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Author Topic: Losing Your Mind
Carol Swenson
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Losing Your Mind


Philippians 2:5-11


Introduction

I want to urge you to lose your mind. Before you say, “Too late; that’s already happened,” let me clarify. You need to lose your mind so that you might take on the mind of Christ.

Think how many times we see Jesus putting aside His own convenience that he might fulfill the Father’s plan. In the garden He said, “Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet, not what I will, but what you will.” Even when He died, we heard Him say, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Look with me at the beauty of this passage in Philippians. The particular quality of the mind or attitude of Christ is that of humility. While this is not a popular virtue in our day, if we want to be like Jesus, then we need to heed and apply these lessons from His life. What does taking on the mind of Christ mean?

I. Taking on the mind of Christ means surrender (vv. 5, 6).

A. Jesus was willing to surrender the glories of heaven on our behalf. We will never know how difficult it was.

B. We do not mean by surrender giving up in defeat; we mean giving up our agenda. Sometimes that is the only way to win.


II. Taking on the mind of Christ means service (v. 7).

A. Satan’s problem is that he would rather rule in Hell than serve in Heaven.

B. Jesus was willing to come to earth and serve humanity.

C. Jesus did not consider service to be a sign of weakness.

D. Service must be voluntary or it is not service.


III. Taking on the mind of Christ means sacrifice (v. 8).

A. No great accomplishment was ever made without sacrifice.

1. That is true in science.

2. That is true in politics.

3. That is true in religious reform.

B. Not only did Jesus die on a cross, He told us we will have to bear one.

1. Our cross does not consist of the common troubles and difficulties of life.

2. Our cross consists of those things we voluntarily endure for the cause of Christ.


IV. Taking on the mind of Christ means certainty.

A. It means betting your life on God.

B. The day of His crucifixion, everyone was afraid except Jesus.

C. Trust is tested at such a time as this.

D. We believe that God can bring great beauty and victory out of the cross.

E. Jesus was honored for his humility, and it is pleasing to God when we are humble.


Conclusion
If Jesus was not afraid to be humble, then it is the height of absurdity for us to be arrogant. The principle remains: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).


Illustrations

John Bowring was visiting in the Orient. He passed by a village destroyed by earthquake. Out of the rubble of an old church he saw the cross. It inspired him to write the great hymn, “In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o’er the wrecks of time.”

Said a coach to a baseball player who failed to put down the sacrifice bunt, “Didn’t you see the sign, didn’t you see me say sacrifice?” “Yes, I saw it,” said the player, “I just didn’t think you meant it.” When God tells us to sacrifice, he means it.


(Sermon Outlines for Seekers)

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