Text: Philippians 1-11; 2:1-5.

Transcription

1

2 Text: Philippians 1-11; 2:1-5. The mind of Christ is the renewed mind. It functions in a multifaceted dimension. The Christian walk is all about Christlikeness; coming into the station of the fullness of Christ. The mind of Christ coordinates and facilitates His walk. The fully activated and released mind of Christ in us will undoubtedly bring us into Christlikeness. This informs the clarion call: The Activation and Release of the Mind of Christ in Us. Apostle Paul knew too well that everything about the Christian faith is encapsulated in the mind of Christ. In dealing with Christian humility and voluntary submission and deference to one another in the faith, anchored it on the mind of Christ. Of course our humility and voluntary submission and deference must not be to fellow Christians alone but to all and sundry. He started out his discourse in Philippians 2:1, and from there he went on and anchored it on the mind of Christ in verse 5. This is where the call for the activation and the release of the mind of Christ in us is made. Therefore we will want to continue our text from here, Philippians 2:5-8. (5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8. In verse 5, it is commanded let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. There are different Greek words used to translate mind in the New Testament. Foremost among them is nous. Nous is the faculty of knowledge, reasoning, judging, understanding; the organ of mental perception and apprehension. It is the seat of intellect, will, and emotion; it is where information is received, processed, and transmitted. Apart from this word, nous, which translates mind in the Greek, there are other Greek words that translate mind. The word mind in Philippians 2:5 is translated phroneo in Greek. It means to think; to have an opinion. It refers to the exercise or action of the mind in respect to will and affections. It is commonly called attitude in some renditions. Phroneo is commonly used among Greek people to convey the stated meaning. But when it applies to the phroneo (mind) of Christ, it puts on a stronger meaning. It then describes the ability to courteously and moderately motion the will and affections under the strict guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this discourse we are 1

3 concerned about the phroneo of Christ; call it the attitude of Christ, if you will. Even so, we are going to consider few scriptural verses for remarkable difference between the mind of Christ and man. 1. The mind of man seeks the things which are of interest to man as opposed to God s. Matthew 16:21-23, emphasis on verse It yields to the flesh and it s completely given over to its lusts and works. Romans 8:1, It is given to arrogance and pride. Romans 12:3, It is set on earthly things worldly wealth, riches, and material possessions. Philippians 3: The mind of Christ is set on heavenly things as opposed to earthly. Colossians 3: The mind of Christ helps our unity and ensures peace and the presence of God in our midst. 2 Corinthians 13:11. QUALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST There are some qualities that are associated with the mind of Christ. These qualities, among others, include: 1. Humility: The word humbled in Philippians 2:8, is tapeinoo in Greek. It means to humiliate; to make low or bring low in condition or heart; to make oneself of no importance. It carries the idea of someone who presents himself lower than his true worth. Humility endears us to God and attracts His grace upon us. It is the ladder of our exaltation; the staircase we ascend on our spiritual journey up. One way of knowing those who are humble is that they know the way of the Lord and they walk therein. See Psalm 25:9. In James 4:5 the Bible says: Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously? The word jealously is phthonos in Greek. It is the envy that leads to murder. Even so, He gives more grace. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble, as recorded in James 4:6. In verse 10, it is made very clear that humility brings exaltation. This is where the jealousy of the Spirit comes in; He is jealous of those who are humble. In His jealousy, the Lord does not only release grace to them in all areas, He also shields them and protects them from any infringement or attack of the enemy. Compare the fury of a jealous husband who truly loves his wife. The Lord will deal ruthlessly with whoever tries or attempts to hurt 2

4 them in anyway. As we humble ourselves before the Lord, He exalts us. See also 1 Peter 5:5-6; Psalm 25:9; Proverbs 18:12; 15:33. True humility is tripartite, it includes obedience and meekness. i. Obedience: The word obedient in Philippians 2:8, is hupekoos in Greek. It ii. means to listen attentively with a heart of submission to a command or authority. It is the obedience required in believing. If you truly believe you will obey. See 2 Corinthians 2:9; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8. True obedience leads to the death of the obedient one. You cannot be said to be obedient while you hold on to your own will, desire, or position. In walking in obedience you must give away your will, desire, or position concerning anything in question in order to embrace the will, desire, or position of the person or authority you are obeying. Giving away your will, desire, or position in order to embrace the will, desire, or position of the person or authority you are obeying is what it means to die to self. Each time we obey God and give up our will, we die to self. A life of consistent obedience to God is a life of death to self. This is the life of righteousness that is well pleasing to God. See 1 Corinthians 15:31. Meekness: Meekness is the very first impression you get about the Lord Jesus Christ as you come in contact with Him. It is the first noticeable quality you find in Him. Meekness and humility are closely related; they are rarely inseparable. See Matthew 11:28-29; 21:5; Zechariah 9:9. Meek is praos, while meekness is praotes in Greek. Praus and prautes are other spellings of meek and meekness which have the same meanings with praos and praotes. Even so, we will prefer to use praos and praotes in this discourse. It means humility of the heart where we yield to God s dealing with full acceptance without any resistance. See Isaiah 50:4-5. Praotes describes a person who is patient, forbearing, and slow to anger. It refers to someone who is able to maintain self-control in the face of grave provocation, insults, and sometimes physical hurts. Somebody whose response at any time is always at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right reason. Meekness (praotes) has nothing to do with weakness and does not in any way suggest it. Rather it tells of a person who is strong-willed but has learnt to surrender his will to his superior at all times. He always brings himself under the control of his superior. This is a person with strong will and strong character but has learnt to submit to those who are over him. He knows perfectly well how to bring his will under control. It is a condition of the mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness in the corridor of power. It is a virtue born in strength of character. In the Greek 3

5 language, praotes carries the idea of a high and noble virtue to aspire to have in one s life-time. Truly, it is a virtue born in strength of character where power is put under control in the face of grave provocation, false representation, open lies, insults, and sometimes physical hurts. See Matthew 11:29; Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 6: Accuracy, true discernment, and sound judgment: All three elements can be used closely, in a similar way, and interchangeably to communicate the same point. Discernment is the ability to see or know things or people for what or who they truly are. This will make for accuracy and informs sound judgment. The Lord said in John 7:24, Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. The Greek word used to translate appearance is opsis. It means externality, that is, outward appearance. It carries the idea of something that is limited to the physical sight. From the Lord s perspective, discernment then is the ability to see beyond the external into the true and accurate position of things. Also, in 2 Corinthians 5:7, For we walk by faith, not by sight. The word sight is eidos in Greek. It means external appearance; to be limited to outward view, form, or shape. It refers to what can be seen and limited by the physical sight. Even so, we are commanded not to walk by eidos. That means training to come into discernment is a must for every true child of God who wants to please Him. The Book of Isaiah 11 drives home the point of discernment as a necessity if we must be upright, accurate, and sound in our judgment; as seen in Isaiah 11:1-4. (1) There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. (2) The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (3) His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; (4) But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Isaiah 11:1-4. From the passage in Isaiah, it is crystal clear that discernment is a function of the Spirit. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, verse 2. Therefore He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears, verse 3; but by the strict guidance and directives of the Spirit, which is righteousness, verses 2 and 4. This goes to strengthen the fact that, we operate the mind of Christ only when our will and affections are under the strict guidance and directives of the Holy Spirit. True discernment, accuracy, and sound judgment, no doubt, are clearly a function of the Holy 4

6 Spirit. This can be seen in 1 Corinthians 2:9-16. We operate true discernment, accurate, and sound judgment to the degree our will and affections are under the strict guidance and directives of the Spirit. Remember that Discernment is a function of the Spirit. Therefore, how accurate in our walk, true in our discernment, and sound in our judgment, is to the degree we are filled and expressive of the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 5:15-18, walking accurately is a function of the Spirit. Accuracy, true discernment, and sound judgment, help us to live a life of God s will and to be well pleasing to Him in our walk with Him. See John 4:34; 8:29; Acts 22:12-15; Romans 12: Zeal for God: To be inflamed with the zeal of the Lord. See Isaiah 9:6-7. (6) For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7. Zeal is qinah in Hebrews. It means jealousy or envy; ardent zeal, ardour. The Free Dictionary by Farlex, defined zeal as: a) Enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance. b) Fervent or enthusiastic devotion, often extreme or fanatical in nature, as to a religious movement, political, ideal, or aspiration. Zeal is what makes you to want to die for a cause. Its influence can be very overwhelming. It will blind you to every other consideration which does not support your goal, pursuit, or desire. Even so, if the zeal is Godly, it is a very powerful resource for extending the Kingdom frontier and achieving your goal. Zeal is like intoxicant. When under its influence every other thing is meaningless except your goal, pursuit, or desire. It can be positive or negative. Interestingly, if positive and it is properly channeled, it keeps you focused, possessive, and protective of your goal, with no room for compromise 5

7 ZEAL IS A FUNCTION OF THE HEART Zeal is the active force of love; the flame of love according to Songs 8:6, Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. In other words, it is a function of love. Love on the other hand is a function of the heart for it to be a true love. That is, true love is of the heart, as seen in Mark 12:30; Matthew 15:8. If zeal is the active force of love, and love is a function of the heart, it then follows that zeal is a function of the heart. Therefore zeal, as well as love, is a function of the heart. The heart of the Lord is always in harmony with His mind. They do not present two different positions concerning any issue. They are united and always speak in harmony. Given that the Lord s mind and heart harmonize, it then follows that the zeal of His heart is the zeal of His mind. Hence, one of the qualities associated with His mind is His zeal. THEY CALLED THE LORD A MAD MAN Read about the zeal of the Lord for God, as seen in John 2: Verse 17 says: Then His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up. The Greek word used for zeal in John 2:17 is zelos. It means to have warmth of feeling for or against; to burn with zeal, to be zealous in the pursuit of good; to desire eagerly, earnestly, or intensely; it also means to burn with envy or jealousy against another in hatred or anger. In some cases you may even desire passionately what is another person s own and could harm the person in order to get it if opportunity presents itself. But here we are talking about the zeal of the Lord which is always positive and good. Mark Gospel equally presents a scene which reveals the zeal of the Lord, in Mark 3:13-21; where verse 21 is the key. It states: But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, He is out of His mind. Out of His mind is rendered existemi in Greek. It means to remove out of its place or state; to be out of one s mind; to be beside one s self; to be insane; to astonish, or to amaze. See Matthew 12:23; Mark 2:12; 5:42; 2 Corinthians 5:13. But in the context in which they used it for the Lord, they meant insane. Now, think about it. In the Lord s zeal for God, His own people who ought to know Him better said He was insane. I mean they called Him a mad man to His face. They called God in the Person of the Lord a mad man. If you were the one they called a mad man would you not seize their breath and take away their life? 6

8 The Gospel of John presents a second account of the Lord s zeal in John 10:1-21. The key verse there is verse 20, it says: And many of them said, He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him? The word mad is mainomai in Greek. It means to be mad, that is, insane; to lose one s mind; to talk, speak, or rave like a maniac. It describes a person who speaks with strong enthusiasm and deep passion to communicate his conviction. Mainomai carries the idea of insensate craving, longing, or desire. Now, think about it. Could you have imagined anyone calling the Lord a mad man? Very unfortunately, in His zeal for God people called Him a mad man. They said He was talking like a lunatic, in fact, He was a maniac, they asserted. These are some of the effects of the zeal of the Lord or zeal for God. Yet in all these, He did not allow all the grave provocations, misrepresentations, false accusations, insults, etc. to affect His composure, comportment, or deportment. He remained composed not roughened. THE ZEAL OF APOSTLE PAUL FOR THE LORD Apostle Paul s account of zeal is recorded in Acts 26: As Paul continued in his defense, Festus called him a mad man, as recorded in verse 24. It states: Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad! Apostle Paul understanding the full import of what Festus said and meant, answered him most appropriately and to correct his erroneous perception. Paul s answer is contained in verse 25. It states: But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. I am not mad, but speak the words of truth and reason, Paul asserts. This is Paul s reply to Festus. The word mad in verse 25, is translated with the same Greek word with the phrase beside yourself in verse 24. The Greek word is mainomai. It means to be mad, that is, insane; to lose one s mind; to talk, speak, or rave like a maniac. It describes a person who speaks with strong enthusiasm and deep passion to communicate his conviction. Mainomai carries the idea of insensate craving, longing, or desire. Apostle Paul did not only reply Festus that he was not mad, he also made him know that he Paul, was speaking the words of truth and reason. The word reason is sophrosune in Greek. It means soundness of mind; self-control. It refers to the voluntary limitation of one s thought and behavior. It is soberness, sobriety. Ironically, a man who speaks truth with soundness of mind in an irrepressible comportment of self-control, is the one branded a mad man. This is because they could not resist, fault, or undermine what Paul was saying. All they could do was to brand him insane. They did the same to the Lord. This is what it means to have zeal or to be zealous for the Lord. True zeal for the Lord must 7

9 move you away from your natural frame or state of mind to be under the influence and power of another higher entity who then supervises, controls, and uses your mind on your behalf in His own terms. Zeal is associated with enthusiasm; and enthusiasm comes from the Greek word entheos, which means in control of the Spirit (God), that is, under the control of the Spirit (God). For the purpose of coming into and functioning in the realm of entheos, we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit, according to Ephesians 5:18. In this realm our zeal for the Lord is fully expressed. Here the Holy Spirit fully possesses and gains control over us to supervise, control, and use our mind on our behalf in His own terms to glorify the Lord Jesus. See Luke 21:14-15; Acts 6:10. ZEAL FOR GOD MUST BE WITH OUR KNOWLEDGE OF HIM True zeal for God must be with our knowledge of Him. Where we do not have knowledge of Him, we cannot be truly zealous for Him. That will be self-righteousness that will only increase our ignorance, bondage, blindness, or deception. Romans 10:1-3; Galatians 4: THE LORD S ALLUSION TO OUR ZEAL FOR HIM The Lord alluded to our zeal for Him. This can be clearly seen in the command: Take up your cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:23. Also see Luke 9:62. Apostle Paul heeded this command and lived it out, as we can readily see in some of the statements he made. See Acts 20:20-24; 21:10-14; Philippians 1: Just like Apostle Paul, many other saints of God have equally heeded this command and lived it out. Still, some are in their own process, working it out by the Lord s grace. Now comes the big question: What about you? 8

10 COPYRIGHT KINGDOM BROADCAST NETWORK KINGDOMBROADCASTNETWORK.COM 9