Renew Your Mind 4

Sermon 4

Text: Isaiah 11:1-2

Introduction

A particular truth the Bible clarifies for the believer is our mind starts with the spirit that resides at the very core of you. Every thought that comes to the surface comes from your spirit which then translates into actions. The genuine believer is not interested in what their mind can produce, but rather what the “mind of Christ” can produce in them. The question to ask is this, “How or by Whom can the “mind of Christ” be channeled from within to your outward actions?”

The answer to that question rests in the function of God’s Spirit. He alone creates the supernatural thoughts within and from there creates actions that reflect none other than God himself. What I am saying is this, you must be able to learn how to allow the Spirit to work the supernatural in you and through you. In short, when you combine the Spirit’s Words and the Spirit’s power, you will display the “mind of Christ.”

The Bible is clear (even from Jesus’ own words) Jesus depended on God’s Spirit to live a life (even to His thoughts) to the letter of the law (perfection). Our text today gives us some insight on the Spirit’s work through Jesus Christ. If we can understand what the Spirit provides us with, we will with more surrender allow Him to have full reign in our minds and in our life.

God lays out through the prophet Isaiah a seven-fold process of the thinking that could be safely call the “Mind of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 2:12–16“12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

God desires for you to grow to a point of not seeing the world around you through lens of your own mind, bur through His mind.

1) The Spirit Of The Lord

A. The mind of Christ is available at the point of believing faith

John 3:3 “3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:17“17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”

In what ways does the Holy Spirit minister to you?

He makes you aware of your guilt of sin and points you to Jesus. — John 16:7–11 “7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

At the moment of a confession of guilt and faith in Christ, the Spirit comes in and dwells there permanently.

The Spirit desires to launch from the inside out. Enabling your witness for Christ.

He works to continually fill you up.

No one should have to ask if you are “filled with the Spirit.”

B. There is much confusion in our day about language regarding the Holy Spirit.

(Chuck & Nancy Missler)

Words “with us” (para) to lead us to Christ

Comes “in us” (en) to indwell us permanently

Comes “upon us” (epi) for a supernatural empowering to be His witnesss

Continually “re-fills us” (peleroo) so that God’s Life can continue to flow from our hearts into our lives

C. He is waiting to come forth out of your life

Illustration: If a fountain is clogged, will any water come up out of it?

Some of you today have so much GARBAGE IN YOU MIND the Holy Spirit does not have the freedom to emerge to your actions.

John 4:14 “14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Illustration: I love the imagery a well give us. The water comes from within, flows upward and then outward. If a well is filled with dirt, it will stop supplying useful water.

2) The Spirit Of Wisdom

A. Where can this Spirit of Wisdom be found?

It will always be found dwelling within the new man of the believer.

B. What exactly is the wisdom God’s Spirit imparts to the believer?

All of God’s thoughts you need for the Christian life.

Colossians 2:2–3“2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

This wisdom can’t be bought, earned or even fully studied to obtain.

This wisdom often times will shock you where it shows up.

This should be exciting for all believers.

Job 32:9 “9 Great men are not always wise: Neither do the aged understand judgment.”

1 Corinthians 1:19 “19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

C. This wisdom is truly the KEY to all of life’s BEST DECISIONS!

Chuck & Nancy Missler described the “Spirit of Wisdom” as God’s blueprint for our living.

Proverbs 8:12–14“12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge of witty inventions. 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the froward mouth, do I hate. 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.”

Proverbs 8:34–35“34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, And shall obtain favour of the Lord.”

Illustration: If you are building a house, you want it on the most solid foundations. The house will face all kinds of abuse.

Proverbs 24:3 “3 Through wisdom is an house builded; And by understanding it is established:”

Your existence should be driven by God’s Word — Jeremiah 15:16 “16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”

Quote: “I think of God’s written Word as a translation of the inscribed Word (Jesus) that’s already in my heart. The more I understand God’s written Word, the more I will understand the “living” Word who lives in my heart.” — Nancy Missler

The Spirit of Wisdom is always waiting for you to ask for more! — James 1:5–7“5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”

D. How much is enough for each day?

The answer to that question cannot be answered by our logical mind.

This answer must come from God’s Spirit.

In one sense, you could read for 24 hours a day every day for a month and in a very short time, you will find yourself needing spiritual nourishment again.

As Jesus instructs us to “pray without ceasing” let us “read without ceasing!” In other words, always be ready to open God’s Word of divine wisdom!

The best starting place for this wisdom is WITHIN, not without!

Those around us need to see the evidence of a genuine faith, not a fake!