Renewing the Mind

You ever had those moments, or some days we think we are invincible? Even if the skill or talent level is or isn’t there fully, there’s still that feeling inside that you can do anything? Like maybe hopping on a longboard after a few yr hiatus, late at night with a roommate and going down a freshly paved, barely lit hill? Anyone been in that position before? Just a general, run of the mill scenario.

And maybe after speed wobbling and crashing, your mindset goes from I can do this, to what was I thinking??

Or maybe sometimes you’ve been in a spot where you feel like nothing is or will go right, that everything is against you; the bills keep climbing and the money coming in isn’t matching the expenses…(take Terrys course on money) or that nothing is clicking relationship wise; maybe the kids have been hard of hearing, or maybe a friend isn’t being…a great friend. Where does our mind go?

I think of the prophet Elijah, after he had defeated all the prophets of baal, God had showed up, in a powerful way, shown everyone in the nation of Israel that He was God, we see only a day later He is on the verge of death; thinking WHAT? That he was alone and that he was gonna get murdered. His mindset had shifted dramatically, which led to complaining, isolation, but God still met Him. This story is a great example of what life is like sometimes right? Highest of highs one day, to the lowest of lows the next. How do we stay steady in it all right? How do we keep even keeled not just for ourselves but for our family, friends etc..how do we keep our minds from spiralling out of control.

Now again, hear me this morning, I don’t pretend to be an expert on the mind, but what I hope we can do together this morning is look at what the bible says about the mind, and what Gods desire for us is in it.

Pray

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

So we see here

I love how with christianity, its not passive, its active/action involved. Other wise were just fooling ourselves right? We are to to offer up our bodies as a living sacrifice, in light of, in view of Gods great mercy. That’s no passive thing. And neither is this whole idea of conforming and transformation.

* Conforming vs Transforming.

There’s a few things I feel led to hone in on but first we have to recognize, that transformation comes from renewal. Renewal of the mind. There’s this tension of conforming vs transforming.

The Greek word for "conform" is syschematizo and means "to be molded according to a pattern."

Oilers fan; each team they say has a certain identity, some are gritty, some are fast, some are just too flashy, cutsie, some just play a combination of them all. Of each team, the gm, the coach, have a certain type of player/team that they want to assemble, they have a mold if you will of that ideal player. So when it comes time to drafting, or making trades, they are doing so to fit their mold of what their ideal team is.

The Greek verb translated “transformed” (metamorphousthe) is seen in the English word “metamorphosis,” a total change from inside out

Transformed into what?? Our ideal vision of what we should be from something we snagged of social media or even just from other people? Sometimes our own vision of what we think we should be or working towards doesn’t always align with His Way. But in…

* The purpose of transformation is Christ likeness. That we would bear his image.

and to know His will

2 Cor. 3:18 NLT

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

* The key to this change is the “mind” (noos), the control center of one’s attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and actions (cf. Eph. 4:22–23).

Ephesians 4:20-24

But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self,[f] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

* Conform (outside in) or Transform (inside out)

Recognize again here church we are transformed, from the inside out, not the outside in, if it was spiritual transformation that came from the outside, that's works, that's striving, thats not living and operating in grace, thats not letting His Spirit work inside you but you trying to work to gain the Spirit.

The psalmist said Psalm 51:10 (ESV) — 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. - Recognizing that He could not do it on His own. But needed God.

Why does all this matter, because what we believe (inside) helps determine how we behave on the outside. * RIGHT THINKING LEADS TO RIGHT BEHAVIOUR-OBEDIENT DISCIPLESHIP (doers of the word)

Think about any athlete for example, before they see any change in their performance, or in their body, where does the shift happen?? In their minds! They set a goal, and their actions follow.

Now as we keep looking at being transformed by the renewing our minds, its not a question of….

* Not If but What

Its not necessarily just a question of how to renew ones but what are we renewing our minds with daily?

With what content or thoughts are we renewing our minds with * Genesis 6:5 (ESV) — 5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. * Romans 7:22–23 (ESV) — 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. Renewing our minds isnt a new concept, we are continually filling our minds with many things. We absorb so much information,  Is it fear of the future, is it comparison (socials do not help with this), even if you dont think you struggle with it thats a sneaky one…soon theres discontentment, resentment, etc. anger because you’re not living up to some perceived expectation or vision in. Your mind.. So again what are you renewing your mind with already, and is it leading to being conformed to culture or being transformed into His likeness.

Why dow we need renewal in our minds?

* Renewal brings knowledge of God

Colossians 1:9–10 (ESV) — 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

*Renewal brings peace

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) — 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Philippians 4:7 (ESV) — 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

* Renewal leads to obedience

Romans 8:5, 6 (ESV) — 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. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

How to Renew ones mind?

Consistency is key in time in the word, prayer and in fellowship with other believers, groups, serving. One offs here and there dont actually amount to any real change.

Renewing the mind is not simply a one time event at a conference, summer camp but a muscle

Study results of bible reading…power of 4 from centre for bible engagement

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Response:

If there is someone needing prayer/come on up, but lets take some time here, I recognize that this isn’t, think happy things and your problems will go away. Life is full of mystery, ups and downs. But we can choose how we respond to it all, starting with our minds. So take a min here and do a self eval, has what Ive been renewing my mind with been bringing life and peace? Search my heart oh God and see if there is any anxious way in me.

Where is the lie that’s caused tension/anxiety in me

Where is the lie that has caused doubt to run rampant

Ask the Lord right now, what’s the truth to replace that lie with?