A Long-Term Mindset

by Pastor Mark
January 11, 2024

 

The mindset of Christ

What is a mindset? It is the way we think. It entails our wisdom, understanding and perspectives concerning who we are, how we do things and how we see others. Our mindset makes a great difference in how we see our lives and ministries.

The Apostle Paul set the mindset of Christ as the key focus for the Philippian church. This was his challenge to them, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5) The Lord Jesus sets for us an excellent example of a powerful and amazing mindset. He emptied Himself of all the glories and privileges of being in heaven (Philippians 2:6,7). The Lord humbled Himself to become a man…a bondservant (Philippians 2:7,8). He became obedient to the fullest extent…to the point of the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8). How should we understand this mindset of the Lord Jesus?

1. A long-term mindset

a. The Lord Jesus had His mindset throughout His life

  1. He manifested this mindset in everything He said and did during His time on this earth.
  2. God gave Christ a long-term plan to fulfil…His salvation plan.
  3. It was with this long-term mindset that He obeyed and fulfilled God’s plan.

b. The challenge for us to have Christ’s mindset for the long term

  1. For some, we may have yet to commence adopting this mindset.
  2. The challenge is for us to begin and not get caught up in our self-centred thinking.
  3. Even if we have commenced, we tend to be inconsistent with adopting Christ’s mindset.
  4. We allow our selfish ambitions and conceit to get the better of us (Philippians 2:3).

Let us be challenged to have this mindset for the long term…throughout our lifetime.

2. A daily mindset

a. The Lord Jesus manifested His mindset daily

  1. The Lord Jesus sought His Father each morning…to relate to His Father and understand His plan for Him (Mark 1:35).
  2. He would humbly serve as a bondservant, obedient to His Father and His plans.

b. With the same mindset, we should seek to humbly obey the Lord and His Word daily

  1. Only when we show humility would God work in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
  2. We can express Christ’s mindset daily in how we do things…without complaining or disputing…being children of God who are blameless, harmless and without fault (Philippians 2:14,15).

Let us be challenged to manifest His mindset in our lives and ministries consistently.

3. A collective mindset

  1. The mindset of Christ is meant for each church member to have and manifest.
  2. It becomes the collective mindset of the brethren.
  3. We would become likeminded as a church: “Fulfil my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (Philippians 2:2)
  4. With this long-term mindset, we can seek to fulfil the long-term plans of the church.

Let us be challenged to focus on the mindset of Christ in our lives and ministries.

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