WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SAVED

Sermon Outline: Take It Back — Week 1

Pre-Introduction

Welcome to YTH Night!

Briefly introduce yourself.

Invite a friend: YTH Night happens every Wednesday at 6:30 PM—bring someone with you!

Series Introduction: Take It Back

A series where we talk openly and honestly about 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.

Illustration: Great Minds, Real Struggles

The human mind is an incredible thing. Let’s look at three people who had brilliant minds but also struggled mentally:

Isaac Newton Discovered the laws of motion and gravity. His insights influence engineering, construction, transportation, and even space travel. Struggle: Newton battled depression and experienced emotional breakdowns.

Vincent Van Gogh Redefined art with emotion-based expressionism. Famous works: Starry Night, Sunflowers, The Bedroom. Struggle: Likely had bipolar disorder. Cut off his own ear. Tragically committed suicide, believing he had no impact.

Abraham Lincoln Kept the U.S. united during the Civil War. Abolished slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment. Struggle: Lived with severe depression, referred to as “melancholy” in his time.

Relate to Audience – The Problem

These men were human—just like you and me. Despite their success, they faced real mental struggles.

Our minds can be our greatest tool for joy and creativity or our biggest battleground of pain and despair.

Many of us are struggling:

Anxious in social settings

Overwhelmed by big decisions

Exhausted and depressed

Feeling out of control

Being bullied or feeling broken

Wondering if you’re flawed

Constantly comparing yourself to others

Here’s the truth:

Most of our battles in life are fought in our minds.

The Good News

There is a way out.

God doesn’t want you to live stuck in negative thinking.

He actually wants good things for you—His Word proves it.

Scripture: Romans 8:5–6 (NIV)

"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."

Key Words: “Life & Peace” Greek for peace: eirēnē – freedom from worry

When we battle in our minds, we’re not living in life and peace—we’re living in despair, pain, and turmoil.

So Why Do We Struggle in Our Minds?

There are two mindsets:

Flesh = sinful nature (mind dominated by ungodly impulses)

Spirit = guided by the Holy Spirit (mind renewed and transformed)

Two Problems:

Non-believers: No spiritual stability—led by the flesh.

Believers: Living in the old way of thinking.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:22–24 (NLT)

"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 Ferrari (new nature), but you're still riding a beat-up bicycle (old self).

Stop listening to vulgar music—it feeds your old self.

Stop idolizing influencers—they present unrealistic expectations.

Stop giving lust your time—it only grows stronger.

Stop hanging out with people who bully or pressure you.

The Solution:

When you set your mind on God—His love, His promises—everything else starts to shrink.

Mental stress becomes manageable

God’s peace becomes real

You begin to enjoy life more, both spiritually and physically

Scripture: Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!"

Application: How Do We Find This Peace?

Point 1: Make Yourself PRESENT for God’s TRANSFORMATION

Align with God's purposes: surrender, repentance, prayer, Word, fasting, and community.

Distance yourself from toxic influences.

Revisit: Ephesians 4:22–24

Ephesians 4:22–24 NLT

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 when aligned with God’s truth.

Scripture: Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable."

Point 3: Take CAPTIVE Every Thought

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

"...We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Paul’s teaching to the church reminds us to challenge lies with truth.

Remind your feelings of what you KNOW to be true.

Example: I may not always want what’s for dinner, but I know it nourishes me—and I know not eating would be a bigger problem (and would make my wife mad!).

Point 4: BELIEVE and ACCEPT Jesus as Lord

None of this is possible without Jesus.

Nothing in the world compares to knowing Him.

Romans 10:9–13 NIV

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.”

Differentiate: WORDS & HEART

ALTAR CALL

Invite students to make Jesus their Lord.

Pray for those battling in their minds.

Encourage them: Freedom is found in Jesus. Peace is promised in Him.