Having the Mind of Christ

I. Introduction

We are going to look at Philippians 2:1-11. It is a theologically dense set of verses (vv. 6-11), but it was written with a practical purpose in mind.

Background

Paul is writing to the Church in Philippi to encourage them in the gospel. He hopes to hear that they are “standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel,” (Phil 1:27 ).

Philippians 1:27 CSB

Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel,

Based on this (and later in Chapter 2), unity among the Philippians seems to have been a chief concern for Paul. It can be implied that there was a lack of unity; divisions were beginning to form within the local body.

This division was likely subtle, which is dangerous. It is division stemming from a lack of humility.

This was a certain kind of division—certain kinds of divisions are necessary (Paul calls us to mark those who are not aligned with the gospel). But this lack of unity that is implied seems to be more inward.

Look at the COVID-19 lockdowns. We stopped meeting together as one for over a year. It got hard to connect with people if you couldn’t meet them. So, people got really used to that being the norm. After the lockdowns have been lifted, many churches didn’t get their people back—some even had to close entirely. Even for those who have come back to church and attend regularly, I wonder if sometimes in some sense we’re still in isolating ourselves from each other? Do we share our lives with one another outside of Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings?

The point is, unity is an important matter for Paul and Jesus as well (John 17:21-23)

John 17:21–23 CSB

May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.

Without unity, apathy starts to grow between members as we become more and more concerned in our own matters, leading us to separate spiritually. This issue lays the groundwork for Chapter 2, which is written to promote unity within the body of Christ, using the Person of Christ as our example to look towards.

*****************READ CHAPTER 2:1-11 and PRAY*******************

II. The Basis for Unity

Paul gives the Philippian church four statements that should be our motivation for unity.

NOTE: ‘If’ is not being used here to denote uncertainty.

Example: Justin asking ‘if’ someone is coming to Friday Night Bible Study, which indicates a degree of doubt.

‘If’ can also be translated into ‘since,’ or ‘because’. Paul is saying “you have already experienced these things”:

Encouragement (consolation) in Christ - Us Christians have the greatest source of encouragement in Jesus. The Holy Spirit consoles us, reminding us that Christ knows us and we are found in Him. He is the one thing we can always look forward to, even when we’ve lost everything else.

Consolation (comfort) of love - There should be a comfort of love among believers. God first comforts us, so we comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ). God first loves us, so we love others (1 John 4:19) “We love because he first loved us.”

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 CSB

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Fellowship with the Spirit - Paul is aware that disunity could threaten the Philippian church, so he reminds them that they share (and are therefore united in) the same Spirit. It enables us to recognize a brother or sister even if we don’t know them personally.

Affection and mercy - Christ shows his affection/mercy towards us through the cross and in our daily lives.

Paul’s Exhortation

In light of these truths, Paul calls the church to live these truths out practically (same love, united in Spirit, intent on one purpose). Paul then shows us the way in which we do this...

III. Christian Humility

Paul frames selfish ambition/conceit as at opposed with humility.

It’s easy to get fed up with people and decide to shut them out and focus on bettering and advancing ourselves. All the while we don’t have the time or the energy or care about others who need it.

This is the ethos of the world, where “looking out or number 1” is the key to success. The world hasn’t changed, which is why Christian humility is relevant at all times: because we always need to hear it.

How is this humility achieved? By putting others before yourself (Philippians 2:4).

Reminds me of Matt 23 when Jesus describes scribes and Pharisees (describe how they laid heavy burdens upon others, while not willing to lift it themselves, and how they loved to be exalted). The Jewish religious leaders had selfish ambition and conceit. I wonder if we can see a little bit of ourselves in them? Here’s Jesus’ response.

Matthew 23:11–12 CSB

The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

IV. Christ’s Humility

(Notice how Paul gives us the application BEFORE the Verse 5 tells us to ‘adopt the same attitude’ that Jesus had. To ‘adopt’ means to take in (other translations would say, ‘have’ or “let’ this mind be in you). When you adopt a child, you are voluntarily taking that child as your own. Likewise, we have to choose to make Christ’s mindset our own.

A. He Sacrificed (Verse 6-7a)

The word ‘form’ in the Greek means nature or essence. The text makes it clear that Jesus had already existed with God (Jn 1:1) and was equal with Him (Jn 5:18). Yet we see that Jesus did not view his divine rights as something to stubbornly cling to. Instead, he willingly gave them up (lit. “emptied himself”).

Imagine Jesus the Son living in perfect harmony with the Father and Spirit in heaven from the beginning of time. He is being worshipped and served by the multitude of heavenly beings. He never had to serve anyone, in His glory, he never had to truly suffer.

Yet, Jesus laid down all of those things to serve us and to serve as an example for us—all while still being God!

While Jesus could have used his divine to make life more convenient for himself, he used it to restore the lives of his people.

Think about something you possess that gives you an advantage or comfort. Isn’t it hard to let go of those things? To stop clinging to them? But here, Jesus offers us a different way to live: with open hands to give rather than closed fists for grasping.

What are some things in your life that you selfishly cling onto (your own time, talent, money, right to be offend)? How would things be different if you were willing to sacrifice those things to serve others?

B. He Served (Verse 7b)

Not only did Jesus come to Earth as a man, but he came as a servant, or slave (the lowest position a man could have). We can see Jesus moving down the totem pole to become lower.

The Gk. word form ‘form’ is again used, signifying that servanthood became his very nature.

It was his mission — Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Jesus was the ultimate example of looking to the interest of others. He performed miracles, raised the dead, fed thousands, taught about the kingdom of God, he even did less glamorous deeds, such as washing his disciples’ feet. Even Peter thought it was weird!

Do you seek out ways to serve others, or do you find yourself often expecting to be served yourself?

Am I willing to submit to the authority of others in everyday life (spouse, bosses, co-workers, church leaders, etc.)?

B. He Suffered (Verse 8)

Jesus’ entire life was marked by humility, and now, we see that he was obedient to the Father’s will—even in suffering and death. Even his death was humiliating, as he suffered the most vile death in the ancient world: crucifixion, between two no-name criminals. The lowest point in the totem pole.

It’s important to remember that no one has to humble our Savior. Not the Pharisees, not Rome. It says he humbled himself. He did this all out of love for his creation, so we could be saved.

In light of this, we now humble ourselves in obedience and suffering before Him, out of love. He did not suffer and die so we could live however we want!

Come! art thou ashamed to suffer what thy Master suffered? Shall the disciple be above his Master, and the servant above his Lord? Shall he die upon a cross, and wilt not thou bear the cross? Must he be crowned with thorns, and shalt thou be crowned with laurel? Is he to be pierced in hands and feet, and are thy members to feel no pain?

- CH Spurgeon

Sometimes humility means being obedient to God in every circumstance—good or bad. Many people assume Christianity is about living the best life after salvation. But Jesus promised that there would be trouble (John 16:33 “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”)

How willing am I to suffer for the sake of the gospel, or even for the betterment of our relationships? When we do suffer, how am I going to respond: in anger or rebellion, or in obedience?

V. Exaltation/Conclusion

Christ’s humility fulfills the principle he laid out: Matt 23:12 “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

This passage takes it a step above, saying that God “highly exalted” him. This is to suggest that Jesus was elevated on a whole other level—nobody has been, or ever will be, exalted the way Jesus is.

The entire trajectory of Jesus’ life is like a parabola: starting from a highly exalted position, made lower until he reached death, then rose up and became highly exalted once again.

This passage shows that humility is not in vain (sacrifice, submission, suffering etc.). There is a promise that if we follow Jesus’ example, then God will exalt us as well.

Matt 5:3 ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” We are blessed in the present and in the future sense.

In response to Christ’s exaltation, our posture and our confession ought to be one of submission and reverence. All creation brings glory to God.

The Result of Humility

Christ is glorified and exalted, as well as a more fulfilling and beautiful life!

If everyone looked out for the interests of the person next to them, everyone would lift each other up. How much stronger would we be in keeping each other accountable in our walks with the Lord (Proverbs 27:17)? How much better emotionally would we feel if we made an effort to comfort one another? If everyone did this, the world would be a better place.

In addition, how would the world think differently of Christians (John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” ) Our humility towards God will be reflected in our humility towards one another, and when the world sees that, they’ll see God reflected in our conduct.

Closing

What do you need to lay down, and are you willing?

Are you willing to serve with God has given You?

Are you willing to suffer? And how much?

My call is the same as Paul’s: Adopt the same attitude, or let this mind be in You, which is in Christ Jesus.