Attitude Adoption
What does it really mean to think like Jesus? In this message from Philippians 2:5–11, Pastor David Rose unpacks how Christ’s humility, obedience, and servant-heartedness shape every part of our lives.
He shows how Christ, though equal with God, gave up His rights, took the form of a servant, and obeyed to the point of death, then was exalted and will be worshiped by all. This truth isn’t just theology; it’s a call to live with His mindset in our homes, workplaces, and relationships.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus is the example for living. (Philippians 2:5)
- Jesus was humble. (Philippians 2:6)
- Jesus was a servant. (Philippians 2:7)
- Jesus was obedient. (Philippians 2:8)
- Jesus is exalted. (Philippians 2:9)
- Jesus will be worshiped. (Philippians 2:10)
- Jesus will bring glory to God. (Philippians 2:11)
Further Study
- Looking at verse 5’s command to “adopt the same attitude as Christ Jesus,” how does this connect with Romans 12:2’s call for mind renewal and 2 Corinthians 3:18’s promise of transformation? In what specific ways is your current mindset either aligned with or resistant to Christ’s example of humility?
- Considering verse 6’s statement that Christ “did not consider equality with God something to be exploited,” how does this parallel Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 20:28 about coming “not to be served but to serve”? Where in your life are you tempted to grasp or exploit your own position, privileges, or rights rather than surrender them for others’ benefit?
- Take a minute to consider verse 7’s description of Christ “emptying Himself” and “taking the form of a servant,” how does this connect with Christ’s washing of His disciples’ feet in John 13:1-17? What would it look like for you to “empty yourself” of status, comfort, or privilege in your current relationships and responsibilities?
- In verse 8, we see Christ’s obedience “to the point of death.” How does this supreme act of submission relate to Christ’s prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39) and His call for us to “take up our cross daily” (Luke 9:23)? What specific acts of obedience is God calling you to embrace, even when they involve personal sacrifice?
- Take time to journal your responses to these questions, particularly focusing on areas where your natural inclinations differ from Christ’s example. Consider discussing these questions with your small group or accountability partner, specifically exploring how adopting Christ’s attitude would transform your relationships, workplace interactions, and ministry opportunities.
The Gospel
If you have questions about what it means to be a Christian, we would love to talk with you about it.
Reach outThe Gospel shows us both our desperate need and God’s extraordinary solution. Every religion in the world sets up parameters for people to find their way to God through their own efforts. But Christianity stands unique – it declares we can never be good enough to reach God on our own. That’s why God came to us.
The Gospel begins with our reality: We are under a curse, separated from God by our sin. Deuteronomy 21 tells us that anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse. We see Christ, who “existed in the form of God,” choosing to take on human flesh – not to show us a better way to climb to heaven, but to bring heaven down to us. He emptied Himself, becoming obedient to death on a cross, deliberately placing Himself under that curse – not for His sin, but for ours.
When Christ cried out on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” For the first time in eternity, the perfect communion between Father and Son was broken as Jesus bore our sin. He felt the separation that our sin creates, taking our curse upon Himself so we wouldn’t have to bear it.
But the Gospel doesn’t end at the cross. As Pastor David explained, Christ’s mission continued through His resurrection and ascension, “taking humanity back into the presence of God Himself.” He made it possible for flesh and blood, once scarred and tainted by sin, to be redeemed and restored to relationship with our Creator. Through faith in Christ:
- We move from death to life
- We’re transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light
- We receive the Holy Spirit, who transforms our minds and enables us to live in Christ’s power
The invitation is clear: We can be freed from the curse, adopted into God’s family, and empowered to live with the very mind of Christ. This truth compels us to respond, not by trying harder to reach God, but by surrendering to the One who reached down to us.
For those who haven’t yet embraced this Gospel, come to Christ and find freedom and hope. For those who have, we’re called to live out this Gospel by adopting His humble, servant-hearted attitude, making His saving work known to others who are “near to us but far from God.”
This is the Gospel: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the sacrifice that removes our curse and restores us to relationship with Him. In response, we’re invited to surrender to Him, to come to life and come out from under the curse and find freedom and hope in Christ.