Scripture Text: Philippians 2:1-11
Memory Verse: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5
Lesson Aim: To study the characteristics of Christ’s mind and to explore how we can acquire a mind like His.
Key Points The mind of Christ is characterized by: Love Humility Servitude Obedience
If we were to use one word to describe the mind of Christ, based on what is written in Scripture, that word would most likely be “love.” Jesus was the physical embodiment of the love of God. When one considers who Jesus is, and what He did, the magnitude of that love is overwhelming.
The story is told of a boy who heard the story of the crucifixion and said to his teacher, “I don’t understand what was so important about this. Many people have sacrificed their lives for someone else. I would die for my family. What made this different?” The teacher thought a moment and said, “Certainly, many great men have laid down their lives for people they cared about and I’m sure you would be willing to sacrifice yourself for your family. But tell me, would you be willing to become an ant so that you could save other ants?”
Philippians 2:5-7 says that Jesus existed in the form of God, but He did not consider divinity “a thing to be clutched, but emptied himself” (literal translation). This emptying involved giving up divinity itself to become human and to die for us. Imagine what it was like for Him. The very God of every god had to be a child, then a teenager without any significant rights until He was 30 years old. He experienced physical pain. He was limited to being in one place at a time. He could do great good, but He could not touch everyone everywhere. He experienced frustration. He even got depressed and experienced despair on the cross when His father turned away from Him. Out of the nature of selfless love emerged and still emerges the mind of Christ.
“Let this mind [attitude] be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5) and also in Stephen:
But he [Stephen = wreathed with royalty, crown], being full [covered over] of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice,” Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:55-60)
We need only to compare these words of Stephen to the words of Christ at the crucifixion (Luke 23:34), to see that their attitudes were identical. Stephen had the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Thus he had come to the fullness of the stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:13), the perfect (completed) man.
This, too, is our goal, as Paul stated, “Let us go on to perfection” (Hebrews 6:1). Some might ask, “How do we go about it?” Fortunately, God has not left us in the dark, but has abundantly supplied us with a perfect guide. This guide is twofold. First, we have the written Word and second, we have the Holy Spirit. Just as Stephen was covered over with the Holy Spirit, we too have available to us this same covering. Jesus said of His words, they “are spirit, and they are life” (John 6.63). The Holy Ghost and the Word of God go hand in hand to accomplish the will of the Father in us.
Questions and Discussion
- Prior to Jesus’ incarnation, what form was He in and what were His thoughts toward His position? Philippians 2:6 and John 17:5; John 1:1; 6:38-40.
- What did Christ do when He became flesh? Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14, 17-18; 4:15; 5:7.
- Who did Christ do this for? Romans 15:1-3 and Isaiah 53:4-6.
- Based on the Scriptures we have reviewed, what three words, besides love, would best describe the mind of Christ?
- Since the Word is absolutely necessary for us to acquire the mind of Christ, let’s begin by examining some of His words to us. First we have the command verse: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).This verse sounds good but how do we go about getting the mind of Christ? How do we begin to think as Jesus? Here are some Scriptures that will help us acquire the mind of Christ.
2 Timothy 2:15
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Colossians 3:1-17
Acts 24:16
1 Peter 4:1
Romans 15:1-3
We lack the mind of Christ if we:
- Consider our “standing” before others (whatever that may be) something to be held on to.
- Consider ourselves more important than others, and consider that distinction something to be preserved at all costs.
We have the mind of Christ if we:
- Are looking out for the interests of others.
- Are willing to humble ourselves, even sacrifice ourselves if it is in the best interests of others. 1 John 3:16.