The Kenosis Hymn and the poured-out life

The Kenosis Hymn and theservanthood of Christ

Phil 2:1-11

The Philippian church

•The church in Philippi was founded by Paul in hissecond missionary journey (Acts 15:40-18:23) – thefirst church founded in Europe as a result of theMacedonian vision

•Paul wrote this letter while in a Roman prison

•Paul had a very close relationship with the church inPhilippi.

–He received financial support (4:15-18)

–Epraphroditus was sent as an aide to him(2:25)

Paul’s concern for the church

•There was a problem with disunity in the church 2 1Ifyou have any encouragement from being united with Christ, ….. 2thenmake my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, …. 4 2Iplead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other inthe Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women ….

•There were preachers who had ulterior motives Phil1:15 Some … are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, …17 thinking tocause me distress in my imprisonment.

•There were some self-serving leaders 2 3Do nothing out ofselfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others betterthan yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests,but also to the interests of others.

The Kenosis Hymn

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equalitywith God a thing to be grasped, {Christ’s status} 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and beingmade in the likeness of men. 8Being found in appearance as a man, Hehumbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, evendeath on a cross. {Christ’s servanthood and obedience}

9For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Himthe name which is above every name, 10so that at the name of JesusEVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth andunder the earth, 11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christis Lord, to the glory of God the Father. {Christ’s exaltation}

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality withGod something to be grasped,… (Phil 2:6)

One divine essence with the Father

Co-equality with the Father

Yet distinct in Person

Christ’s prayer for unity:

‘…….that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and Iin You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believethat You sent Me.’ (John 17:21)

Relationship dynamics from the Trinitarian perspective

•Community: And God said, “Let us make man …..”(Gen 1:26)

•Communion: “….Father, though the world does not know you, I knowyou…’ (John17:25)

•Collaboration: In sovereign love God created the heavens and theearth and called and formed a people to be a light to all the nations. Incostly grace the Lord Jesus Christ ministered among humanity, wascrucified and raised for our salvation. In transforming power the Holy Spiritsanctifies us, draws us into new communion with God and each other. TheTriune God does all this through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the loveof God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit

Kenosis

but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being

made in the likeness of men. (Phil 2:7, NASB)

Ekenosen=‘He emptied’;root=kenoo; to make void, or noreputation, to abase

Kenosis of Christ – The Son of God who becamethe Son of Man

6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality withGod a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. (Phil 2:6-7)

•It is NOT Christ emptying of His divinity to becomeman For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,.. (Col2:9)

•It is Christ laying aside the form of God to take theform of a servant

•Paul’s understanding of kenosis ….that though he was rich,yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty mightbecome rich. (2 Cor 8:9)

Christ’s redefinition of greatness

whoever wants to become great among you must be yourservant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave(Matt 20:26,27)

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: (Phil 2:5)

The Triune God

Communion

Community

Collaboration

Servanthood

Koinonia

The Triune God

The Church

Community

Communion

Collaboration

Servanthood

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that youalso may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with theFather and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)

Konoinia

Koinonia

Community

•….Your “partnership” in the gospel

Phil 1:5

•“fellow worker” Rom 16:9; 16:21

•…like-minded, …being one in spiritand purpose Phil 2:2

Communion

•…you “share” in our sufferings, …you share in our comfort 2 Cor 1:7)

•Each of you should look not only toyour own interests, but also to theinterests of others Phil 2:4

•Encourage one another and buildeach other up. 1 Thess 5:11

Collaboration

•The eye cannot say to the hand, "Idon't need you!" And the headcannot say to the feet, "I don'tneed you!“ … those parts of thebody that seem to be weaker areindispensable,.. 2 Cor 12:21-22

•…contending as one man for thefaith of the Gospel Phil 1:27

Servanthood

•Serve one another in love Gal 5:13

•But I thought it necessary to sendto you Epaphroditus, my brotherand fellow worker and fellowsoldier, who is also your messengerand minister to my need Phil 1:25

•…Consider others better thanyourselves Phil 2:3

Koinonia

Collaboration

Servanthood

Community

Communion

Vision

Fulfilment

‘To present believerscomplete in Christ'

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, sothat we may present everyone perfect in Christ. (Col 1:28)

Teleios=full grown, mature,perfect, complete

Proclamation

Teaching

Training

Koinonia

Collaboration

Servanthood

Community

Communion

Vision

Fulfilment

Reflection

Make me a servant, humble and meek

Lord let me lift up, those who are weak

And may the prayer of my heart always be

Make me a servant, make me a servant

Make me a servant, today

Words and Music: Kelly Willard (1982).