Kindred Spirit: Let This Mind Be In You

Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV) 

Christ's Example of Humility 

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Introduction: The Pain of Division: Some divisions arose from sincere convictions; others from pride, politics, or misunderstanding. But all of them remind us of the danger of losing the mind of Christ. 

1. The Great Schism tore East and West apart (1054). 

2. Martin Luther and Ulrich Swingli 1529) 

3. John Calvin and Michael Servetus clashed over the Trinity. 

4. John Wesley and George Whitefield (two mighty evangelists) divided over predestination. 

5. Joseph and his brothers 

6. Paul and Mark 

7. Modern examples continue the pattern.

I. Contemplate the depth of grace you have received 

Paul’s understanding: If your heart is not captivated by 

Christ, you will not pursue conflict resolution centered on Him. This text follows Paul’s typical letter structure by first 

establishing foundational truths (Indicative) and then outlining their implications (imperative). “Paul calls on believers to unite in mind and heart, emphasizing the reasons the Triune God provides to motivate them to stand together in solidarity.” (Dennis E. Johnson) 

Greek often uses “if” (conditional clause) to create a rhetorical appeal. Paul is drawing the Philippians into reflection: 

- “If you have experienced Christ’s encouragement–and you have…” - “If you have tasted the Father’s love–and you have…” 

- “If you share in the Spirit–and you do…” 

- “If you know the tenderness of Christian fellowship–and you certainly do…” 

The “if” invites the reader to reflect on the extent of grace they have been given. The implied conclusion is: “Then complete my joy by being united.” 

II. Care for others better than yourselves 

To “care for others better than yourselves” is to reject self‑centeredness, embrace Christlike humility, and actively seek the good of others because Christ Himself sought our good above His own (descending in love so that we might ascend in grace). 

In the Greek text, verses 1 to 4 form a single sentence with the command “complete my joy.” The following phrases (being of the same mind, having the same love, and looking to the interests of others) explain how the Philippians can bring Paul joy through harmonious relationships and humility that preserve their unity. 

A. What destroys unity? 

1. “Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil.” James 3:16

2. “The scorpion carries its poison in its tail, the 

slanderer in his tongue. His words pierce deep like the 

quills of the porcupine.” Thomas Watson 

3. The issue is not whether I agree with someone but 

rather how I treat someone with whom I profoundly 

disagree. We Christians are called to use the “weapons of grace,” which means treating even our opponents with love and respect. 4. Strife and Self-Centeredness – Selfish ambition and conceit drain joy. Joy cannot flourish where self is enthroned. We all struggle with self-centeredness: (1) Self-focus; (2) Self-righteousness; (3) 

Self-reliance; (4) Self-glorification. (Paul David Tripp) 

“There is a joy that is richer, deeper, and sweeter than the satisfaction of self-centered desire, whether that desire is for comfort, pleasure, reputation, or achievement.” (Dennis E. Johnson) 

B. What nourishes/cultivates a durable, gospel-shaped unity? 1. “Humility is not a set of actions merely, it is a deep and settled commitment of the mind to choosing the lowly place, to step out of the limelight, to serve and not be seen.” (Dennis E. Johnson) 

2. What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? What’s a Christian mind? 

- Same mind: A mindset that is profoundly committed to unity. - Same love: There ought to be no variation of love. 

- Same-souled: “One accord,” this translation misses much the beauty of the original. Paul says they are to be literally “one-souled” in their fellowship together. 

David Strain: “Paul, ‘I want your unity to be so profound that it will be like having one soul and one mind, an indivisible unity.’ It involves an interconnectedness that cannot be broken without doing violence to the whole. That is what your church is to be like. That is what mark our fellowship. That’s how we are to live together.” 

III. Consider Christ’s humble descent and glorious ascent

A. Understand the mindset of Christ: Christological foundation of Paul’s exhortation: We care because Christ Cared first. 

(Therefore, have the mind of Christ). 

B. Carmen Christi (Song of Christ or Christ Hymn) - He’s using 

the Carmen Christi to address what is really an ethical, 

relational, or a moral matter in the Philippian church. 

First of all, Paul underscores that you see and understand Christ's humility by realizing who he is! HE is divine, so you understand the reality of Christ’s humility only when you understand his supreme divine status. 

He is the very image of God. He was the exact representation of God. Paul is pointing here that you will not understand Jesus’ humility until you understand who he was as he humbled himself. Christ’s eternal humility: He was humble before the incarnation, in his incarnation in his exaltation by still giving the Father the glory. This means that humility is Christ’s eternal disposition. C. Christ exaltation: The mindset of the Father. 

Conclusion and application: 

A. Know and imitate Christ 

B. Care for others 

- By serving intentionally: Look for ways to meet needs before they are spoken. 

- By speaking gently 

- By forgiving quickly 

- By preferring others 

- By carrying others’ burdens 

- By not being a credit thief 

Discussion Questions: 

1. Contemplate grace received: How does reflecting on Christ’s encouragement, the Father’s love, and the Spirit’s fellowship (Phil 2:1) reshape your attitude toward unity in the church and in your home?

2. Practice Christlike humility: In what specific ways is God 

calling you to “count others more significant than 

yourselves” (Phil 2:3), and how does the gospel empower 

that humility? 

3. What destroys unity: According to Philippians 2:3–4, how do selfish ambition, empty glory, and self‑interest fracture relationships, and where do you see these dangers threatening unity in your own life or church? 

4. Live under Christ’s lordship: What does Christ’s exaltation (Phil 2:9–11) mean for your daily life, and how does worshiping the risen Lord strengthen unity, mission, and family relationships? 

Sources: 

Hughes, R. Kent: Preaching the Word, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. 

Johnson, Dennis: Reformed Expository Commentary, Philippians. 

Strain, David: The Lectio Continua, Philippians. 

Rev. Jerome David/August 30, 2026 

Leading People To A Life Of Commitment And Productivity In Christ