But we have the mind of Christ.

The Lord Has Come – One Mind, This Mind

(Philippians 2:1-5, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, October 27, 2019)

[1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ...

“Joy to the world. The Lord has come.” What do these words mean? Is there something to the coming of Jesus that is more than any of us have known up to this moment in our lives? Do you find any encouragement in your soul from the birth of the Lord? If so, what will you do with that good seed? Could it be that God has a plan that is bigger than any one person, or any particular place or time? Is it possible to have the singular mind of Christ Jesus in a group of people, not just for a moment, but forever?

(1) Do you find any encouragement in your soul from the birth of the Lord?

Any encouragement in Christ

Any comfort from the love of Jesus

Any participation in the Spirit of the Lord

Any affection or sympathy for him and his story

(2) What will you do with that good seed?

Toward a more completed apostolic joy

Being of the same mind

Having the same love

Being in full accord and of one mind

(3-5) Is it possible to have the singular mind of Christ in a group of people?

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit.

In humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind, the mind of Jesus, among yourselves. NKJV: “in you” The you is plural.

This one mind is yours in Christ Jesus. What is this “mind”?

1 Corinthians 2:16 ends with these words: “We have the mind of Christ.”

What a concept! To have the mind of another in you! That sounds dangerous, or good...

Closely related to being a true disciple of another. John 9:28 “And they reviled him, saying, 'You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.' ” Is that enough for us?

THE POINT: The Lord has come. There must be something more. Something far better.

I certainly hope there is something more than what the world had prior to the coming of Christ. Consider Genesis 1-5 in brief: “Good” and “Very Good”, “Not Good”: and “At Last”, “Good and Evil”, “Murder”, “He Died.” A world in desperate need...

Another alternative to have in you that would not be good: from Phil. 3:1–3

“[1] Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. [2] Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. [3] For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.”

Paul the Pharisee knew that they did not see themselves as having the mind of a dog.

What mind did they think they had in them? God's through Moses. The mind of Moses.

The story of Moses (from Exodus):

Birthed in danger, raised in privilege, a deliverer want-to-be, suddenly a murderer, a fugitive wanderer, a curious investigator of a burning bush, a reluctant ambassador, a maligned and unappreciated miracle worker, a worshiper, a lawgiver, a frustrated leader of a difficult multitude, the builder of a tent house, a prophet...

Deuteronomy 18:15, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen.”

The story of Jesus:

Birthed in danger, raised in obscurity, at 12 a worshiper in his Father's house, suddenly revealed as the beloved Son of God and long-awaited Christ, an astounding teacher and miracle worker, the Suffering Servant, betrayed by a close companion, abandoned by his friends, a king on the cross, the Passover Lamb, the resurrected Lord of a new world.

Which mind would you want in you? The mind of Moses or the mind of Jesus the Christ? But then it was not really the mind of Moses that persecutors and troublers of Christ and his church had, was it?

Applying these verses:

1. The impact of the Lord's coming cannot be limited to just you.

This is more than an individual experience that begins and ends with one person. It is an individual experience, but it must be more than that. The example of brother Lawrence. Read his “Seventh Letter”. A monk who was not very monkish encouraging the friend of a soldier...

2. The impact of the Lord's coming cannot be limited to doing religion the Old Testament way.

Paul knew that it was not safe to be as he once was – a persecutor of the church. He was confronted by the One whose Mind would be in him and in us.

3. The impact of the Lord's coming must be more than anything limited to one place or time.

This mind in us creates a most necessary new start and a shining light for the journey. It says to our souls, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind, the mind of Jesus, among yourselves.”

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 119:105-112 – Light for the journey

New Testament Reading—Romans 7:13-25 – Beyond sin