The Mindset Of Christ Series

Philippians 2:5-8 (p. 819) November 10, 2013

Introduction:

The challenge we ended with last week was “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others.”

And then our test this morning challenges us: “In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

The Same Mindset...What does that mean, and how do I get it?

Most of us grew up hearing the word...Attitude when it came to this word...”have this attitude in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

I think I like “mindset” better because it describes it more literally than “attitude.”

When the Apostle Paul uses this word, “Fronaoh provian” it literally means “curb your mind and heart, control the center of your feelings, thoughts and actions.”

The Hebrew word for heart is “leb.” It means the “Seat of the intellect.” (The heart, the mind, the will, all comprise the “leb”)

And Paul, the learned Pharisee, who studied under a great teacher named Gamelial thought like a Jewish teacher, not an American in the 21st century.

When he writes “Have the same mindset as Jesus,” he’s saying, “make sure you get your thoughts, attitudes, and feelings in a place where you treat people like Jesus treats people.”

[I’ll give you an example of what he’s asking. Has anyone here ever driven down an old unpaved farm road? (look for raised hands) Well, I have, hundreds of times. And, the truck I’m driving almost always wants to fall into the two tracks that have been worn down over time. Now I’m still in control of the truck, but those tracks are pretty set over time.

The “key” translation of Paul’s challenge in Philippians 2:5 is “keep your truck headed in the path set by Jesus, keep your tires in His grooves, even though you can choose to go anywhere you want! Follow in His mindset, His example, when it comes to your relationship with people.”]

For this to happen

I. WE MUST CHANGE DIRECTIONS

I’ve got some good news and I’ve got some bad news. I’m going to give you the “bad news” first...and it’s really bad. Every single person, man or woman, rich or poor, black, white or purple is driving in a rut established by Satan in the Garden of Eden. And that rut, that mindset and attitude is selfish and sinful and is pointing straight at Hell. And, most people will never change directions. How do I know? Jesus said so,

MATTHEW 7:13-23 (p. 679)

Why did I include 15-23, because we all understand the wide gate and broad road verses, small gate and narrow road illustration of Jesus. Most people will not accept His lordship. Most people will not change directions because they are caught in a super highway. If everyone’s doing it, it’s OK.

But verses 15-23 have to do with those who think they’re on the right road and think they are going to heaven.

Here’s how you can tell if you have changed directions and are known by Christ. Good trees bear GOOD FRUIT. People who are in a relationship with Jesus do the will of the Father in heaven. Not their own will, not their own attitude, not their own mindset...His.

The fruit isn’t doing stuff, like prophesying (preaching), or driving out demons, or performing miracles. Scripture teaches there are two fruits that clearly indicate what kind of tree we are, and where our roots are located.

1. First, the fruit of other disciples. All of us attempt to make disciples. We all try to get people to be on our team. Whether you’re a Pharisee making disciples twice as hell-bent as you are or whether we are making other disciples who follow Christ like we do. In example, if you are a critical, self focused individual you want to make disciples that are as unhappy as you. Good fruit? Nope...horrible, nasty, decaying fruit. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so it will be even more fruitful. (John 15) What fruit is Jesus clearly talking about. Listen.

JOHN 15:5-8 (p. 752)

Church attenders go to church. Disciples of Jesus “go into the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded us to do.” (Matt. 28:19-20)

It takes a specific change of direction to come to Christ and head out into the world. It’s called “Repentance.”

And the 2nd fruit is what makes us attractive to a lost world. It’s the “good news” part of what I need to share. The second fruit that disciples of Jesus produce: