INTRODUCTION
Outline.
Christ’s Mind of Serenity
Remarks.
1. Today we are going to be discussing the mind of Christ. The beloved apostle Paul encourages the saints at Philippi to: “If there be therefore in a consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each (esteemeth others) better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others,” Philippians 2:1-4. If there is something that we ought to be encouraging the church today, it is that it should cultivate; and maintain the mind of Christ.
2. We will address the mind of serenity (patience) of Christ. Paul says: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” Philippians 2:9-11.
BODY OF LESSON
CHRIST’S MIND OF SERENITY
A. Christ’s pre-eminent existence. In this point Paul speaks to Christ’s pre-eminent existence. That is, Him being highly exalted by His Father. The humility of Christ is shown and God’s approval of his suffering, death, and resurrection, is now presented. We therefore conclude: “That God truly resists the proud, but give his grace unto the humble,” James 4:6. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name above every name; which is Jesus Christ the Savior.
1. God has put all authority in His hand, Matthew 28:18-20.
2. Peter speaks of Christ’s exaltation on the Day of Pentecost.
a. In his sermon, he preaches of David’s foretelling of the resurrection of Christ; he said: “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.”
b. “This Jesus hath God raised up; whereof we are all witnesses.”
c. “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which you now see and hear.” He continues:
d. “For David is not ascended into the heavens: but, he said himself, the Lord said unto my Lord:”
1) “Sit thou on my right hand;”
2) “Until I make thy foes thy footstool.”
e. He concludes: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ,” Acts 2:31-36.
B. And given him a name which is above every name. Peter, “being filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel:”
1. First, “If we this day be (are being) examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole,” Acts 3:1-9.
2. Further, “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.”
3. Next, “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner,” Acts 4:11.
a. “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste,” Isaiah 28:16.
b. “Ye are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone,” Ephesians 2:20.
c. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 3:11.
4. Finally, “Neither is there salvation in any other (name): for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” Acts 4:8-12.
5. Seeing therefore the boldness of Peter and John: “And perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it,” Acts 4:13-14.
6. The Sanhedrin’s conference and reprisal: “They commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus,” Acts 4:15-18.
7. Peter and John’s response: “But Peter and John answered and said unto them: Whether it be (is) right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye (you). For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard,” Acts 4:19-20; Acts 5:29.
a. Peter and John, were unshaken in their work, or silenced by their threatenings from the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem.
1) These apostles refused to be silent; and therefore, subjected themselves to outward resistance and persecutions from these leaders.
2) Peter and John were committed to the preaching of Christ; regardless of the consequences. They said: “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
3) They were unafraid of their threats; they were considered: “Bold fearless preachers.”
b. The church needs men like these in the pulpits of the churches of Christ. Where are they? As the servants of the Lord, we must also speak out against the sin and corruptions that impact our political and religious institutions in America.
C. Every knee shall bow. Paul went on to write: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth,” Philippians 2:10. This Jesus who has all things put under His feet; shall ever knee will bow; in the acknowledgement of His glory, authority and power.
1. Isaiah wrote: “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return. That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him will be ashamed. In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory,” Isaiah 45:23-25; Galatians 3:6-9; Galatians 3:26-29.
2. Paul wrote of this:
a. To the Romans: “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then; every one of us, shall give an account of himself to God,” Romans 14:11-12.
b. To the Ephesians: “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Ephesians 3:14.
c. To the Hebrews: “And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him,” Hebrews 1:6. The angels were also sent to minister unto Jesus after his temptation, Matthew 4:11.
D. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus said all shall confess Him, to the glory of God.
1. “Therefore whosoever confesses me before men, Him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, Him I will deny before My Father who is in heaven,” Matthew 10:32-33.
2. “Nevertheless even among the rules many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they love the praise of men more than the praise of God,” John 12:41-42.
3. “That if thou shall confess with the mouth... thou shalt be saved... For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” Romans 10:9-10.
4. “For it is written: ... And every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God,” Romans 14:11-12.
E. To the glory of God the Father.
1. David wrote: “I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore,” Psalms 86:12.
2. Isaiah wrote: “Wherefore glorify ye the Lord,” Isaiah 24:15.
3. Jesus said: “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sen Him,” John 5:23.
4. Jesus said to His disciples: “And whosoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son,” John 14:13.
5. The Holy Spirit hath glorified the Son; John 16:13-15.
6. The Father hath, and will glorify the Son, John 17:1.
7. We glorify God and our Lord Jesus Christ in “our good works before all men,” Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 4:16.
8. Summary: All men and women everywhere will bow their knee and confess in submission to Christ in the Day of Judgment. To confess Him now; means He will confess us then. Not to confess Him now; will yield no benefit when you confess Him then.
9. Conclusion: The name of Jesus. That name, by His exaltation, has become the name of King of kings and Lord of lords. It is supreme. Hence, every knee in the entire universe will bow to His Majesty. In the earth; as well as in the under-world; that is hades, the abode of the dead. And every tongue shall confess. The dead and living; shall confess Christ, as Lord, to the glory of God the Father. We all shall confess him, either in joy, or in shame. We will confess Him in order to be a recipient of eternal life; now, or to be subject to eternal damnation, in the judgment. As I now move to a conclusion, let me review what we have discussed briefly.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
Christ’s Mind of Serenity
B. Remarks.
1. We addressed the mind of serenity (patience) of Christ. Remember Paul wrote: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” Philippians 2:9-11.
2. The mind of Christ must be our mind. Obedience must begin in our submission to the will of God through obedience to the gospel of Christ. It will continue in us doing the will of God always. As Christ’s humbling example exalted Him; when we humble ourselves to the will of God; He will lift us up also to our rightful place with Christ.
C. Invitation, H, B, R, C, B.
D. Motivation.
E. Persuasion.
