We often think that we could be a better church if more young people come. When we see big Korean churches in Portland absorb young Korean families even from Vancouver, we become hopeless.
But here is a more important truth. No matter the church size, if we don’t have Jesus, we are not a church. Remember, the first church was only 13 people: 12 disciples and Jesus. If we have Jesus in our church, we are healthy. Therefore, it is crucial for us to have the mind of Jesus.
Now, we have to abandon our old nature in order to have the mind of Jesus. What is it?
We should stop seeking the vainglory of selfish thoughts.
Seeking own satisfaction and own glory is our nature. As a baby grows up, he/she starts saying, “my toy” “my money” “it’s mine” “I want.” We should stop saying this way from now on. Paul said in verse 3, “Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity”
What motivates you? Desire to win the competition? Desire to be famous and to get respect? Bible says, it is vainglory. The Greek word for “vanity” in verse 3 is “vainglory.” Remember, we are of dust so that we will return to the dust. Do not put too much value on what you achieve for your satisfaction. It is useless.
Therefore, stop seeking vainglory and have the mind of Jesus.
First, we should be ready to give up our privilege and right.
Read v6. “6 who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,
Jesus is God, but He became a man lived as a man.
He obeyed his human parents. He followed OT laws though He was the author of it. He tried to live according to human tradition. Surely He didn’t claim his right and privilege as God.
However, this is contrary to what the world says. They say, “Fight for your freedom and your right.” Yes, it is true sometimes, but not always.
In order to present Jesus, in order to save others, you might need to give up your rights as parents, as a leader, as a human.
Second, we should lower ourselves in order to serve others
Read v7-8, 7 but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. 8 He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death– even death on a cross!
Not only human-looking but also He had human nature. He became a complete human to die on the cross for our sins. It was the Father’s will. In order to obey God’s will, He lowered Himself to the bottom.
Bible says in verse 3, “each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.”
There was a fire in a house and firemen came. For a fireman, what is more important? His life or the one in the house in fire? The fireman dares to risk his life to save others. If he dies on the rescue mission, he will get the greatest respect for his faithfulness.
We are like the rescue agent sent from Jesus to save others. It could be your friend or family, or church member, or anyone God put around you.
Giving up your own right and privilege is not easy. It seems unfair that only you are the person who sacrifices. Also, as you serve this way, others might start to think you are inferior to them. Something wrong. Yes, it is not right. However, think about Jesus. There is no worse injustice than Jesus’ crucifixion. How could God be accused of blasphemy? How could a sinless man die in place of sinners? It was the biggest injustice in human history.
Therefore, God needed to fix this, for God is the righteous Judge.
Read v9-11, 9 As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow– in heaven and on earth and under the earth–
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
Therefore, when you live in the mind of Jesus, believe that God will compensate for what you sacrifice.
When Jesus bore the cross, they thought Jesus was punished by God. However, Jesus didn’t defend himself. He entrusted all judgments to the Father and accepted such unfair treatments on his body.
Therefore, God gave Jesus the greatest name. Look at verse 10, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow. It doesn’t say, ‘before Jesus,’ but, ‘at the name of Jesus.’ That means, when Jesus’ name is proclaimed evil spirit is expelled, our prayer is heard, and the kingdom of God comes.
In this way, every tongue will glorify God who accomplished such wonderful salvation. He revealed His love and righteousness by sending His Son to die on the cross for sinners.
Closing
Stop seeking own satisfaction and own glory. What kinds of privileges do you enjoy? Put them down and lower yourself to serve others. Each of us is a special agent to rescue others and represent Jesus. Don’t worry about expanses, losses, over time, or sacrifice. God will reimburse later. Surely and fully.
How can we make our church better? We should have the mind of Jesus. Then we can see the glory of God. The joy of the Lord will refresh our souls and our church every day.