Think This Way

March 24, 2009
Text: Philippians 2:5-11
Title: Think This Way

Thoughts:

I’ve often written or spoken about my life growing up on a farm. The impact of such an upbringing is all-encompassing. Sure, there were hard times and sacrifices, but the lessons were worth everything I had to give up.

Thankfully, I had a step-father who genuinely cared for me and desired to teach me the roles of responsibility. Of his many lessons taught and my lessons learned, none was greater than foresight and leadership. Whether we were technically “off the clock” or working diligently, I was never given a spare moment to ignore my surroundings. If someone else left a gate unlocked, it was my responsibility to lock it. If there were a potential danger or problem that I seen, I was to address it before it became a problem. While we were working, driving, or relaxing, he was continually instilling a forward thinking mentality. His model was think this way.

At an area service Sunday night, I caught a glimpse of this training in another father and his son. When it came time to break down the chairs, this 6 year old was the only child I saw helping. Visions of the past came rushing to my mind.

It is this intentional discipleship that Paul was calling from the Philippians. Their selfish acts were only seeking to divide a beautiful congregation. However, Paul beckons them to look at the life and mindset of Christ and to think this way. In his words to follow, he clearly defines what this mindset of Christ looks like. Unfortunately, it was the antithesis of how the Philippians were living their lives. Therefore, they were to think this way…

Thinking like Christ, or having the same attitude (mindset) as Christ, is an intentional, forward thinking motivation. It recognizes there will be temporary joys, pleasures, and things to forfeit in return for the eternal rewards of Christ. In short, we must forfeit self in order to obtain life with Christ. 

Thankfully, I had a father that instilled that forward thinking in me and the Philippians had an apostle who sought to instill it within them. May we become intentional in thinking this way…the way of Christ.

Application:

Who has taught you to be intentional in maintaining a certain mindset (attitude, way of thinking) in your life?

How do remain intentional in your pursuit to think as Christ thought?

After reading Philippians 2:5-11, what areas do you struggle to think as Christ thought? What mindsets do you struggle with most?

Prayer:

Father,

Help me to be ever forward thinking, maintaining the thoughts of Christ. He was ever focused on eternity and not the temporary pleasures of self. I struggle to stay intentionally focused on eternity. This world and its entrapments snare me. Christ avoided these snares and remained committed despite the pain, forfeiture of self, and His death. May that attitude be in me today. May I think this way.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Foretaste of What’s to Come

Text: Matthew 25:14-30
Title: A Foretaste of What’s to Come

Thoughts:

In Matthew 25 Jesus begins to describe the Kingdom of heaven in parables. He begins by comparing it to ten virgins who are anticipating the bridegroom’s appearance. Five were prepared and five were unprepared. His third comparison is to the separation of sheep from goats. The sheep, those who have ministered to Jesus via the poor, sick, naked, etc., were rewarded. Meanwhile the goats were judged and cast away.

Nestled within these two kingdom comparisons is our text for the week (Mt. 25:14-30). In this particular text, Jesus compares the kingdom to a master who goes on a journey. Before leaving the master entrusts his possessions to his slaves. Characteristic of the other parables in the chapter, the master returns to once again find an irresponsible trustee.

If one’s not careful, he quickly loses the excitement and significance of Christ’s kingdom. Wherever Christ spoke of the kingdom, He referred to it with a sense of responsibility and power. Through His coming to earth, Christ ushered in a present “here and now” reality of what we expect in heaven. He healed the sick, raised the dead, restored broken relationships, and liberated mankind. Each of these are truths we embrace and enthusiastically anticipate in heaven.

Christ’s kingdom parables remind us that there is a responsibility for the message of the kingdom. Namely, we are called to live in a “here and now” reality that Christ has released into the hands of His people. We have a foretaste of what heaven will be like. We can be healed, liberated, and victorious. What we’re doing with this message is the basis of what the Master will want to know about when He returns.

The Kingdom has a taste of victory, but let us not allow its sweetness to drown its responsibilities.

Applications:

What are some of the biblical characteristics of heaven?

Does Jesus’ ministry, and the empowerment of His disciples (Lk 10), not reveal the fact that these characteristics are available to the believer now? Why or why not?

How is your life revealing these realities today?

Prayer:

Father,

Through Christ’s ministry and empowerment of His disciples, You have shown us the possibilities of what the Kingdom looks like on earth. It has power to set mankind free, heal the sick, raise the dead, and transformations of the like. Unfortunately, I live well below that reality in my life. Today, I want to walk in the fullness of what it means to be in Your kingdom. In addition, empower me to share the reality of this kingdom with others.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.