Having The Mind Of Christ
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
12/11/2011 PM
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Text:
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Philippians 2:3-5
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Psalters: |
394, 68, 381, 186 |
Confession of Faith |
- The calling.
- What fits with the gospel of Christ is a standing fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith (1:27).
- Implied is a unity in the gospel of Christ, with those one in Christ.
- The fundamental attitude is the same love (for God in Christ and hence for fellow-members) aiming at unity.
- To be ?likeminded? (2) we must be lowly in mind, i.e., humble.
- The enemy of unity is a constant thinking of self.
- Lowliness of mind is that spiritual virtue of grace, according to which we have a proper evaluation of ourselves, with respect to the talents and labors God has given to us in the midst of Christ?s church.
- This lowliness occurs when all the members esteem others better than themselves (Rom. 12:10).
- Further, we are to consider whatever gifts we have are for the sake of serving, being helpful (Rom. 12:6ff).
- To show the source of the strengthen needed to fulfill this calling, Paul points to the example of Christ.
- Jesus? example is that He constantly set His mind on His Father and on us (not on Himself).
- We are called to be constantly setting our minds on what characterized Jesus? mind.
- Other passages which present Him as our Example: Mt. 11:29; Jn. 13:12-17; 13:34; 21:19; I Cor. 11:1; I Th. 1:6.
- Jesus emptied Himself and made Himself to be of no reputation.
- Let this mind (as exemplified by Christ) be in you.
- Every elect believer has the mind of Christ given to them in regeneration.
- This mind, which is in you, means that you deny yourself, never looking out for own interests in this body.