THE JESUS MINDSET


Scripture references: John 5:30; John 12:49; John 20:21; John 15:10-11; John 14:27; Matt. 5:42-44; Col. 3:13; Phil. 2:5-13; 1 Cor. 2:12-16


1.         As a Christian leader, whether a pastor, elder, deacon, church planter, government leader, employer, supervisor, manager, coach, teacher, spouse, or parent, your mindset is important.

2.         A mindset is your mental attitude or disposition.

3.         Your mindset influences your responses to and interpretations of situations.

4.         The Arbinger Institute, a secular consulting firm, identifies two primary mindsets: The inward mindset and the outward mindset.

5.         Inward Mindset - A self-focused mindset. Leaders who possess an inward mindset view authority as the power to control and dictate. They use fear and intimidation to drive those under their authority. Inward mindset leaders blame others when goals are not accomplished. Inward mindset leaders take credit for team accomplishments and use other people to accomplish personal goals.

6.         Outward Mindset - An outward focused mindset is focused on collective, group, team, or congregational results. Leaders who possess an outward mindset view authority as the power to serve, encourage, and equip those under their authority. Outward mindset leaders seek to understand and develop people rather than cast blame when goals are not accomplished. Outward mindset leaders recognize and reward team members who contribute to team accomplishments.

7.         For the Christian leader, there is a third mindset available - the Jesus Mindset.

8.         The Jesus mindset is grounded in a relationship of relentless reliance on Jesus Christ in the same way that Jesus Christ maintained a relationship of relentless reliance on the Father during His earthly ministry. John 5:30; John 12:49; John 20:21

9.         The Jesus mindset is Jesus Christ living in and through His people.

10.       The Jesus mindset is not focused on performance or pleasing self, but it produces an inner love, joy, and peace because of the presence of Jesus Christ in the Believer's life. John 15:10-11; John 14:27

11.       The Jesus mindset is not focused on pleasing others, although it produces the following attitudes toward others: generosity, love, blessing, prayer, and forgiveness. Matt. 5:42-44; Col. 3:13

12.       The Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippian Christians to maintain a Jesus mindset. Phil. 2:5-13

13.       The Jesus mindset is received and developed by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Christian's life. 1 Cor. 2:12-16

14.       Although we can learn about the Jesus mindset by studying the Bible, developing and living with a Jesus mindset is a work of the Holy Spirit.Only through a relationship of relentless reliance on Jesus Christ can we experience the Jesus mindset.

Last modified: Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 10:08 AM