Where is your head at?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
I would like to thank Jon for teaching us so well the last few weeks. I am not going to lie though, he made me jealous with all of his interactive and hands on illustrations. He had night vision goggles and mazes. So I could NOT be outdone. We are talking about the book of Philippians the next two weeks so I have rented a huge airplane that is out in the parking lot and Marty McFly has come to transform it into a time machine. We are going back in time to Philippi..... Obviously kidding. All you get is me today… sorry.
The Mind is a very powerful thing. It controls more than we often give it credit for. I have lived for thirty years and I am still amazed at what my mind does, or my wife would tell you sometimes what my mind DOESNT do.
I love to go to the gym. Last year I began a journey to get healthy and be a steward of what God has given me. I go to Crossfit everyday off Calahan Road. This is not for everyone and CF definitely doesnt make you more holy, but it does for me. I remember when I first started, we would have these ridiculous workouts and I would look at the board and say there is no way i could do this. My coach would quickly correct me and say, not with that mindset you cant. When I have a negative attitude about work or workkout, it stops my physical body from doing what it can .
The fastest growing religion in the World is crossfit. I mostly mean that as a joke, but not really. Crossfiters get a horrible rep for constantly talking about crossfit. Well maybe, just maybe , if I talked about Jesus as much as I do crossfit, it would be the fastest growing religion. or fill in the blank with your passion or your following, but todays sermon isnt about evangelism of Crossfit. It’s about having the right mindset and individually doing a check up on ourselves to see where our head is at.
I used crossfit for this reason. I want you to look at just a few of the many many signs we have up in our gym. These are signs that we have to remind us of how to get in the proper mindset to be successful inside and outside of the gym.
No complaints
compete
process
get to be here
you are in control of your body
Integrity. Man the church could stand to have a few of these signs up. It’s ok to have good morals, but integrity is better than morals. Integrity is how you use your morals when no one is looking. Truth is we have secular gyms and businesses that practice this better than the church. The church defends politicians and leaders that wouldnt know integrity if it crawled up in bed beside them. Why is that? Because our mindset is that in which we are focused on me me me.
BE POSITIVE- Laughter is a good thing. Doug Odell is one of my best friends here at Berean. You know why that is. We spend more time laughing then we do most other things. Now I know I could count on him for anything, but we dont take our walk with each other or with the Lord so somber that no one wants anything to do with us. If we are just walking mummys with a Bible in our hand, we are no different than the pharisees.
Lets look at verse 1. (We have 2 chapters to get through today so we better get movin) I am partially joking. We are going through 2 chapters, but we are staying on the very surface of this because I only have two weeks. Next week we will do the final 2 chapters. I challenge you to dive into the book of philippians on the next 2 weeks. If you want to sit and discuss more in depth, shoot me an email, swing by my office, or lets grab coffee.
He begins with this.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
The word for servants here is δουλος. This is better translated as bond-servant. This type of servant isnt like your boy Jeffery from the fresh prince of Bel-Air that worked during the day and made his way home in the evenings and took his time off when he pleased. This was a servant who chose to GIVE UP HIS RIGHTS in order to LIVE A LIFE in service to their master. Paul, right off the bat is writing this letter to ne of his favorite churches and confirming to them where his head is at. It is focused on serving. He is already humbling himself to the place of servant. You know why?
To see Who He is we must recognize who we are
To see Who He is we must recognize who we are
We are not the masters of this life. Man or woman can trick themselves into believing such, but the truth is, there will be but one master when it is all said and done. You may spend your life living as if you are the master but the greatest leader to ever walk this earth even will bow their knee to Jesus Christ as will tell us.
When you live your life with the mindset that you are a master, you act and live as if something is owed to you. The truth be told the only thing that is owed to us is death. Right? We all have sinned and fallen short. We are all guilty. This is one of the biggest issues I have with the prosperity gospel. It treats God as if He owes us something. That he is our functional santa clause and he is here to respond to our demands. It doesnt work this way. This is not the life that we should live and it certainly is not the life Christ modeled for us.
A mind filled with gratitude will always have the right attitude
A mind filled with gratitude will always have the right attitude
Paul says
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
He expresses his gratitude for his partnership with the Philippians. What is the object of his gratitude though? The first thing is his confidence that God has began and is completing a work in them.
That is something to be grateful for. What if we woke up everyday asking ourselves and being exited, knowing that God is going to be working on completing me today. Now look, before we get to excited, that doesnt always mean the work will be good, fun or easy.
I was counseling a young married couple about this very thing and you all that are married know exactly what I am talking about. Marriage takes work. It’s like building a house. I personally love framing a house. It is my most favorite part. I like working with lumber. This is hard work but it is so fun to me. Buttttt, then there are other times that work in marriage is like hanging sheetrock and painting. It is necessary work and it makes the house beautiful, but boy do I hate doing it. But when I approach this work with an attitude of gratitude, I see the work as a completion as a whole rather than just focusing on the moment I am in.
God sees us as a work that is being completed, so be grateful that you arent finished yet and neither is he. Be grateful for the work God is doing and watch your mindest begin to change.
A gospel-centered mind will keep you in a win-win scenario.
A gospel-centered mind will keep you in a win-win scenario.
(NIV)
The New International Version Chapter 1
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. d 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Does anyone else ever read this passage and just sit in amazement of the mindset that Paul had? I mean the selflessness expressed by these words is incredible. It convicts me every time to know that my mind must be gospel-centered. The example Paul uses is amazing. If I were writing this letter it would be something like this:
19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. d 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
Does anyone else ever read this passage and just sit in amazement of the mindset that Paul had? I mean the selflessness expressed by these words is incredible. It convicts me every time to know that my mind must be gospel-centered. The example Paul uses is amazing. If I were writing this letter it would be something like this:
Now I want you to know dear Philippians.............. the chains they have me in are so uncomfortable. I have been beaten and ridiculed more times than I can count. I cannot sleep. I cannot eat, which is probably a good thing because the food and lack there of here is absolutely disgusting. The air condition is broke and so is the heater. My clothes smell and my body hurts. PLEASE STOP PRAYING AND JUST SEND HELP.
You see that is a response of a mindset that is only focused on self and on their own comfort. Now lets just pretend the method of this letter was your phone. And we are writing letters very day with text messages. Is your phone filled with letters like this? Are we so quick to complain because or mind is comfort-centered rather than gospel-centered?
Paul sums up his life like this, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain. What a mindset? Paul is not suicidal here. He just knows that Heaven is better than the chains he is currently sitting in where there are NO MORE CHAINS! But he knows that these chains are Christ in Him and that it is food for the body that he remain in those chains. That is a gospel-centered mind. You cannot lose with that mindset. The worst that can happen is that your life is taken and you spend eternity with Christ. It is a gospel-centered mind that screams it is well with my soul!
The New International Version Chapter 1
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
We also conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel by having our mind centered around the Gospel. Lets not fool ourselves, but it is hard for us to remember what he says at the end of chapter 1 here in blessed America. Its appointed not only that you believe in him, but also that you suffer for Him.
We have absolutely convinced ourselves that there is no way for us to suffer for Christ here in America. That since we are not being murdered in our homes, thrown in prison, or banned from our churches that we cannot suffer for Him. If that was really the case, I would submit this hard truth, It would be impossible for us to live like Christ. Its pretty simple right? If you cannot suffer than how can you live a life like Christ who suffered more than any?
Well the truth is we can absolutely suffer for Him as Paul states. Our mindset has to change though. YOU
Paul segways into my favorite chapter in all of scripture. This is where we are pointed to the Perfect mindset. The mindset of Christ Jesus.
I tell this to students often.
The greatest thing you can do for you is to do for others.
The greatest thing you can do for you is to do for others.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Could you imagine this. Lets say I go over to John farras house and I begin to make commands like this. I walk in the door, sling my shoes off, start digging through his fridge and make myself comfortable. After I flip on the TV, I tell Rae and the kids to pipe down because they are being too loud. I think you can see and agree, how horrible that would be of me. I have been welcomed into John’s home and offered so much, and I turn around and act like its all mine and act like his house is all about me. While you are sitting here thinking about how horrible that would be, know this.....
WE DO THE SAME THING. Christ has offered grace upon grace upon grace for all of us. And how do we respond, we come into His house and into communion with each other and we complain about the songs we sing, the temperature of the room, the length of the sermon, and so on. We make it all about us when it isnt about us. it is about us having the same mindset of Jesus, Thinking of others above yourselves.
What does that look like? It means sometimes sacrificing your own preferences so that others can come to know him. Myself and pastors across america go through the same letters and emails each week. Emails and letters and paper notes slipped into offering plates and text messages and rumor mail filled with people and their own interests. The greatest meeting a church can have, and this is really good as we get ready for mission conference, is God’s people getting together to see what they can do for others. How can they reach OTHERS. How can they teach OTHERS. How can they help OTHERS. How can they love OTHERS.
Berean Bible Church, as a shepherd here, let me challenge you and myself. IF you will commit to do this, myself and the Elders will do this as well. When it comes to the next Pastor here, the sermons here, the classes taught, the songs we sing, the ministries we start, and the partnership with this school, I would ask you to do this. THINK FIRST ON THE INTEREST OF OTHERS. Thats the sign of mature believer and something I know we all want to be. If we all commit to walking around this campus and this city with the mindset of humility and putting others first, this will be a harmonious place that brings Joy to the Lord and a place that is evident that it is in communion with the Lord.
Now how in the world could we have this mindset? How could we ever do the things that Paul is speaking of? Oh yeah, thats right. There was an example given for all of us. It isnt that we should have the mindset of TJ Earl or of Oprah, John MacArthur, John Calvin, Billy Graham, or any other human marred by sin, but the mindset of Jesus
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
His own advantage. This is a great translation. The greek word is αρπαγμος which means something to be grasped. This means Jesus let go of his equality of God and relinquished certain rights that he had. He did not become not God but yet took on man. YET HE RELEASED WHAT WAS RIGHTFULLY HIS. What an example. How many of us would do this. Jesus was sitting and his feet were propped on the stars as footstools. Yet he came here wow. He made himself nothing or what we call the kenosis.
And as if that wasnt enough he followed obedience to death on a cross! This statement has seemed to have lost its impact today but when Paul wrote this, it is as bad as it gets.
We arent quite finished with Chapter 2. Next Paul talks about working out your salvation and that isnt something to be skipped over, but I will give you a heads up or spoiler. Its not us doing the work, it is God doing the work. The greek helps us with that.
I want to end today with this. Some encouraging news.
Having the mindset of Christ here will help in glorifying us into eternity.
Having the mindset of Christ here will help in glorifying us into eternity.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Paul gives us an equation for glory here. He gives us the causal use of therefore. meaning because of what I just said this happens. If we will get our minds right and have the mindset of Jesus, then awaiting us here and here after is glory that is unimaginable.