Mind-Blown by the Mind of Christ

Introduction

Bible Engagement Video (Listen V. 8, S. 1):

(John 13 — Last Supper)

Jesus blew their minds quite often, and this night with His disciples was more intense than any other time with Him. They didn’t quite get it, but they knew this was a pivotal moment.

His actions, as they gathered in that room to eat, astonished them…humbled them…it blew their minds. At least that’s how I picture it.

Their whole experience with Jesus, from the beginning, had them in over their heads. The only reason they could still be there is because they knew He no false prophet. His love kept them by His side, as He spent time pouring into them, a message was like no other.

The Twelve did not know what to think when Jesus took off His outer garment, wrapped Himself with a towel and began to wash their feet. It blew their minds

Feet washing was only done by servants. I have read that it was usually only done by Gentile servants. A servant was the only one that could do such a menial, lowly task. Yet, here was their Rabbi, Teacher, and Master, kneeling before them, washing their feet.

John 13:12–17 ESV

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

PRAYER

Out with the Bad — In with the Good

The challenge in 2022 is to jettison the bad and replace it with good…one day at a time. Do it for a day.

Back in the 60’s and 70’s, if something blew your mind, it had to do with LSD trips or other drug-induced, reality altering experiences.

When you consider the amazing, mind-boggling love God has for humanity, it truly does blow your mind…in a good way

Text: (Philippians 2:1-11)

Philippians 1:29–2:1 The Message

There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You’re involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter. If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—

Interrogatories

Is it encouraging to follow Christ?

Is it comforting to know His love?

Does it bless you to know you belong to a community of the Spirit?

Do you have compassionate and soft hearts?

“If you can answer yes to these questions,” Paul says, “...then make my day by uniting together in love, doing the work of the Lord as one.”

What Paul is describing is the mind of Christ — listen

HAVING THE MIND OF CHRIST BLOWS UP YOUR OLD MIND-SET (Ph 2:2-4)

Since encouragement, comfort, and community can be found in Christ, it makes sense that we Christians should love and get along with each other.

Philippians 2:2–4 ESV

complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

…having the mind of Christ means you unite together in and through Him

Having the Same Mind

…being of the same mind

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Same love

United in Spirit

Doing nothing from selfishness or pride

Counting others more important

Not only looking to your own interests...

But also to those of others

These things cause us to be of the same mind, the mind of Christ

…having the mind of Christ means you unite through Him - you supernaturally collaborate for the good of the Kingdom

Like-Minded Collaborators

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Being liked minded means your interests and the interests of others intersect — bringing unity…blowing our minds when it comes to how we would normally think

It is no longer all about your own interests at the expense of other’s interests

Neither is it only about others interests at the expense of your interests

It is about us (believers) looking out for one another — caring for each others interests

If we only worry about our own interests, that leads to selfishness

If we only worry about others’ interests, we cannot sustain that because it is unbalanced and impossible

The key is to find balance — the place of collaboration

Transitional: If having the mind of Christ blows up our old mind-set…then we need a new play-book

HAVING THE MIND OF CHRIST FLIPS THE SCRIPT OF YOUR STORY (2:5-11)

Philippians 2:5–11 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 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.

It flips the script...

From Master to Servant

Jesus was and is fully God…yet he set that aside

Emptied Himself…took on the form of a servant…humbled himself even to the point of become obedient to the point of death…the death of a common criminal.

Picture the scene when Jesus humbled Himself and washed the disciples’ feet

When he went to the Cross, we see His humility and servanthood so powerfully that it blows our minds

From in charge to fully surrendered

From Self-Focused to Placing Others Above Self

Wrapping it all together:

CALL WORSHIP TEAM

Having the mind of Christ blows up your old mindset — you become fellow collaborators for your good and the good of those around you

Having the mind of Christ flips the script on your story…we switch from being our own masters to fellow servants, from being in charged to fully surrendered

Challenge

Have the mind of Christ, know His love, selflessly serve one another and reach the world with His love

Having the mind of Christ results in unity instead of division...

Marriage & Family

Church family

Having the mind of Christ results in you truly looking out for others

Having the mind of Christ gives you a passion for those that do not know Him

Where do you stand?