Grace Lutheran
Palm Sunday 2025
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      • John 12:12–19ESV

      • Colossians 2:9ESV

      • Psalm 31:9–16ESV

      • Deuteronomy 32:36–39ESV

      • Philippians 2:5–11ESV

      • Philippians 2:5–11ESV

      • John 12:20–43ESV

  • Sermon Title: “The Name Above All Names”
    Text: Philippians 2:5–11 Supporting Text: John 12:12–19 Memory Verse: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” – Colossians 2:9

    I. Who Do You Say He Is?

    It was one of those stories that feels too wild to be true—except it is.
    In the late 1990s, a man named Thomas Salme managed to fly commercial jets in Europe for years. He wore the pilot uniform, he carried what looked like official credentials, and he sat in the cockpit. The problem? He wasn’t actually a pilot. He had no license. He had never gone through proper training. Yet he fooled everyone—for years.
    He looked the part. He sounded convincing. But eventually, the truth came out.
    That story makes you think, doesn’t it? Not just about how easy it is to be fooled—but how hard it can be to know who someone really is.
    For centuries, people have asked the same question about Jesus: Is He really who He said He is?
    He walked among us, taught with authority, performed miracles, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey like a king—and yet He died like a criminal. Was He just another teacher? A prophet? Or was He something far more?
    In Philippians 2:5–11, the Apostle Paul takes us deep into the mystery of who Jesus is—not from the outside looking in, but from the eternal reality of heaven and earth. And in this passage, Paul doesn’t just want to inform us; he wants to transform us. He wants us to “have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” That’s the invitation. But before we can adopt the mind of Christ, we need to see who Christ truly is.
    And so we begin.

    II. THE MIND OF CHRIST – Humility from Heaven (Philippians 2:5–7)

    Philippians 2:5–7 ESV
    Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
    “Though He was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.”
    That’s how Paul begins. With a bold, breathtaking declaration: Jesus is God.
    This isn’t a metaphor. It’s not hyperbole. This is a clear affirmation of Jesus’ eternal divinity. Before Bethlehem, before the manger, before He ever walked the dusty roads of Galilee—He existed in the morphē of God. The Greek word used here—morphē—doesn’t mean He merely looked like God. It’s much deeper than that. Morphē refers to the very nature, the essence, the substance of a thing.
    Jesus didn't appear divine—He is divine. Always has been. Always will be.
    He is “very God of very God,” as we confess in the Nicene Creed—begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father. This verse confronts any claim that Jesus was simply a good man, a prophet, or a spiritual leader. No. Paul says plainly and powerfully: He was God.
    And yet…
    Paul continues: “He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.”
    This is one of the most awe-inspiring, self-emptying truths in all of Scripture.
    Jesus didn’t consider His status—His equality with the Father—as something to cling to, to exploit, to use for His own benefit. Though He had every right to remain in divine majesty, surrounded by the praises of angels, enthroned in heavenly glory—He let it go. Not because He lost it. But because He chose to lower Himself.
    In other words, Jesus didn’t use His divinity as a shield to avoid suffering. He didn’t wield His power to demand service or obedience. He could have. He was fully entitled to. But instead, He chose the path of humility. The path of self-giving love. The path that would take Him from the highest throne to the lowest cross.
    And then Paul writes these almost unfathomable words: “He emptied Himself.”
    Now we need to be clear: Jesus did not stop being God. He did not set aside His divine nature. That’s impossible—God cannot cease to be God. What He set aside was the privileges, the honors, the visible radiance that rightly belonged to Him as God. He veiled His glory in human flesh.
    Imagine that. The One who spoke galaxies into existence—who holds every star in place and calls each one by name—took on the form of a servant.
    He didn’t just appear as a man. He didn’t come down in some dazzling disguise. He truly became man—born of a woman, living in poverty, eating, sleeping, weeping, bleeding.
    The infinite entered time. The eternal put on skin. The Creator became like His creation.
    Not to be served, but to serve.
    Not to take, but to give.
    Not to dominate, but to die.
    And this is where the beauty of the gospel shines so brightly: Only God could save us. But to save us, God had to become one of us. He had to stand in our place. He had to bear our burden. He had to walk the path we could never walk—and then die the death we deserved.
    That’s why He came. That’s why He emptied Himself. That’s why He was born not in a palace, but in a barn. That’s why He was laid not on a throne, but in a feeding trough. That’s why His path led not to worldly glory, but to the cross.
    Because this kind of salvation could only be accomplished by divine humility. And this kind of love could only come from the heart of God Himself.
    So when Paul says, “He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,” he’s inviting us into the mystery of the incarnation—where true power is displayed not in dominance, but in self-sacrifice. Where the highest glory is revealed in the deepest humility.
    And friends, this is the God we worship. Not a distant deity. Not a divine impersonator. But the real, eternal, crucified, and risen Lord—Jesus Christ.
    The name above every name.

    III. THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST – From Glory to the Grave (Philippians 2:8)

    Philippians 2:8 ESV
    And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
    We see Jesus’ humility on full display as He enters Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday. The crowd sees a moment of triumph. But Jesus is entering into the greatest act of obedience the world has ever known.
    John 12:12–19 captures the moment. The people gather in celebration, waving palm branches—symbols of victory. They shout “Hosanna!” which means “Save us now!” They cry, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Their voices echo Psalm 118, the song of the coming King.
    But here’s the twist: Jesus isn’t riding a warhorse like a conquering general. He’s on a donkey—a symbol of peace and humility. This wasn’t an accident. It was fulfillment—of Zechariah 9:9
    Zechariah 9:9 ESV
    Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
    “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey…”
    The people expected a political Messiah—a liberator who would overthrow Roman oppression. But Jesus had come to liberate hearts. They expected Him to conquer Caesar, but He came to conquer sin and death.
    They didn’t understand: He was riding to the cross.
    And Paul tells us why:
    “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
    Think about that. The eternal Son of God didn’t just die. He didn’t simply face physical suffering or public shame—though He endured both. He died the most humiliating, cursed death known to man.
    “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” Paul quotes in Galatians 3:13.
    Jesus willingly bore that curse for you and me.
    The Author of life submitted Himself to death. The One who created the universe allowed His own creation to mock Him, beat Him, and nail Him to a piece of wood. The King of heaven wore a crown—not of gold, but of thorns.
    And why?
    Because love compelled Him. A love so fierce, so full, so divine, that it would stop at nothing to rescue sinners. Not even the grave could keep Him from reaching us.
    This wasn’t weakness. It wasn’t failure. It was victory disguised as defeat. It was strength in surrender. It was glory through humility, life through death.

    IV. THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST – The King of Glory (Philippians 2:9–11)

    Philippians 2:9–11 ESV
    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.
    But the story doesn’t end with the cross.
    Yes, Jesus descended to the lowest place imaginable—but God raised Him to the highest place conceivable.
    “Therefore,” Paul says, “God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:9)
    Jesus is exalted.
    The tomb is empty. Death is defeated. Sin is paid for. The serpent’s head is crushed.
    He is no longer the suffering servant. He is now the risen King, the conquering Lord, the enthroned Christ. The Lamb who was slain has become the Lion of Judah, roaring with resurrection power.
    This exaltation is not a promotion—it is the divine recognition of who Jesus has always been: Lord of all.
    “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)
    That means there is no neutral ground. Every person, in every place, in every time—will bow. Every emperor, every president, every CEO. Every soldier and scientist. Every artist, athlete, and average person.
    Everyone will confess: “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
    Some will do it with tears of joy and gratitude—because they know this Lord as their Savior.
    Others will do it with trembling and regret—because they rejected Him.
    But make no mistake: you and I don’t make Jesus Lord. He already is.
    The question is: will you acknowledge Him now, when His arms are open wide in grace? Or will you be forced to do so later, when He returns in glory and judgment?
    Now is the day of salvation.
    Bow the knee today—not in fear, but in faith. Confess His name—not in shame, but in joy.
    Because the One who humbled Himself to save you… Is the One who reigns to bring you home.

    V. Jesus Is Who He Said He Is

    So what does all this mean?
    It means that the Jesus of Philippians 2 is not just some historical figure to be admired, not just a spiritual guru to be quoted, not even just a moral example to be followed. He is God in the flesh.
    He is the eternal Son, co-equal with the Father, clothed in majesty from before time began.
    He is the humble Servant, who set aside His glory and stepped into our world—not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
    He is the obedient Savior, who went all the way to the cross—not by accident, but by choice. Not because He was weak, but because His love is strong. He bore our guilt, our shame, our death, so that we might receive His righteousness, His honor, His life.
    And He is the exalted Lord, risen from the grave, enthroned on high, reigning forever with a name that shakes heaven and earth—Jesus Christ is Lord.
    What does that mean for you?
    It means that when Jesus says,
    “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened,” He’s not offering a platitude. He’s offering peace. Real rest. Because He alone has the authority to give it.
    It means that when He says,
    “Your sins are forgiven,” He’s not just being kind. He’s being truthful. Because He paid the price in full—once, for all.
    It means that when we gather to worship, we’re not going through a religious routine. We are standing on holy ground. We are bowing before the King of the Universe.
    Let me leave you with our memory verse today—a verse that pulls it all together, simply and powerfully:
    Colossians 2:9 – “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
    No impostor. No pretender. No counterfeit.
    Jesus is God.
    He came down for you. He died for you. He rose for you. He reigns for you.
    And one day—every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Every tongue will confess: Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
    So the only question left is this: Will you bow now? Will you trust Him—not as an idea, not as a backup plan, but as your Lord and your God?
    Because there is no name more worthy. No Savior more loving. No God more glorious.
    Amen.
    Memory Verse Recap:
    – Colossians 2:9
    Colossians 2:9 ESV
    For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

      • Philippians 2:5–7ESV

      • Philippians 2:8ESV

      • Zechariah 9:9ESV

      • Philippians 2:9–11ESV

      • Colossians 2:9ESV

  • He Is Exalted
  • Create In Me A Clean Heart
  • Jesus Name Above All Names
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