The Way Up Is Down

Status is addictive, and it’s easy to confuse being noticed with being lifted up. We slow down in Philippians 2:8–11 to look at a different kind of greatness: Jesus choosing humility, surrender, and obedience “to the point of death, even the death of the cross,” and then God exalting him with the name above every name. That one passage becomes a mirror for our motives and a map for Christian humility that actually leads to lasting honor.

We also connect the warning and the promise of Luke 18:14 to everyday discipleship. Self-made exaltation sounds strong, but it collapses into defeat and dishonor. God’s way is harder on our pride and far better for our souls: bow now, confess Christ as Lord, and let God define promotion. Along the way, we reflect on the atonement, why the cross was meant for sinners, and how Jesus took our place so forgiveness and eternal life could be ours.

Finally, we look at what God’s exaltation of Christ means for the future: resurrection victory, Christ reigning forever, and the sober truth that every knee will bow. For believers, that future is not just awe, it’s hope. We’re invited into spiritual growth, fruitfulness, and the promise of being joint heirs with Christ as we serve him eternally. If this encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review. What’s one area where you need to trade self-exaltation for humility today?

Visit Us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/NorthClintonAvenueChurchOfChrist

Transcript

Copy Transcript Copied

SPEAKER_00 0:42

Third harmily I want to bring to you for us to keep as Christians, as believers, to keep us understanding from the word how we ought to live and what we need to do to keep in tune with the Father's will that he may get the glory. Praise God. I want to call your attention to Philippians' letter, second Philippians, the second chapter. Verses eight through eleven we're going to meditate upon these words.

Scripture Focus In Philippians 2

SPEAKER_00 1:30

Philippians, the second chapter, verses eight through eleven. It's very important that we listen carefully and meditate upon the words that he has given us. The Bible teaches he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, that the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those in heaven, 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. As we listen to listen to the reading of the scripture, we want to talk to you and have you thinking today, Jesus, Jesus, the ultimate example of godly exaltation. We live in a world that for the most part so many are wishing for exaltation to be lifted up. They want to make a name for themselves. That's the world, worldly thinking. There is an ungodly self-sufficient

Jesus As Godly Exaltation Example

SPEAKER_00 3:24

exaltation. It leads to defeat and dishonor. Everyone, listen to the Bible. Everyone who exalts himself will be abase. That means everyone who exalts himself or herself will be brought low. Luke eighteen and verse fourteen. On the other hand, there is a godly self-denying humility that leads to a proper exaltation. He who humbles himself will be exalted. Let me read that again. Luke eighteen fourteen. He who exalts himself shall be abased, the Bible says. But in Luke eighteen and fourteen it says, He who humbles himself will be exalted. We saw in our previous meditations that Jesus was the ultimate example of humility. Here we see that he is also the ultimate example of godly exaltation. Jesus humbly surrendered himself to the will of the Father, that our salvation may be secured through his atoning death. He died for us. Never forget it. Christ died for our sins, the wages of sin, death. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. When he died on the cross, he died, he knew, he took our judgment, he humbled himself and became obedient to

The Cross And Our Salvation

SPEAKER_00 5:30

the point of death, even the death of the cross. You know what Paul says as he's writing, even the death of the cross. You see, death on the cross was for sinner. It was judgment to one who had sinned. Wasn't for the righteous man, it wasn't for the righteous woman at all, it was for those who sinned. Jesus took our own place. He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. It was made for the sinner. But you see, the Son of God had done no sin. He took our our sin upon himself, and he had to take the judgment. Praise God. He did it because of the Father's love for us, and of the Son's love, and care not his father's will. Therefore, because of what he has done, therefore, God also has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name. First, Jesus was raised victoriously from the dead, and seated at the Father's right hand, being granted the name above all names. He raised him from the dead and seated him

The Name Above Every Name

SPEAKER_00 7:33

at his right hand in the heavenly places Ephesians one and verse twenty. Some day he will return triumphantly. Then I saw heaven open, and behold a white horse, and he who sat on him was called faithful and true. And in righteousness he judges and makes war. Revelation 18 and verse eleven. Finally, he will rule forever sovereignly of the increase of his government, the Bible teaches us, and peace, there will be no end. Listen to what it says, there will be no end to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from time from that time forward, even forever. Read your Bible, Isaiah nine and verse seven. Those who must be forced to bow at the end will be separated from him forever. Those who humbly bow and confess him now will be exalted. Now that is lifted up now into heavenly realms of forgiveness, blessing, growth, and fruitfulness, even eventually, they will enter into his eternal

Bow Now Or Bow Later

SPEAKER_00 9:30

exaltation. Why? The Bible teaches you and me, think on it, we are joint heirs with Christ. Joint heirs. What does that mean? What belongs to Christ, what God has given Christ, we have it too, given to us also. Serving oh Him forever. The pathway to the pathway is humility. Hard lesson to learn. We are not naturally humble, we are exalted. We like to exalt ourselves without God's help. He, Jesus, is the ultimate example of godly exaltation because he's an example of godly humility. He humbled himself, yet will rule eternally. We humble ourselves before him now, yet we reign with him forever. Praise God. Oh what oh what it means. Oh what it's what beautiful thing we understand that we are in Christ and Christ is in us now through the Holy Spirit that He has given us. Praise God for what He's done and doing. Lord Jesus, what an amazing path you walked from humble servanthood to the heavenly throne. What a grand exaltation will be yours forever. What

Joint Heirs Through Humility

SPEAKER_00 11:27

an astounding joy to know that I will join you in that exaltation, serving you eternally, praise God. Lord, I humble myself before you. We hope that everyone that's a member of your body will do the same. Make me your faithful servant. Now, while I await the glorious privilege that is coming, not only to me, but all of us who are listening today, and we say so be it. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before his presence with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and honor. Peace be unto you, Lord, and the peace you have given us, we give you the praise. You keep us from falling. We thank you for the blessings that is ours eternally. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.