MIND BLOWING DECISIONS
PHILIPPIANS 1:27-2:16
(Series Theme: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
“Mind blowing decisions causes head on collisions
Mind blowing decisions causes head on collisions
So I talk to myself, I give plenty time
To all these decisions lying in my mind
Holding hands or put my arms around her waist
Neither one of these two will I try in haste
Taking my time to work the problem out
Yet trying to convince her that there is no need for doubt
Mind blowing decisions causes head on collisions
Mind blowing decisions causes head on collisions…”
(© 1977 Heatwave Epic/GTO Records)
The man in the song is dealing with some internal issues… Some issues that are affecting his decision making ability and literally causing him unrest… (Examples from song…)
(Transition…) Can I tell you that there is nothing that can frustrate the advance of the Gospel more, both in the effectiveness of our corporate witness and in our individual lives, than internal unrest among believers…? We need to understand that the Gospel is all about reconciliation, and un-reconciled people do not exemplify an effective witness… Paul understands this and devotes enormous energy to this matter in several of his letters…
And here in Philippians, he puts aside his own issues to speak into the issues of the corporate body and he urges them to get their corporate act together (with a common mindset and mutual love) for the sake of the Gospel... At issue was how the Philippians were conducting themselves, in their attempt to live out the Gospel... Paul urged them to stand firm in and by the Spirit so as to contend together as one person (in unity) for the faith of the Gospel. Paul is stressing the need to have harmony within the Christian community as they live out the Gospel in Philippi… For Paul, the gospel is the beginning and end of everything… So for them to live out their (heavenly) citizenship in a manner worthy of the Gospel means for them to contend (strive) for the faith of the Gospel, and to do in the unity that only the Spirit brings… (Secret…) Church folk don’t always play fair... That’s why we have… But we need to learn how to get along together with one another… (Look at 1:27-30)
“Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they’re up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting…” (1:27-30 Msg)
(Point…) We’ve got to have a change in our mindset on how we deal with issues and situations as they relate to the things of God… Why? Because if you make the wrong decisions, they can have an affect your walk with the Master…! So if you’re going to be in the place to make appropriate, responsible, and Godly decisions both corporately as well as in your individual life, there are a few mind-blowing principles that you must grab hold of. The first thing you must realize is that:
I. IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU (v 1-4)
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (Msg)
II. BE HUMBLED TO THE POINT OF OBENDIENCE (v 5-11)
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. (Msg)
III. BE DETERMINED TO STAY THE COURSE (v 12-16)
What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing. (Msg)
