U & Him Series

CenterPointe Christian Church

Series: U-ology

Message 2: U & Him

Date: 7.17.05

Key Text: Philippians 2:5

Last week we talked about friendship and the need we have in our lives for friends. I made the point that America, as great as a nation as we are, is one of the loneliest nations in the world. While chasing after the American dream we’ve managed to isolate ourselves to the point that we are facing the disease of loneliness.

The church should be the place where we can find friendship. Would you agree with me?

In order to develop friendship we must make time to get to know each other. Let’s do that right now. Let’s divide up into groups of 5-7 people. Guys with guys and ladies with ladies and try to get with some people you don’t know.

In your groups discuss these questions: (questions 1-7 on same slide, 8 on one slide and 9 on another slide)

1. Make sure you know each others name.

2. How long have you been coming to CenterPointe?

3. Where do you live?

4. What do you do for a living?

5. Are you married? Single?

6. Do you have children?

7. What hobby do you enjoy?

8. What character traits do you look for in a friend?

9. How would you describe the mind of Christ? What is Jesus Christ like? Describe His character.

Introduction

In 1929 a German scientist by the name of Hans Berger proved what many scientist had suspected for years. There is electrical activity in the brain.

His discovery led to the development of the, elec-tro-en-see-fala-graph.

These devices enabled medical personal to measure and record the electrical activity of the brain known as an EEG. This was found to be very helpful in diagnosing disorders and malfunctions of the brain. For the first time in history man was able to take a look at what was going on inside the brain.

We now have modern devices – CAT scans and brain scans -- which allow even a closer look at the brain. All of which are very helpful to doctors.

While we can see the function of the brain we cannot know the thoughts of a person. We cannot know what another person is thinking. This of course is for the better. As you can imagine what would happen if we could know each others thoughts.

But let us say that it was possible for them to open up your mind and see what was in there.

• What would they find?

• I would say that if they could they would probably find some good stuff.

• I also believe that they would find stuff that would bring to you much embarrassment and shame. I know they would with me.

The Apostle Paul tells us what I minds should be like if they could open up our minds. He tells us that our minds should be extremely different than those who are not followers of Christ.

Philippians 2:5

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Let this same attitude, purpose and mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: (Amplified Bible)

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

Think as Christ Jesus thought. (New Life Version)

What does it mean?

• To have an attitude the same as Christ?

• To have His purpose?

• To have a mind like His?

• To think as Christ Jesus thought?

Today’s message is titled U & Him. Specifically it should be our goal to have the same thoughts, purpose, and mind as Christ. Today I want to look at what this mindset is and then how our friends help our hurt this goal.

What should scientist find if they could look into the mind of a Christian?

Let’s look at what the God’s word says about our mind.

Discovery #1: The attitude of Christ imitates Christ’s thoughts.

• The Christian should have the same likes and dislikes that Christ has.

• The mind of Christ is that mind that asks "What would Christ do in this situation?"

• It is a mind that seeks to imitate Christ in all that it does and thinks.

• The mind of Christ would be one that is found to be asking questions such as:

o Would Christ watch this movie?

o Would Christ watch this TV program?

o Would he act the way I act at my job?

o Would he treat his family the way I treat my family?

The mind of Christ is one that continues to ask itself "What would Christ do?"

And then after asking that question will seek God’s guidance through prayer, wise counsel, and the Word to find the answers.

The mind of Christ is one that has the attitude of Christ and seeks to imitate Christ.