Same Attitude of Christ

What does it look like to ‘Be Like Jesus?’

Monastic lifestyle / singleness

Sell everything and go person

Woman adopting a family on the Rez

Stephen Curtis Chapman starting an orphanage care ministry called Show Hope

A mother sleeping on the floor beside a sick child.

A spouse

All of the above

Open your Bibles to . . .

Many people - even Christians - live only to make a good impresson on others or to please themselves.

Many people - even Christians - live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves.

Philippians 2:1–11 NLT

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Principle (The Mind of Christ)

The Mindset of Christ

Do not be selfish; don’t do things with a selfish motivation

2 Value others above yourselves

Consider others as more important than yourself

3 Express concern for the interest of others

Don’t consider only things that are interesting to you, but look into what is interesting and important to others.

Picture of Complete and Total Selflessness

Philippians 2:5 NLT

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Now Paul says, “I’ve given you the principles but now I want to show you what this looks like by giving you a picture of selflessness and humility.”

He begins by saying, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

So he is encouraging us to apply what we are getting ready to read to all of our relationships such as our family, spouse, children, co-workers, church members, etc.

Mindset #1 - Sacrifice

Mindset #1 - Sacrifice

Philippians 2:6 ESV

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

The Bible teaches that Jesus was in heaven, a totally perfect environment.

But He chose to sacrifice His perfect environment and position as the son of God to come to earth and be a carpenter.

He was willing to give up something that was valuable to Him.

Question: What am I willing to sacrifice? (Time, Money etc., for God or Others)

If we say we want to be like Jesus we must challenge ourselves in terms of how willing we are you to sacrifice your time or your money for God and for those we are in relationship with?

Mindset #2 - Servant

Philippians 2:7 ESV

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

It would be enough that Jesus was willing to sacrifice, but He didn’t come to sit on a throne and have people serve Him.

Instead He was always serving others (teaching them, healing them, raising from the dead, feeding them, washing their feet, etc.)

Question: Do I look to be served more than I look for opportunities to serve others?

Do I see myself as being above doing certain things when people ask me or do I have the attitude of a servant?

Question: If we say we want to be like Jesus we must challenge ourselves in terms of how willing we are you to sacrifice your time or your money for God and for those we are in relationship with?

Mindset #3 - Submission

Philippians 2:8 ESV

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

So what we see here is that in order for Jesus to come to earth He first had to be submissive to His Father.

Now remember, Jesus is just as much God as God the Father and yet He submitted His will for the will of the Father.

Question: How submissive am I willing to be in terms of relationships, spouse, coworkers, leadership etc.? Or do I have to always be in control?

Mindset #4 - Suffering

Philippians 2:8 ESV

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:

Jesus was willing to suffer so that we might have eternal life.

Sometimes we are taught that the Christian life is supposed to be easy but Jesus’ example shows that at times we may have to suffer.

False doctrine that Christian life must be easy. Jesus - pain, struggles, troubles, difficulties, willingness to suffer

Question: How much are you willing to suffer in your relationships with God and other people?

Wrap up

So, what does it look like to be like Jesus? It involves being...

Willing to sacrifice

Willing to serve

Willing to submit

Willing to suffering

And if God rewarded Jesus for having these attitudes I trust he will do the same for you and I.

Humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves, it’s thinking less about ourselves.

That’s the blessing in this passage:

Philippians 2:9 ESV

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

If we follow Jesus Christ’s example, if God exalted him, then in due time he’ll do the same for you and I.

Philippians 2:

Philippians 2:10–11 ESV

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.

Philippians 2:11 ESV

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

At the last judgement, even those who are condemned will recognize Jesus’ authority and right to rule.

People can choose now to commit their lives to Jesus as Lord or be forced to acknowledge him as Lord when he returns, and Christ could return at any moment.

Are you prepared to meet him?