-“THE MIND OF CHRIST.”

…is revealed in His Word… and Philppiams 2:3-5 shows us it is a Mind that is Submissive, Sacrificially Serving others…It is Others Before Self, rather than Self Before others which is manifested in “selfish ambition and vain glory.” But, rather, the opposite is with “Humility of Mind,” regarding, valuing others “more important” than themselves. It is to be continually, not occasionally or haphazardly, but looking purposely, intently, to prefer others above self, and also to look out for their interest’s. They are OTHERS orientated, to do them good, for Jesus sake!

The chapter gives 4 Examples of “THIS Mind …” Manifested in the lives of …

1. THE LORD JESUS –{v 5-11}

He came by choice. “God…sent forth His Son…”-{Gal 4:4}…“…He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”-{Phil 2:8}. He laid His life down to seek the highest good for OTHERS through OBEDIENCE for the glory of the Father…all the way from Heaven to earth, His incarnation, Life, Death on the cruel, shameful Cross. No sacrifice too great for Him for those who were opposed to Him, who mocked Him, despised Him and rejected Him because of their “selfish ambition and vain glory.” They were those who lacked “humility of mind,” which means, “lowliness of mind,” their pride and self centered thinking and living had them bound up in sin, rebellion against God, yet He came and laid His life down for them, for …you… and…me. He SERVED OTHERS before SELF.

2. PAUL -{v 17-18}

Poured out his life in sacrificial service! – {  v 17}. Paul was imprisoned at this stage. Following Jesus and expressing “This Mind…” does not guarantee or keep you from suffering, as some would teach now- a-days, that if you are following Jesus, nothing ‘bad’ will happen to you! But even in the hard place, the difficult place Paul wanted them to know, “Brothers and sisters I want you to know, my circumstances have worked out to advance, {further} the Gospel…” -{v 12}. His circumstances did not hinder nor dampen his enthusiasm to make known Jesus Christ, for he was a man on a mission, he said “I am APPOINTED for the defense of the Gospel. “-{v 16}. The word was used to strategically place a soldier for a specific assignment. He was “set!” He saw he was in these circumstances by God’s design so he may evangelize-{v 13} and encourage the believers to “speak the Word of God boldly without fear,” and this they did, Why? Paul says because of the circumstances he was also in. At times you may be placed by God in a hard place to strengthen some other believers to share. Your being there are opportunities to strengthen them. We are co-workers with Him. HE PICKS THE PORTION OF THE MISSION field we are to co-labor in. Paul had “This mind IN” him that was “IN Christ Jesus…” a submissive mind, a selfless, sacrificial serving mind, humility of mind,” that esteemed, valued OTHERS ABOVE AND BEFORE SELF! “… But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. ” -{Phil 2:17}. And this by the Power of God-{Read Phil 2:13 NLT}.

Paul said “For me to Live is Christ….” –{Phil 1:21}. If you were to remove Christ from the sentence and write in what you live for, long for, what would you place in the gap.”For me to live is  _______. ” Whatever you live for, pursue, this is your “life” and if not Christ, it is idolatry!  Life to Paul was the Person, “Christ” and death was “gain” {v 21} as it would mean being with Christ. If Christ is not life, death will not be “gain!” The LORD Jesus Christ was his Life-{1:21}; his Lord,{2:9-11}; his Goal-{ 3:8,10}, his Sufficiency-{4:10-19}. As a result of his relationship with the Lord JESUS, Paul poured his life out in the service of the LORD. He was mimicking His Lord and  Master! He SERVED OTHERS before SELF. 

3. TIMOTHY- {v 19-23}

Scripture says he was “frequently sick,”-{1 Timothy 5:23}, had a shy disposition, easily intimidated -{1 Cor 16:10},and young, so that the tendency was to look down upon him because of his age, {1 Timothy 4:12}.Yet Paul declares the virtues of him “For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.  But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father …” – {v 20-22}. He did not use as an excuse to allow frequent sickness, his timid personality or what others thought of him to hinder him from expressing “THIS MIND…” and laying down his life to sacrificially serve Paul and the church at Philippi! A Sympathetic Servant. He SERVED OTHERS before SELF!

4. EPAPHRODITUS- {v 25-30}

The man who nearly died in the service to others.“Risked” his life for the sake of the Gospel. The word is a gambling term to “RISK,” everything on the role of a dice. EPAPHRODITUS was GOD’S GAMBLER- He risked the life he had on the LORD Jesus, and the evidence, “…because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.”-{v 29-30}

Paul calls him “my brother…my fellow worker… my fellow soldier “fellow” speaks of being one-souled, or the same mind. He was a gift from the church sent to minister to Paul’s needs and this he did representing the church of Philippi who loved Paul…who uses the word “your” twice. “Your messenger, your minister…to my need” -{v 25}. We daily gamble our lives, on something or someone, but to be God’s gambler, will be manifested in OTHERS BEFORE SELF as Epaphroditus whose name means “lovely” manifests the “lovely” life of God’s Gambler! A Suffering Servant– who gambled his life on Jesus and lived it out in service to others for His sake! It did not keep him from nearly dying, “...he was sick… For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow…Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.”-{v26,29-30}.

In the third century there was a group who called themselves “The gamblers” in honor of Epaphroditus, from this passage. They ran to areas where  a plague hit, to attend to the sick and dying, to take care of them and bury others. They risked their lives to further and live out the GOSPEL!

God has recorded his life and held him up as an example of “This Mind IN you… which was also …IN Christ Jesus.” Such people are to be honored,”…hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.” He SERVED OTHERS before SELF.

As you too express “This Mind…” The Mind of Christ you will be a blessing to others, it does not change the fact you possibly could get sick, be looked down upon, discarded like some, encounter suffering, difficulties… But God has given you the information of what the Mind of Christ is and now through His Power go find people whom you can sacrificially serve and do good to, and in doing so be a living testimony of “THE MIND OF CHRIST” in action!

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have THIS MIND {Continual attitude} IN yourselves which was also IN Christ Jesus,”- {Phil 2:3-5}

It is NOT only possible for the follower of Christ to have “This Mind… it is expected, as they have power from God to do so…-{Read Phil 2:23 NLT; 4:13}. “The Mind of Christ,” is to continually be exhibited  in a lifestyle, and it will be characterized  by having…

“THIS Mind…”  IS...PREFERRING OTHERS BEFORE SELF… REFLECTING THE MIND AND CHARACTER OF CHRIST!