WEBVTT 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:09.679 So in this letter from St. Paul to the Philippians, Paul makes several comments about the mind. 00:00:12.560 --> 00:00:16.859 ! So we're going to do some thinking about the mindset of the Christian life. 00:00:16.859 --> 00:00:22.800 So for example, chapter 1 verse 27, he encourages the church to be of one mind. 00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:28.420 Chapter 319, he warns against setting our minds on earthly things. 00:00:28.420 --> 00:00:34.200 In chapter 4 verse 7, he prays that God would protect our minds. 00:00:34.980 --> 00:00:41.620 And in our passage, chapter 2 verse 2, he encourages the church to be of the same mind and of one mind. 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:45.160 Then in 2 verse 5 he says, have this mind among yourselves. 00:00:45.660 --> 00:00:50.640 So his theme here is the true mindset of the Christian life. 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:56.680 Now mindset is very important in every area of life, isn't it? 00:00:56.679 --> 00:01:04.060 When we consider the various sporting victories that were achieved throughout the last couple of weeks at the Olympics. 00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:14.060 They were achieved as much through an effort of the mind as they were through acts and effort of the body. 00:01:14.060 --> 00:01:21.879 And the same is true in business, in war, in our personal lives, in perseverance through trials. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:25.159 And so it is also with the Christian life. 00:01:25.240 --> 00:01:30.820 Our mindset is absolutely determinative of the outcome. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:38.120 So what is it that Paul has to say about our mindset in these verses? 00:01:38.120 --> 00:01:43.780 Well he wants us to share a mindset of imitating Christ. 00:01:44.780 --> 00:01:50.719 And in particular of imitating his self-sacrificial service. 00:01:51.620 --> 00:01:56.020 So the main part of this talk will just be focusing on that one point. 00:01:56.219 --> 00:02:06.100 That Paul wants us to share a mindset of imitating Christ's self-sacrificial service. 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:12.159 And then at the end of this talk I'll give four practical implications of this mindset. 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:20.039 Now in sort of summing up what Paul is saying here, I use those words share a mindset very deliberately. 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:22.840 Because Paul is speaking to a group of people. 00:02:23.459 --> 00:02:24.939 He's speaking to a church. 00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:28.259 And he's telling them to be of one mind. 00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:29.520 In verse 2 he says, 00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:39.759 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord, and of one mind. 00:02:42.460 --> 00:02:45.680 That's an idea that sounds very nice theoretically. 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:51.780 John Lennon famously sang of the world being as one. 00:02:51.780 --> 00:02:53.979 And it sounds wonderful. 00:02:54.819 --> 00:03:00.879 But in reality it confronts our ordinary way of thinking and our usual mode of operation. 00:03:02.080 --> 00:03:07.439 Firstly, getting along with people, as we all know at times, is not easy. 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:14.960 And secondly, generally we're not as inspired by people who are simply able to get along with people 00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:22.200 as we are by individuals who think for themselves and stand up from the crowd and go against the flow and so on. 00:03:23.360 --> 00:03:28.980 And in fact in our age and culture which celebrates really independence and individuality, 00:03:28.979 --> 00:03:33.139 we might feel that Paul's teaching is somewhat threatening. 00:03:34.939 --> 00:03:40.219 Is Paul suggesting an erasure of independent thoughts? 00:03:42.519 --> 00:03:48.919 In all this talk about being of one mind, does he want us to stop thinking for ourselves and to be passive? 00:03:50.039 --> 00:03:52.859 And to be directed by others instead? 00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:57.900 I think if we read on, that's not quite what he's getting at. 00:03:57.980 --> 00:04:00.040 Have a look at verses 3 and 4. 00:04:00.620 --> 00:04:04.220 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:08.960 But in humility, count others more significant than yourselves. 00:04:10.140 --> 00:04:15.260 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:20.720 Now look firstly, Paul doesn't encourage them to simply be pushovers. 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:25.380 He says, let each of you look not only to his own interests. 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:33.700 So he doesn't say, don't look after yourself, forget about yourself and just be totally absorbed by others all the time. 00:04:34.140 --> 00:04:38.280 He says, look not only to your own interests. 00:04:39.380 --> 00:04:41.160 So it's not about simply being a pushover. 00:04:41.640 --> 00:04:44.940 Secondly, Paul's letter is directed at everyone in the church. 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:57.699 It's not simply as the lay people and this sort of idea that they all need to sort of stop thinking and let all the thinking be done for them by others. 00:04:57.819 --> 00:04:59.819 No, he's speaking to everybody. 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:01.680 He begins verse 4. 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:06.040 Each of you, let each of you look not only to his own interests. 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:15.079 But most importantly, Paul is not saying that Christians should have one mind just for the sake of being in harmony. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:17.280 Or just because it's nice. 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:19.879 Because life is easier that way. 00:05:20.740 --> 00:05:22.439 Or because it looks good to others. 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:27.939 There's nothing vague or sentimental about Paul's call to unity. 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:35.720 He says Christians are to unite together in one mind with a very precise goal and purpose. 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:41.860 Which is that of imitating Christ's self-sacrificial service. 00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:44.960 So he says in verse 5. 00:05:45.960 --> 00:05:51.340 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:59.840 It's really important that we understand this mindset is not something we have to muster up for ourselves. 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:03.800 He's not telling us just to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:09.680 He says this mindset is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:10.980 What does that mean? 00:06:11.860 --> 00:06:17.100 Well it means for those who are Christians, who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. 00:06:19.620 --> 00:06:22.920 We have been united to Christ by his spirit. 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:28.680 Which means that we're being changed by the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:06:29.340 --> 00:06:31.879 To become more and more like Jesus Christ. 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:33.240 Every day. 00:06:33.340 --> 00:06:35.580 And that involves our minds. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:39.740 And if you're here and you're not a Christian. 00:06:39.740 --> 00:06:46.699 I hope that's very clear that this is not just a mindset that we can change for ourselves. 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:49.800 Just by sitting down and concentrating for a while. 00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:54.360 Rather we need to ask God to give us this mind. 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:55.819 It's something that is given. 00:06:56.639 --> 00:07:00.280 And he says to these Christians it is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:07:00.279 --> 00:07:08.759 That's also interesting because it means the motivation for obeying this command is not simply just because it's a command. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:16.039 It's because we're actually involved in this work in which God is making us more like Jesus Christ. 00:07:16.039 --> 00:07:18.519 The ultimate standard of all that is true, good and beautiful. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:21.539 And it's not simply for some practical reason. 00:07:21.659 --> 00:07:26.120 It's not simply if we do this then actually maybe more people will start coming to church. 00:07:26.159 --> 00:07:28.639 Because they'll think that Christians are really great. 00:07:28.719 --> 00:07:31.199 Even though that might be a side effect of it. 00:07:31.599 --> 00:07:36.459 But the main point is simply that it's good inherently to become more like Christ. 00:07:36.459 --> 00:07:38.099 And that is happening to us. 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:50.399 So then what actually is this mindset that is ours in Jesus Christ? 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:56.839 Well Paul says it's seen most clearly in Christ's self-sacrificial service. 00:07:56.839 --> 00:08:01.459 And he describes that service in three steps. 00:08:01.599 --> 00:08:03.099 Three steps in a descent. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:07.439 That begin with his place as the eternal son of God. 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:13.279 A step down then to Christ's becoming man. 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:18.239 And then a step even further down when Christ died on the cross. 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:21.840 So let's just think about those in three steps. 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:23.759 Beginning with Christ as the eternal God. 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:28.980 Paul says, have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:32.039 Who though he was in the form of God. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:36.500 Did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:42.539 Normally when we think of Jesus we think of the man who walked around Galilee. 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:43.799 And who cured lepers. 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:44.960 Who made the blind see. 00:08:45.139 --> 00:08:46.100 Who ate with sinners. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:46.840 Told parables. 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:49.120 Who was crucified dead and buried. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:51.000 And on the third day rose again. 00:08:51.059 --> 00:08:54.700 And quite right that is who we're talking about when we talk about Jesus. 00:08:55.220 --> 00:09:00.379 But the Bible makes it absolutely clear that there is another dimension to this man's identity. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:04.259 That he is not only man but also God. 00:09:04.899 --> 00:09:08.539 Fully God and has in his divine nature always existed. 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:13.080 He didn't just come into being when he was born as a man. 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:17.700 The beginning of John's Gospel. 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.059 It says doesn't it in these famous words. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:21.860 In the beginning was the word. 00:09:22.439 --> 00:09:23.860 And the word was with God. 00:09:24.019 --> 00:09:25.320 And the word was God. 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:29.480 In Paul's words here he was in the form of God. 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:31.960 So he's fully equal with God. 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:32.879 With the Father. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:33.720 With the Spirit. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:35.840 There's nothing less divine about him. 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:37.480 He's an infinite power. 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:38.879 Infinite goodness. 00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:39.920 Infinite wisdom. 00:09:40.060 --> 00:09:42.100 And for all eternity has existed. 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:43.620 He's the creator. 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:46.460 And possesses fully all of the divine attributes. 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:49.560 He's not composed of anything. 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:52.620 He cannot be defined or comprehended. 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:53.680 He is fully God. 00:09:54.680 --> 00:09:58.920 But Paul says he did not count equality with God. 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:00.539 A thing to be grasped. 00:10:01.699 --> 00:10:04.539 That is to say that though he is equal with God. 00:10:05.699 --> 00:10:09.360 And has equal glory, power and divinity with the Father and with the Spirit. 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:11.779 He willfully humbled himself. 00:10:12.339 --> 00:10:16.539 So we see the first step down in this descent to him becoming man. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:18.399 Christ emptied himself. 00:10:19.219 --> 00:10:20.519 Taking the form of a servant. 00:10:21.059 --> 00:10:23.480 Being born in the likeness of man. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:29.300 Now to understand this we have to do a bit of careful thinking about what's going on. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:35.000 Because some people have taken the language that Paul uses here of Christ emptying himself. 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:39.800 And said that what happened was Christ Jesus, the Son of God was God. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:44.320 And then when he was born as a man he sort of stopped being God for a while. 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:46.759 He sort of emptied himself of being God. 00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:52.039 And hung up his deity on a coat hook for a little while. 00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:55.399 And that's a complete misunderstanding of what he's saying. 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:58.779 Deity isn't something that he can just put to one side. 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:02.620 Like we might hang up our coats for the evening and put it back on the next day. 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:04.980 Jesus never stopped being God. 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:14.300 But what he did do was put to one side certain rights and certain privileges that come with being God. 00:11:16.180 --> 00:11:22.000 As an imperfect analogy use the idea of a chess player. 00:11:22.100 --> 00:11:24.139 Let's say the world number one chess player. 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:30.399 Let's imagine they're sat across the table from their eight year old son. 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:34.519 And they're teaching son how to play chess. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:45.879 Now is it possible for them to lay aside, completely rid themselves of their expertise, their capabilities in chess. 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:49.080 So that their son can win. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:55.620 I would say short of bashing their head against a wall several times or taking some mind altering drug. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:58.600 They can't actually rid themselves of that ability. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:00.840 They have it. 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:09.519 But what they can do is choose to act in a way that doesn't maximise upon their abilities and limit the use of their power. 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:13.200 And Paul is saying that is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:15.340 That's what it means that he emptied himself. 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:19.040 He took the form of a servant born in the likeness of men. 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:21.720 Remaining fully divine and fully God. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:25.700 But taking a human nature and uniting himself to it. 00:12:25.700 --> 00:12:29.900 This isn't just some sort of abstract idea Paul is saying. 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:32.780 This isn't theological hair splitting. 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:36.080 He's saying that this happened for a particular purpose. 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.280 And the purpose is this. 00:12:39.520 --> 00:12:41.300 He did it to serve. 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:44.700 He took the form of a servant. 00:12:46.040 --> 00:12:46.980 But what does that mean? 00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:50.960 We see what it means in the next step down in this descent. 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:55.600 Where we see how he has served us. 00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:59.639 He became obedient to the point of death on the cross. 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:02.139 To die for our sins. 00:13:02.680 --> 00:13:03.800 In our place. 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:06.600 Taking the penalty that we deserve for our sins. 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:09.100 Facing fully the consequence. 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:12.940 And freeing us for eternity from them. 00:13:12.940 --> 00:13:18.560 So Christ went from the highest place in all of existence to the lowest place. 00:13:19.540 --> 00:13:21.820 Being born as a man and being crucified for us. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:24.900 And he did it to serve us. 00:13:26.880 --> 00:13:29.940 And don't let this pass you by. 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:35.920 This means that in Christ God has become our servant. 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:39.140 If you're here and you are a Christian. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:45.740 You're not primarily a Christian because you have decided to serve God. 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:53.899 But you are a Christian because God has decided to serve you in Jesus Christ. 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:55.980 And if you're here and you are not a Christian. 00:13:57.360 --> 00:14:00.240 Becoming a Christian is not primarily about us. 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:01.840 Deciding about. 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:04.399 Deciding that we're going to do something great for God. 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:07.799 But it's about seeing something that God. 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:10.120 A great thing that God has done for us. 00:14:10.579 --> 00:14:12.000 That he has served us. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:15.480 By in the person of Christ dying for our sins. 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:19.120 This is a very different vision of God from what we get elsewhere. 00:14:20.319 --> 00:14:26.319 Typically God's often portrayed as either absolutely transcendent rulers of the universe. 00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:31.139 Or as sort of beings that are just a little bit bigger than humans. 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:32.699 And are very human like. 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:34.220 Just with a lot more power. 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.620 And that first type of God. 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.759 The sort of transcendent one. 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:39.799 Is really not much of a servant. 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:43.019 Really rather he or it exists to be served. 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:46.059 But the latter type sometimes. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.840 Can be a servant. 00:14:48.059 --> 00:14:50.579 But is only a servant if you perform the right ritual. 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.279 If you do the right sacrifice. 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:54.579 Or if you do the right prayer or petition. 00:14:56.980 --> 00:15:00.100 Take the gods of ancient Greece for example. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:03.600 But in reality God is not like either of those. 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:05.700 Yes he is transcendent and all powerful. 00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:08.899 But he's revealed himself to the world as a servant. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.139 And yes he is a servant. 00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:13.480 But this service was given freely. 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:15.820 Not in response to any bribing. 00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:17.240 Any coercion. 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:19.220 Or any prayer or petition on our part. 00:15:19.420 --> 00:15:21.700 But rather he has done it for us. 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:23.279 And for our salvation. 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:28.399 And because of this Jesus has lived the only life that has been vindicated. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.779 By God. 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:31.459 Have a look at verse 9 and 10. 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:36.500 Therefore God has highly exalted him. 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:39.720 And bestowed on him the name that is above every name. 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.679 So that at the name of Jesus. 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.959 Every knee should bow. 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:44.639 In heaven and on earth. 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:45.819 And under the earth. 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:48.899 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:15:49.439 --> 00:15:50.740 To the glory of God the Father. 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:57.720 The movement of Christ's work has been from descent into ascent. 00:15:57.820 --> 00:16:00.060 From humiliation to exaltation. 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:02.879 He went from eternal glory into human form. 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:05.100 To dying on the cross in our service. 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.100 And now he's raised. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.019 Ascended. 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:08.220 And is the Lord. 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:10.159 Who will come back. 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:13.100 To be the judge of the living and the dead. 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:16.060 And all people will one day bow the knee. 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:18.100 And confess that he is the Lord. 00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:23.320 And Paul's point when thinking about Christ. 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.360 In this way. 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:27.100 Is that this is the mind that we are to have. 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:29.420 We are to share a mindset. 00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:30.340 If we are Christians. 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:34.759 Of imitating Christ's self-sacrificial service. 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.960 Well what does that mean? 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.779 I want to suggest four things. 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:41.860 Firstly. 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.240 Christ-like service. 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:45.240 Is the whole of the Christian life. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:48.379 When I was thinking about how this passage actually applies. 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.019 It struck me. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.539 That Paul doesn't give many. 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.240 Specific instructions. 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:54.659 About how to perform these Christ-like actions. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.899 Other than what we find in verses three and four. 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:59.740 I think that's because he's doing something much bigger. 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:01.959 He. 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:04.079 Is commending an entire mindset. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:04.779 Not just. 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.339 Two or three things. 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.299 Two or three actions. 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.819 To kick off. 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.539 Saying the whole of the Christian life. 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.279 Is one of adopting. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.399 And living out a mindset. 00:17:13.659 --> 00:17:14.980 That is patterned after. 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:17.279 The self-sacrificial service of Christ. 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:21.159 Secondly. 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.599 Christ-like service. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.819 Is rational. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.480 Paul is telling us. 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.919 To do something with our minds. 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.579 That means the whole. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.680 The Christian life. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.819 Requires some serious. 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.379 Deliberate. 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.559 And sustained thought. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.659 And reflection. 00:17:33.659 --> 00:17:34.559 Upon what it means. 00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:35.779 To imitate Christ. 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:35.859 Christ. 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:38.119 So often we wrongly think. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.700 That the more spiritual something is. 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:41.799 The less it will have to do with our minds. 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.879 And the more it will have to do with our feelings. 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:46.019 That's not what Paul is saying. 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.599 The Christian life is. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.019 One that is rational. 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:49.399 He. 00:17:49.859 --> 00:17:51.339 Wants us to engage our minds. 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.399 Take on a mindset. 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.579 We're not told to get swept up in. 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:55.639 Sentimentalism. 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.359 But to adopt. 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:57.319 A mindset. 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:59.319 Thirdly. 00:17:59.899 --> 00:18:02.399 Christ-like sacrificial service. 00:18:02.399 --> 00:18:02.960 Is not. 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:04.819 Passivity. 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:05.439 It's not. 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.220 Weakness. 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:08.419 Jesus did not become man. 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.079 Because he was. 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.639 In any way. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.679 Less than God. 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:13.159 He didn't become man. 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:13.919 Because he was already. 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.119 Sort of predisposed. 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:15.779 Towards. 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.439 Making this descent. 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.039 He had. 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:18.859 Full. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.279 Complete. 00:18:19.439 --> 00:18:20.240 Infinite strength. 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:20.759 And deity. 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:21.579 At his disposal. 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:23.720 And he willfully became a servant. 00:18:24.199 --> 00:18:25.019 Out of his decision. 00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:26.299 To use his strength. 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.839 In our service. 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:28.939 So. 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:29.500 For us. 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.439 Taking this mindset. 00:18:30.939 --> 00:18:32.199 Of Christ-like service. 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:34.419 Is not to take a passive mindset. 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.599 Rather it's to intentionally. 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.279 And deliberately. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:37.779 Take. 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.639 Whatever. 00:18:39.199 --> 00:18:39.679 Strength. 00:18:40.199 --> 00:18:41.099 God has given us. 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.099 Whatever we have. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.919 Whatever our bodies. 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.480 Our minds. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.099 Our time. 00:18:46.199 --> 00:18:46.699 And resources. 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:47.839 Have to offer. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:48.980 And to channel them. 00:18:49.159 --> 00:18:50.059 In the service of God. 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.559 And fourthly. 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:53.579 Christ-like service. 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.839 Is not hopeless. 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:56.099 It is self-sacrificial. 00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:57.859 But it isn't hopeless. 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:58.740 See. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.919 Christ's work didn't end. 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.879 In this descent. 00:19:01.399 --> 00:19:02.339 In this humiliation. 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.299 Our passage doesn't end. 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:04.919 In verse 8. 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.819 Christ's work was worth it. 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:08.599 He was vindicated. 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:10.099 And so. 00:19:10.179 --> 00:19:10.599 For the Christian. 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.359 Nothing lost. 00:19:11.439 --> 00:19:12.079 In service. 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:12.819 To Christ. 00:19:12.879 --> 00:19:13.699 Is truly lost. 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.500 Anything given up. 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:15.939 Will end. 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.419 In ultimate. 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.379 Eternal. 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.179 Gain. 00:19:19.199 --> 00:19:20.059 Because Christ. 00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:20.659 Is raised. 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:21.339 And ascended. 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.399 So we too. 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:23.899 Will be raised. 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:29.139 So this is what it means. 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.679 To adopt. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.279 A mindset. 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.259 To share. 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:31.740 A mindset. 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:32.939 Of imitating Christ. 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.679 As sacrificial service. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.359 We must be shaped. 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:36.619 As. 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:37.779 Once you. 00:19:37.959 --> 00:19:39.519 Reflect the self-sacrificial love. 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.319 Of God in Christ. 00:19:40.419 --> 00:19:41.199 In our actions. 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:41.679 Towards. 00:19:42.199 --> 00:19:42.779 One another. 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.299 Counting others. 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.179 As more significant. 00:19:45.419 --> 00:19:46.159 Looking to the needs. 00:19:46.159 --> 00:19:46.579 Of others. 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:49.059 Reflecting the self-giving descent. 00:19:49.199 --> 00:19:50.339 That Christ made for us. 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:50.379 Christ. 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:52.779 This is the whole of the Christian life. 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:53.279 In a nutshell. 00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:55.559 Takes serious. 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.059 And deliberate. 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:56.959 Intentional thought. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.939 To adopt this mindset. 00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:00.279 It's going to require the submission. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.319 Of whatever we have. 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.240 In the service of Christ. 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:03.759 And others. 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.899 But we do it. 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.599 Knowing that. 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:09.519 Christ has already won our salvation. 00:20:10.419 --> 00:20:11.519 That he has done everything. 00:20:11.659 --> 00:20:12.720 To reconcile us to God. 00:20:12.959 --> 00:20:13.819 Through this act. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.559 Of self-sacrificial service. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.000 And not only that. 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:17.599 Through the spirit. 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:19.019 He has given us this mindset. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.299 If we're Christians. 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.619 And if we're not Christians. 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.699 Then this is a great opportunity. 00:20:24.699 --> 00:20:25.779 To have a window into. 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.559 What the Christian life. 00:20:27.939 --> 00:20:28.500 Is about. 00:20:29.079 --> 00:20:29.619 And how. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.980 We might enter it. 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:32.879 And how we might be empowered. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.919 To live it. 00:20:37.919 --> 00:20:39.019 And isn't it wonderful. 00:20:39.699 --> 00:20:40.359 To know. 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:42.019 That to serve Christ. 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:43.779 When we see his resurrection. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.440 And ascension. 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:46.500 Is to play for the winning team. 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.500 It is to fight. 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.480 In a battle. 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.819 That has already. 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:51.839 Been won. 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:53.539 Let's pray.