What comes into our mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

-AW Tozer

What do you think of? What characteristics?

We should, to begin with, think that God leads a very interesting life, and that he is full of joy. Undoubtedly he is the most joyous being in the universe. The abundance of his love and generosity is inseparable from his infinite joy. All of the good and beautiful things from which we occasionally drink tiny droplets of soul-exhilarating joy, God continuously experiences in all their breadth and depth and richness.

-Dallas Willard

Dallas Willard: Joy is the serious business of heaven…

Defined joy: Pervasive sense of well-being that I am/everything is okay. Creation was an act of joy/delight. Delight in the goodness of what was done. Often for humans, our most joyous moment was a creative moment. Joy cuts through everything.

Do you know that God takes great joy in you?

  

  

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

-Philippians 2:1-13

  

The Mindset of Jesus:

  

Selfless Mindset

  

Serving Mindset

  

Sacrificial Mindset

  

Result: He glorified God

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

-Ephesians 2:10

…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

-Philippians 2:12,13

  

How do we make this practical?

  

1. Be intentional with our mindset.

Prayer: Lord help me to intentionally work on being more aware of what is happening around me. Send me someone to serve and bless today even if I do not get acknowledgement or credit.

  

2. Use platform/influence/privilege to bless/benefit others.

Noble: Being noble is characterized by having high moral principles and integrity, and conducting oneself with honor, dignity, and concern for the greater good.

  

3. Regular check in with the Holy Spirit on heart/attitude/mindset.

  

  

  

  

What were your main takeaways from this sermon?

Make a Decision Everybody's Normal... by John Ortberg