Title: Mindset – Change
Theme:
Text: 2 Corinthians 10:3 – 6; Romans 12:1 -2; Philippians 4:4 - 9
Opening Scripture
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5) casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (6) and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
This scripture reminds us that there is a deeper and less scene war. Although we live in this world that is physical we don’t battle here. This is really not out battlefield. But truthfully we live a lot here. We focus a lot on our senses. What we can smell, taste, see and hear. These are rarely subjective and generally goes across the board.
Playing a game with Asaph we would ask him what sound does a ??? (goyangi) (coqu yahn ee)
Cat sounds like he would most likely say “meow”
If I were to tell you that this has a cherry flavor you would know what that means.
If I were to say that it smells like bread cooking. It may take you back to biscuits one something.
Then he reminds us that our war is not in the flesh but in the spirit. To me this is the more feeling part of our being.
This is important because of the next sentence and that is how we fight this war. It is not with weapons of the flesh or “carnal” . Carnal meaning fleshly and being controlled by the flesh. But are weapons are found in God. The mighty God.
This next part is the key to the message and the next two to three Sundays. “casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
“casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,”
These are worldly things.
Take a look at Romans 12 with me:
Romans 12:1-2 NKJV I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Rom 12:2 NIV Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The world has a pattern. There is a pattern and a system to this world. Most of the time the world’s pattern is diametrically opposed to the pattern of the kingdom of God (the church)
Quote: “Everywhere you look on TV, social media, pop culture, billboards and the like are conforming and ensnaring us into puppets of how to think, dress, act, and live. The patterns of the world say, “If you do A, B and C then you will get the result you want. If you don’t follow these steps now, you won’t have success. Do this. Wear that. Think this way. Oh, and do these 5 things, and you’ll be a millionaire in one month.”
https://www.insightintheword.com/the-patterns-of-the-world-vs-gods-formula-that-frees-you/
Examples: Our diet.
We are told from Strong's Word definitions not to conform (Greek 1. to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern, (fashion one's self according to) to this world but to be transformed
- Original: µetaµ??f?´?
- Transliteration: metamorphoo
- Phonetic: met-am-or-fo'-o
- Definition:
1. to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure
a. christ appearance was changed and was resplendent with divine brightness on the mount of transfiguration
How? By the renewing of our mind. Changing the way we think.
“bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”
I will conclude by focusing on Philippians 4:4 - 9
Philippians
Paul’s letter to the Philippian church was written during a time of immense personal stress for the apostle. He’d long been in conflict with his former colleagues in the Jewish leadership, there had been multiple attempts on his life, and he was living under house arrest while waiting to present his case to Caesar in Rome. During that time, some people were preaching the gospel not because they believed that Jesus was the Messiah who came to save the world but because they hoped that it would cause additional trouble for Paul (Philippians 1:15–18). Yet despite all of that, Paul rejoices in his letter, because no matter what the motives of these individuals, the gospel was still being preached. Later, in the letter, he writes that the key to finding contentment and joy in every circumstance—good or ill—is by continually looking to Christ Jesus for the strength to move forward (Philippians 4:11–13). In short, Paul recognizes that what he focuses on—the problem or the promise—directly affects his mental and emotional state.
Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (5) Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. (9) The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
3 Movements
First, Thought “meditate (think) on these things”
(8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true (not made up or false or even could be), whatever things are noble (right thing to do), whatever things are just (defense of the defenseless), whatever things are pure (holy, separated for God), whatever things are lovely (kindness, love, compassion), whatever things are of good report (give more attention to what is right), if there is any virtue (purity) and if there is anything praiseworthy (giving God honor)--meditate on these things.
Second, Action “these do (put into practice)”
(5) Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Third, Experience “the God of peace will be with you” Experience God.
Conclusion
We need to change the way we see ourselves. We are a child of God.
We need to change the way we think God sees us. Not as a failure but as His children. Growing and learning in the faith. We don’t have it all together but we are working on the pieces.
We need to change the way we think about faith. We are not trying to reason things but we are trusting God to do what only He can do. This battle is not ours.
We need to change the way we see this world. Not as an enemy but as an opportunity for redemption.
