The Mind of Christ
Rejoice Always – Part 8: The Mind of Christ – The Pathway to Glory
Philippians 2:5–11 (NKJV)
Have you ever overlooked something because it looked too plain, too ordinary? In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the most powerful cup wasn’t the one covered in gold and jewels. It was the humble, average-looking one—the cup of Christ. That scene is a perfect image of how we often miss what matters most in life.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 2 that the pathway to true glory is humility. Not flashy. Not loud. But powerful beyond measure.
Part 1: Don’t Act Like You’ve Been Robbed
Philippians 2:6 says that Jesus, "being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God." In other words, Jesus is fully God—deserving of honor, praise, and worship. He is described in:
John 1:1: The Word was God.
Colossians 1:15-17: The image of the invisible God.
Revelation 5:13: Every creature in heaven and on earth praises Him.
Hebrews 1:3: The radiance of God’s glory.
Yet, Jesus didn’t hold onto His status. He didn’t act like He was being robbed when people didn’t give Him the glory He deserved.
Contrast that with how we often feel:
"Why don’t they respect me at work?"
"Why am I not being honored in church?"
"Why do others keep getting promoted?"
Jesus wasn’t offended. He let go.
I remember a moment when someone disrespected me, and I was ready to react. But God whispered to me: "Courtney, have this mind in you. Stop acting like you’ve been robbed."
Proverbs 19:11 reminds us: "It is to one’s glory to overlook an offense."
Jesus was despised and rejected (Isaiah 53), yet He opened not His mouth. If He could do that, so can we.
Part 2: Make Yourself of No Reputation
Philippians 2:7-8 says Jesus "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant." He chose to lay down His reputation. Today, people build their identity on career titles, talent, or social status. But Jesus showed us another way.
Imagine someone famous showing up at church and volunteering to usher or clean. That’s humility. That’s the mind of Christ.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, "When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die."
Tim Keller said, "Jesus didn’t come to tell us how to live. He came to live the life we should have lived and die the death we should have died—and He did it in utter humility."
Jesus wasn’t concerned with looking impressive. Isaiah 53:2 says He had no beauty or majesty to attract us. He embraced ordinariness.
Church isn’t a fashion show, a stage for talent, or a platform for promotion. It’s a place where we pour out our reputation to make Jesus known.
Andrew Murray said, "Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you."
You won’t rise until you learn to bow.
Part 3: The Way Up Is Down
Philippians 2:9-11 shows the result of Jesus’ humility: "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name..."
This is the Kingdom pattern:
Down: No reputation → servant → obedience → death → cross
Then Up: Exalted → Name above all names → Every knee bows → Every tongue confesses
1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time."
D.A. Carson put it this way: "The irony of the gospel is that the way up is the way down. The cross precedes the crown. Suffering precedes glory. The towel comes before the throne."
Are you waiting for recognition? Are you tired of being overlooked?
Maybe God is waiting for you to lay down your need for reputation. That was my final hurdle before becoming a pastor—and when I let go, God lifted me.
Even now, it can still be a battle. But when you begin, God helps you.
Let this mind be in you. Let Jesus transform your thinking. Surrender the image you’ve worked so hard to build.
Come and die to pride. Let God bury it today so He can raise you up tomorrow.
That’s the mind of Christ. That’s the pathway to glory.