A Mind At War

Introduction

Spiritually Minded Series (7-8 sermons so far)

Romans 8:6 — For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Statement — Your mind is a powerful thing. Your mind is a broken thing.

Proposition — There is a battle in progress. There is a war being fought. And it’s a war for your mind.

Take out your Bibles — let me see them — and turn to 2 Corinthians 10. (p.817 in the Bible in front of you)

2 Corinthians 10:1–5 KJV 1900

Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 KJV 1900

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Mediocre

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 KJV 1900

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

The Church in Corinth has a problem that I believe American Christianity has in abundance today — they focused on the fleshly things.

Talent

Dynamic

Entertainment

Recognition

Visibility

[ELABORATE] We are living in a physical world (flesh) but we are not fighting a physical battle

TURN TO EPHESIANS 6:12 (p.826)

Ephesians 6:12 KJV 1900

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

“Carnal” — to being material or belonging to the physical realm, material, physical, human, fleshly

In this passage it is a play on words — to being human at a disappointing level of behavior or characteristics, (merely) human

Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 914). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

(Mediocre)

Mighty

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 KJV 1900

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

“Mighty” = to being capable or competent, in general sense, able, capable, powerful

Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 264). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Turn Back to Ephesians 6:10-18 (p.826)

Ephesians 6:10–18 KJV 1900

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Statement — This is not just a physical book — it’s a spiritual book — the Sword of the Spirit.

(Mediocre)

(Mighty)

Transition — notice where the Battle is taking place — it’s a battle for your Mind.

Mind

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 KJV 1900

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

There are strongholds in your mind that need pulling down

There are imaginations — thoughts, philosphies, ideas, in your mind that need to be cast down (conquered, destroyed)

There are thoughts that need to be taken captive and conformed to the obedience of Christ

And what weapon do you use in the battle for your mind? The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God!

POINT — American Christians are biblically illiterate.

ILLUSTRATION — Jeopardy Bible Category

POINT — Churches are apologizing for Scripture and neglecting to preach and teach the word of God.

ILLUSTRATIONS

The testimonies of many in this room

The reactions of those visiting likeminded churches from modern churches

The reactions I myself encounter to my preaching (a gifted preacher I am not)

The “studies” that other churches are going through with their people — milk

American Christians are starved for God’s Word, and don’t even know it

And we are losing the Battle for our Churches because our people are losing the Battles within their own minds, because we have become completely absorbed with the Mediocre things of the World and have Neglects the Mighty Weapon of the Word of God

If we were called to a real, physical, battle today — against a well equipped modern army, none of us would expect to be issued a Spear and Shield! They were the most effective Weapons in Rome’s day, and the World was conquered by them at the time, but against today’s army, they are mediocre weapons at best.

If we would not go into a physical battle with inferior weaponry, why are we so content to go into spiritual battle with mediocre, fleshly, weaponry?

POINT — All of this came on as a result of the crises we have faced this year.

Seeing churches closed

Seeing churches opposed and oppressed with fines

Seeing churches threatened

In the midst of all of that, God has caused me to meditate on what is vital in church.

Go back several hundred years, visit old churches, and you will find a pulpit and pews.

Go into the jungles, where Christians walk for hours to sit on benches cut from logs — just seats and a pulpit.

Go back to the great revivals, the awakenings, and you will not find rock bands, or light shoes, organ recitals or fancy facilities and programs — just seats and a pulpit.

We have become so distracted with the mediocre that we have neglected that which is mighty — the preaching and teaching of the Word of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV 1900

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:4 KJV 1900

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Romans 10:17 KJV 1900

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

STATEMENT — I have a man coming, who is a far more gifted speaker than I — and they are talented, and the week will be new and exciting, and out of the ordinary.

I want you to bring your friends, family, coworkers, spouses, everyone you can think of to this place that week — but remember, no matter what the trimmings, or the music, or the lights, or the screens, or the programming — the only chance that they have of walking away from this place transformed by the Power of God is through the preaching of His Word — that is the mighty weapon that we wield.

How much worth do you ascribe to it by your attitude toward it? By your attention to it?

Conclusion

INVITATION (Bow heads close eyes) — #297 — Open My Eyes

Show of Hands — I have not been winning my battle — I’ve been settling on Mediocre Weapons. I need to get back in love with God’s Word.

Show of Hands — I am not 100% Sure that I would go to heaven today if I were to die.

1 John 5:13 KJV 1900

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

STAND TO SING #297 — Open My Eyes