Advent Study: Incarnation (Session 2) The Christ Hymn

 

Incarnation Session Two

Dec 3, 2024

 The Christ Hymn (Philippians 2:5-11)

 

at the name given to Jesus
    every knee should bend,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 
and every tongue should confess
    that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father
Philippians 2:10-11


Christmas is a time of giving. God gave the world the Christ child. Magi from the east brought Mary and Joseph gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Paul’s epistle to the Philippians is often called the Letter of Joy. Paul opens his letter with words of joy. Read Philippians 1:3-6

 

I thank my God every time I remember you. I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

Paul ends his letter by encouraging the Church to rejoice always.

 

 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! (Philippians 4:4-5)

 

Even though the epistle to the Philippians is filled with joyous hope, the letter was written to address some disagreements in the congregation. Read Philippians 4:2. Paul wrote his letter from prison (Php1:13) which makes the joyous tone even more surprising. He writes with confidence that the Philippians will grow in love and righteousness.

 

Read Philippians 1:27

 

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that—whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent—I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel

 

The Philippians were persecuted for their faith in Christ by people in their region. Both Jews and Pagans resented Christians. Some Jews resented the Church because they viewed Christians as heretics who had abandoned the covenant through Moses.  Some Pagans despised Christians because their faith in Jesus was so different from their beliefs in many gods.  Even today, there are those who resent Christians who maintain that there is only one God and only one way to know God through faith in Jesus.

 

Read Philippians 1:29

 

For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him.

 

The stress of persecution likely led to the disagreements within the congregation on how best to proceed, but the disagreements could be about anything. What matters to Paul is Christlike behavior and unity in the church. Paul precedes the Christ Hymn by exhorting the church to

Be of the same mind, same love, be united in the Spirit of Christ, and have one purpose. The Church is to do away with selfish ambition (self-promotion and partisanship) or vanity (conceit). Instead, be humble toward one another.

 

“be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.” (Php 2:3b-4)

 

This leads us to the Christ Hymn. Read Philippians 2:5-11

 

·         What do you learn about the attitude of Christ?

·         What do you feel led to do in response to God’s word, here?

·         What does this hymn teach about incarnation?

·         What would your life look like if you emptied yourself of your self and began to humbly serve others?

 

Read Philippians 2:12-13

 

 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God. 

 

We learn from this that incarnation means God inhabiting our hearts, changing us from the inside, shaping our wants and desires to be like God’s and then giving us the power to carry out God’s desires.

 

The NIV puts it this way:  “…it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Php 2:13)

 

·         What spiritual practices help you get in touch with the Spirit of Jesus within you?

·         How might we pray for you to become more like Christ?

·         What people in your life are you going to to serve humbly?

 

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