R sbc
Date: August 14, 2005
Sunday Morning
Series: Christ The Sum & The Substance of The Bible
Sermon # 54
Subject: “ The Mind of Christ”
Text: Php 2-5-8
Intro: From the very outset of this text it is clear that Paul intended as Jesus Christ did for his people to follow the example of Christ. The Apostle Peter left us a word also about this:
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: In the NT early followers of Christ the world took knowledge that these men had been with Christ:
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
It is so clear in the teachings of our LORD that he wants his church to follow him and to become like him...he said in
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. Since sinners are yoked to their nature before Christ saves them, he calls them to taking his yoke upon them. It is then that we will begin to learn of him...
Let be clear that Paul intended to impress upon the mind of the readers of this epistle that Christ was GOD...Look at verse 6. When John wrote his gospel he spelled it out clearly..John 1-1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Three times in this verse Christ is called “the Word” one more time in verse 14 where we see his incarnation vividly expressed... The word was made flesh another time at his coming: Revelation 19-13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Paul is not telling us to have a mind as GOD for that could never be, but rather look at the humanity of Christ, view his life and his works and see what kind of mind he had in him that we are have in us.
I... “ HIS MIND WAS ONE HUMILITY” VS 7
Let it be understood this morning that Christ did not empty himself of his deity but rather veiled it, that is he hid it except at times when he displayed it. Notice the term “Thought it not robbery” is the disposition of his mind...He made himself no reputation:
John Calvin said: “Christ’s humility consisted in his abasing himself from the highest pinnacle of glory to the lowest ignominy: Believe me this morning when I say that Christ came in his humility to the lowest of dishonor, to the lowest of disgrace...he said in the prophetical Psalm these words:
Psa 22-6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people
As Solomon put it, before there can be honor there must be humility: Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. When one has the mind of humility it means:
1) the having a humble opinion of one's self.
2) a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness.
3) modesty, humility, lowliness of mind.
This is why Jesus said: Matt 5:5 “ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Other than Jesus Christ Moses it is said: Numbers 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) This word has to do with one’s lowlessness... Christ had this and we are to let this mind be in us.
Paul said : Acts 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
II... HE HAD A MIND OF A SERVANT: VS 7
For him to become a servant it was necessary for him to become a man. He has always been God, but not always man. His incarnation into the world was no less than the greatest mystery of all...It has boggled men for years, it has overwhelmed the philosophers of this world..
Christ is called a servant long before he came into the world...Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. Christ quotes this in his public ministry... Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
John 13:3-17
This is a great lesson of humbleness and it is a great picture of what a real servant is to do and to be..the meaning of the word servant, is one who gives himself up to another’s will...this Christ did, this Paul did...Rom 1-1 Paul a servant of Jesus Christ we are to have a servants mind.
(1.) A servant thinks not of himself:
(2.) A servant thinks not of what can I gain from this.
(3.) A servant thinks of pleasing his or her master..
John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. When Paul was saved and converted to Christ his first words that came out of his mouth...
Acts 9:5 “ And he said, who art thou Lord And the LORD said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Vs 6 “ And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the LORD said unto him arise go into the city and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Matthew 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Let it not be said among us that there are those who will not have the mind of a servant, to humble themselves...
The servitude of Christ is seen In becoming a man
Made himself in the likeness of man: vs 7
The meaning of the word “likeness” means almost like a man in quantity and quality. Why did Paul choose this word, because he liked one thing being totally like a man, he was minus the depraved nature of man. He had not sin nature like us.
A. This is seen in his humble but unique birth: Born of a virgin
b. This is seen in his feelings as a man:
He got tired: John 4:6 “Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. This word wearied means...it means to be exhausted with toil, burdens, grief... Christ was a man.
He got hungry: Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
He cried: John 11:32 Jesus wept
He was thirsty: John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
III... HE HAD A MIND OF SELF SACRIFICE: VS 8
Paul points out two main things:
(1.) He was obedient unto death: vs 8
Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; never let it be said that this was not troubling to Christ: listen to what he said to his
John 12:23-27
This also is seen in his agony in the garden.. Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
The Lord has not commanded us to die for a human sacrifice to save others like he did his Son, but he has commanded us to have the mind to die if need be. Men have died for this country, men have died for freedom, and yes men have did for the sake of Christ millions have died.
Do you have a mind to this morning? I hope we do.
(2.) The death of the cross:
Roman crucifixion no doubt was a horrible death to die, and yet Christ did not run from it.
I have read many things about how this death was administered to the victims. Keep in mind that Christ did not die as the result of an human failure. He laid down his life freely and no man took it. To be crucified by the Romans was shameful because it was the most hideous death, it was capital punishment.