Adopting the Mindset of Christ
Notes
Transcript
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
For this reason God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
When we talk about verses that are somewhat known in the Christian world, this one is somewhere higher on the list for most people. But just because we are familiar with the verse, or can even quote it, does not mean that we have a full grasp on what the Bible is actually saying.
So if we go back to the previous 4 verses:
If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.
What do we learn?
Well, one thing stands out pretty clear: Paul was encouraging the Philippian church to stay focused and stay united. Paul wrote this letter, in part, to remind the people that this thing we call living, is not about self-fulfilment, or self- gain in any way; but rather is about being part of the family of God.
Where do we first see this kind of self-centeredness in the Bible?
Cain and Able
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”
Cain asks a question, but in reality is making a statement. He says: I am not my brothers guardian. I am looking out for number 1.
The words here in Philippians tell us the exact opposite! God reminds us always that the opposite of Cain’s words is truth:
Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.
Yes - look out for others!
Last week we were reminded how Jesus is the ultimate example of this very truth. In the story of Christmas. Beautiful.
Now as we continue through Philippians we see Paul who wrote the Words that we should
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
Adopt that SAME ATTITUDE.
Well perhaps you are wondering what attitude exactly we should be adopting. Because if we just briefly skim through the Gospels, and check out facebook, we learn that Jesus did on occasion have a righteous anger and flipped some table.
But the KEYWORD there is righteous anger.
God knows you: Listen - God took you into account when He saved you; and oh by the way, HE MADE YOU. So that thought you just had about some righteous anger coming through sometimes, HE knew it would happen.
Now: Let’s dive into something Translation wise. Translating from the Greek:
In the KJV phil 2:5 reads - “Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus”.
PASSIVE wording - saying something akin to let it flow inside you.
The CSB reads:
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
ACTIVE wording - you have to put forth effort!
Adopt the same attitude -GREEK - phroeno - To dispose the MIND to a certain way
The Greek word usage lets us know that this is not something passive that ‘just happens’ it is something that you must DO, you must PUT FORTH EFFORT! You must SET YOUR MIND!
Set your mind to be like Jesus!
who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
Here you have Jesus - FULLY GOD - FULLY MAN.
Let us break this down:
Jesus existed in the FORM of God.
This is referring to the Father. Does the Father have a form? A physical form? NO. The Father is Spirit.
Physical eyes cannot see the Spiritual realm, only Spiritual eyes can. So Paul is calling upon the readers of this letter to consider the eternal state of Jesus, who was with God before creation - when He was in the FORM of GOD.
Listen:
The Bible is telling us to see Jesus through our SPIRITUALLY enlightened eyes and actually SEE JESUS AS GOD!
AND YET
did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.
THe Bibel says that that Jesus REALLY IS GOD - REALLY EXISTED before the creation as Genesis tells us, as John 1 tells us, and as Jesus CLAIMS ON THE CROSS!
Jesus is the agent of Creation. And yet, humbled Himself to serve man.
So when we read the words: existed in the FORM of GOD, and we read that Jesus came in the FORM of a SERVANT - we actually read the same meaning in both statements.
The statement expresses just how overwhelming Jesus Humility truly is.
Jesus did not think of His equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.
We see this repeatedly in the Gospel.
So these first 2 verses, verse 5 and 6 were about Jesus’ attitude. Now we move to Jesus’ actions: where His attitude, HIS mindset is on display.
His mindset of Humility so overwhelming that HE:
Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
Jesus emptied Himself.
God became man.
Lord became servant.
Obedience took Him to death.
Jesus left everything He had, all of His splendor and glory - all of Heaven declare the glory of GOD - the majesty and splendor of His craftsmanship are all around us - and HE LEFT ALL OF IT!
Because Jesus, fully God yet fully man, humbled Himself, to be obedient in every way, even death on the cross, which we deserved and not Him. Because of that obedience:
For this reason God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
See, my servant will be successful;
he will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted.
Therefore I will give him the many as a portion,
and he will receive the mighty as spoil,
because he willingly submitted to death,
and was counted among the rebels;
yet he bore the sin of many
and interceded for the rebels.
He was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
so that those of every people,
nation, and language
should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away,
and his kingdom is one
that will not be destroyed.
By myself I have sworn;
truth has gone from my mouth,
a word that will not be revoked:
Every knee will bow to me,
every tongue will swear allegiance.
I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say,
Blessing and honor and glory and power
be to the one seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb, forever and ever!
We are called to have an attitude of obedience.
Remembering that no matter what we think we have accomplished, or who we think we are, we are to set all of that aside (that is humbling ourselves) and be obedient.
This has a name: Discipleship.
Really that what it boils down to.
But most people stop way short. Salvation, maybe Sunday school; made it. I did the thing and said the prayer. I repeated after the guy. I help here and there.
This aint where it is supposed to stop brothers and sisters.
It isn’t even about the actions of showing up and being present.
All of these are good things -
Listen:
Coming to Church
Attending Sunday School
Helping with VBS
Going on Mission Trips
ARE ALL GOOD THINGS!
BUT
NONE of those things are Discipleship!
Discipleship is becoming more like Jesus!
We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
When we actually adopt the mindset of Christ, 2 Cor 3:18 is the reality. When we humble ourselves, when we make less of us and more of Jesus, THEN we are being transformed into the same image - the one from GLORY.
Listen: We were made in the image and likeness of God.
When we are born into the family of God, through salvation, we are being made new - the old has gone and the NEW has come - and we have to GROW! That is discipleship.
A new born baby doesn’t actually look like mom or dad. They may have some features, but they don’t look like mom or dad. But man when they get older, sometimes they are a “spitting image”.
Brothers and Sisters, Phil 2:5 is literally telling us how to become the very word that we claim: Christian - little Christ.
Wednesday we get to celebrate the ringing in of a New Year. Now with New years usually comes resolutions to be a better YOU.
How about this for a resolution:
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
Adopt the same mindset as that of Christ.
That which was in Christ, may also be in you.
Humble yourself, as Christ did.
In Jesus’ growing: He spent time studying the Word of God and being about the business of the Father.
Grow in the GRACE and KNOWLEDGE of out Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Why?
Because it brings HIM GLORY! and TO Him be the glory, always and forever.
When you adopt the mindset of Jesus - you declare His glory with your lifestyle of WORSHIP.
See Discipleship is just that - Growing to be more like the master.
