Sermon of the Week - Rev. Tom Doty

Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In 1917 Thomas O. Chisholm wrote these words in a hymn that reflects what Paul had written. The lyrics are, “Living for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that I do, yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free, this is the pathway of blessing for me.” Living for Jesus is allowing the mind of Christ to be in us. We learn to live as Jesus lived. In living for Jesus, we take on the same attitude and humility that Jesus had as He took on the form of servant. Jesus said of His followers, “He who would be great, let him be a servant” (Matthew 23:11). Living for Jesus means we are living a transformed life. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”. In Christ our mind is transformed and we begin to think and act as Christ would.

To allow the mind of Christ to be in us reflects our personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are in Christ and Christ is in us as a believer. We have a daily dependence on Jesus for direction, strength, purpose and fellowship. We spend time with Jesus in prayer and the Word of God. We learn to live our life in the grace and mercy of God that is in Jesus. The mercy and grace of God is new each day (Lamentations 3:23). Living our life for Christ means that our mind is set upon the authority of Jesus in our life. We seek Him in all that we do. We want our choices to be in His will. To live for Christ and have the mind of Christ means that we produce the “Fruit of the Spirit” in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

So, living the life of Christ and having the mind of Christ is reflected in our love, compassion, forgiveness and obedience. We seek to be like Him and in Him in all that we do. We overcome life challenges just as Jesus did. We pray and seek the Father and we do as we are directed. We seek to do the will of God and not our own. To live for Jesus means that we live for Jesus. In all that we do!