The Mind of Christ: Embracing the Spirit of Service and Sacrifice

Trevor S. Ferguson

February 25, 2012

Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)
⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

INTRODUCTION

The world today is largely driven by a self-centered philosophy. People are primarily concerned about their own interest and often will help others only to the extent that they perceive some ultimate benefit to themselves. This self-centered philosophy breeds a number of ills in the society. In order to get ahead in life people often use and abuse others, people often get involved in corrupt practices, engage in deception, lying, stealing and ultimately major criminal activities including fraud, and murder.

Another common trait seen today is the desire for convenience and ease. Science and technology has made it easy for most things to be done with little expenditure of energy or effort. As a result persons shy away from things that are challenging or that will require prolonged effort before seeing the result.  

Sadly, many of these attitudes have crept into the church. Many of us as Christians have become self-centered and the spirit of convenience and apathy have become pervasive.

The passage in today’s text however challenges us to take a different attitude. We are challenged to take on the mind of Christ and embrace the spirit of service and sacrifice. As we reflect of the text today, I will share with you how Christ modeled this spirit of service and sacrifice, how Paul himself became an example of service and sacrifice and how we can pattern Christ in embracing the spirit of service and sacrifice. We will also look at the rewards of service and sacrifice as we encourage ourselves to walk in the footsteps of Christ.

EXPOSITION

The passage in Philippians 2 starts with Paul encouraging the Philippians to live in unity, have the same mindset, walking in love and in one accord. He then gives some specific instructions concerning their work and service to one another: Nothing be done through strife or vain glory; each saint should esteem the other as better than themselves; don’t look out for your own interest but look out for the interest of others.

On the surface these look like routine Christian attributes, but as we think a little deeper we begin to see that it’s not as easy as we initially thought. How often do we find in the church that we strive one against the other seeking for prominence and recognition? How often do we find one group of believers believing that they are better than others? How often do we close the door of opportunity (keeping precious bits of information secret) so that we may benefit and others may not?

The problem however is that if we accept and embrace these negative attitudes we will have a self-centered, materialistic church and the will of God would not be accomplished. Paul picked up seeds of these attitudes among the Philippians and took measures to correct it as we see in verse 5 where he writes: Let this mind be in you which also was in Christ! As Christians we must strive to have this MIND OF CHRIST!

Mind in this context refers to our ‘attitude’ or our ‘mode of thinking’ or ‘mindset’. Paul is therefore exhorting the Philippians to take on the mind of Christ, which is characterized by humility, self-less service, a willingness to lay aside power and authority and a willingness to sacrifice. Verse 6-8 illustrates how Christ modeled this spirit of service and sacrifice: Though he was God, he did not cling on to the prerogatives of deity (KJV – ‘thought it not robbery to be equal with God’). He instead made himself of no reputation i.e. He ‘emptied Himself’; laid aside His heavenly glory, position, rights and the use of His divine attributes. Having decided to take on humanity He chose to come in the most humble form – not as a king or person of high esteem, but rather took on to himself the form of a servant. He went as low as He could go! As a man He humbled Himself and became obedient. He submitted his human will unto the will of the Father and became subject to death on the cross of Calvary.

We begin to understand the magnitude of His sacrifice we he look back and realize that He Himself had no sin, and therefore was not deserving of death. He had no personal gain because the sacrifice required would cost him everything. In the human context, when one give s his life he has given everything.

One would argue that that was Christ, so can we really live up to that standard? My answer is: Yes, we can! Take a look at the life of Paul and read from his own testimony in Philippians 3:4-11.

⁴ Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: ⁵ Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;⁶ Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.⁷ But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.⁸ Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, ⁹ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: ¹⁰ That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ¹¹ If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Here Paul describes his own experience of selfless sacrifice in order to gain a better relationship with Christ. 

Now, look at the NIV rendition of verse 17 of chap 2: But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.  

Look also at 2^nd Timothy 4:6 - For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Finally look at Acts 20:22-24 - ²² And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: ²³ Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. ²⁴ But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

In these passages Paul was essentially saying it did not matter the personal price. He was totally committed and completely sold out to preach this gospel! We can therefore see why he instructed the Corinthians to follow him as he follows Christ.

Let us take time to point out that there are rewards for this attitude of service and sacrifice. Verses 9-11 of Philippians 2 describe the rewards Christ received for His selfless sacrifice:  ⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In 2^nd Timothy 4, Paul also describes his expectation to receive a crown of righteousness in recognition for his service in the kingdom.

We too will be justly rewarded if we take up this attitude of service and sacrifice

APPLICATION

The challenge to us today is how can we embrace the spirit of service and sacrifice?

First of all we must recognize the grave need in the world and in the church today. A recent national survey show that one in five Jamaicans are depressed and one in 16 (6%) have contemplated suicide. Most of these persons have no relationship with Jesus Christ and have no hope for eternal life! Even in the church many are depressed, frustrated and on the verge of giving up!

There is an urgent need for workers to spread the good news of salvation! There is an urgent need for us to travail with seekers until they break through with the power of the Holy Ghost. There is an urgent need for person to minister to the needs of members and affiliates of the church.

There is an urgent need for us to go beyond that which is convenient, to beyond our person needs and minister to the needs of others. There is an urgent need for us to take on the mind of Christ. There is an urgent need embrace the spirit of selfless service and the spirit of sacrifice.

The voice of God is crying out today: Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Let us respond like Isaiah – Here I am. Send me! 

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