Christ the King Sunday - Darren Rowse
Sunday morning, Darren Rowse shared a message for Christ the King Sunday that centred around Philippians 2:5-16. Darren explored how Jesus' humility, love, and sacrifice challenge us to adopt His mindset in our lives, relationships, and communities.
Below you’ll find a summary article of the message as well as video, audio recordings of the sermon and some small group discussion questions.
Christ the King Sunday: Reflecting on the Mind of Christ
Introduction
Christ the King Sunday marks the final Sunday in the church calendar before Advent, a moment to pause and reflect on Jesus’ supreme reign before entering the season of anticipation for his birth. Introduced nearly a century ago by Pope Pius XI, Christ the King Sunday was created in response to the rise of secularism and nationalism. It serves as a reminder of Christ’s authority, sovereignty, and kingship over all powers and ideologies.
In a recent sermon based on Philippians 2:5–11, these themes of humility, servanthood, and exaltation were explored. This passage, often regarded as one of the most profound in Scripture, offers a glimpse into the mind of Christ and his remarkable journey from divinity to humanity and, ultimately, to his exaltation as King.
The History and Significance of Christ the King Sunday
Unlike many traditional feast days, Christ the King Sunday is relatively new. Established in 1925, it was Pope Pius XI’s response to cultural shifts that he observed in the early 20th century. Secularism was gaining ground, nationalism was on the rise, and other ideologies were positioning themselves as replacements for Christ at the centre of people’s lives.
Pope Pius XI saw the need for a day that would reaffirm Christ’s kingship, a declaration that Jesus reigns supreme over all worldly powers. For Christians today, this reminder remains as relevant as ever, given the multitude of cultural, political, and ideological forces vying for attention and worship.
The sermon highlighted that, just as in 1925, we live in a world where countless things—whether success, wealth, influence, or ideology—present themselves as worthy of our worship. Christ the King Sunday invites us to pause and refocus on Jesus’ place as the ultimate authority in our lives.
Philippians 2: A Hymn to the Mind of Christ
The sermon drew its focus from Philippians 2:5–11, a passage believed to be an early Christian hymn. It captures both the humility and exaltation of Jesus in two distinct sections:
The Humility of Christ: Jesus, being in very nature God, emptied himself of divine privileges, taking on human form and becoming a servant.
The Exaltation of Christ: In response to his humility, God exalted Jesus to the highest place, giving him the name above every name.
This passage, rich in theological truth and poetic language, provides a window into the very essence of Jesus’ character—his mindset, or as Paul puts it, "the mind of Christ."
Jesus’ Humility: The Downward Trajectory
The first half of the passage describes Jesus’ humility in profound terms. Although he was fully God, Jesus did not cling to his divine privileges. Instead, he "emptied himself" (kenosis in Greek), choosing to become human and taking on the nature of a servant.
This act of self-emptying wasn’t something that happened to Jesus. Rather, it was an active choice—Jesus poured himself out, relinquishing his rights and privileges as King. The preacher illustrated this with the image of a king laying aside his crown, robes, and sceptre to take the position of the lowest servant in the kingdom.
One of the most striking truths of this passage is found in the phrase "being made in human likeness." This refers not to Jesus simply appearing as human but to him truly becoming human. The infinite God entered the finite world, taking on the fragility of human existence. The mystery of the incarnation—that God became flesh—is a truth that has inspired awe and reflection throughout church history.
Jesus’ humility led him further downward, to the point of death—"even death on a cross." The cross, a symbol of shame and humiliation in the Roman world, was the ultimate expression of Jesus’ self-sacrificial love. The sermon reminded us that Jesus didn’t simply endure this; he pursued it out of obedience and love.
Jesus’ Exaltation: The Upward Trajectory
The second half of the passage describes the upward trajectory of Jesus’ story. Because of his humility, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the "name above every name." This exaltation is a direct response to Jesus’ self-emptying and obedience.
The term "highest place" in the original Greek is often translated as "hyper-high"—a position beyond what is possible to imagine. Jesus’ identity, or onoma, is lifted above all others, surpassing every worldly authority, including the Roman emperor, who was often regarded as divine.
This exaltation reveals the "upside-down" nature of God’s kingdom. In the world, greatness is often pursued through power, status, and self-promotion. But in God’s kingdom, humility leads to honour, servanthood leads to greatness, and sacrifice leads to exaltation.
Quoting theologians such as John Stott, Madeleine L’Engle, and Eugene Peterson, the sermon highlighted how this countercultural truth challenges Christians to rethink their own lives.
Living with the Mind of Christ
The preacher framed the passage as both a revelation of who Jesus is and an invitation to adopt his mindset. Paul’s exhortation to "let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus" is a call for Christians to live lives marked by humility, selflessness, and love.
To help the congregation reflect, the sermon posed three key questions:
Is Jesus Lord of my life?
The passage concludes with the declaration that "Jesus Christ is Lord." This is both a theological statement about Jesus’ divinity and a personal challenge to consider what holds the central place in our lives.Do I have the mind of Christ?
This question invites self-examination: Are our lives shaped by Jesus’ humility and selflessness, or are we pursuing upward mobility and self-interest?Do we, as a church, have the mind of Christ?
The passage was originally written to a church community, not individuals. It prompts collective reflection on how a church embodies the humility and servanthood of Christ in its ministries, relationships, and interactions with the world.
A Call to Respond
The sermon concluded with a call to personal and communal transformation. Believers were encouraged to meditate on Philippians 2:5–11 throughout the week, allowing the passage to shape their worship and daily lives.
While living with the mind of Christ is a lifelong journey, the preacher reminded the congregation that they are not alone in this endeavour. Philippians 2:13 assures us that "it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose." God’s Spirit empowers believers to reflect Christ’s humility and love.
Small Group Discussion Questions
To help small groups explore the sermon further, the following questions were suggested:
What does Christ the King Sunday mean to you, and why do you think it remains significant in today’s culture?
How does Jesus’ example of humility in Philippians 2 challenge the way you live your life?
Are there areas in your life where something other than Jesus has taken centre stage? How can you re-centre your life on him?
What does it mean to "have the mind of Christ" in your daily interactions, whether at home, work, or in your community?
How does the "upside-down" kingdom of God challenge cultural norms of power, success, and ambition?
What steps can we, as a church, take to better embody the humility and servanthood of Christ?
Reflect on the phrase "Jesus Christ is Lord." How does this truth inspire your worship and shape your priorities?
What practical steps can you take this week to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling"?
Conclusion
Christ the King Sunday offers a powerful reminder of who Jesus is—our Saviour and King, whose humility and sacrifice inspire awe and worship. Philippians 2:5–11 challenges us to reflect on his example and invites us to live with his mindset.
As individuals and as a church, may we embrace the call to humility, servanthood, and love, proclaiming with our lives that Jesus Christ is Lord.