PENTECOST 17 – September 27, 2020 – Philippians 2:1-4; 14-18
“CHRIST-MINDED”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from Philippians 2. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- It is really difficult to get to know another person. I’m not talking about what they look like, what their interests are, what their occupation is, what their hobbies are. I’m talking about what is really inside of them, how they think, what they really value, what they believe about important things.
- We can live with another person – a spouse, parent, child, sibling – for many years and still be surprised to learn things about them. They may divulge a viewpoint, a set of values, that we would never have guessed they had all those years.
- If we were charged with the task of “having the same mind” as another human being, we would find this extremely difficult. First, we are all somewhat different. Second, we do not always openly and honestly share with others “who” we really are. If the effort to be completely open isn’t present, the path is closed. Even if one person is completely honest, we are likely to interpret them in accord with our own personal and subjective understanding.
- So it is challenging when Paul admonishes us to “have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus.” This passage is one of the “in-between” verses that we didn’t read, in Philippians 2. But it is the concise encouragement that our text lays upon us.
- So, if this is the will of God, and His encouragement, then a couple of remarkable things are true. First, God is open, honest, and complete in sharing His “Mind” with us – meaning objectively, this is something that we can grasp and know. This is quite remarkable when you think about it. Second, God wants us not only to “know” His Mind, but to also have an identical mind about all things!
- Is it possible? Certainly, at least to varying degrees. The ability, if we are willing to receive it, is a gift of God. We see in our text that:
I. Christ Mindedness Flows From Our Experience Of God’s Blessings
A. From Our Experience Of God’s Encouragement
Text: “If there is any encouragement in Christ.”
B. From Our Experience Of God’s Love
Text: “If there is any comfort from love.”
C. From Our Participation In The Things Of The Holy Spirit
Text: “If there is any participation in the Spirit.”
D. And From Our Receiving God’s Affection And Sympathy
Text: “If there is any affection and sympathy.”
Statement: These are the things that reveal the Mind of God to us – His encouragement, love, fellowship with us, affection and sympathy for us. Where do we learn about these things? In the Gospel – “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son . . . that through Him the world might be saved.” [John 3:16,17] “The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” [John 10:11] “Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.” [John 1:29] “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” [Eph. 1:7]
Application: I could go on and on quoting passages from Holy Scripture regarding God’s love, His encouragement of His people, His commitment to us. But you see, of course, that all of these things are a matter of God revealing His Mind to us – what He is truly like, how He values and cherishes us as His dear children!
So, we have a chance to actually know the mind of God – and that is remarkable! And yes, we internalize it gradually – as our own mind and thinking, that of our sinful nature, gives way to the Mind of Christ! But whether the process is slow or fast, it is certain that:
II. Christ Mindedness Has Beautiful Effects
A. It Unifies People In The Same Mind And Love
Text: “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
B. It Eliminates Jealousy, Envy, Pride, And Rivalry
Text: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit.”
C. It Moves Us To Humbly Consider Others As Better Than Us
Text: “In humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
D. It Moves Us Out Of Selfishness And To Real And Genuine Love For Others
Text: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Statement: All of this also reveals to us the Mind of Christ, what God is truly like and what He would like us to share with Him in regard to our own being and mind. All of us would agree that these characteristics, this manner of “being and behaving” is beautiful and blessed. What a joy if all of us were able to “have this mind” – which is Christ’s.
Application: So again, it is actually easier for us to know the Mind of God than for us to truly know one another! This is the gift and blessing of God Himself. And it is far more important for each of us to know the Mind of Christ, than for us to know one another. For if we know the Mind of God then we are also being transformed into that same Mind – by the power of God! And:
III. In So Sharing The Mind Of Christ We Shine As God’s Lights In The World
Text: “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
A. Holding Fast To The Word Of Life
Text: “Holding fast to the Word of Life.”
B. Remaining Innocent In Faith And Love
Text: “Be blameless and innocent.”
C. Be Full Of Gladness And Rejoicing
Text: “I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”
Statement: These are things we do together. We mourn with one another. We hold fast to God’s Word with one another. And we rejoice with one another – even in trials and afflictions, knowing the Mind of God, and His promise to work all things together for our good and blessedness!
Application: Does this sound like a good thing? Most assuredly it is! And God not only invites us to it, He Himself facilitates these blessings within us – helping to instill within us His own Mind. Amazing!
Conclusion: So, we aspire to these gifts of God, and we work toward gaining them. Yes, it is a process – of living in repentance and in the gracious Gospel of God’s love. Do not give up when it seems to you that the progress is slow. Rather, repent, and reenter the Mind of God through His gracious forgiveness!
In time we will indeed have “this mind . . . which is yours in Christ Jesus.” And as we gain this mind, we will also “have it among yourselves.”
God grant it to each and everyone of us, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.