Preaching on The Mind of Christ Philippians 2:5
Today our focus turns to a profound and transformative exhortation from the Apostle Paul, found in Philippians 2:5: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." These words are not merely a suggestion; they are a call to the very core of our being, urging us to cultivate THE MIND OF CHRIST and His very feelings within ourselves.
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INTRODUCTION:
The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Philippi, a community he deeply loved, speaks of a fundamental aspect of Christian living: having the mind of Christ. This is not simply about intellectual agreement with Christ's teachings, but a deep, internal transformation that shapes our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions.
I. HAVING THE MIND OF CHRIST IS THAT CHRIST REIGNS IN US.
A. When we speak of the mind, we are speaking of the head, and this means:
1. AUTHORITY: Just as the head governs the body, having the mind of Christ means acknowledging and submitting to His supreme authority in our lives.
◦ Daniel 2:37-38 speaks of Nebuchadnezzar as a king to whom God had given dominion, power, might, and glory, making him the head. This earthly example points to Christ's ultimate headship.
◦ If we have the mind of Christ, we will willingly and joyfully accept that Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). He is the supreme authority, the one who directs and guides His people.
◦ The church is the body (Ephesians 5:23). And Christ is its head. Just as the body functions in obedience to the head, so too should we, as members of Christ's body, submit to His leadership in every aspect of our lives.
◦ When we truly have the mind of Christ, we do not resist His commands or question His wisdom, but we humbly accept His authority as the Lord of our lives.
II. HAVING THE MIND OF CHRIST IS CRUCIFYING SELF.
A. If we have the mind of Christ, it means we no longer rule over ourselves. Our own desires, ambitions, and self-centeredness must be put to death.
* He has already died in us, the old self with its selfish desires has been crucified with Christ. We are not like the Pharisee of Luke 18:9-12, who was full of self-righteousness and looked down on others. Instead, we recognize our own need for God's grace.
* We live for Christ (Galatians 2:19-20). Paul declared, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Our lives are no longer our own; they are lived in and for Him.
* We are his property, and for him (Romans 14:7-9). Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Both living and dying are for the Lord. We belong to the Lord (Luke 20:38; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Philippians 1:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:10). Christ died and rose again so that he might be the Lord of both the living and the dead. His love compels us to live no longer for ourselves but for Him who died for us and rose again.
* We no longer live in the futility of our minds (Ephesians 4:17). The old way of thinking, driven by worldly desires and empty pursuits, is replaced by the wisdom and purpose found in Christ.
III. TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST IS TO THINK AND ACT LIKE CHRIST.
A. If we have the mind of Christ, we will think and act like him. Our inner being will be transformed, leading to outward expressions of His character.
* Matthew 12:35 says, "The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil."
* Christ had good treasure because He never took out bad things, but good things, so we should take out good things from our hearts. By filling our minds with the things of Christ, we will naturally produce fruit that reflects His goodness.
B. Christ's mindset is to seek the kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:33). His priority was always His Father's will and the advancement of His kingdom. This should be our guiding principle as well.
C. Christ's attitude (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38-39; 8:29; Matthew 26:39). Jesus consistently demonstrated a heart of obedience, humility, and unwavering commitment to the Father's will.
* John 4:34: "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work."
* John 5:30: "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me."
* John 6:38-39: "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day."
* John 8:29: "And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him."
* Matthew 26:39: "And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’"
* How many of us have this same attitude? God asks us to do His will.
* Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46; John 14:23-24; Ephesians 6:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18; Hebrews 10:36; 1 Peter 2:15, 3:17; 4:2, 19. These scriptures repeatedly emphasize the importance of doing God's will in our lives.
* For those who do God's will remain forever (1 John 2:17).
D. Paul thought and acted like Christ (Acts 20:19-20; 21:13-14; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Paul's life was a testament to his commitment to following Christ's example, marked by humility, selfless service, and a willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
E. Christ's Thought (Matthew 5:44). Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
* Pray for those who spitefully use you, his attitude (Luke 23:34). Even in the face of crucifixion, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
* Forgive them, for they know not what they do. This spirit of forgiveness should characterize our interactions with those who wrong us.
F. Stephen thought and acted like Christ (Acts 7:60). As he was being stoned, Stephen prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them," echoing the forgiving spirit of his Master. Jesus Christ taught the same truth that he practiced in his life, and if we think like Christ, we will do as he did.
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CONCLUSION:
Brothers and sisters, to have the mind of Christ is not a passive aspiration but an active surrender. It means allowing Christ to be the head, the ultimate authority in our lives. It requires the daily crucifixion of our selfish desires and the conscious choice to think and act in accordance with His perfect example. Let us strive, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to cultivate this mind within us, so that Christ may truly reign in our hearts and our lives may be a reflection of His glory. Christ is the head of each one of us; that is, he governs and controls us. Amen.
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