THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST Philippians 2:8 I. Introduction. A. The perfect example of obedience: Christ. B. Our need of obedience: Hebrews 5:9. C. Determine what he did--can see what we must do. II. Body. A. Christ's obedience was purely voluntary. John 10:17-18. 1. Did not feel threatened into doing as he did. 2. He willingly, freely(without hesitation, complaining, or griping), chose to come to this earth. (Many of us feel threatened into doing what is expected of those who would please the Lord.) 3. Any obedience to God is voluntary(man is freewill). 4. This is the one who pleaded: Matthew 11 :28-30. B. Christ did not object to leaving heaven to obey: Philippians 2:6. 1. Can you imagine the contrast? a. State of bliss vs. state of agony & suffering. b. Angels vs. sin-cursed men. 2. Cannot get some people out of easy chair-- 3. Yet-Romans 12:1. 4. Today, he asks men to leave this world to obtain heaven. C. While Christ obeyed, He behaved as a man: Philippians 2:7. 1. Not only does he fully understand men, he proved what a man could do. 2. Note: Hebrews 2:17-18. 3. The real problem: Christ understands me better than I understand myself. D. Jesus placed obedience before His family. Matthew 12:46-50. 1. A difficult situation--but was expected & done. 2. Uppermost in His mind: pleasing Heavenly Father. 3. The choice is obvious for those who have proper spiritual values. 4. Not an easy decision to make when aims of family interfere with responsibility to God. 5. Yet--Luke 18: 29-30. 6. The Lord never asked a man to give up something to obey Him that He did not offer something better. E. To obey God, Christ lived without luxuries. Matthew 8:20. I. Enjoy the "good life"--don't you? 2. Wonder if Lord would feel out of place in most assemblies in our day? 3. God does not expect one to I ive as a starving hermit--but he does expect us to be sacrificial. 4. Paul was: II Corinthians 11 :27. F. As part of His obedience, Jesus endured great suffering: Hebrews 5:8. 1. The minor aches & pains afflicting each of us seem small indeed compared to price paid by the Lord. 2. Mental torment before & during crucifixion must have been tremendous. 3. How different from those of us who seek to avoid, at all costs, the least discomfort. G. Obedience demanded Christ yield to God's will at the close of His earthly existence: Matthew 26:39. I. Had he faltered & refused: would not be obedient. 2. Even though His flesh cried NO--His spirit said YES. 3. One can only know whether he is truly obedient when the conflict between his desire & God's will creates a turmoil inside him. 4. When one refuses even the simple commands, he is no candidate for the obedience of this nature. H. Jesus obeyed, yea, to the point of death: Philipppians 2:8. I. Obeyed--knowing the price. 2. Why? Hebrews 2:9. 3. He gave the greatest gift to obey God. 4. Today: Philippians 2:5. III. Conclusion: Are you obedient?-jy