Preached Jan 17, 1999 at Faith Baptist Church
By Pastor Steven E. Mays
"The Mind of Christ"
Phil 2:1-10
1 ¶ If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The battle is for your mind…
When the Devil went after Eve, he started with her Mind!
Gen. 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
What was the devil doing in Eve's mind? Working up doubt, working up Self pitty, working up strife towards God. Why? Because The Devils work always starts with the mind..
Defeat starts in your head… That's why you never say I'm beat.
Proverbs 24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
The Ultimate mind is the Mind of CHRIST! LET'S LOOK AT IT!
I. The Mind of Christ is a Servant's Mind
Vr. 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Someone well said, one of the biggest problems in the church is we've got to many Chiefs and not enough Indians!
What Jobs in the Church have you got to Big for? (Many say they aren't to big but you've have got a lot of excuses for doing nothing)
When was the last time you cleaned a toliet or vacumed for Jesus?
Listen to Our Lord speak to this subject..
1. Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
2. Matthew 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
3. Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Foot Washing is teaching servanthood. It's not an ordinance… It's a lot easier to wash feet once a month than be a servant all month.
John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. Vr. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
There is no such thing as a Christian Proffesional… No white collar Christians.. Folks with the Mind of Christ, have a mind to serve…. A lot of Folks are blowing in and out of Church's because they are looking for a place to be waited on instead of a place where they can wait on others..
II. The Mind of Christ is a Submissive or a Selfless Mind
Vr. 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Romans 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
We've got so many today, who are willing to fight at the drop of a hat, and will Gladly drop their hat at any chance. That's not the mind of Christ!
Some don't mind if the same lady stays in the nursery all month. They aren't going to Help. Get the mind of Christ!
Let me say right here.. You'll never have the Mind of Christ till you first have the Spirit of Christ!
III. The Mind of Christ is a mind Willing to Suffer
Vr. 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1 Peter 4:1 ¶ Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
Some woke up today looking for an ache so they could lay out of Worship! God have Mercy on their Guilty Soul!
IV. The Mind of Christ is a Sympathetic Mind
Vr. 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
The mind of Christ is to put others first! This is such a self centered hour we live in! God help us to get our eyes and minds off of our selves and onto the Saviour and the cross on which He died!
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
1 Corinthians 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Friend, our Lord would walk way out of way and bear any Reproach in order that some soul would come to Salvation… That is the mind of Christ!
Do you have the Mind of Christ?
IV. The Mind of Christ is a Sinless Mind
I Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Some of us would never kill, we'd never commit adultry, we'd never steal, but we'd think a lot about it!
Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
That's not the mind of Christ!
Proverbs 24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Prov. 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Isaiah 5:20 says, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
Psa. 51:6: "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom." And then He prayed in verse 10: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
Guard your Heart.. Guard your Eye Gate… It will be under Seige.. You'll not have the Mind of Christ if you fill your head with all the Hell and Rot of the Day!
Return to Index
