a household is on a fixed income and yet purchases gifts they cannot afford, it is a gift that brings incredible amount of financial stress on the family and thereby denies lasting joy for the giver and recipient.
      • When the gift is a regift:  Unless the gift is a family heirloom, regifts can be belittling and hurtful gifts because little to no thought was invested into the gift or the recipient.
      • When a gift is passive-aggressive:  Imagine, a parent giving a beautiful cashmere sweater to her each of her daughters except for one and instead of a cashmere sweater, the remaining daughter is given a coffee mug.

 Yeah, we know a bad gift when we see it.

TRANSITIONAL THOUGHTS

So, how do we recognize a good gift?  Moreover, what biblical insights might help us give good gifts to others and discern good gifts from others?  We could look at the very first Christmas when the Magi, the Wise Men from the East who presented their gifts to the 2-year-old Jesus and draw some conclusions about giving gifts.

However, I would rather go back into eternity past and reflect upon the heart of God where His greatest gift was conceived in His heart – eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Jesus defined eternal life in this way:  “And this is eternal life, that they [believers] may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

Therefore, God’s gift of eternal life represents His nature and expresses His feelings towards you and me.

      • The gift of eternal life appeared when Jesus, The God-Man, was born. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
      • The gift of eternal life was secured when Jesus was crucified on the cross.  “For He [Father] made Him [Jesus] Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2nd Corinthians 5:21).
      • The gift of eternal life brings the certainty of hope when Jesus was raised.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1st Peter 1:3).
      • The gift of eternal life is a promise from God, a promise that will never be broken because it is written in His Word.  “And this is the testimony:  that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1st John 5:11-13).

What gift did God give to you and me?  Listen again to the apostle John, “For God [God the Father] so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Therefore, the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord is a declaration about the Giver [God], the recipients [sinners], and the relationship between them.

If we are to see more clearly the heart of God and understand why He gave His Son as a sacrifice for sinners like you and me so that we might receive His gift of eternal life, let us turn a passage that explains the heart / mind of Jesus Christ.  Please turn to Philippians 2:5-11.

Here are five characteristics of Jesus’ heart / mind whereby He exhibited humility – the foundation of His blessed gift of eternal life to you and me.

I.  Jesus thought about the needs of others and chose to willingly surrender His rights and privileges (2:5-6).

II.  Jesus served others by willingly exchanging His welfare for the sake of others (2:7).

III.  Jesus disguised His rightful honor by avoiding any boasting of Himself (2:8a).

IV.  Jesus sacrificed everything to accomplish God’s will (2:8b).

V.  Humility brings honor and delight to the giver and recipient (2:9-11).

Dominating Idea:  The perfect gift is rooted in a humble heart.

MEANING of the TEXT

I.  Jesus thought about the needs of others and chose to willingly surrender His rights and privileges (2:5-6).           

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

Who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God…”
(Philippians 2:5-6)

As the Son of God, the Second Person in the Godhead, Jesus did not demand the use of His divine authority and privileges.  Jesus Who possesses all the attributes of God is recognized by the heavenly host as God (Isaiah 6).

Rather, Jesus thought of others and the will of God.  Jesus thought so deeply on our needs that He willingly surrendered His rights and privileges to save us and to fellowship with us.  That is humility.

Moreover, Jesus did not use His equality with God the Father or His power and rights to hold onto what already belongs to Him [HONOR and GLORY].  Moreover, Jesus did not demand the use of His divine authority but rather, Jesus waived them aside so that He may identify with humanity in every way to die on the cross for our sins.

The humble, submissive mind thinks about the needs of others, not just his own needs, rights, or privileges.

Dominating Idea:  The perfect gift is rooted in a humble heart.

II.  Jesus served others by willingly exchanging His welfare for the sake of others (2:7).

“…but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant,
and coming in the likeness of men.”
(Philippians 2:7)

As the Son of God, the Second Person in the Godhead, Jesus is unable to discard His deity and declare before His creation that He is no longer God (2nd Timothy 2:13).  Rather, Jesus stripped Himself of the insignia of majesty [Lightfoot].  In other words, when Jesus “made Himself no reputation” [“emptied” Himself”] ekenose…

      • Jesus gave up His dwelling place, Heaven (Isaiah 6) and His independent use of His own attributes as God. That is humility.
      • Jesus permanently became a human in a sinless, physical body.  Jesus exchanged His heavenly robes for a slave’s garments.  Therefore, since Jesus added the human dimension to His divine nature, He was choosing to express His humility, not His majesty.
      • Jesus used His body to become a servant.  Moreover, Jesus chose to become poor for our sakes that we through His poverty might become rich (2nd Corinthians 8:9).  That is humility.
      • Jesus took His body and sacrificed Himself on the cross, dying willingly to pay our sin debt.  Again, that is humility.

The humble, submissive mind serves other by willingly exchanging his welfare for the sake of others.

Dominating Idea:  The perfect gift is rooted in a humble heart.

III.  Jesus disguised His rightful honor by avoiding any boasting of Himself (2:8a).

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself…”
(Philippians 2:8a)

As the Son of God, the Second Person in the Godhead, Jesus voluntarily came to those who needed Him and allowed sinners to come close and even touch Him.  Jesus had compassion on the multitudes because they were sheep without a shepherd, sheep in need of healing, sheep who were exhausted and ready to faint.

In addition, while Jesus heard their cries and fears and lack of faith, He also heard the criticisms and curses from those who did not humble themselves before Him.

Moreover, accused of being a criminal and a rebel worthy of a criminal’s death, a slave’s death by way of crucifixion, Jesus stood before Herod who mocked Him and before Pilate who chose to be politically correct.  And yet, Jesus never complained or called for heaven’s immediate deliverance. Jesus humbled Himself and never lost sight of His mission.

The OT prophet Jeremiah wrote:  “Thus says the LORD:  Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD Who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.  For in these things I delight, declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-25).

The humble, submissive mind disguises his rightful honor by avoiding a boasting of himself.

Dominating Idea:  The perfect gift is rooted in a humble heart.

IV.  Jesus sacrificed everything to accomplish God’s will (2:8b).

“…and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
(Philippians 2:8b)

As the Son of God, the Second Person in the Godhead, Jesus was committed to the Father’s plan and committed to rescue our souls from the penalty, power, and presence of sin.  Read Romans 6 and 2nd Corinthians 5:21.

When you think about it, both the Father and Son were being humble.  The Father was giving up His Son to save sinners.  It is beyond the scope of my limited love and understanding to sacrifice my son to save those who hate him and me.  And yet, that is exactly what the Father did.  And Jesus willingly obeyed His Father’s will.

Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing [J. H. Jowett].  Most folks are willing to serve but just if it doesn’t cost them anything.  If there is a price to pay, some of those folks will walk away.  If there is to be any blessing, there must be some “bleeding.”[2]

The humble, submissive mind sacrifices everything to accomplish God’s will.

Dominating Idea:  The perfect gift is rooted in a humble heart.

V.  Humility brings honor and delight to the giver and recipient (2:9-11).

“Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him
and given Him the Name, which is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

and that every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:9-11)

Because of the humility of the Son of God, He has been rewarded with glory and honor.  As we speak, the Son of God, the Second Person in the Godhead is at the right hand of the Majesty on High because He is God and has purged His people of their sins (Hebrews 1:3).

Presently, Jesus is interceding for those who have come to God through Him.  Soon, Jesus will return for His church.  And one day, Jesus will wipe away our tears and remove our sorrows (Revelation 21:4-5).

Dominating Idea:  The perfect gift is rooted in a humble heart.

SIGNIFICANCE of and APPLICATIONS from the TEXT

So, how do we apply this passage in this season of giving gifts – Christmas?

While it helps us to understand that most gift exchanges are intended to preserve and strengthen relationships within ritualized occasions [e.g. birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Christmas, etc.], know that…

      • …Gifts represent the nature of the giver.
      • …Gifts express the feelings towards the recipient.
      • …Gifts reveal the nature of the relationship between the giver and recipient.

Therefore, as you “wrap up” your Christmas shopping for this year, consider anew the reasons behind giving gifts to family and friends at Christmas and at other special occasions.

First, let your gift reflect selflessness.  A humble attitude towards the one receiving your gift is the first step towards giving a good gift.

Second, let your gift reflect a servant’s heart.  While a servant seeks to please his/her master, seek to please others by bringing them happiness and joy.  Consider their needs more important than you needs.

Third, design your gift to be distinctively appropriate.  Look at others through eyes of compassion [compassion of Jesus] and then you will see their real need and know what gift is best for them.

Fourth, let your gift be costly.  Gifts that reflect personal sacrifice [e.g. time, effort, resources] are most appreciated.

Fifth, design your gift to bring joy that will last for a long time.  Don’t fall into the trap of giving a gift out of obligation or to repay someone else who gave you a gift.

Finally, recognize the value of God’s gift to you.  Jesus Christ entered this sin-cursed, dark and cold world to become the Lamb of God Who would take away the sins of the world.  The season of giving began in eternity past and was demonstrated throughout the earthly life of Jesus.

Dominating Idea:  The perfect gift is rooted in a humble heart.

The gift from God the Father continues to impact lives today as sinners are given the “second birth” by receiving Christ by faith.

What about you?  Have you received God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus?  Come to Him.  Agree with God that you have sinned.  Believe that Jesus bled and died for your sins and rose from the dead.  Confess to Him that He is Lord and that you desire His forgiveness and the certainty of heaven.

May this Christmas be the most meaningful one for you because of your relationship with Jesus Christ.

[1] Kit Yarrow, The 3 Essential Elements for Giving the Absolute Best Holiday Gifts, [doc online]; from https://money.com/essential-elements-giving-best-holiday-gifts/, accessed 2023 Dec. 9.

[2] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Expository Commentary, Volume 2, (Wheaton:  Victor Books, 1989), p. 75.