With a title like, “To Walk as gods on this Earth” people can get a little out of hand.  For the past few weeks, we have been teaching this series on AUTHORITY.  Really this is a series on the authority of Christ.  

But if you remember a few months ago, our post about Humility before Ability, we looked at how even Christ – who WAS GOD – had to humble himself before He could be used by God. 

The same is the case for us.  We are made in the image of God, but our authority is not of ourselves.  Our authority is of God.  

That is the power of the name of Jesus.  That at THAT name every knee should bow (Philippians 2:10).  Through that name we have the authority of Jesus on this earth.

BUT IT ALL STARTS WITH HUMILITY.

Our Text

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

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;

Philippians 2:3-10 KJV

Definition of “The Mind of Christ”

Many times we hear the term in Christian circles to have the “mind of Christ”.  That makes sense though.  If we are going to “walk as gods on this earth”.  That is if we are going to walk with the authority of Christ on this earth, we need to think like Christ thinks!

Having the Mind of Christ simply means to think like Christ thinks.  

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8 KJV

If you want peace and ability in your life, you have to fix it on things that are in line with God.  If you think poor all your life, you won’t ever see riches.  Just like if you think constantly of sickness or death, you won’t be healthy.

Your meditation will become your destination

The things you think about and talk will eventually come to pass.  

Jesus says to set our affections on things above (Matthew 6:19-25).  You have affections for what you think about.  Just like time builds feelings in relationships.  The more TIME you spend with someone the more you FEEL like you love them.  

What am I saying? 

The TIME you spend with God (thinking like God, meditating on His Word, Worshipping Him in spirit and truth) the more you will LOVE Him. 

Your thoughts will begin to change.

The Mind of Christ wasn’t Self Seeking

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:3-5 KJV

Oftentimes christians will do things out of strife or vainglory.  If you have been going to church for any period of time, you probably have had what they call a “church experience”.  In other words, someone was human and made a mistake!

The problem is sometimes people will completely turn from God because some man or woman decided to act like themselves and NOT like God. 

God is saying in these verses that you have to put away strife or vainglory.  Thinking back to all of the “church experiences” in my life they all rooted back in either strife or someone attempting to find recognition for their good deeds. 

Don’t Seek Glory

6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 6:1 KJV

When you follow after God, you have to leave the glory alone. There is no place for those who attempt to exalt themselves in God’s kingdom.  To be great you have to make yourself the least.

What is the solution?  You have to serve God in, “lowliness of mind”.

Don’t Take “Lowliness of Mind” to the Extreme

Now this is very important.  Don’t take the statement to serve in “lowliness of mind” to the extreme.  Don’t say, “Oh. I am an earthworm.  I’m not even worthy to be in your presence…”

Yatta Yatta. On and on.  

You hear people thinking they’re being spiritual or religious, and God up in heaven is saying, “Get off the floor! My only begotten Son didn’t die so you could live like the earthworms.”

Don’t hear what God isn’t saying.  Find the middle ground and walk in it. 

You know the difference between:

• I’m serving this person for recognition and favor.

OR

• I’m serving this person because God asked me to.

Do you know how to tell the difference?  Even if your pastor or person in leadership never recognizes or says thank you, YOU’RE STILL CONTENT.  

If you NEED someone to say, “Good Job!”, then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. 

Jesus is our Best Example

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:

Philippians 2:6-9 KJV

The best example of the “mind of Christ” is … CHRIST.  If you want to know what someone thinks, look at what they are saying.  You don’t say something you aren’t thinking about. 

God became man when He came as Jesus Christ. Jesus was equal with God, yet He humbled Himself.  Think of all the times people attempted to beat Jesus or tried to trap Him with words or trick questions.  

If you have ever witnessed to someone (especially in America), who thinks they know everything you’ll understand some of what Jesus was going through. 

They ask you a question, “How do I get healed?” or “How do I know God is real?”  And you tell them the answer.  BUT they already know the answer right?  (or so they think)

They’re a know-it-all! But Jesus didn’t get mad. 

He didn’t shout and yell and tell them, “YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO ME! I’M THE SON OF GOD!!”  He didn’t call down thousands of angels.  Even on the cross when they were mocking Him bowing down and calling Him king.  He didn’t yell at them or demand His place.

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Luke 23:34 KJV

Jesus in the middle of their cruelty and hatred said forgive them!  And we get bent out of shape when someone doesn’t recognize that we vacuumed the church hallway!

You have to make the decision that you can’t make me mad – I love you.  And maybe you’ll have to say that every minute of your day until eventually you can actually mean it, but fake it until you make it.

But HOW do we Develop the Mind of Christ??

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2 KJV

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:8 KJV

These two verses tell us exactly how to walk in the Mind of Christ.  Think Christ’s thoughts.

Jesus had His mind focused on the Bible.  How do I know that?  Because when the Devil came to tempt Him He said, “It is written…”  Jesus quoted the Old Testament.  Paul put it this way in Romans 7:25

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 7:25 KJV

The mind was renewed to the Bible – the law of God.  The longest Psalm in the book of Psalms (Psalm 119) is all about the LAW – the Bible.

When we fill ourselves with thoughts of things from the Bible, God, Himself, can speak to us.  

What about Our Example?

Now think back to when we witnessed to that know-it-all person.

Whether you were talking about salvation, healing, prosperity or something else, think of how that situation can get out of control if you don’t have the Holy Spirit: The Power to Witness leading your steps.  You can get frustrated and angry at their bullheadedness and end up doing more harm than good! 

I can admit in my own lifetime when I should have just kept my mouth shut!  Why? Because my mind was on serving that other person.  I didn’t come in “lowliness of mind”. I came to them with the “I’m right. You’re wrong.” thought in mind. I paid for it…

Our Witness is Our Actions

Look to Jesus.  He came and showed He was God by what He did!  He could have just said it, but just as faith without works is dead He came and both said and did it!

Many of the people who have rejected Jesus inside of the United States are not christians not because they don’t believe there is a God, but because they don’t see christians truly living as mature examples of Christ in the earth.

What am I saying?  

They say “LIVE LIKE CHRIST!”, but they live like the world.

You cannot be a witness by words only; your life has to match your words.

Our Witness comes from Heart > Thoughts > Actions

The Church universal must mature to lead lives that are transformed in heart, thought and deed. You are transformed in heart when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10).  Your mind is transformed when you “meditate on” or in other words think on the Bible (Joshua 1:8). Then (and only then) will you have a lasting change in how you act.

THE ORDER MATTERS!

You can’t quit all your bad habits and become good enough for God to accept you.  Just like you can’t stop all your bad habits until you stop thinking about whatever is pushing you toward that bad habit!

We are still talking about having the Mind of Christ. God puts it this way, 

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

You might ask, “Well then why when I became a Christian did I still smoke or drink or do drugs?” All things are new in your spirit, but you still have to handle your mind.  You have all the same desires because your mind hasn’t been renewed.  

But now there’s something on the inside that just doesn’t feel right and that’s your spirit telling you, “I shouldn’t be doing this.”

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Philippians 2:10 KJV

Jesus has all the authority in heaven and earth, and He has given that authority over to you and I to do the work He has commanded you and I to do.

The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few.  Will you answer the call to go into the world with the word.

This is THE WORD FOR ALL THE WORLD