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Advent HOPE Sabbath School

P. Gerard Damsteegt

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

I don't know, it was probably about 2 years ago that I spoke here.

And I see a number of you that I remember from my encounter or from other events or from my tours.

Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, our Savior and Redeemer.

This morning I like to draw your attention to some statements that the Apostle Paul made in his letter to the Philippians.

If you turn to this book, chapter 2, there is a phrase that many of you may have read and thought that is a nice advice.

Philippians chapter 2 where Paul says here, let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

How many of us realize this as a command instead of good advice?

Think about it And you carry on every day.

How often every day do we think, let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus.

And if it is not for the occasional sermon that focuses on this text, we may not think about it.

You know, the Philippians were a pretty good church.

In fact, if I would be a Christian, I wouldn't mind being a member of that church.

In fact, if you look at chapter 1, verse 3, Paul says, and I'm reading from the New King James, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine, making requests for you all with joy." Verse 5, "...for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

And of course you know he says just as it is right for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart in as much as both in my change as in the defensive confirmation of the gospel you are all partakers with me of grace.

He's in chains, but yet his mind goes to the congregation that he established and he says in verse 13, to me it has become evident to the whole palace guard, that was the guard of Nero, that cruel monster, and to all the rest that my chains are in Christ.

I'm not here as a criminal, they are in Christ.

And most of the brethren in the Lord have become confident by my chains, and are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.

So when they see Paul in prison, they are encouraged and they speak out more and they witness more.

I said, you know, some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill.

The former preached Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add reflection to my chains, but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached, and that I in this I rejoice.

Whether liberal or conservative or progressive or fundamental, it doesn't matter to me as long as Christ is being preached.

I'm not looking to all what part of the spectrum you are.

As long as Christ is being preached, it will do some good.

Some out of selfish purposes, the Lord will judge.

And those who are doing it out of love, praise the Lord.

So here is a situation, you seem to have an ideal church and yet there are problems.

In fact you know I mean here in in verse 27, in verse 27 Paul says, only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in 1 spirit, with 1 mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

And not in any way be terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of their perdition, but to you in salvation and that of God.

For to you it has been granted to be on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now here in me.

You think you know I'm poor you know you are in the same situation.

It is not only for you to believe in him but to suffer for his sake.

We think when you accept the Lord everything goes well, right?

And so therefore Paul says not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake.

That is tremendous privilege, to suffer for his sake.

Remember what Paul says, where do you have it?

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

You know, No matter what you do, if you desire to live Godly lives in Christ Jesus, Satan will be angry after you.

Anyone who lives Godly lives, if you confess truly what basically the Philippians did, and if you turn to Revelation 3, what are those characteristics here?

Revelation 3, verse 8, I know your works.

I have set before you an open door and no 1 can shut it.

You have little strength, but you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Keeping always Christ's Word and never deny Him under all circumstances.

And then in verses 10, because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial.

Paul speaks clearly here in regard to when you want to be successful there even in the Philippian Church.

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, Fulfill my joy by being like-minded.

Having the same love, being of 1 accord, of 1 mind.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each 1 esteem others better than himself." Is that something?

And we know each other probably better than others, and consider the other 1 better than yourself.

Let each 1 of you look not only for his own interest but also for the interest of others.

And in this context, where you have their slight divisions, difference of opinions, different minds.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

And now in the next few verses he gives you a recipe and a prescription until the Lord comes.

It says, who about Christ Being in the form of God did not consider robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of what?

No reputation, or in other words, another translation says, he emptied himself completely.

He said he emptied himself completely, the kenosis, friends here, made himself of no reputation.

Now what is to us 1 of the most precious things that we possess?

You know, you don't want to have people gossiping and going all kind of stories that are untrue.

But Christ himself, who had a tremendous reputation in heaven, made himself of no reputation.

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Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

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