Philippians 2:5-11

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5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So, what is this attitude that was in Jesus that we are to have in us? Jesus didn't flaunt His deity-His equality with God. So, we must not flaunt anything we have going for us in comparison with others.

Jesus emptied Himself-voluntarily laid down the supernatural attributes and powers. Jesus could pick up these supernatural powers and did from time to time as needed. So, although we have no supernatural attributes to lay down, maybe this flows out of the "flaunting" and means for us to not assert ourselves over others.

Jesus took on the role of a bond-servant-being made in the likeness of men. This is where Jesus was God available! So, we, too, must be "God-available" to people around us in that we are Jesus to them-the only form of Jesus they may ever encounter. Jesus became obedient to the point of death-even the most shameful death. So, we must focus and discipline our lives to be obedient to what God has for us each day and for the long-haul. This obedience is what I refer to when I say that following Jesus is the most difficult thing I've ever done. This is why I feel I must be stubborn about embracing the teachings and principles of Jesus as a lifestyle, not just in a verbal sense, but in a vital sense!

When Jesus embraced this attitude, GOD HIGHLY EXALTED HIM. He was given a name above every name-a name when spoken will cause every knee in the universe to bow before Him and someday every tongue will confess that Jesus, the Messiah, is the Lord God. This is why we do things "in the name of Jesus" and pray "in the name of Jesus." There is so much power in His name.

On the Saturday before Easter I had the privilege of using the name of Jesus and experienced this power. I was invited to speak before an assembly of primarily Buddhists and Muslims. Every other religious faith and culture was represented as well. It was an even hosted by the Dalai Lama and Imam Khorisani to promote peace and compassion among the different peoples. After hearing a variety of speakers from everywhere speak, I was brought up at the very last of a 2 hour session. When I said, "I bring you greetings in the name of Jesus", I sensed a clarity and power overshadowed that room of about 750 people. Many others reflected to me that same feeling came over them-Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian. IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

There is one other thing about this ATTITUDE that I want to mention. All of this is another way of saying to us to take on humility. I heard from a brother yesterday a poignant definition of humility that I want to share with you today. Humility is believing all that God says about Himself and all that God says about you, and pride slips in the moment we don't believe these two things.