Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name ~Philippians 2:9
Starting a new sermon series is always exciting and this one is in particular because of the opportunity to learn more of Jesus. Pastor began the series by preaching from Philippians chapter two and focusing on verses nine through eleven. I love this passage because it is the text God used in my own conversion when He saved me. When I heard these Words (Philippians 2:9-11) nearly 20 years ago coming from the car radio I came face-to-face with the truth that Jesus Christ is LORD!
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2:10,11
The day I heard those Words, I came to know Jesus as Savior and LORD, but there are many who do not know Jesus in that way. To most He is just another figure who has come and gone through history. Even today, with the Gospel being spread in print, on the airwaves, and over the internet, many still do not know the Christ. People are hearing about Jesus, but people aren’t listening about Who He is. For many, there is no time in their lives for the truth; it is far easier to go with the flow than to struggle against the lies that have been laid down over the centuries. After all, if one is to recognize Jesus is LORD and God come in the flesh, then one is responsible to do something with that knowledge.
And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” ~Luke 4:33,34
Even though some confusion may exist in the world about who Jesus is, there are some that know Him. The Bible reveals even the demons know Christ. It would have been in Satan’s best interest to deny or even ignore Jesus whenever He came onto the scene. He (Satan) also could have pretended Jesus was a compatriot so that he might discredit the Son of God. However, the simple fact remains that once in the presence of the LORD, the demons could do nothing else except acknowledge Jesus for Who He is… The Holy One of God!
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. ~Isaiah 53:4,5
The Born Again Believer knows their Savior came over two thousand years ago to fulfill the will of God. Jesus, born to a virgin, entered this world with the mission to redeem fallen man. He came to bear the burden of our sin and forever nail it to the cross, sealing the promise of eternal life with His own resurrection. The prophet Isaiah paints for us the picture of the “Suffering Servant”, this is how Jesus came to us so long ago, and this is the story so many people have not yet heard. So many people are still confused about who Jesus is. However, there is coming a day when there will be no more confusion. When our Lord returns, He will come not to be judged and condemned by man again, but to be the Judge and when that happens, every knee shall bow.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2:9,11
This statement by Paul of God exalting Jesus, every knee bowing, and every tongue confessing Him as Lord should not be misunderstood. When Paul says we all one day will bow the knee and proclaim Jesus as Lord, he means we will recognize Jesus as God Himself. Consider this parallel passage from Isaiah when God Almighty said it first…
“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ ~Isaiah 45:22,23