September 28 Thinking Like Jesus
Our second lesson contains a challenge:
Let the same mind be in you that
was in Christ Jesus... Philippians 2:5
Have the mind of Christ. Paul explains: Even though Jesus had equal status with God,
He didn’t cling to those divine privileges.
He set aside the prerogatives of divinity and became human, taking on
the role of a servant. An incredibly
humbling process. He lived a selfless,
obedient life.
As Christ’s way of thinking dictated the obedience
to God’s way that was appropriate for Him, we can find the obedience to God’s
way that is right for us by sharing His way of thinking.
As Christ took on the role of a servant, so we are
to follow His example. To look at our
life and our relationships with others in a new and different way.
We’re called to have the mind or mind-set of Christ
the servant - His humble attitude - his
way of thinking and looking at people.
As Christ’s way of thinking dictated the obedience
to God’s way that was appropriate for Him, we can find the obedience to God’s
way that is right for us by sharing His way of thinking.
How do we do that in our daily lives – and in our
church?
The goal is to think and act with the same humility
that Jesus exemplified. We have received
the spirit of Christ. But we have to let
it be active in our mind.
In humility, regard others better
than yourself. 2:3
Think of their needs first. Mothers know what I mean. They routinely put their children’s needs
before their own. Most personal
relationships require some degree of self-sacrifice. The love, the compassion and the
understanding we have received needs to be passed on - displayed in our conduct
with one another.
Following Christ’s example, we don’t look only to
our own interests, but to the concerns of others. [4]
Don’t push your way to the front -
Put yourself aside, and help others.
Forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand.
As His
followers, we are to be Christ in the flesh to the world around us. His light should shine through our lives.
Christ’s humility was expressed in service – and so
we are called to serve. The same God who
exalted Jesus is the God who is at work in us, both to will and to work His
good pleasure. v. 13
So Paul writes- Be of the same mind, having the
same love, being of full accord and of one mind. Phil. 2:2
It’s not that we all think alike, or agree about
everything. Rather, our goal and purpose
is the same. For our common purpose is
to participate in God’s mission to love and bless the world. We are partners with
one another and the Lord in His mission.
This week Jesus told the parable of the two
sons. The father went to the first and
said: Son, go and work in the vineyard today. Then he said the same to the second
son. Matthew 21:28
Does that remind you of last week’s gospel? Hiring folks to work in the vineyard.
Last Sunday I spoke about serving in the church –
being a worker in the Lord’s vineyard. I
made three points.
Every member is a minister. We have each been called by Christ to be a
worker for the
Second every ministry is important. What may seem like a small job is
indispensable.
Third, we are dependent on each other. When Christ calls us, he invites us to be
part of a team.
Then I said that this Sunday I’d talk about how you
can match your God-given abilities, your experiences and your interests to
opportunities to serve Christ in His church.
Honestly, I can’t tell you where you would best
fit-in. I don’t know you as well as you
do. Even when I do ask you to volunteer
to do something, it may not really fit you that well. But I can tell you what you can think about
as you consider where you might serve.
Even if you are now involved in the work of the church, you may want to
consider whether there is an area where you can better serve.
The place to start is to think about your gifts – by
that I simply mean your God-given abilities and skills.
“God has made us what we are…” You are who you are and what
you are because God intended that.
Fulfillment and meaning come from being and doing
what the Lord created you to do.
You need an outlet for expressing the talents
and abilities that God has given you.
The musicians can testify how important using their gift is. They would be unfilled if they
couldn’t play and sing. I like to
go to the rehearsals on Wednesday evenings, not just to listen to the music,
but also because everyone is in such a good mood. Offering their gifts and talents to the Lord
brings them satisfaction and even joy.
In the same way, a carpenter feels satisfaction in
his work – a gardener just needs some dirt and plants to find fulfillment, a
teacher needs to teach.
The church can provide an opportunity for that
self-expression while at the same time participating in ministry – in working
for the kingdom. And offering your
talent brings fulfillment and joy.
Rick Warren is one of
You are probably not done with discovering your
talents and abilities. There are things
you might be good at that you haven’t tried.
The church offers you the opportunity to try something different – maybe
an area of service that you may not think you’re gifted in because you never
tried it. But you’ll never know until you try.
How you might serve the Lord involves more than your
abilities. It also has to do with your
“heart” and your personality – with the kind of person you are. How you serve
has to fit the kind of person you are.
We all have different motivations, interests and inclinations. We instinctively feel deeply about some
things and not about others. What
interests you determines what will bring you the most satisfaction and
fulfillment.
A man applied for a job as a
handyman. The prospective employer asked, "Can you do
carpentry?" Nope.
“How about plumbing?" - "No."
"Well, what about electrical work?"
“Don't know anything about that
either."
Finally the employer said, "Well,
tell me then what is handy about you."
"I live just around the
corner."
Sometimes the greatest
ability we can have is availability. To be where God can call us, willing to
respond to whatever opportunity he puts before us.
God never wastes an experience. You have educational experiences, vocational
experiences and also painful experiences. We know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His
purpose. Rom 8:28
Sometimes the “good” from those hurts and trials may
be that now, having made it through, you can offer support and encouragement to
someone who faces a similar trial or testing.
In the parable, the first son says “I won’t work
in the vineyard today,” but then he does.
The other says “I will”, but then he doesn’t work.
Which one did the will of his father?
The one who actually went to work.
There is an old legend that tells of a man who died
and went to heaven. Heaven was beautiful--full of lush gardens and glittering
mansions.
But then the man came to a room lined with shelves.
On the shelves were stacked piles of human ears! An angel explained that these
ears belonged to all the people on earth who listened each week to the word of
God, but never acted on God's teachings. Their worship never resulted in
action. Therefore, when these people died, only their ears ended up in heaven.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only.
In today’s lesson, Paul concluded:
Work out your own salvation with
fear and trembling v. 12
Take responsibility for understanding what that
salvation means in your daily life.
With fear and trembling
Remember you will be accountable before God for your
actions - responsible for wisely using what has been entrusted to you..
At the same time know that God is at work in you,
enabling you both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Phil. 2:13
So serve the Lord: Begin where you are. Give what you’ve got. Step out in faith. Expect God to act in your life.
1 We all are one in mission; we all are
one in call,
our varied gifts united by Christ,
the Lord of all.
A single great commission, compels
us from above
to plan and work together, that all
may know Christ’s love.