Pastor Robert Potter - Christ's Missions Mindset.

The Christian life is a battle for the mind. Many minds in our culture seek to convince people to think like them. But there is no mind that can compare to the mind of Christ. Every Christian who has made Christ their Lord and Savior has the mind of Christ! We are commanded to let His mind continually be operational in us.

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Christians are made to partake in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:2-4), and with this comes the mind of God. Jesus Christ demonstrated the unique mind of a man who was wholly submitted to His Father. If we have His mind, we can think like He thinks and act like He acts (1 Corinthians 2:14-16, Proverbs 23:7).

The Example of Christ's Mind (Philippians 2:5-9)

This passage shows five aspects of Christ's mindset. In the Bible, five is the number of grace - God doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. The key instruction of this passage commands us, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (verse 5). The Greek verb is in the present passive imperative. It is a continual, unending command to let this happen. God does the work in us to have Christ's mind, and He works through us in other people's lives. We could never do it on our own.

A Selfless Mind (verse 6)

The Son of God existed as God equal to the Father, but He didn't selfishly hold onto that position. He shared the glory of God. Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end (Revelation 21:6 and 22:13). There was no God before Him and there will be none after; He is the Lord Alone (Isaiah 43:10). He called everything into existence, including you and me (Colossians 1:16, Psalm 139:13-16).

Yet Jesus Christ selflessly left Heaven to glorify His Father and give us salvation. Everything He did was motivated by love for the Father and for us.

We must welcome this mindset in ourselves. Not being bound by selfishness makes us free. There is no genuine freedom until we become selfless. Real spiritual freedom requires giving ourselves to the Lord and others. Selfishness keeps God's people from evangelizing (Philippians 2:21).

Even Jesus Christ had to take time to grow and mature in his mind when he took on human form (Luke 2:52). There is no age restriction: Children can start learning to have the mind of Christ when they are saved early.

A Self-Emptying Mind (verse 7)

Christ divested Himself of the prerogatives of deity when He left Heaven. He gave up the right to function on an equal basis with the Father. He still was God, but He only used the attributes of God as the Father allowed. He was submitted to the Father's will.

If we have the mind of Christ, we will empty ourselves of all we have and all we are to glorify God and reach souls. Pride is the opposite of self-emptying. All manifestations of pride keep us from obeying God. A Christian will continue to grow in the mind of Christ instead of their own self-interest.

A Christian who says to God, "All that I have and all that I am is Yours," will be used by the Lord.

A Servant's Mind (verse 7)

Christ took the position and form of a bondslave of God. The Son of God became a salve of the Father. His will was 100% submitted to God the Father. It was for you and me that He made these decisions. This attitude should excite and challenge us to be servants of God ourselves. A mind that is submitted in service to God will ask every day, "Lord, what is your will for me today?"

A Soul-Seeking Mind (verse 7c)

The goal of Christ's submission to the Father was the salvation of souls. We should have the same aim as Christ since we have His mind. This is part of the reason for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

A Self-Sacrificing Mind (verse 8)

Jesus Christ was characterized by humility. This virtue is the absence of pride in self or accomplishments. He voluntarily took all the sins of every person who has ever lived on himself. He endured God's wrath and completed the work of salvation forever. As a result, He can offer us the free gift of forgiveness. We are acquitted of all our sins when we accept Him as Lord.

Christ was raised from the humiliation of death exalted as a result of His mindset (verses 10-11).

Application Points

• Are you willing to have the mind of Christ? Are you permitting and welcoming His mind to be in you? This is a continual decision we make every day. As you allow God to work in you, you will grow in knowing and having the mind of Christ.

• What keeps you from telling others about Jesus? Two main sins that keep God's people from evangelizing are selfishness and pride. Are they hindering you from obeying God?

• How do you make decisions? If we have the mind of Christ, we will make the same decisions He made. Do you choose your own thinking in opposition to Christ's wisdom?

• Every Christian has the mind of Christ, but living according to this mind takes time. Scripture must be preached in the local church and taught in homes for the Christian's mind to grow and mature. Are you growing in having the mind of Christ? Do you put yourself under the teaching of God's Word whenever possible? Parents, are you teaching the Bible in your home?

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

• Colossians 2:6 - We receive Christ by faith and walk and grow by faith every day.
• Luke 19:10, Ephesians 2:11-16, Colossians 1:26-27 - Christ sought the salvation of souls, and so should we.

A Hymn to Encourage: "At the Name of Jesus"

At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess him King of glory now;
Praise and adoration to the living Word,
Who from the beginning was the mighty Lord.

Humbled for a season in the form of man,
Left His throne in glory, suffered as the Lamb;
On the cross of Calvary dying in our place,
Jesus paid the ransom through His matchless grace.

We should all adore Him, give to Him our praise,
In our hearts enthrone him, follow all His ways.
Praise the King of heaven, holy is His name;
He will come in power all His own to claim.

Let us love and serve Him, we who are His own,
Tell of His salvation, make His glories known;
By His grace be faithful in this final hour,
Trust Him for the victory through His might and power.