09 The Battle in the Mind

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Team Leader meeting after service

March 12th after service (or the next in-person gathering) - Annual meeting for the purpose of ratifying new council members.

April 1, 2023 at 5pm SVCC’s “Thanksgiving” Dinner

Camp hickory - new camp manager: Zach Strout

Time change next week.

*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review: Dead to sin, Alive to God

WHY?…

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

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.

TODAY: OUR MINDS

Battle between Christian Identity and identities that are not in compatible with being “in Christ” (i.e. incongruent)

Battle between—Faith—Fear!

Want trust God—Want be control

Confidence in calling—Crippling insecurity paralyzes

Most of life’s battles are won or lost in your mind. (Battlefield)

The Battle:

Romans 7:22-23 “22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.”

Romans 7:24-25 “24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

Romans 8:2 “2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:5-6 “5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

Power to Destroy Strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 “18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

What Does Our Spiritual Enemy Do?

Shapes your thinking—One thought at time—Prison of lies

U can’t trust. Won’t succeed. Always broke. Never good marriage.

God doesn’t hear prayers. Doesn’t care. Never make diff. Amount.

2 Corinthians 10:5 “5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”

How Are Your Thoughts Directing Your Life?

Science/Bible agree—Cognitive Behavior Psychology shows Relational challenges, eating disorders, addictions, Some forms of anxiety—Direct result of toxic thinking.

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Think you can’t—Probably won’t. Think can—Probably will.

Dwell problems—Overwhelm you. Look solutions—See some.

Feel like victim—Become one. Believe overcome X—Can.

THOUGHT AUDIT

Worried: People think—Kids—Future—$—Job—Health.

Secure God’s promises: Do what u can—Trust—Full peace.

Negative: Critical people, Find fault, Discontent. Hard. TOO Busy.

Positive: Believe best people, Life good. Optimistic future.

Mind consumed this life: Material possession. Liked people.

Eternal difference: Given gifts—Reach people—Job/Calling.

You cannot have a positive life when you have a negative mind.

Your life always moving direction strongest thoughts. Are excited about the direction your thoughts are taking you?

Louie Giglio: “economy of attention”

Conclusion/Reflection:

Identify Your Battle

Identify biggest stronghold holding you back. Just one.

Not loveable—Never good enough—Don’t deserve anything good.

Always be broke—Haves—Have nots. I’m the not.

Helplessness—Hopelessness—Worthlessness—Pointlessness

To think in a different way—Forge a new path in your brain.

More you walk the path—Easier becomes travel.

More you stay off old path—Weakens—Harder it is to think again.

Identify The Truth Found in Jesus

John 8:31-32 “31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””

Eph. 6:17-18 “17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”

2 Peter 1:3 “3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,”

Source:

Craig Groeschel’s Winning The War In Your Mind