The Mind of Christ
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The Mind of Christ
The Mind of Christ
I. LACKED SELFISH AMBITION OR CONCEIT (6)
INTRODUCTION
LACKED SELFISH AMBITION OR CONCEIT (6) A. PRIOR TO HIS INCARNATION... 1. Jesus was "in the form of God" a. That is, "He existed as essentially one with God" (Vincent's Word Studies) b. This is in accord with what we read in . He was also "equal with God" a. Again notice . He certainly shared similar glory with the Father (), something the Father refused to share with any created being (cf. ) B. YET CHRIST DID NOT CONSIDER SUCH EQUALITY "ROBBERY"... 1. Literally, "a thing to be grasped"; that is, something to be laid hold of, and retained jealously 2. The "glory" of equality with God which Christ enjoyed from eternity was not something He felt like He HAD to cling on to 3. A true demonstration of a lack of selfish ambition and conceit on the part of our Lord! C. DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"? 1. Do we consider our "standing" before others (whatever that may be) something to be held on to? 2. Do we consider ourselves more important than others, and consider that distinction something to be preserved at all costs? -- IF SO, THEN WE LACK "THE MIND OF CHRIST"! [As we continue to read on in our text, we see also that "The Mind Of Christ"...] II. LOOKED OUT FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS (7-8) A. WHEN CHRIST BECAME FLESH... 1. He "made Himself of no reputation" a. Some versions say "emptied Himself" b. He divested Himself of the "glory" He had with the Father - cf. 2. He took upon Himself "the form of a servant" a. He did not come as a "king", "nobleman", etc. b. But as the lowly son of a simple carpenter 3. He came "in the likeness of men" a. As such, He could experience their temptations and sufferings - ,; ; . In other words, though deity, He was truly "man" (not some sort of "superman") 4. He "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" a. Consider . Though in every way a man like you or me (while still the Son of God), He humbled Himself and obediently suffered and died on the cross! -- WHY DID JESUS DO ALL THIS? B. HE DID IT ALL FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS! 1. He became man, humbled himself as a man, was obedient, and then died on the cross...because it was in our own best interest! 2. He did it, to bear OUR reproach - cf. ; 3. Yes, He was looking out for OUR interests! C. DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"? 1. We do, if we are looking out for the interests of others 2. We do, if we are willing to humble ourselves, even sacrifice ourselves if it be in the best interests of others - cf. [Such is "The Mind Of Christ", one of humility and service to others; but it is also one that is...] III. HIGHLY EXALTED BY GOD (9-11) A. IN THE CASE OF JESUS... 1. He is a good example of the Scriptural maxim: "He that humbles himself shall be exalted" 2. For God has highly exalted Jesus in two ways: a. In the PRESENT - by giving Him "the name which is above every name" (the name by which men must be saved - ) b. In the FUTURE - that at His name "every knee should bow... that every tongue should confess" He is Lord! - B. BUT ALSO IN OUR CASE... 1. Those who possess "The Mind Of Christ" will participate in that great future exaltation of Christ! - ; 2. Isn't this a wonderful motivator for us to have "The Mind Of Christ"? CONCLUSION 1. We have seen in this passage that "The Mind Of Christ" involves... a. Humility b. Obedience c. Sacrifice d. Great Reward 2. Do we possess "The Mind Of Christ"? We should, for it is the "key" to: a. The unity that produces joy! b. One day sharing in "glory" together with Christ! 3. As Christians, let's be diligent to manifest "The Mind Of Christ" in our relationship to God and to each other If you are not a Christian, why not begin possessing "The Mind of Christ" by following His example of humble obedience to the Will of God?
A. PRIOR TO HIS INCARNATION... 1. Jesus was "in the form of God" a. That is, "He existed as essentially one with God" (Vincent's Word Studies) b. This is in accord with what we read in . He was also "equal with God" a. Again notice . He certainly shared similar glory with the Father (), something the Father refused to share with any created being (cf. ) B. YET CHRIST DID NOT CONSIDER SUCH EQUALITY "ROBBERY"... 1. Literally, "a thing to be grasped"; that is, something to be laid hold of, and retained jealously 2. The "glory" of equality with God which Christ enjoyed from eternity was not something He felt like He HAD to cling on to 3. A true demonstration of a lack of selfish ambition and conceit on the part of our Lord! C. DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"? 1. Do we consider our "standing" before others (whatever that may be) something to be held on to? 2. Do we consider ourselves more important than others, and consider that distinction something to be preserved at all costs? -- IF SO, THEN WE LACK "THE MIND OF CHRIST"! [As we continue to read on in our text, we see also that "The Mind Of Christ"...] II. LOOKED OUT FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS (7-8) A. WHEN CHRIST BECAME FLESH... 1. He "made Himself of no reputation" a. Some versions say "emptied Himself" b. He divested Himself of the "glory" He had with the Father - cf. 2. He took upon Himself "the form of a servant" a. He did not come as a "king", "nobleman", etc. b. But as the lowly son of a simple carpenter 3. He came "in the likeness of men" a. As such, He could experience their temptations and sufferings - ,; ; . In other words, though deity, He was truly "man" (not some sort of "superman") 4. He "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" a. Consider . Though in every way a man like you or me (while still the Son of God), He humbled Himself and obediently suffered and died on the cross! -- WHY DID JESUS DO ALL THIS? B. HE DID IT ALL FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS! 1. He became man, humbled himself as a man, was obedient, and then died on the cross...because it was in our own best interest! 2. He did it, to bear OUR reproach - cf. ; 3. Yes, He was looking out for OUR interests! C. DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"? 1. We do, if we are looking out for the interests of others 2. We do, if we are willing to humble ourselves, even sacrifice ourselves if it be in the best interests of others - cf. [Such is "The Mind Of Christ", one of humility and service to others; but it is also one that is...] III. HIGHLY EXALTED BY GOD (9-11) A. IN THE CASE OF JESUS... 1. He is a good example of the Scriptural maxim: "He that humbles himself shall be exalted" 2. For God has highly exalted Jesus in two ways: a. In the PRESENT - by giving Him "the name which is above every name" (the name by which men must be saved - ) b. In the FUTURE - that at His name "every knee should bow... that every tongue should confess" He is Lord! - B. BUT ALSO IN OUR CASE... 1. Those who possess "The Mind Of Christ" will participate in that great future exaltation of Christ! - ; 2. Isn't this a wonderful motivator for us to have "The Mind Of Christ"? CONCLUSION 1. We have seen in this passage that "The Mind Of Christ" involves... a. Humility b. Obedience c. Sacrifice d. Great Reward 2. Do we possess "The Mind Of Christ"? We should, for it is the "key" to: a. The unity that produces joy! b. One day sharing in "glory" together with Christ! 3. As Christians, let's be diligent to manifest "The Mind Of Christ" in our relationship to God and to each other If you are not a Christian, why not begin possessing "The Mind of Christ" by following His example of humble obedience to the Will of God?
1. In verses 1-4 of this second chapter, Paul wrote about "The Unity That Produces Joy", in which he described:
That Produces Joy", in which he described:
a. The MOTIVATION for having this unity
b. The NATURE of this unity
c. The ATTITUDES necessary to have this unity
2. In describing the latter, he called upon the Philippians to:
a. Do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit
b. Have lowliness of mind in which they esteem others better than themselves
themselves
c. Look out for the interests of others, and not only those of their own
own
3. In verse 5, Paul continues to exhort them to have "this mind" (the attitudes of verses 3-4), pointing out that this is also the "mind of Christ"
attitudes of verses 3-4), pointing out that this is also the "mind of
Christ"
4. In the following verses (6-11), Paul elaborates on the "mind of Christ" (or the attitude of Christ), which will serve as the focus of this particular study...
Christ" (or the attitude of Christ), which will serve as the focus of
this particular study...
[First, note that "The Mind Of Christ"...]
I. LACKED SELFISH AMBITION OR CONCEIT ()
I. LACKED SELFISH AMBITION OR CONCEIT ()
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
A. PRIOR TO HIS INCARNATION...
1. Jesus was "in the form of God"
a. That is, "He existed as essentially one with God"
Word Studies)
b. This is in accord with what we read in
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
2. He was also "equal with God"
a. Notice
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
b. He certainly shared similar glory with the Father (), something the Father refused to share with any created being (cf. )
something the Father refused to share with any created being
(cf. )
B. YET CHRIST DID NOT CONSIDER SUCH EQUALITY "ROBBERY"...
1. Literally, "a thing to be grasped"; that is, something to be laid hold of, and retained jealously
laid hold of, and retained jealously
2. The "glory" of equality with God which Christ enjoyed from eternity was not something He felt like He HAD to cling on to
eternity was not something He felt like He HAD to cling on to
3. A true demonstration of a lack of selfish ambition and conceit on the part of our Lord!
on the part of our Lord!
C. DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"?
1. Do we consider our "standing" before others (whatever that may be) something to be held on to?
be) something to be held on to?
2. Do we consider ourselves more important than others, and consider that distinction something to be preserved at all costs?
consider that distinction something to be preserved at all
costs?
-- IF SO, THEN WE LACK "THE MIND OF CHRIST"!
[As we continue to read on in our text, we see also that "The Mind of Christ"...]
Christ"...]
II. LOOKED OUT FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS ()
II. LOOKED OUT FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS ()
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
A. WHEN CHRIST BECAME FLESH...
1. He "made Himself of no reputation"
a. Some versions say "emptied Himself"
b. He divested Himself of the "glory" He had with the Father - cf.
- cf.
And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
2. He took upon Himself "the form of a servant"
a. He did not come as a "king", "nobleman", etc.
b. But as the lowly son of a simple carpenter
3. He came "in the likeness of men"
a. As such, He could experience their temptations and sufferings - ,; ;
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
sufferings - ,; ;
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
b. In other words, though deity, He was truly "man" (not some sort of "superman")
sort of "superman")
4. He "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross"
even the death of the cross"
a. Consider
Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
b. Though in every way a man like you or me (while still the Son of God), He humbled Himself and obediently suffered and died on the cross!
Son of God), He humbled Himself and obediently suffered and
died on the cross!
-- WHY DID JESUS DO ALL THIS?
B. HE DID IT ALL FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS!
1. He became man, humbled himself as a man, was obedient, and then died on the cross...because it was in our own best interest!
died on the cross...because it was in our own best interest!
2. He did it, to bear OUR reproach - cf. ;
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
3. Yes, He was looking out for OUR interests!
C. DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"?
1. We do, if we are looking out for the interests of others
2. We do, if we are willing to humble ourselves, even sacrifice ourselves if it be in the best interests of others - cf.
ourselves if it be in the best interests of others - cf. 1Jn
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
3:16
[Such is "The Mind Of Christ", one of humility and service to others; but it is also one that is...]
but it is also one that is...]
III. HIGHLY EXALTED BY GOD ()
III. HIGHLY EXALTED BY GOD ()
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.
A. IN THE CASE OF JESUS...
1. He is a good example of the Scriptural maxim: "He that humbles himself shall be exalted"
himself shall be exalted"
2. For God has highly exalted Jesus in two ways:
a. In the PRESENT - by giving Him "the name which is above every name" (the name by which men must be saved - )
every name" (the name by which men must be saved - )
b. In the FUTURE - that at His name "every knee should bow...that every tongue should confess" He is Lord! -
that every tongue should confess" He is Lord! -
B. BUT ALSO IN OUR CASE...
1. Those who possess "The Mind Of Christ" will participate in that great future exaltation of Christ! -
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
great future exaltation of Christ! - ;
when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Isn't this a wonderful motivator for us to have "The Mind Of Christ"?
Christ"?
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
1. We have seen in this passage that "The Mind Of Christ" involves...
a. Humility
b. Obedience
c. Sacrifice
d. Great Reward
2. Do we possess "The Mind Of Christ"? We should, for it is the "key" to:
to:
a. The unity that produces joy!
b. One day sharing in "glory" together with Christ!
3. As Christians, let's be diligent to manifest "The Mind Of Christ" in our relationship to God and to each other If you are not a Christian, why not begin possessing "The Mind of Christ" by following His example of humble obedience to the Will of God?
our relationship to God and to each other
If you are not a Christian, why not begin possessing "The Mind of
Christ" by following His example of humble obedience to the Will of God?