Building a Life with the Mind of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Mind of Christ vs. Worldly Wisdom

To have the mind of Christ is to believe the right things about God and His will for us. This involves rejecting worldly wisdom, which prioritizes self-interest and temporary gains, and embracing godly wisdom that focuses on eternal outcomes and spiritual growth. Reflect on whether your decisions are based on what benefits you or what God desires. [11:08]

Worldly wisdom often emphasizes self-interest, temporary gains, and material success. It encourages us to make decisions based on what benefits us the most in the short term. In contrast, godly wisdom prioritizes eternal outcomes and spiritual growth. It calls us to make decisions that align with God's will, even if they don't immediately benefit us. This kind of wisdom is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, who helps us understand God's thoughts and desires.

To have the mind of Christ means to believe the right things about God and His will for us. It involves a transformation of our thinking, where we reject worldly wisdom and embrace godly wisdom. This transformation allows us to navigate life effectively, making decisions that glorify God and lead to eternal glory. Reflect on whether your decisions are based on what benefits you or what God desires.

1 Corinthians 3:18-19 (ESV): "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness.'"

Reflection: Think about a recent decision you made. Was it based on worldly wisdom or godly wisdom? How can you ensure your future decisions align with God's will?

Day 2: Living Like Christ

Jesus lived in perfect obedience to God, always prioritizing God's will over His own. To have the mind of Christ, we must strive to live like Him, making decisions that align with God's commands and desires. This means putting aside our own pleasures and pursuits to follow God's path. [16:10]

Living like Christ involves a commitment to obedience and selflessness. Jesus always prioritized God's will over His own, even when it was difficult. He lived a life of perfect obedience, making decisions that aligned with God's commands and desires. To have the mind of Christ, we must strive to live like Him, putting aside our own pleasures and pursuits to follow God's path.

This kind of living requires a daily commitment to seek God's will in all areas of our lives. It means being willing to sacrifice our own desires and ambitions to follow God's plan. By doing so, we can live a life that glorifies God and reflects the character of Christ to those around us.

John 5:30 (ESV): "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are prioritizing your own desires over God's will? How can you begin to align this area with God's commands and desires?

Day 3: Learning Like Christ

Jesus learned humility and did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. We must recognize our place as God's creation, living in obedience to Him and not seeking to elevate ourselves. This humility allows us to serve God and others effectively. [17:58]

Learning like Christ involves embracing humility and recognizing our place as God's creation. Jesus, though equal with God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. Instead, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death. This humility is essential for us as well. We must live in obedience to God, not seeking to elevate ourselves but to serve Him and others effectively.

Humility allows us to see ourselves accurately in relation to God and others. It helps us to serve without seeking recognition or reward. By learning like Christ, we can develop a heart of humility that enables us to live in obedience to God and serve others selflessly.

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV): "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility in your daily life? How can you serve others without seeking recognition or reward?

Day 4: Loving Like Christ

To have the mind of Christ is to love others as He did, seeing their interests as more important than our own. This selfless love can transform our relationships, families, churches, and communities, leading to a more Christ-like way of living. [20:34]

Loving like Christ means seeing the interests of others as more important than our own. Jesus demonstrated this selfless love throughout His life, ultimately sacrificing Himself for the sake of humanity. This kind of love can transform our relationships, families, churches, and communities. It calls us to put aside our own interests and focus on the needs and well-being of others.

By loving like Christ, we can create a more Christ-like way of living. This love is not just an emotion but an action. It involves serving others, showing compassion, and seeking their best interests. When we love others as Christ did, we reflect His character and bring glory to God.

1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience Christ's love. How can you show them selfless love today?

Day 5: Building for Eternity

Worldly achievements and possessions are temporary and will ultimately be discarded. In contrast, building our lives on godly wisdom leads to eternal glory. We must focus on what has lasting value, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in discerning God's will and living a life that glorifies Him. [32:21]

Building for eternity means focusing on what has lasting value rather than temporary achievements and possessions. Worldly success and material wealth are fleeting and will ultimately be discarded. In contrast, building our lives on godly wisdom leads to eternal glory. This requires us to prioritize spiritual growth and eternal outcomes over temporary gains.

To build for eternity, we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in discerning God's will. This involves a daily commitment to seek God's guidance and make decisions that align with His desires. By doing so, we can live a life that glorifies God and has lasting value.

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are focused on temporary gains? How can you shift your focus to what has lasting value and build for eternity?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, focusing on the concept of having the mind of Christ. The church in Corinth was struggling because they had not maintained their spiritual health, much like an engine that needs regular maintenance. Paul, acting as a spiritual mechanic, addresses the root of their issues: their way of thinking. He contrasts worldly wisdom with godly wisdom, urging believers to adopt the mind of Christ to navigate life effectively.

We explored the metaphor of Minecraft, a game where players build their own worlds, to illustrate how we, too, build our lives based on our worldview. Paul emphasizes that there are two ways to build our lives: according to worldly wisdom or godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom focuses on self-interest and temporary gains, while godly wisdom prioritizes eternal outcomes and spiritual growth.

To have the mind of Christ means to believe the right things, live like Christ, learn like Christ, and love like Christ. This involves making decisions based on what God wants rather than what benefits us the most. We must scrutinize our conversations, calendars, and checkbooks to ensure they align with God's will. True wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit, who reveals God's thoughts and desires to us.

Paul warns that following worldly wisdom leads to futility and ultimate destruction, while godly wisdom leads to eternal glory. He urges us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth. This transformation enables us to discern God's will and live a life that glorifies Him.

###

Key Takeaways

1. interest and temporary gains, and embracing godly wisdom that focuses on eternal outcomes and spiritual growth. Reflect on whether your decisions are based on what benefits you or what God desires. [11:08]
2. Living Like Christ: Jesus lived in perfect obedience to God, always prioritizing God's will over His own. To have the mind of Christ, we must strive to live like Him, making decisions that align with God's commands and desires. This means putting aside our own pleasures and pursuits to follow God's path.

3. Learning Like Christ: Jesus learned humility and did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. We must recognize our place as God's creation, living in obedience to Him and not seeking to elevate ourselves. This humility allows us to serve God and others effectively.

4. Loving Like Christ: To have the mind of Christ is to love others as He did, seeing their interests as more important than our own. This selfless love can transform our relationships, families, churches, and communities, leading to a more Christ-like way of living.

5. Building for Eternity: Worldly achievements and possessions are temporary and will ultimately be discarded. In contrast, building our lives on godly wisdom leads to eternal glory. We must focus on what has lasting value, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in discerning God's will and living a life that glorifies Him.

### [11:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:24] - The Source of the Problem
[02:22] - Revealed Through the Spirit
[03:31] - The Mind of Christ
[04:44] - Minecraft Metaphor
[05:50] - Building Your Life
[07:15] - Wisdom in Corinth
[08:10] - Modern Influencers
[10:19] - Human vs. Godly Wisdom
[11:08] - Believing the Right Things
[13:18] - Worldly Mindedness
[16:10] - Living Like Christ
[17:58] - Learning Like Christ
[20:34] - Loving Like Christ
[22:36] - Spiritual Maturity
[26:03] - Knowing God's Mind
[32:21] - Building for Eternity
[37:35] - Renewing Your Mind

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the two types of wisdom Paul contrasts in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16? How does he describe each? [02:22]
According to the sermon, what metaphor did the pastor use to illustrate how we build our lives? How does this metaphor relate to the way we think? [04:44]
What does Paul mean when he says believers have the "mind of Christ"? How does this help us navigate life? [03:31]
How does the Holy Spirit play a role in revealing God's wisdom to us, according to the sermon? [27:28]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize the importance of having the mind of Christ over worldly wisdom? How does this distinction affect our daily decisions? [11:08]
How does living like Christ, learning like Christ, and loving like Christ contribute to having the mind of Christ? Provide examples from the sermon. [16:10]
What are the consequences of following worldly wisdom versus godly wisdom, as discussed in the sermon? [32:21]
How does the concept of building for eternity challenge our current lifestyle and priorities? [36:50]

Application Questions

Reflect on your recent decisions. Were they more influenced by worldly wisdom or godly wisdom? How can you shift your focus to align more with God's desires? [11:08]
In what ways can you strive to live like Christ in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can prioritize God's will over your own. [16:10]
How can you practice humility in your interactions with others, following Christ's example of learning humility? Think of a recent situation where you could have applied this principle. [17:58]
Consider your relationships. How can you show selfless love like Christ did? Identify one person you can serve selflessly this week. [20:34]
Evaluate your conversations, calendar, and checkbook. Do they reflect godly wisdom and priorities? What changes can you make to ensure they align with God's will? [11:58]
How can you actively seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your daily decisions? What practices can you incorporate to be more attuned to the Spirit's leading? [27:28]
Think about your long-term goals and aspirations. Are they focused on temporary achievements or eternal outcomes? How can you reorient your goals to build for eternity? [32:21]

Sermon Clips

1. "The source of the problem is how you and I think, how we view the world. And we're going to do so under this heading of Minecraft. To do so, let's look at the text this morning and understand that we need to get our minds in the right place so that we may do what God has called us to do." [01:24] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Well, just like in the game Minecraft, we too live in lives where we get the opportunity. To build our worlds. To build our lives. And the question is, how are you going to go about building that world? How are you going to go about building that life? What material, what structures are you going to build with the life and the opportunities you've been given?" [04:44] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Human wisdom is focused on what seems practical or advantageous. In the here and now. Often prioritizing self-interest and worldly success. Whereas god's wisdom focuses on eternal outcomes, spiritual growth, and aligning with god's word. Often going against the grain of societal norms. In short, god's wisdom asks this. What does god want in this situation? While human wisdom asks, what benefits me the most?" [10:19] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "To have the mind of Christ is to believe the right things. To believe the right things. And what we have to do is we have to make a decision. Will we believe worldly wisdom or heavenly wisdom? And I want us to leave this up here. So we'll get to the first slide or the first point going on the slide in a moment if you missed it. But what you have to ask is, in this last week, did I ask more in the comings and goings and details of my life? Did I ask the question, what does god want of me in this situation?" [11:08] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So if you're a follower of Jesus Christ, it isn't that you just simply got fire insurance out of hell. What God has saved you from is that way of thinking that is futile and folly so that you can follow Christ. Now, to do so, we have to believe the right things. So what are you believing? What are you believing this morning? Are you believing that the right way to vitality and vibrancy in this world is for you to follow the ways of sinful men and women?" [14:35] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "To have the mind of Christ is to live like Christ, to live like Christ, to learn like Christ, and to love like Christ. And we've got to, we've got a decision to make. We can live for ourselves or live and learn and love as Christ did. So let's talk about this for a moment. To have the mind of Christ is to believe the right things about God. Jesus believed the right things about God. He knew who God was and he knew what God required of his creation." [16:10] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We need to know our proper place. We need to know that just because God has something, it's not ours. The world tells you. This is worldly wisdom. You are God. You are king. You are master. You are the captain of your vessel. So whatever you want, whatever you desire, whatever you want to pursue, it is yours for the taking. The Bible says no, that you and I were bought with a price. We are slaves to our master, King Jesus." [19:25] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "To have the mind of Christ sees others as better than ourselves. To see other interests as more important than ourselves. Than our interests. This would do us a lot of good. How many marriages would have been saved if husbands and wives would look to the interests of their spouse than their own interests? How much better would families be if parents looked to the interests of their children instead of their own hobbies and desires?" [20:34] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "So you want to know if you're spiritually mature don't weigh the weight of your Bible how big it is or how much knowledge you have of of mindless biblical trivia ask the question I'm a mature individual because I can look at the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God and I can discern the difference between the two I can see what one offers leads to folly and the other one offers great glory I can see the difference of those two things." [22:36] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "So how in the world can we have the mind of Christ Paul says this is how God has given you access to what he's thinking what he's feeling what he's desiring what he's wanting what he's knowing how can you finite how can you flawed how can you dysfunctional human being who has been saved by the grace of God know the heart and mind of God and the answer six times is in the text through the Holy Spirit." [27:28] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?