Take It Back - Week 1
Take It Back • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 7 viewsNotes
Transcript
Message Title - What it means to be Saved.
Message Title - What it means to be Saved.
Problems of my audience
Problems of my audience
The are Christians who are struggling with their thoughts. Particularly negative thoughts.
They could possibly be saved, but have failed to adopt the new life they are called to in Christ. Because of this they still have old ways of thinking that influence their life and behaviors.
Many of them fail to position themselves in the truth of God’s Word. They fail to align themselves to the Lord, therefore when challenges come their way they are left to themselves to make decisions. We often fail when we rely on our selves.
They are unaware of the truth. To attached to what they know (feel and what has been spoken to them by others)...
Research:
Research:
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Observations -
Perfect Peace - Although storms and challenges may come our minds by the blessing, provision, and grace of Jesus Christ can remain calm in the chaos. Perfect Peace does not mean the absence of a storm, but it ensures peace in midst of it.
Perfect Peace - To preserve regardless of trial or condition.
Perfect Peace - Completely safe. Safety implies danger. But Danger does not guarantee harm.
Peace - Salom in the Hebrew - success, wellfare, state of health, deliverance, salvation
Peace - Total well-being, prosperity and security associated with God’s presence among his people
When my thoughts are fixed on God I am reminded that He is bigger than any challenge I face. I also remember that He is for me and not against me. Thus I am encouraged and place my trust in Him. Regardless of what I am faced with I can have perfect peace because my savior the Prince of Peace is with me.
This verse and passage encourages me to continue trusting in God
The gift is peace (well-being and wholeness) to a mind not merely steadfast but steadied
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.
There is a link here between our thoughts and our actions
I believe that Christians live in the Spirit whereas those that are not Christians live in the flesh. This does not mean that Christians live without sinning, because we are all sinners and make mistakes. What it means is that we do not let the Flesh lead our lives. When it rears it’s head we are quick to check it and repent.
Accepting Jesus means taking off the old regime where sin and death reign. It means no longer will we have a mind dominated by ungodly impulses
Attributes of Christians “in the Spirit” - life, peace, righteousness, grace. They enjoy life.
Present possession of Spiritual life leads to the enjoyment of physical life, through and by the resurrection of the body (By Jesus Christ).
The emphasis is newness.
throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
We have been given something new because of Jesus Christ. If something new is offered then we can cast off and throw away the old. In fact we must throw off the old to attain the new...
WE MUST THROW OFF THE OLD TO ATTAIN THE NEW
Deception is not good. Lust is satisfying temporarily, but it leads to deception. Again this is not good for us. We mustn’t fall for it’s trap.
“let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” - We must allow it to happen. God is faithful and will partner with us should we accept His invitation.
Rough Outline:
Rough Outline:
Pre-introduction
Welcome to YTH Night
Introduce self
Invite a friend - every Wednesday 6:30pm
Series Introduction
Take it Back - A series where we discuss mental health.
You can be mentally healthy. I know many of us are battling dark, overwhelming thoughts—but here's the good news: you don't have to stay stuck in that pain. Healing is possible, and hope is real.
Example
The mind is a very interesting thing. Historically there have been many people with what we would consider great minds.
Isaac Newton - Discovered the laws of motion & gravity
Influenced - Engineering, construction, vehicles, and space travel
Vincent Van Gough - Redefined art with expressionism and abstract art.
He painted what he felt rather than what he saw, which ultimately changed the game. His paintings such as Starry Night, Sunflowers, and The Bedroom are some of the most well known paintings today.
Abraham Lincoln - Was not only president, but a great leader
He kept our country from splitting in time of great division
He abolished slavery through the emancipation proclamation and pushed for the 13th amendment which outlawed slavery
He modeled strong leadership in hard times.
As brilliant of minds these men had each of them struggled mentally.
Isaac Newton - suffered with depression and sever emotional breakdowns
Vincent Van Gough - possibly had bipolar disorder, famously cut off his ear, and ultimately and tragically commuted suicide believing that he was a failure and had no impact
Abraham Lincoln - suffered with sever depression which he considered (melancholy) because they did not understand mental health in his day.
Relate the Example to Audience - Problem:
These great men and their experiences are no different than our. They where human too regardless of the accolades.
What I have discovered is that our minds can be our greatest tool bringing joy and creativity or our biggest nuisance causing pain and despair.
Many today in this room are struggling mentally
You are anxious and overwhelmed
social settings
big decisions
You are depressed
Tired
Feel the world is out of your control
You are being bullied
wondering to yourself if you are flawed
Wondering if what they say about you is true
You lack self worth
You constantly compare yourself to others
This can be so annoying - many of us are fighting in life and most of the battles are in our minds!
Good News:
There is a way out - None of us struggling in our minds want to be there.
Here is the good news God doesn’t want us to suffer with negative thinking and perspectives...
God actually wants good things for you, I know this because His Word says so!
Impact:
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Keys Words - “Life & Peace” - [εἰρήνη eirēnē]: Peace means (Freedom from worry)
When we face battles in our minds we are not facing life and peace - We are facing despair, pain, & turmoil
God has called us not to struggle with despair and toxic thoughts, but to LIFE AND PEACE!!
So why do we struggle in our minds?
Well there are those who live in the flesh and those who live in accordance to the Spirit
Flesh = Sinful nature - The result is minds DOMINATED by ungodly impulses
Spirit = Christians who follow the Holy Spirit and are given a mind-set focused on the Spirit
Problems:
Those who have not accepted Jesus - They have no stability and are lead by the flesh (Sinful nature)
Those who have accepted Jesus - They are unfortunately living in the old way of living and thinking
throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Example:
God gave you a Ferarri but you are still driving the beat up bicycle
Stop listening to that vulgar music - its apart of the old you and way of living
Stop idolizing the social media influencers because they are setting unrealistic expectations
Stop giving lust the time of day in our life because your are just feeding the beast
Stop hanging out with the people who bully you and peer pressure you
Help Them See The Solution:
When you set your mind on God and all He has done for you and how much He loves you. The trivial things (That are most likely causing you mental strife) all of the sudden become so much small, and God becomes so much bigger.
When you learn the practical art of reminding your self of God and how He thinks about you that leads you to life and peace!
When you lean into your spiritual life you you will begin too see the result is the enjoyment of the physical life
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Again we see in God’s Word a promise for Peace!
Application:
So how do we attain this Peace that God promises?
Point 1: Make yourself PRESENT for God’s TRANSFORMATION
Align yourself with God’s purposes (surrender, repentance, confession, prayer, word, fasting, fellowship/community)
Distance your self from the World’s pressure. Remove the things from your life that tempt & negatively effect you.
Recap - Ephesians 4:22-24
throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Point 2: Prioritize PURE thoughts
Purity comes from God
There is power in positive thought patterns WHEN WE ALIGN TO GOD’s TRUTH
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Point 3: Take CAPTIVE the NEGATIVE & UNGODLY thoughts
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Paul is actually appealing to a church to present the truth of the Gospel and God to those to break down their false argument and help them submit to Christ
Sometimes we have to do this for ourselves as well
REMIND YOUR FEELINGS WHAT YOU KNOW TO BE TRUE
Example: I don’t always want to eat what my wife cooks. Sometimes I want wingstop or whataburger, but I realize that if I don’t eat I will go hungry, and potentially make my wife mad.
Point 4: BELIEV and ACCEPT Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOR
Non of what I discussed tonight is possible with out Jesus
Nothing in the World compares to Jesus
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
ALTAR CALL
