The Spirit Series

“Transformers”

Pt. 3 – The Spirit

We have discussed that we need a transformation in our mind. What we think about, how we think about us, others, and church. Then last week I challenged you to have a transformation in how you use your vessel – your body. Are you silver or Styrofoam? I know you are in the house, but are you a vessel of honor or dishonor. Can God use you? How have you used your feet, your mouth and your hands this week? How you handled your vessel determined how God was able to use you this week! Now this morning I want to look at the final area of transformation that is essential for us become transformers. In order for you to bring transformation into your world, into your home, into your work place, into this community you must have a transformation of spirit.

TEXT: II Timothy 1:7

7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

In this portion of Scripture, Paul gives us insight into what we type of spirit that we have not been given and then he deals with what spirit we should have in us.

A. We have not been given a spirit of fea.

Paul tells us that we have not been given a spirit of fear. (Slide 4b) Fear is defined as “Faithless, dread”. How many of you have ever felt faithless dread?

If we are controlled by doubt, dread, insecurity, panic, or anxiety then we need a transformation in our spirit. We are not to live in fear of each other or of the enemy.

Too many of us live in fear and doubt. We are faithless.

We think all the promises are for someone else. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of rejection, fear of ridicule, fear of pain, fear of death, fear of evil. We are controlled by fear. We have not been given this spirit. If we have it is because we have chosen to take it on ourselves.

A legend from India tells about a mouse that was terrified of cats until a magician agreed to transform him into a cat. That resolved his fear until he met a dog, so the magician turned him into a dog. The mouse-turned-cat-turned dog was content until he met a tiger - so, once again, the magician changed him into what he feared. But when the tiger came complaining that he had met a hunter, the magician refused to help. "I will make you into a mouse again, for though you have a body of a tiger, you still have the heart of a mouse."

Too many of who have been promised the spirit of the tiger still walk around with the heart of a mouse.

Come on turn to your neighbor and say are you a man or mouse? Sing to them if you want M-I-C-K-E-Y! We are not called to live in fear.

Take strength in Isaiah 12:2 “2Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation. “

Grow strong in Psalm 27:1-3 “1Light, space, zest—that’s GOD!

So, with him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.

2When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive,

Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces.

3When besieged, I’m calm as a baby.

When all hell breaks loose, I’m collected and cool.”

B. What we have been given:

Notice the fact that in this portion of Scripture the things we have been given are dealt as a forgone conclusion. It addresses these things with the idea that we already have them. We need to understand that these things are ours. We don’t have to go get them; it isn’t an issue of maybe or might be ours. They belong to us now. We must only begin to operate in this spirit. We must begin to walk in the spirit that we have already been given.

Up until this week the areas of our mind and our body I have told you that emphasis is on us. If a man purge himself, take every thought captive. How many of you have tried to make it on will power alone? It is tough. It is almost impossible. That is why Paul talked about the struggle he had and he said I know to do good and I can’t seem to do it even though I want to do it. That is why this part of the message is so crucial. In fact, it is the crux of the matter. We are to take responsibility, we are to guard our thought life, we are to hand our bodies correctly. However, the good news is that we can win those battles because God gives us the ability to do so by transforming our spirits! He in fact says that He has given us a different spirit. Paul says this: