When God Became Nothing to Become Everything
Taught by Pastor Isaac Oyedepo
Pastor Isaac opens Philippians chapter 2 by unpacking Paul's urgent call for spiritual unity in the church at Philippi, a cosmopolitan congregation in a thriving city comparable to modern-day Lagos or New York. Paul's questions in verse 1 build a case that if there is any encouragement from belonging to Christ, any comfort from his love, any fellowship in the Spirit, the proof should be visible unity. Verses 5 through 11, likely drawn from a hymn sung in the early church and paralleling the suffering servant prophecy in Isaiah 53, reveal the depths of Christ's humility. Jesus, though equal with God, did not cling to his divine privileges but emptied himself entirely, took on the humble position of a slave, was born as a human being, and died a criminal's death on a cross. Pastor Isaac stresses that the Greek word behind 'gave up his divine privileges' means Jesus emptied himself completely, not partially. For divinity to take on humanity, it takes humility. Because Jesus emptied himself, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above every name.
This is a Wednesday Berean Session recorded on April 8, 2026, the first session of the second week studying Philippians. The previous week covered Philippians chapter 1 across three sessions.
Summary
Pastor Isaac opens Philippians chapter 2 by unpacking Paul's urgent call for spiritual unity in the church at Philippi, a cosmopolitan congregation in a thriving city comparable to modern-day Lagos or New York. Paul's questions in verse 1 build a case that if there is any encouragement from belonging to Christ, any comfort from his love, any fellowship in the Spirit, the proof should be visible unity. Verses 5 through 11, likely drawn from a hymn sung in the early church and paralleling the suffering servant prophecy in Isaiah 53, reveal the depths of Christ's humility. Jesus, though equal with God, did not cling to his divine privileges but emptied himself entirely, took on the humble position of a slave, was born as a human being, and died a criminal's death on a cross. Pastor Isaac stresses that the Greek word behind 'gave up his divine privileges' means Jesus emptied himself completely, not partially. For divinity to take on humanity, it takes humility. Because Jesus emptied himself, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above every name.
Key Points
Paul opens Philippians 2 with questions that build a case for unity. If there is encouragement from belonging to Christ, comfort from his love, fellowship in the Spirit, and tender hearts, then the proof is agreeing wholeheartedly, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
When a church is in true unity, powerful things happen. Pastor Isaac calls it the symphony of revival, like the church playing a music that is pleasing to the ears of the Lord.
Paul differentiates between selfishness and humility. What selfishness destroys, humility will build. Selfishness is ruining the body of Christ, but true humility can rebuild it.
Paul was safeguarding the church's unity before division ever took root. There was no historical evidence of division in the Philippian church, yet Paul wrote about it anyway. He was taking care of a problem before it began.
Verses 5 through 11 likely originated as a hymn sung in the early church, with a central focus on Christ and strong parallels to the suffering servant prophecy in Isaiah 53.
The Greek behind 'gave up his divine privileges' means Jesus emptied himself, not partially but completely. For divinity to take on humanity, it takes humility. God allowed the womb of his creation to carry the creator.
Humility is not a pious posture. It is proven in obedience, in emptying yourself, and in giving up what others consider privileges to follow divine instructions.