The Mind of Christ
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:5
As Jesus said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Lk. 18:27).
Was there ever a promise given by our Lord more needed than this one for today’s Manna? In describing the character and conduct of Christ (Phil. 2:1-8), Paul almost nonchalantly says “Let this mind be in your, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Didn’t he know our minds are at “enmity with God” from birth (Rom. 8:7)? Of course he did, for he’s the one who wrote those words in Romans. He’s also the one who talked about our being “transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Rom. 12:2) and “casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Cor. 10:5).
So, yes, he knew very well the difficulty—yea, the impossibility—of “having the mind of Christ.”
But, that’s where the Holy Spirit comes in and our being “crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20).
In reality, it’s impossible to think the way Jesus does. . .to look at others the way He does. . . to “love our enemies, turn the other cheek and walk the second mile”. . .to always be in tune with the Heavenly Father’s Voice and responsive to His Will. . .in our own strength. No matter how much we try to “imitate” Him, we still fall short. Miserably short.
How, then, can we “let this mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus”?
Stand Fast and Strive Together
“Only let your conversation be as it becomes the Gospel of Christ—that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel.”
Philippians 1:27
In God’s Kingdom Work the adage is true: “United we stand; divided we fall.”
The Bible is clear when it says division and confusion are of the devil (I Cor. 14:33). And, quite often we blame him for it, when, in reality, it’s became we’re acting like him and operating “according to the flesh” (I Cor. 1:10-13; 3:1-4; Eph. 2:1-3; James 3:16).
Today’s Manna reminds us of the importance of “standing fast in one spirit and one mind as we strive together for the faith of the Gospel.” The Greek word “steko” is used for “stand fast” and also means “to remain stationary, immovable, persevere, abide upon, staunch resistance, be established on, etc.,” while “sunathleo” is used for “striving together” and basically means “to wrestle in company with, to seek jointly, labor together with, contend with, etc.”
Truly, it’s the picture of “teamwork” in which all team members are working together as one. It’s a picture of a team of mules, horses, oxen, etc., pulling a load together. . .or a team of rowers in a boat simultaneously pulling the oars through the water together in unity. . .or an athletic team advancing the ball toward the goal as a single unit.
In A Strait Betwixt Two
“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better; nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”
Philippians 1:23-24
It’s a constant “struggle of the soul,” but we must continue being faithful in our calling in Christ until He calls us Home.
How “at home” do you feel these days, Pilgrim? Are you having “the time of your life”. . . “grabbing for all the gusto you can get”. . .“partying hardy”. . .or do you better understand what the writer meant when he described us as “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:13)?
If you’re truly walking with the Lord, the above questions are “no-brainers”—for, as Paul later told the Philippian church—“our conversation (citizenship) is in Heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). Simply put, as born-again believers we basically live in two worlds: The one into which we were born and the one that awaits us.
The question, then, is: In which one do we feel more comfortable?
Again, if we’re growing “in Grace and Truth,” then we’ll increasingly feel more out-of-place in this world. Her values are not ours. Her way of doing things is different. Her world-view is diametrically opposite of a Biblical one.
The Central Focus
“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21
It’s all about Him, Pilgrim. All about Him.
Many years ago the Watchman Nee preached a series of sermons that was captured in a book, entitled Christ the Sum of All Spiritual Things. In those pages the spiritually-sage Chinese saint kept coming back to the theme of our Manna today: “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Nee said, “Ask not for the peace of God; ask for Jesus to be your Peace. Ask not for the joy of God; ask for Jesus to be your Joy. Ask not for the love of God; ask for Jesus to be your Love.” And, on throughout the book this same thought permeated all: “Christ. . .the Sum. . . the Essence. . .the Central Focus of everything.”
Prior to meeting the Risen Lord on the road to Damascus, Paul thought he had it all together; however, after the life-changing encounter (Acts 9:1-9), he never looked at things the same way again (Phil. 3:3-14). His “Magnificent Obsession” in life was “knowing Him, the power of His Resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Phil. 3:10).
Even though there’d still be times when his flesh still reared its ugly head (Rom. 7:7-24; II Cor. 1:8), he still knew the key to victory (Rom. 7:25-8:1; II Cor. 1:9-10). And, that key is a Christ-centered, Christ-focused, Christ-consuming life. Hallelujah!!
In Nothing Ashamed
“For I know this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.”
Philippians 1:19-20
When we truly love Him, we’ll try not to do or say anything to grieve His Holy Heart.
“In nothing ashamed.”
What a poignant, piercing desire of Paul. Conceived in great conviction, the aged Apostle—writing from a Roman prison—so loved the Risen Lord that He wanted every thought, word and deed to be pleasing in His sight (II Cor. 10:5; Rom. 12:1-2).
When It Is All Said and Done
“What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached—and I therein rejoice; yea, and will rejoice.”
Philippians 1:18
Never discount what you’re going through—particularly when you’re suffering because of your love and loyalty to Christ—and be slow to criticize when others are.
Paul was in a Roman prison awaiting trial when he penned today’s Manna. He’d help start the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:13-40) and then visited them again on his third journey (Acts 20:1, 6). But, now he was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel.
Even so, the Philippian church sent Epaphroditus with financial assistance for him (Phil. 4:18) after having previously helped him twice (4:16). While there, the faithful Philippian servant became quite ill and Paul helped in his recovery before sending him home with this Epistle in hand.
Evidently, some within the new church were disturbed over Paul’s imprisonment—wondering why God would allow such a valuable instrument as Paul to suffer so. Perhaps their concerns lay more in their fear of suffering similar persecution; or, it could be they had difficulty reconciling God-sanctioned service with suffering.
Sermon Illustrations On Becoming Thankful
Another Sermon Illustration Collection Perfect for Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching. So here is a collection of sermon illustration that you can use for Thanksgiving Day Sermon.
You can also use these collection in your sermon about being thankful to God. Sometimes, we overlooked our lives and only see all the negative things that are happening. But behind all that, God never left us in all those trails and sorrowful days of our lives.
May these stories and illustrations affect the way we respond to God in all circumstances we are in.
Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin With Chords and Lyrics
Our song for today is entitled Your Grace Is Enough sung by Chris Tomlin. This song is contemporary and most probably will be loved by younger generation.
The message of the song is more on doctronal form especially that its central message is all about salvation by grace.
Hope you will love the song too.:)
On Abounding and Approving
“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment—that you may approve things that are excellent. . .that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. . .being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:9-11
“Faith-flourishing” only occurs when our purpose, priorities and pursuits are God-sanctioned and God-glorifying (Mt. 6:33).
No one wakes up in the morning praying “O Lord, I hope I can be a miserable failure today and bring shame/discredit to Your Holy Name.” But, if we’re not careful, that’ll be what ends up happening if we don’t know how to “abound and approve.”
Paul loved his fellow believers in Philippi—that Roman colony which served as a military outpost and commercial center (Acts 16:12). Named after King Philip of Macedonia (the father of Alexander the Great) in 356 B.C., the Romans captured it in 168 B.C. and in 42 B.C. made its residents citizens of Rome.