Let Us Encourage, Eliminate Selfishness, Embrace Christ's Mind

Paul’s words in Philippians 2 call the body of Christ to live different in times like these. The world is getting worse, full of violence, pride, self-love, selfish ambition, and people having a form of godliness while denying the power thereof. God has not called His people out of darkness into marvelous light just to sit inside four walls. God has planted every believer right where they are, in neighborhoods, jobs, schools, and families, for such a time as this.

The image of lettuce gives the church a plain picture of what “let us” ought to look like. Lettuce is refreshing, it brings nourishment, it helps the body get rid of what does not belong, and it supports life. “Let us” be refreshing in a thirsty world. “Let us” support one another, build one another up, protect the vision God has given, and get rid of the filth, strife, and division that do not belong in the body of Christ.

Paul first says, let us encourage one another. Consolation in Christ, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, affection, and mercy ought to make believers like-minded and joined together in love. Christ has made His people new creations, His workmanship, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and His own special people. The body cannot stir up love in those who continually separate themselves from it. The enemy uses isolation to bring condemnation, but Christ says there is no condemnation for those who are in Him.

Paul then says, let us eliminate selfishness. Selfish ambition always asks who gets the glory, who gets the recognition, and whose way will win. Humility looks beyond personal interests and begins to care about the interests of others. Christ’s body cannot be full of folk wanting titles, praise, and control while refusing the work of a servant. Jesus washed dirty feet when nobody else wanted the menial job, and His example says that whoever wants to be great must become a servant.

Christ finally gives the mind that believers must engage. Jesus was equal with God, yet He made Himself of no reputation, took the form of a bondservant, humbled Himself, and obeyed unto death on the cross. The mind of Christ removes the power struggle, the need for prestige, and the fear of being overlooked. The will of God becomes bigger than personal will. God calls the body to prepare its mind through prayer, the Word, and thoughts that are true, honorable, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. The body of believers must work together, because the world needs to see a people who genuinely love, serve, and make Christ known.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Let us encourage one another Christ’s consolation is not meant to remain private comfort. The body of Christ becomes strong when believers remind one another who they are in Christ, especially when shame, failure, and discouragement try to isolate them. Fellowship is not merely showing up in a room, but stirring up love and good works through shared faithfulness. [68:57]
• 2. Let us eliminate selfish ambition Selfishness turns every act of service into a question of recognition, control, and personal gain. Humility does not deny that personal needs exist, but it refuses to make personal interest the center of every decision. Christ’s people are called to see the needs around them as part of their own responsibility before God. [78:31]
• 3. Greatness takes the form of service Jesus chose the low place when He washed His disciples’ feet. Service that receives no applause still matters because God sees the heart and the work. The desire to be great must be surrendered to the greater calling of becoming useful in God’s hands. [80:51]
• 4. The mind of Christ ends power struggles Christ possessed all authority, yet He made Himself of no reputation and obeyed the Father completely. The mind of Christ frees believers from fighting for position, prestige, and the final word. God’s will becomes clearer when self no longer has to be in charge. [87:32]
• 5. Let us become refreshing in darkness The “head of lettuce” picture calls the body to be refreshing, nourishing, and cleansing in a dry world. God’s people should help one another grow strong, keep the vision clear, and remove the waste of bitterness and division. The world should be able to see a body working together because Christ is alive within it.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [48:42] - Every Part Has a Purpose
• [49:05] - Trials Advance the Gospel
• [49:51] - Prayer for God’s Glory
• [52:10] - Planted for Such a Time
• [54:10] - Philippians 2:1-8
• [56:34] - Living in Perilous Times
• [60:28] - A Building Full of Lettuce
• [64:28] - Let Us Encourage One Another
• [76:39] - Let Us Eliminate Selfishness
• [80:33] - Greatness Through Serving
• [85:14] - Let Us Engage the Mind of Christ
• [92:07] - Renewing the Mind for Action
• [93:44] - Working Together as One Body

Bible Reading

Philippians 2:1-8
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 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.” [54:10] [54:32]

2 Timothy 3:1-5
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness but denying its power. Avoid such people.” [56:46]

1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” [01:08:58]

John 13:14-15
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” [01:20:51]

Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” [01:31:55]

Observation questions

1. In Philippians 2:1-2, what five gifts or experiences does Paul mention before calling believers to be like-minded and united in love?
2. According to Philippians 2:3-4, what actions and attitudes are contrasted with selfish ambition and conceit? [01:18:13]
3. What does Paul say Jesus did in Philippians 2:6-8, even though He was equal with God?
4. What qualities of lettuce were used to picture what the body of Christ should be like in the world: refreshing, nourishing, protecting vision, and removing what does not belong? [01:03:09]

Interpretation questions

1. Paul connects encouragement in Christ with being of one mind and having the same love. What does this show about why Christian encouragement is more than simply saying nice words to one another? [01:06:45]
2. Philippians 2 does not say believers should ignore their own interests; it says they should also look to the interests of others. What might this kind of humility look like when a church, family, or ministry has to make a decision?
3. Jesus took the form of a servant and washed His disciples’ feet. Why does serving in unnoticed and menial ways expose the difference between seeking Christ’s glory and seeking personal recognition? [01:20:56]
4. Romans 12:2 says that a renewed mind helps believers discern God’s will. Why would a mind shaped by the world make power struggles, fear, and the need for prestige seem normal? [01:32:30]

Application questions

1. God has planted believers in neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, families, and friendships for such a time as this. Where has God placed you right now, and what is one practical way you can make Christ known there this week? [52:57]
2. Is there someone in the body of Christ who may be discouraged, ashamed, isolated, or feeling like they are all alone? What could you say or do this week to remind them that they are chosen, loved, and in Christ? [01:08:20]
3. Isolation often gives the enemy room to speak condemnation and discouragement. Are there habits, disappointments, or excuses that have pulled you away from meaningful fellowship? What would it look like to take one honest step back toward the body? [01:09:19]
4. When you serve, where do you most feel the pull toward recognition, having things your way, or being in control? How might looking to another person’s interest change one specific situation you are facing? [01:17:22]
5. Jesus showed greatness by taking the low place. What is a “dirty feet” kind of task—something needed but unnoticed—that you could willingly do at home, at church, or in your community? [01:21:25]
6. Is there a relationship where irritation, resentment, backbiting, or keeping a record of wrong has begun to grow? What would it mean to let God use that relationship to grow love and humility in you? [01:15:56]
7. The mind of Christ frees believers from fighting for position and prestige because God’s will matters most. Where do you need to surrender the need to have the final word, protect your reputation, or win a power struggle? [01:27:29]