Philippians 2:5-11 - "Living the Submissive Mind Daily"

We have walked together through one of the greatestpassages in all the Bible: Philippians 2:5–11. Today, we want to review what wehave been looking at over the last nine days. During these days, we have seenthe humility of Christ, the servanthood of Christ, the obedience of Christ, thesacrifice of Christ, the exaltation of Christ, and the lordship of JesusChrist. Now we come to the most important question of all: Will we let thismind be in us which also was in Christ Jesus? Pauldid not give this passage merely so that we could admire Jesus intellectually.He gave it to believers so that we would imitate Christ in a very practicalway. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” This is what wehave called the submissive mind. Remember, chapter one was the single mind—themind that is set on Jesus Christ and His gospel. The submissive mind is themindset that says, “Not my will, but God’s. Not my glory, but His. Not myrights, but loving service.” Myfriend, this is the mindset that is the exact opposite of the spirit of theworld. The world says, “Promote yourself. Protect yourself. Exalt yourself.Demand your rights.” Jesus says, “Humble yourself. Serve others. Obey theFather. Glorify God.” Humility is not misery. It is the pathway to joy.Philippians, remember, is the epistle of joy. Joy flows from surrender. Prideproduces conflict, but humility produces unity. Pride says, “I deserve better.”Humility says, “I deserve judgment, yet God has given me grace.” Thisperspective changes everything. Thinkagain about the journey of Jesus in this passage. He was in the form of God. Heemptied Himself. He became a servant. He became man. He humbled Himself. Heobeyed unto death. God exalted Him. One day every knee will bow to Him. What aSavior! So how do we live out this life practically every day? First, everymorning we can begin by surrendering our minds to Jesus Christ. PrayPhilippians 2:5: “Lord, let Your mind be in me today,” and ask God to shapeyour thoughts, your attitudes, and your reactions. Second,intentionally look for ways to serve others. Humility grows through service.Sometimes the holiest moments happen in the ordinary acts of kindness in ourlives: encouraging someone who is discouraged, helping without recognition,listening patiently, meeting a practical need, choosing forgiveness instead ofresentment. Third, surrender your rights to the Lord. One of the greatestobstacles to unity is our insistence on personal rights and preferences. AsOswald Chambers said, “The only right you really have is the right to give upyour right to yourself.” The mind of Christ willingly lays down selfish demandsfor the good of others. Fourth,remember the cross daily. The cross destroys our pride because it reminds usthat we are sinners saved entirely by grace. When we stand at Calvary, boastingdisappears. Finally, keep your eyes on the exalted Christ. This old world isonly temporary. The kingdom of Jesus is eternal. One day every knee will bowand every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. We should live in thelight of that coming day. Thismindset is something God wants us to have every day. Churches do not experiencerevival merely through better programs or louder preaching. Revival begins whenbelievers humble themselves before God. Families change when hearts become servanthearted. Churches become unified when believers stop demanding recognition.Communities are impacted when Christians live like Jesus. The world todaydesperately needs to see the mind of Christ lived out through His people. Today,as we close this series, choose humility. Choose obedience. Choose service.Choose surrender. Choose Jesus Christ.