In our passage, Paul reveals the secret of how to rejoice and take confidence in humility. Through humility, we discover that unity, like-mindedness, and even Christlikeness all become possible. This passage is set against the background of two quarrelling ladies in the church at Philippi. That quarrel was threatening to destroy the unity of the whole church. The apostle has made it clear already in this letter that the secret of maintaining unity is humility. To live in harmony, we must learn to die to self and humbly live for others for Jesus’ sake. 

1. The Pattern For Humbling Ourselves Is Jesus Christ (v. 5-8)
2. The Pattern For Being Exalted By God Is Jesus Christ (v. 9-11)

Paul exhorts the Philippian church (and us) to have the same mind as Christ. That changed and transformed mind will produce this love and humility that will portray the beauty of Christ and His Gospel to the ends of the Earth. To live in harmony, we must learn to die to self and humbly live for others for Jesus’ sake. To illustrate this point, Paul sets before us the person of our Lord Jesus Christ as the example of supreme humility. 

Verses 7-8 trace the four downward steps Jesus took in his journey of humble obedience to the Father.  Jesus had travelled from the highest place to the lowest place. Jesus became a servant, He became a human being, He became obedient to death and finally he suffered the humiliation of the cross. 

There was no place lower the Son of God could go than death on a cross. The cross was the heart of Jesus’ mission, and it is the heart of the gospel. Apart from Jesus’ death for us on the cross, there would be no salvation. Apart from Jesus’ death for us on the cross, there would be no hope of eternal life. 

God calls us to have the same attitude as Jesus. God calls us to step out of our comfort zone, let go of our rights, and humbly serve each other out of obedience to God. There is no task too small to do for Jesus. There is no obedience too difficult that God requires. There is no reward so sweet as that which God gives.