The Crucifixion of King Self

The Crucifixion of King Self

Philippians 2:4 ESV

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

When you look at just about every problem in our churches today all over the world. And when you look at just about every MAD, UPSET, ANGRY individual or individuals it will 9 out of 10 times lead back to [ I want my way some way or another ]

I. The Mind of Christ Is a Selfless Mind

A. The One Another Commands

1. We Are to Love One Another

2. We Are to Receive One Another

3. We Are to Greet One Another: Personally, Impartially, and Thoughtfully

4. We Are to Care for One Another

5. We Are to Endure One Another

6. We Are to Forgive One Another

B. The Profile of King Self

1. King Self Has Self-Will

2. King Self Is Self-Assertive

3. King Self Is Self-Indulgent

4. King Self Is Full of Self-Pity

5. King Self Is Self-Conscious

6. King Self Is Self-Deprecating

7. King Self Is Self-Exalting

8. King Self Is Self-Justifying

9. King Self Is Self-Confident

II. The Mind of Christ is a Serving Mind

III. The Mind of Christ Is a Sacrificial Mind

Philippians chapter 2. “The Crucifixion of King Self.”

There is a cruel POWER that wants to rule over your life and keep you in bondage. He is, beyond the shadow of doubt, your worst enemy. And if you want to see more about him, then go look in the mirror. His name is Self—King Self. His throne is the human heart. His kingdom consists of three people: I, myself, and me. He comes from a dynasty. It began with Adam, and it continues on down to this present age. Self wants to rule in your heart. When self is on the throne, Christ is on the cross; when Christ is on the throne, self is on the cross. There needs to be a crucifixion of King Self.

Now his majesty King Self was born a king. He came into this world wanting to rule and wanting self-attention. He cried when he was yet a baby and wanted to be served. Like it or not, we are all by nature self-centered. Now you may think that your problem in life is your weakness. Your problem in life is not your weakness; your problem in life is the strength of King Self, who is ruling over you if you’ve not yet put King Self to death.

Now with all of this in mind, we need a complete change of thinking. What we need is a mind transport, not a brain transplant. That’s not possible. But a mind transport is. Philippians chapter 2: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind”—underscore that: “of one mind.” Everybody having one mind—wouldn’t that be unusual for everybody here in this building to have one mind? “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind”—underscore that, again—“in lowliness of mind”—“let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things,”—that is, with King Self ruling—“but every man also on the things of others.” Now, watch this: “Let this mind …”—there it is again—“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1–11)

In order to deal with King Self, what we need, really, is a new mind. We have to have the mind of the Lord Jesus, not a new brain. If you do what I tell you to do, and what God’s Word urges us to do today, then it’s not going to increase your IQ; but, it will change your life.

Now, what is the mind of Christ? What is the mind of Christ as over against the scheming and the power rule of King Self? There’s 3 things about the mind of Christ.

I. The Mind of Christ Is a Selfless Mind

First of all, the mind of Christ is a selfless mind—a selfless mind. Verse 4: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him”—listen to this—“the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:4–7)

Now the purpose of life is this: It is not about you; it is about God. And God wants to use you to be a blessing. Now a purpose-centered, purpose-driven life is not a self-centered life. Most of us by nature are self-centered. Most Americans are self-centered; and on top of that, they’re proud of it. As a matter of fact, they value self-centeredness. And it’s good to have a good self-image. You need a good self-image. But churches today are not talking about having a good self-image. Many churches today really are talking about self-centeredness. Theology has migrated into me-ology: “It’s all about me.”

There’s nothing wrong with having a good self-image. As a matter of fact, I hope you do have a good self-image. Having a good self-image and being self-centered are two different things. A wise man has said, “There is nothing so empty as a self-centered life; and there’s nothing so full as a life centered in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Now Madison Avenue and those who market know the power of self-centeredness: “You owe it to yourself.” “You deserve a break today.” “Have it your way.” The booksellers know it. You go into the bookstore today and look at the catalog of books and you’re going to find out that all of these books are talking about success, self-esteem, realizing your potential, being the best, and being fulfilled.

The social engineers know it, and that’s the reason we have the problem of abortion. They speak of what? A woman’s right to choose. Now they never finished the sentence. To choose what? To choose to kill a baby. Now people say, “Well, we’re not going to have this baby.” You already have this baby. Your choice is whether you’re going to have a dead one or a live one. That’s hard, but it’s true. What does most abortion today root in in America? King Self, Queen Self on the throne. Why do we have the divorce epidemic in America today? The number one reason is a man or a woman says, “I owe it to myself to be happy.” May I say that you owe it to yourself to keep your holy vows before a righteous and a holy God. That’s what you owe. You owe something to your children. But we are a self-centered society. And even the church today is trying to make God in man’s image. Churches have become a self-service cafeteria line.

Now the purpose of the purpose-driven life is not to find our freedom, but to find our Master. And when we find our Master, when we are abandoned to Him, for the very first time, we will find our freedom, for “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

The book of Philippians that was written to the church at Philippi, a very wonderful church. But there was some division in the church. And so Paul is writing to these people to be likeminded. Verse 2: “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory.” (Philippians 2:2–3) [ Now God have mercy on us when we’re not of one mind ]. God have mercy upon us when a church is filled with strife and vainglory. What causes strife is vainglory. What is another word for vainglory? Pride. And pride causes strife. And strife causes division. And what Paul wanted was a unified church.

What was the reason for the division? Pride. Vainglory. King Self is on the throne. Now, what is the answer to this? “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;”—Verse 3—“but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3–4)

When talking about King Self, I’m talking about an old sinful predisposition to sin and selfishness and pride. I am not talking about a good self-image. Humility is not thinking bad of yourself. You are the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21) God made you. God loves you. You are somebody in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now we’re to be like Christ.

Was Christ humble? Indeed, He was the very Lord of glory. But was He clothed with humility? He was. Sometimes, when you want a good time of meditation, take your Bible and turn to John chapter 13, and read slowly how Jesus is washing His disciples’ feet. Here He is, the Lord of glory. The Bible says, “And Jesus, knowing that he had come from God, knowing that He is going to God, knowing that the Father had committed all things into His hands …” (John 13:3) Is that a good self-image? He’s come from God, going to God, and all things are in His hands. The Bible says that then He laid aside His garments, took a robe, girded Himself, and washed His disciples’ feet. (John 13:4–5) Knowing He’s come from God, and is going to God, and that all things are in His hands, He is washing His disciples’ feet.

There’s one thing you can NEVER NEVER do—and that is to look down on somebody while you’re washing their feet. It’s impossible. Here He is washing the smelly, dirty feet of fishermen—the Lord of glory. That is humility: not thinking lowly of yourself, but rather knowing who you are, and yet thinking of other people. It is a selfless life, not King Self on the throne. Now the key word is others. In verse 4; look at it clearly—Philippians 2 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

William Booth founded the Salvation Army. He was getting up in age and he was a little feeble. They were having a grand convention. They said it would be wonderful if William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, could come. He couldn’t come. They said, “Well, send us a letter.” He wasn’t able to do that. “Send us a telegram.” He sent a one-word telegram. One word: “Others.”—“Others.” That’s what it’s all about: others. It’s not about you; it’s about God; and therefore, through God, it is about other people.