Four Qualities of the Mind of Christ

Well, greetings, friends. It's a blessing to be able to offer a Bible study today for you. I hope that what I'll cover is enlightening, and inspiring, and edifying for you. I know it has been for me as I've been able to study the topic that I'll be presenting today. There's a verse in Philippians 5 that is expounded many times in Sabbath messages, articles, and Bible studies.

It says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." This passage and the context around it is our focus again today, but with a little closer look at some of that context which Paul was inspired to include in this important instruction for all Christians. I want to share with you a brief expository style look at some of the context that we see here in Philippians chapter 2 verses 5 through 11.

It's always enlightening to take the time to carefully consider the words in the Bible passage and then those connection passages in other parts of scripture that relate to it. And that's definitely the case when we study these seven verses in Philippians chapter 2. The main lesson I want to share with you today is that these seven verses highlight Christ's character, his mind, in four of the major roles prophesied of him in the Old Testament.

What are those roles, you might ask? That's a great question. There are four distinct prophecies of the Messiah that spoke of him as being the branch. And Philippians 2 describes the mind of Christ in all four of these ways. To set the stage before we dig more deeply into Philippians 5, it would be helpful to notice again the prophecies of these four roles of the Messiah that he was to fulfill.

We'll read just enough to see how the prophets were inspired to describe his roles and that gives us then insight into his character, his manner of serving, his purpose, and as Paul wrote, his mind. Here are the four prophecies that speak of the Messiah as the branch. And again, I'm just going to read the brief verse that includes these statements.

In Isaiah chapter 4 and verse 2, it says, "In that day, the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious." And so here we see the Messiah described as the Lord. Zechariah wrote in chapter 6 and verse 12, "Then speak to him saying, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying, "Behold the man whose name is the branch.

" And so we see him in the role of a man. The Messiah was to be a human being. Zechariah also mentions another of these roles. He says in chapter 3 and verse 8, "Here, [snorts] oh Joshua, the high priest, you and your companions who sit before you, for they are wondrous sign, for behold, I am bringing forth my servant, the branch.

" So we see that the Messiah was to be the servant of God. He was also to be a king, and Jeremiah wrote of this in Jeremiah 23 verse 5. Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will raise to David a branch of righteousness. A king shall reign and prosper. So, the Messiah was prophesied to be a king. And so, this is just a quick reference of these prophecies.

It's not [snorts] the focus of the study to dig deeply into each of those, but that would make a very interesting study if you have the time for it. This study today focuses on Christ's character as he fulfilled and then continues to fulfill these four roles. I've given a sermon on each of those topics, the branch prophecies.

And if you want to listen, you can go to ucg.org, look in sermons, and search with the keywords, my last name, Corbet, and the word branch. And Philippians 2, the verse 5 to 11, highlights Christ's character in these four major roles prophesied in the Old Testament, that of Lord, of servant, of man, and king. It's not completely and immediately obvious unless you take the time to really see what Paul was writing, and that's what I want to do today.

I hope that you find it helpful. So, this is our goal, to identify from Philippians chapter 2, verses 5 through 11, the description of Christ and of his character, of his mind, if you will, in each of these roles. And this will help us to understand more fully what it means to let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

Other verses uphold and add spiritual depth to this truth about Christ and we will look at a few of those along the way as well. You might want to mark your passage there so you can turn we'll be back frequently to Philippians chapter 2. And we'll begin in verse 5 now where it says again Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

I want to take note of the phrase Christ Jesus. And the Companion Bible which I like to use there's a a good summary of the different things that come to mind when we study the verses and in this phrase Christ Jesus in the Companion Bible it denotes the now exalted one who once humbled himself.

Putting the word Christ which means the Messiah before the word the name Jesus. The one now exalted who once humbled himself. And this tells us this opening passage this phrase here in Philippians 2:5 it tells us that the context is descriptive of the mind of Christ. This mind it says it's descriptive of his character and of his roles of his service.

So let's read on and see the four major roles of Christ and how he thinks. How the most important qualities of his mind are described in just a few verses and it will help us then to let that mind be in us. As we proceed >> [clears throat] >> I'll focus on short phrases instead of the entire verses so that we can analyze some of the wording a little bit more closely.

So in Philippians 2:6 it says who being in the form of God This word God in the Greek is Theos and it's used for instance in John chapter 1 in verse 1 where it is used of the Father and of Jesus Christ. You might remember what it says there in John 1:1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, the word Theos, and the word was God.

And so we see here that it was in the form of God. Now Isaiah had written of the branch of the Lord and so Paul in his writing begins with this. He mentions that Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus is in this role being in the form of God. Jesus is the Lord. He always has been and always will be. He was the Lord who when he was on this earth In Isaiah chapter 7 in verse 14 it says Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son.

And shall call his name Immanuel. That word Immanuel means God with us. One of my most effective and helpful teachers in my life in learning God's word is Dr. Don Ward and he wrote of this. Says clearly This means that equality with God was something the word already had. And if you notice the wording there in Philippians 2:6 who being in the form of God, he already was in the form of God.

He already was the Lord. This truth is consistent throughout the scriptures. In Luke chapter 1 and verse 35 when the angel Gabriel was speaking to Mary about the son she would bear. And Gabriel said to her, "That holy one who is to be born will be called the son of God." So, we track this thought of Jesus Christ being the Lord, the son of God, the word who is with him.

You can track this through the scripture and see how consistently it's presented. And it helps us then to understand Philippians 2 and verses 5 through 11 a little more if we understand these full fullness of these roles. In Hebrews chapter 1 verse 1 through 3, and I just want to read a few of the passages of scripture that relate to this aspect of the mind of Christ, his character.

Hebrews 1 verse 1 through 3 says, and I'm paraphrasing, I'm leaving some of it out just for focusing here on the primary things. God has spoken to us by his son through whom he made the worlds who being the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person. So, we see that that God made the world through his son and and puts that depth of understanding in our minds as well.

When we begin to think of letting this mind be in us, we we can more fully understand it if we remind ourselves and focus our attention when we think of these things on those roles of Jesus Christ. In Romans chapter 9 and verse 5, it says, "Of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God.

Amen. Now, that's quite a way to write of Jesus Christ who came, who is called here in this verse the eternally blessed God. And of course, we realize and know in scripture upholds that the Father is also there with him in We don't want to exclude one or the other, but we do want to include Jesus Christ in this role of to understand it more fully.

In the last part of Philippians 2, in verse 6, it says, "He did not consider it robbery to be equal with God." Again, Don Ward, by teacher from years past, man I deeply respect, Don Ward said about this, "What this means is that he did not consider equality with God something to hold on to, but instead let it go.

Voluntarily relinquished it when he emptied himself of his former glory." We see this upheld in other verses, for instance, in John chapter 10 and verse 30, >> [clears throat] >> where he says, "I and my Father are one." This was part of the gospel that Jesus Christ preached. He did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.

"I and my Father are one." There was that unity of faith and spirit of purpose, character, truth, eternal life, all of these things. And so, Christ was preaching of this in his own ministry. Jesus was and is, as it says, equal with God. But, of course, we know and Christ expressed this and Paul and others have upheld it, too, that uh Christ said, "My father is greater than I.

" There's an equality in sense of life and purpose and character and the Father still being greater. And so, that's part of our understanding, too, but Jesus Christ is God. He is the Son of God now. He was the Word when the world was created. He was the Word who created us, mankind. There's a point that we can take from this, that Christ's character was such that he did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.

He was in the role of the Lord. While he was here on this earth in the ministry that he had with his disciples, he was the Lord, already had been, still is. Jesus is the Lord. And so, we think of this when we want to put on, let that mind of Christ be in us. We're speaking of our Lord's character and mind, his words of truth and life that the Father gave to him that he brought to us.

And so, we want that kind of spiritual, righteous thinking and thought process to become part of our makeup, as well. Perhaps the greatest role that the Messiah fulfills is this of being Lord, God with us, bringing us grace and truth, showing us the way, giving the greatest sacrifice for us. He was in the role of Lord that Christ died for us.

And this reveals to us much about the mind of Christ. We can add many things to this. I made a little list myself. We could continue. He is holy. We are to be holy as he is holy. He is righteous. We are to be righteous, too. He is full of love. We are to have love. He is faithful to the purpose for which God through him created mankind.

They're bringing many sons and daughters to glory. It speaks of his character at the highest level. And it reveals that there is something to be done that could only be accomplished as he served in the role of Lord. And the next verse begins to bring that up of that quality, the mind of Christ. Philippians 2 and now verse 7.

But made himself of no reputation. And the Greek here means he emptied himself. Zechariah had written of him in this way. He wrote about what God called him, "My servant, the branch." Now we speak of him, the mind of Christ, looking at him as our servant, as the servant of God, of course. In Isaiah chapter 42 and verse 1, Isaiah wrote, "Behold my servant whom I uphold.

My elect one in whom my soul delights." This is the Father speaking of his son. So, not yet then born as his son, already though his servant. "I have put my spirit upon him. He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. This was part of the purpose of Jesus Christ in his ministry. Still is.

He is still the servant of God. He took the form of a servant, it says in Philippians 2 verse 7 as we continue that. And taking the form of a servant. So many verses remind us of this and reveal this to us. I'll just paraphrase the take a few of the phrases from Isaiah chapter 53 verses 1 through 12. That whole section is so important. In verse 4 there in Isaiah 53, it says surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.

He was the servant who helped carry us, carry our sorrow, bear our problems, our griefs, and even our sins. He shall see the travail, it says in Isaiah 53 verse 11. He shall see the travail of his soul and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant shall justify many. For he shall bear their iniquities.

Before the foundation of the world, before time began as it says in scripture, Jesus was willing to humble himself and give up [clears throat] the glory that he shared with God. And he is the servant of God and he serves us. And when we think of putting in his mind, letting his mind be in us, the mind of a servant is so important for us.

Dr. Ward wrote this about that paragraph. He says, "And his giving up of his glory is the greatest act of servant leadership the world has ever witnessed. Moreover, his willingness to give up the glory he shared with the with God the Father is one of the principal reasons the Father has exalted him and placed him over all things.

Now, he serves so well as the servant of God. Specially, that was evident in his ministry. Especially toward the very end of that when he did the things that were so very important that be done by the servant of God. Let's read a few of these examples. In Matthew chapter 20 and verse 28, it says there, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.

" And so many verses and you'll be familiar with them and this is just a reminder that he came to serve us and he says we also should serve one another. This is part of letting the mind of Christ Jesus be in us, to have that kind of serving attitude ourselves. Following the example that he set. In fact, we read of that example in John chapter 13 and verse 3 through 5 where we see there that the Lord washed the feet of his disciples as a servant.

And you see, we begin to see how these different roles of the Messiah, of Christ our Lord as Christ the servant of God, of Christ the man, of Christ >> [clears throat] >> the king, that they come together and he serves concurrently and congruently together with all of these different things in different ways and we see this in the scripture.

In John 13:3-5, we see that the Lord washed the feet of his disciples as a servant. Verse 15 there in John chapter 13, it says, "I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you." This is a lesson of how we apply Philippians 2:5 where it says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

" We do as he did. We follow his examples in this In this particular example of being a servant, helping each other, helping other people. Follow his example. Have the frame of mind and character to think of others, to act as he did and to help other people around us. This is so many services.

More, of course, we all know, more than just in the Passover service when we wash one another's feet. It's every day in so many ways to be a servant, to put that part of the mind of Christ into our character as well. The Messiah was to be in the role of being the servant of God. The character traits that [snorts] Jesus had and demonstrated in this role are important for us to have, too.

And it was in the role of God's servant that he lived and died for us. We need to let the mind of God's servant be in us. Let's continue in Philippians 2:7. And coming in the likeness of men, you see how Paul begins tracking those four prophecies of the Messiah. And now he comes to this part of being in the likeness of men.

We can see here as [clears throat] Zechariah wrote, "Behold the man whose name is the branch." He was the man, but also, of course, the Lord. The servant, also the king. In John 1 and verse 14, it says "And the word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory, as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

" Yes, he was a man. Yes, he was the Son of God. He was a man who was full of grace and truth. That was part of his mind, his makeup, his character, the way he thought, the way he served. He served as a man. He lived as a man. In Philippians 2 and verse 8, it says "And being found in the appearance as a man.

" You see how it Paul continues with this. He's He's describing here more of the ways that Jesus Christ thinks and acts and serves and is. Ways we should be. Philippians 2:8, "And being found in the appearance as a man." We could read supporting verses of this such as Galatians chapter 4, verse 4, where says "When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth his Son, his Son, the Lord, I want to point these as aspects of his uh his service, his role, as we go.

God sent forth his Son, the Lord, born of a woman, born under the law, speaking here of his role as a man. In verse five, to redeem those who were under the law. Now, that's the work of a servant, to redeem those who are under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And so we see this. He was being found, it says, in the appearance of a man, and living as a man, he served in roles and ways that only could be done, only accomplished, because he was living as a human being.

In Hebrews two, in verse 11, says, "For both he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brethren." He calls himself your brother, my brother, brother of mankind, especially that it relates to those who are the members of the body of Christ, have been baptized, who have the Holy Spirit of God, are his brothers in that way, in addition to being among the human race.

When God calls out those to become his sons and daughters down, and others will, of course, be given their chance later, but he, Christ, is not ashamed to be called our brother, our brother. In verse 14 there in Hebrews two, it says, "Inasmuch as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared in the same.

" In that role of being the man who is the branch. That through death, that is, now as Christ's servant, but also in all these other roles, he died as our Lord, he died as our king. He died as a man. He died as God's servant. That through death as God's servant, here is the focus right now, he might destroy him who had the power of death. That is the devil.

You see the servant at work there doing the will of the Father. In verse 17 of Hebrews 2, it says, "Therefore, in all things he had to be made like his brethren. He had to be made in the form of a human being to be a real human being that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest." >> [snorts] >> Again, that role of servant in things pertaining to God to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

These things lift our understanding, don't they, of letting that mind of Christ be in us. When we see what Paul wrote, we see the supporting verses that explain more of these aspects and roles of Jesus Christ. It It helps us to understand more deeply the significance of letting that mind be in us. In Hebrews chapter 4 and verse 15, it says, "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are and yet without sin.

" He understands what we go through because he lived as a human being and he understands. He says he was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin. With God's Holy Spirit in him, with the character that he had, with his mind that can be in us, too, he was able and he did live without sin. He was a human being made like us.

A man who lived to set an example of righteous character and who died as it is as it is given for all of us to die. You know, that's part of the role of Christ being in the form of a man. He died as a man. As a servant again. Let's think of this again. They tie together so very well. In Matthew 28 in verse 20, excuse me, Matthew 20 in verse 28.

The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many. In every one of those roles, he did this for us. It says in Philippians 2 verse 8. And now, the last part of verse 8. He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death. We're still considering, aren't we? Letting the mind of Christ be in us.

And here we see that he humbled himself and became obedient. We need that kind of mind as well. We read some of the supporting verses here in Matthew chapter 26 in verse 39. Speaking of Christ the night he was arrested before his trial and crucifixion the next day. Matthew 26 and verse 39 says, "He went a little further and fell on his face and prayed saying, Oh my father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.

Nevertheless, not as I will but as you will. He became obedient to the point of death, Paul wrote. In Acts chapter 4, verses 27 and 28, this was a prayer by the local church there in Jerusalem after Peter and John had been arrested and then released from custody, they came back to the church members there and there was a group prayer and this is part of it.

In Acts 4:27 and 28, for truly against your holy servant Jesus, they're speaking to the Father and they're saying your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together to do whatever your hand and your purpose did to to determine before to be done.

He was obedient to God's hand and God's purpose for things that had been determined before and we know so very well especially included his death for us. He was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world, the obedient servant of God. Wonderful mindset to have. Kind of mindset we need, too. In Hebrews 5:7 and 8 speaks of him again.

It says, "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death and was heard because of his godly fear, though he was a son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered. He obeyed to the very end. He did not waver, didn't give up.

He didn't call down as he could have the 12 legions of angels. He obeyed the will and purpose of his father. And he did it so very well, perfectly. And it was for us. And this is part of understanding the mind of Christ that we also uh should let be part of us. The last part of Philippians 2 and verse 8, it says, "Even to the death of the cross.

" You see as we go through that Paul is just methodically putting in place these great qualities, these great purposes of the Messiah just as they were prophesied in the Old Testament. And now to show us that Jesus Christ fulfilled these. Even to the point of the death of the cross, it says here. Let's read about this in John chapter 19 and verse 5.

Remember, now we're speaking of him in the role of the man. In John 19 and verse 5, it says that Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the man." He fulfilled that role. It was written there. It was inspired. And Paul and Pilate probably didn't even know what he's saying. "Behold the man.

" The man who had been prophesied to come as our Messiah. The man who would give his life for us. In Hebrews 9 verse 27 and 28 it says, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many." In that role as a man. But let's follow this a little bit further.

The phrase here is even the death of the cross. So here we see that in the humble and obedient servant was also a king, also a man, and of course our Lord. In John 18 and verse 37 it says, "Pilate therefore said to them, 'Are you a king then?'" Let's look at this aspect of that prophecy of the Messiah, the branch of the king.

John 18:37 "Are you a king then?" And Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I have come into the world that I should bear witness to the truth." We see Jesus here then in that role as a king, but also as a man, these things connect very, very directly. They had to because Christ had to have this mind and and this purpose and this way of being our Messiah in all four of these roles at the same time.

Matthew 27 and verse 29 said, "When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on his head. And they read in his right hand and they bowed the knee before him and mocked him saying, 'Hail, king of the Jews." He was a king, and whether they meant it or not, we know they didn't, but they said it. The King of the Jews.

And more than the Jews only, other scriptures show He opens the the way for the Gentiles of the world, all of the people, all the nations. In John 19 and verse 24, this is again, as He was being tried and soon would be crucified. John 19, verse 14, says, "Now it was the prepara- preparation day of the Passover and about the sixth hour.

And he said to the Jews, 'Behold, your King.'" Previously, it's "Behold the man." Actually, that came later in the day. I put it first because of the flow of the message here. "Behold, your King." And verse 19 here in John 19, says, "Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross." Remember, what we're looking at here is even to the death of the cross.

The Christ had the mind of being an obedient servant even to the death of the cross, even as our King. And right the Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross, and the writing was, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." You know, you can read the scriptures and you see from the birth of Christ and on, already, Christ was born a King.

And as role as King, He gave His life for us. Our King gave His life for us. In Philippians 2 and verse 9, therefore God has also highly exalted him. Now we begin to see this that Christ is the king now highly exalted. And we we let the mind of Christ be in us. We think of and think now of his role now. We begin to see this expounded in scriptures too in in Hebrews 12 and verse 2.

We now it says are looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. His character was that of a king and servant, a man and lord. His mind was in all of these different qualities at the same time.

For a great purpose, each one specific in its need. In Hebrews 2 and verse 9 it speaks of God exalting Jesus Christ. As Paul had written in Philippians 2:9 in Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 9 it says, "But we see Jesus. We see him as Lord, who was made a little lower than the angels, made to be like a man for the suffering of death, the servant of God, crowned with glory and honor, the king, that he by the grace of God might taste death for everyone.

" You see that one verse you have all four roles put together. Very, very beautifully. Hebrews 2:9 it says, "And given him the name which is above every name. Just as Paul had written, "Therefore God has highly exalted him." I think that should be Philippians 2 and verse 9. Yes, and given him the name which is above every name. In Ephesians chapter 1, speaking of the name given to Christ, tells us understand his mind when we see these things about him that God gave to him and that we look up to.

In Ephesians 1:20 and 21, the Father here says, "Raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this age but also in that which is to come." You see how Paul in those few verses in Philippians 2 tracked this whole series of aspects of our Messiah, of his roles, of his character, of his mind, put them all together in such a beautiful way.

And we see this and it helps us to understand the significance of that phrase, "Let this mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus." In Philippians 2 and verse 10, it says, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on the earth, those under the earth." To let his mind be in us requires, brethren, this, that we bow, that we worship, we ask for the strength he gives.

We ask for the forgiveness. We ask the Father. And we can pray and do to Christ as well. Pray in his name for the things we need that he supplies to us in so many ways. And we can play pray and should to be able to think as he thinks, to act as he acts, to have the mind in us that is in him. To have the character that he has and wants us to have so we too may be holy as he is holy.

Says in Romans chapter 14 verse 10 through 11. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Do you look forward to that day? I hope we all do. We should stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For as as it is written, "As I live, since the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

" Take that in a very positive way, brethren. What a blessing it is to bow our knees to him. >> [clears throat] >> And to come before our Father, before the throne of grace, because the mind of Christ is in us. Because what he is putting in us, building in us, through the Holy Spirit of God, through his word that he brought, through all of these things, through the service he provided for us and still does, these are the things that bring us together to him.

So that we may let that mind of Christ be in us. Paul ends that section in chapter two, Philippians 2:11, it says, "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Notice if you will in chapter [clears throat] 2 verse 5 it uses the name Christ Jesus. And here now at the end of this passage it uses Jesus Christ.

Christ Jesus is the exalted one who was humbled. And Jesus Christ here in this phrase is the humbled one who was now exalted and glorified. We see him in both realms. We see him exalted. We see the humbled Christ. We have the mind of Christ was humble. We need the mind of Christ who is exalted because God wants to exalt us too.

Consider how his character the mind of Jesus Christ is made evident in these four rules. And let's consider how our lives are affected by the way Christ served and continues to serve in each of these areas of character, knowledge, truth, love, compassion, faith, hope, glory. And brethren, let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God's servant, the man, our king. And I hope that this message is something that will strengthen you and hopefully many. We all wait for that time when we too will be exalted with Jesus Christ.