The Right Mind Set
Griffith Baptist Church – 5/4/08
A.M. Service
Text: Romans 8:5-8
Key verse: Romans 8:6 - For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
The Introduction
A little boy that said to his dad, “Dad, why is the sky blue?” I don’t know son. "Dad, why is the grass green?" I don’t know son. He asked a number of other questions when finally the boy said, "Dad, do you mind me asking these questions?" The father said "Why no son, if you don’t ask questions you don’t learn anything.”
Your mind is an amazing instrument. It is capable of unconsciously controlling your involuntary body functions, it stays alert, even in rested state, and can process multiple streams of information all at once. Your mind has such great capacity and unlimited potential and yet we only use a small portion of it at any one time.
Scripturally, there are two different minds that are in constant conflict with one another. There is the fleshly mind and than there is the spiritual mind. Romans 7:25 says I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Both are in constant battle and it is up to you to decide which mind will win
Transition Statement: What does it mean to be spiritually minded?
Body
1. What It Means to be Spiritually Minded
A. Salvation in Christ – 5
i. This is the first step toward the spiritual mind
ii. The unsaved mind is a mind controlled by the flesh
iii. The saved mind is a mind controlled by the spirit
iv. Both of these require an act of volition – a decision and desire to participate in the flesh or the Spirit
v. Each is responsible for his or her actions in this life
vi. The unsaved person, while a slave to sin, still has the capacity to decide certain aspects of his or her life that need control (ex. choosing to lie, lust, steal, dishonesty, murder, greed, slander, etc.)
vii. Salvation in Christ releases us:
a. from the prison of sin (it’s hold over us to keep us from Christ)
b. to resistance of sin (the Spirit-empowered ability to say no)
B. Spiritual Life – 6
i. Eternal life
ii. Vitality of spirit in this world
iii. Ephesians 2:1-5 - 1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
iv. Spiritual Life
a. Makes the Word of God come alive in our lives
b. Causes us to repent when sinning
c. Lifts us up no matter how dark the hour
C. Serenity with God – 6-7
i. This is peace with a holy God
ii. Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.
iii. This peace covers many areas in our lives since we have peace with God:
a. Fearless peace – John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
b. Victorious peace – John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
c. Fruitful peace – Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
D. Satisfaction of God – 8
i. That we are saved – 1 Corinthians 1:21 – For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
ii. That we obey – 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
iii. That we live by faith – Hebrews 11:5-6 - 5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Transition Statement: We know what it means to be spiritually minded but what does it take to be spiritually minded?
2. What It Takes to be Spiritually Minded
A. A purposeful mind for the things of God
i. Heavenly minded - Colossians 3:2 – Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
ii. Heavenly security - Matthew 6:19-21 – 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
iii. Heavenly testimony - 1 John 2:15-17 – 15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
iv. Heavenly submission - Ecclesiastes 7:14 – In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
B. The filling of the Holy Spirit
i. Ephesians 5:18 – And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
ii. Filled to do what?:
a. Filled to serve
b. Filled to have joy
c. Filled to be controlled
C. A conviction to know God intimately
i. Knowing Him - Colossians 1:10 – That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
ii. Praising Him - Hebrews 13:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
iii. Obeying Him - 1 John 3:22 - And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight
Concluding Statement: Those who have a spiritual mindset pursue the joy of God with a passion. We need to set our minds on things bigger and greater than this world
Conclusion:
Have you been saved by placing your faith in Jesus Christ alone? If not, you can know the life and peace today with God that He wants to give you.
Christian, do you live your life in the flesh or in the Spirit? God is calling you out of the world into His kingdom to be different and think and live in a supernatural way.
