LifeWay Bible Studies for Life Series for December 27: Hark! The herald angels sing

LifeWay Bible Studies for Life Series for December 27: Hark! The herald angels sing focuses on Philippians 2:5-11.

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This beautiful passage from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians may well have been the quotation of a hymn sung in Christian worship, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." The passage points to the example of humble service to others though the sacrifice of self. The well-known Christmas hymn that provides the title to this lesson contains many of the same teachings as in Paul’s letter.

The hymn and its teachings

The hymn calls upon all believers to listen (hark) to the words of the angels who are proclaiming God’s message (herald angels). In this hymn, Charles Wesley restates many of the messages of Christmas. The hymn teaches of the birth of Christ as the coming of the King, the presence in him of peace and mercy, and the salvation of sinners through reconciliation. The hymn declares Jesus was and is Christ, the promised Messiah. It calls us to worship the eternal, everlasting Lord. It emphasizes the biblical teaching of the miraculous, virgin birth. The hymn celebrates the human incarnation of the everlasting deity. It speaks of the humble spirit of Jesus who came to die that humans no longer should have to die and that he came to raise believers to the second birth. Few writings combine so many biblical truths in one page or so strongly call on us to follow the beautiful example of the Master’s loving, humble service.

Following the service example of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8)

Paul’s words emphasize many of the same teachings. Christians should accept and implement Jesus’ example for loving, humble service. We should allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to take into our lives the attitude of Jesus. This spiritual experience would guide us to die to self so that we might live for others. It would require us to voluntarily put aside those personal possessions and passions so that we might follow Jesus in serving others in Christ. In this way, Christians find life’s ultimate meaning.

The letter to the Philippians was written by Paul from prison—most likely in Rome. The church at Philippi had sent Epaphroditus with a monetary gift to Paul. Epaphroditus became ill in Rome, and when the church heard of the sickness, they were concerned greatly. Paul wrote this letter to assure them of Epaphroditus’ condition, thank them for the gift, and inform them he was sending Epaphroditus back to Philippi.

Paul also used the letter to help the church with a problem that had developed. Two good women in the church had fallen into disagreement. Paul counseled that this break in fellowship be healed. In his advice on this matter and the other messages he desired to send to the Philippian believers, Paul quoted the amazing passage in our lesson.

Paul called upon all believers to accept the mind or attitude of Christ Jesus. The apostle explained this attitude pointing out that Christ existed in the form of God. From eternity, the everlasting Christ was not just like God—the Son was divine.

The example of Christ shows the willingness to voluntarily give up one’s rights to serve others. Christ, fully divine, did not consider this equality with God something to be held on to at any cost and used for his own advantage. Instead, he emptied himself by voluntarily setting aside his divine rights, coming to earth as a full human and giving himself as ransom for all.

Christ voluntarily assumed the form (nature) of a slave to show the ultimate reality of his servanthood. As God in human flesh, Christ humbled himself and took on the life of obedience to the will of the Father. This plan of God directed Jesus Christ to an obedience that took him to death on the cross. On that cross, the sinless Son of God accepted in his soul what it meant to be forsaken by God. He took on himself the full weight of our sin that we might know the forgiveness that places us in right standing with God.

To the degree we are able to follow the example of Christ in humble servanthood, we can help others and bring them joy in life.


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Joining in the fullest worship of the Christ (Philippians 2:9-11)

Paul wrote, for this reason (because Jesus had followed God’s will in humble servanthood and been obedient even to death), God highly exalted Him. God raised Jesus from the dead and placed him in the ultimate place of honor. The name of Jesus then, is above every other name. The concept of “name” carried the meaning of character or person. Hence, by his faithfulness, Jesus received the ultimate reward.

Because of this exaltation, every person (knee) should come to worship the Lord. Those in heaven, those on earth and those under the earth was a biblical way of saying everyone. Under the earth may refer to those who were dead. Every tongue (another way of saying all people) should confess Jesus Christ is Lord. All should proclaim Jesus and acknowledge him as Lord. In humble service to others, we can help people receive and understand the ultimate nature of God.

We serve God by serving others. We only serve others to the degree or extent that we set our own desires and plans aside and in humility find ways to help others in their lives. Jesus is the perfect and ultimate example of such humble service. May we follow at least some of that way of life.


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