A New Mindset

Have the Mind of Christ

Last week we talk about how our thinking affects our attitudes, our actions, and really our life.

We looked at Romans 12:1-2 and how we must allow Jesus to transform our minds, and that we are not to be conformed to the world.

We must think positive, so that we can have positive actions in our life.

This morning we are looking at how we need to Have the Mind of Christ.

One of the greatest challenges for believers is not simply knowing Christ, but thinking like Christ.

Our world promotes self-promotion, pride, and personal advancement.

The kingdom of God operates differently—it calls us to humility, unity, and sacrificial love.

In Philippians 2, the Apostle Paul urges believers not merely to admire Christ, but to adopt His mindset.

The Christian life is not just about believing the right truths; it is about developing the mind of Christ.

When we adopt the mind of Christ, we pursue unity, practice humility, and follow the example of Jesus’ sacrificial love.

In chapter one of Philippians, Paul speaks about how we are to live for Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:21 NASB95

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

As believers we are to live for Christ, and with that we must think like Christ.

As we talked last week the way we think affects all that we do, so in order to live for Christ we must think like Christ.

Pray

1. The Mind of Christ Pursues Unity

Philippians 2:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Paul begins by appealing to what believers share in Christ.

Paul is reminding the Philippians and us today that because of what Jesus has done for us, we are to live differently.

In the kingdom of God, you can measure greatness by looking at a service record.

Paul thus urges the Philippian believers to embrace a servant mindset, putting the mission of Christ and the good of others before themselves.

Jesus stated in Matthew 20:28

Matthew 20:28 NASB95

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

A servant thinks in terms of pulling things together, not tearing things apart.

A servant asks, :Is what I’m about to do or say going to make things better, or is it going to make things worse?”

Paul calls believers to: be like-minded; have the same love; and be one in spirit and purpose.

The church was never meant to be a collection of individuals pursuing their own agendas.

It was designed to be a unified body centered on Jesus Christ.

Why is unity so important?

Because the Spirit does not work in disunity.

Where there is disunity, the Spirit of God backs up.

On the other hand, where there is unity, the Spirit of God is at home.

If we are going to have the mindset of a servant, which is the key to greatness in the kingdom of God, we must choose to pursue harmony and unity without losing uniqueness.

Unity is not uniformity.

Unity is shared devotion to Jesus.

An orchestra contains many instruments - violins, trumpets, drums - but when they follow the same conductor, they produce beautiful music.

When everyone plays their own tune, it becomes noise.

Jesus is our conductor.

Unity means remembering we are on the same mission, and we must be intentional about that mission.

2. The Mind of Christ Chooses Humility

Philippians 2:3–4 NASB95

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Paul now addresses the greatest enemy of unity: selfish ambition and pride.

The world says: promote yourself, protect yourself, and put yourself first.

By definition a servant serves others, not themselves.

The mind of Christ says: serve others, lift others up, and care for others.

Paul says do nothing - the word nothing there does not allow for exceptions.

It would be a lot easier if Paul would have said, do not do most things out of selfish ambition or conceit.

That would allow us an escape clause.

But nothing requires ongoing commitment to humility.

Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself, it means thinking of yourself less.

Another words we do not think we are less important than others, or think that we are less able.

Instead it means we think of others before ourselves.

Paul challenged us here to look beyond our own interests, and to consider the needs of others.

This kind of humility transforms families, churches, and communities.

Pride says, how can I be served?

Humility asks, How can I serve?

3. The Mind of Christ follows the Example of Jesus

Philippians 2:5–8 NASB95

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Paul now gives the ultimate picture of humility - the example of Jesus Christ.

Verse 5 in the King James Version says, Philippians 2:5

Philippians 2:5 KJV 1900

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Jesus had: all power, all glory, and all authority.

Yet Jesus chose humility.

Jesus’ humility is shown in:

That He emptied Himself - Though Jesus existed in the form of God, He did not cling to His privileges.

Jesus became a servant - The Creator stepped into His creation.

Jesus became human - The king of heaven was born in a manger.

Jesus became obedient unto death - That is He died on the cross.

The cross was the most humiliating execution in the Roman world.

Yet Jesus willingly embraced it for our salvation.

See Jesus knew who He was, He knew His position with the Father.

Similarly, when we know who we are - a son or daughter of God - rendering service will not be a problem.

It is when we do not know who we are that service becomes a problem.

When we are unsure of our identity, we will fear that serving is beneath us, that we will somehow be taken advantage of if we serve.

These verse reveal the incredible depth of Christ’s love.

Jesus did not climb upward in power - rather He stepped downward in humility.

4. The Mind of Christ leads to God’s exaltation

Philippians 2:9–11 NASB95

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Because of Jesus’ humility and obedience, God highly exalted Him.

God raised Jesus from humiliation to ultimate exaltation.

Paul declares: every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

This includes: those in heaven, on earth, and those under the earth.

One day every person will recognize the authority of Jesus.

The one who humbled Himself the lowest has been lifted the highest.

Developing the Mind of Christ

How do we cultivate the mind of Jesus Christ?

Spend time with Christ - our thinking is shaped by what we dwell on.

Practice humility daily - look for opportunities to serve rather than be served.

Put others before yourself - ask regularly: How can I encourage, support, or bless someone today?

Remember the cross - the cross reminds us what true love and humility look like.

Conclusion

The world celebrates pride, power, and self-promotion

But the Kingdom of God celebrates humility, sacrifice, and service.

Paul’s call in Philippians 2 is simple yet profound: Have the mind of Christ.

When believers think like Jesus: churches experience unity, relationships are healed, and the gospel becomes visible.

May God shape our hearts so that we not only believe in Christ, but truly think like Christ.

Ask yourself this week: do I have the mind of Christ? Do I reflect the humility of Jesus?