Scripture Text: Philippians 2:1-11; 4:1-2
Speaker: Ps. Peter Chng
Date: 26 September 2010, Sunday
Philippians 2:1-11
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 4:1-3
1Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
1. WHAT DOES IT MEANS TO HAVE A MIND OF CHRIST?
(a) Having an attitude of lowliness (humility)
In the John 13 – Jesus’ washes the disciples’ feet.
Jesus wash the feet of the following disciples:
(i) Peter – who is going to deny Him;
(ii) Judas Iscariot – who is going to betray Him and;
(iii) the remaining 10 disciples – who are going to forsake Him.
(b) Having a servitude of loveliness
- serving people with gentleness &
lovingness.
2. HOW TO HAVE A MIND OF CHRIST?
Philippians 2:1-4
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
(a) We must be willing to die to self-centredness
Self-centredness means having high regard of oneself and always wants the attention from others (even though they never say it out, but will think in his/her mind. Eg. if this person attends a birthday party, he will think within himself and says “how i wish i am the birthday boy / girl…”).
How to die to self-centredness?
Philippians 2:2 “…then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose….”
(i) Incorporation of others
- by accepting others in your life;
- the recognition & realisation that God
uses others and;- realise that you can’t do it all by yourself
but need to work with others.
(ii) The appreciation of others in Christ
Philippians 2:3-4 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Note: a self-centred person never appreciates others.
- A consideration of others in Christ.
(b) You must be willing to die to self-consciousness
Die to self-consciousness means die to your self-reputation and also you’re forever concern about what others think or say about you.
- Don’t worry about what people are saying about you but be more sure about WHAT GOD IS SAYING OR THINKING about you! This is because what people approve of your ways may not be correct in God’s sight.
- People may be happy with your performance but is God happy with you? Is your life pleasing/transparent before God?
- Philippians 2:6-8 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
- If we take care of our CHARACTER, God will take care of our reputation.
(c) You must be willing to die to self-occupation.
Self-occupation means you are so caught up with your position / status in life. You feel good when others know that you are a CEO or a Manager or someone who has big career name.
- Jesus took upon Himself as a “bond-servant”.
- People are so conscious of “occupation”.
- Regardless of your occupation, as long as you earn a decent income, you are okay.
(d) You must be willing to die to consciousness of self-dedication.
Self-dedication means how oneself serve God. Like taking into account how much effort or time you put into the Kingdom of God.
- If you have no heart for people, you are not serving God in your life.
- Philippians 2:7-8 “…but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
- Jesus died to the consciousness of self-dedication.
IF WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST, NO ONE COULD INTIMIDATE US.
