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8/22/2019 20090913 Renewing the Mind
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The Christian and
Self-RenewalRenew ing the Mind (1)
Walk inNewness
of Life
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Introduction
Need for renewal
Returning to zeal and fervency
Can also mean, to rebuild, give new life to,
rejuvenate. A complete change for the better.
Renew qualitatively.
Reaching forspiritual maturity. Many passages deal with those who have
been Christians for awhile but who need tomake changes.
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Introduction
A study of the New Testament shows thatwe MUSTcontinue to grow.
This is a command, not an option.
No one ought to continue in astate ofsp ir i tual infancy.
When we first obeyed, we were in a stateof innocent bliss
We should not desire to return toimmaturity, ignorance, and inexperience.
WHERE DO WE BEGIN?
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Renewing Your Mind
The mind is very important to a Christian.
Its the primary determinate of what you
make of yourself in every aspect of life.
Those who are imprisoned by limited
thinking rarely reach theirfull potential.
Thinking that fosters defeat: It cant bedone; Nothing good ever happens to
me.
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The Christians mind:
Intellect
Thought, feeling,will The psychological faculty of understanding
Mind, the organ of mental perception andapp rehens ion , of consciou s l i fe, of the
cons c iousness p reced ing act ions o rrecogniz ing and judg ing them, inte ll igent
understanding.{Louw & Nida Greek-English Lexicon}
Renewing Your Mind
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The Christians Thought Process
The Bible frequently addresses the
minds process:
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.
{Romans 12:2}
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The Bible frequently addresses the
minds process:
That you put of f, concerning your former
conduct, the old man which grows corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts, and be
renewed in the sp i r it of you r m ind, and that
you put on the new man which was createdaccording to God, in true righteousness and
holiness. {Ephesians 4:22-24}
The Christians Thought Process
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The Bible frequently addresses theminds process:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek
those things which are above, where Christ is,
sitting at the right hand of God. Set you r
mindon things above, not on things on the
earth. {Colossians 3:1,2}
The Christians Thought Process
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The Bible frequently addresses the
minds process:
For the weapons of our warfare are notcarnal but mighty in God for pulling down
strongholds, casting down arguments and
every high thing that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God, br ing ing every thoughtin to capt iv i tyto the obedience of Christ.
{2 Corinthians 10:4,5}
The Christians Thought Process
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The Christians Thought Process
The Bible frequently addresses the
minds process:
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 isanything praiseworthy--meditateon these
things. {Philippians 4:8}
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The Bible frequently addresses the
minds process:
Let this mindbe in you which was also in
Christ Jesus. {Philippians 2:5}
Therefore gird up the lo ins of you r m ind,
be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the
grace that is to be brought to you at therevelation of Jesus Christ. {1 Peter 1:13}
The Christians Thought Process
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The Key
The Spirit of Renewal begins in the MIND.
UNTIL our minds our right, everything elsewill be out of step.
If you want to grow, change yourMIND. To help others, change yourMIND.
To make the church stronger, change your
MIND. To stop sinning, change yourMIND.
Repentance =A change ofMIND,resultingin changed conduct.
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Some Things to Think About
What can we do to renew our minds?
The answer lies in the things about which
we think.
We need to honestly examine where our
MINDSare
Exam ine yourselvesas to whether you are
in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know
yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --
unless indeed you are disqualified.
{2 Corinthians 13:5}
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Some Things to Consider
The battle for our minds.
Why dont we think on proper things?
Satan seeks to control our thoughts justas much as God does.
Whose mindsthe god of th is agehas
blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of
the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is theimage of God, should shine on them.
{2 Corinthians 4:4}
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The battle for our minds.
Why dont we think on proper things?
Satan seeks to control our thoughts just as
much as God does. In which you once walked according to the
course of this world, according to the prince of thepower of the air, the spirit who now works in the
sons of disobedience, among whom also we allonce conducted ourselves in the lusts of ourflesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh andof themind, and were by nature children of wrath, justas the others. {Ephesians 2:2,3}
Some Things to Consider
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Consider the Past
What you WERE.
Are you shortsighted?
Have we forgotten the past? For he who lacks these things is
shor ts ighted, even to blindness, and has
forgot tenthat he was cleansed from his old
sins. {2 Peter 1:9}
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Paul described his former condition. Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a
persecutor, and an insolent man; but Iobtainedmercybecause I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And
the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant,with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Thisis a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance,that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners, ofwhom I am chief. However, for thisreason I obtained mercy, that in me first JesusChrist might show all longsuffering, as a patternto those who are going to believe on Him foreverlasting life. {1Timothy 1:13-16}
Consider the Past
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Dont dwell on it!
Remember, the past is the past!
Brethren, I do not count myself to have
apprehended; but one thing I do, forgett ing
those things which are behind andreaching
forwardto those things which are ahead, I
presstoward the goal for the prize of theupward call of God in Christ Jesus.
{Philippians 3:14,15}
Consider the Past
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A Proper Perspective
Many fail to grow because they limittheir
vision.
They concentrate on thephysical
realmwhat they can experience
physically with their senses.
Rather than considering Gods
perspective, they measure their
successes and failures inhuman terms!
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God does not view success in the
same way we do.
For Mythough ts are not you r though ts,
Nor are you r ways My ways," says theLORD. For as the heavens are higher than
the earth, So are My ways higher than your
ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
{Isaiah 55:8,9}
A Proper Perspective
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We will endurepersecutions with joy.
We will be contentwith little of this lifes
goodswalk away from them if that is
best.
No matters how others treat us, we will
faithfullyendure with the right attitude.
We willviewsickness, death, and various
other trials in a totally different wayone
the world will never understand!
A Proper Perspective
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Well look at the events of life from a betterperspective Therefore we do no t lose hear t. Even though
our outward man is perishing, yet the inward manis beingrenewed day by day. For our lightaffliction, which is but for a moment, is working forus a far more exceeding and eternal weight ofglory, while we do no t lookat the things which
are seen, but at the things which are not seen.For the things which are seen are temporary, butthe things which are not seen are eternal.{ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18}
A Proper Perspective
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Consider Your Future
Fear should not be the only thing thatmotivates us to grow spiritually; if it is, we willbe miserable
Fear is NOT a good-enough motivator toinspire us to do our best.
It may be a good starting point, but all ityields is the minimumrequired to get by.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love castsout fear, because fear involves torment. But hewho fears has not been made perfect in love.{1 John 4:18}
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Consider the future in investment terms.
When I invest in something, I work topreserve it.
If I buy a house, I invest in upkeep and makeimprovements on it.
If I invest money in a savings plan, I watchitcarefully.
In each of these situations, we take extrememeasures, if necessary, to protectourpersonal interests.
Consider Your Future
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Spiritual investment = yourChristianity How much have youinvestedin your service to
God?
How much time have youspent Study ing His word?
Attending worship serv ices?
Praying?
Tell ing o thers abou t Him? How much t ime and money do you give to His
work?
How much effort to maintain the churchs unity
and pur i ty?
Consider Your Future
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Consider these questions in two ways:1. Have you inves ted enough?
Some give the Lord so little there is little, if anything,
at stake in their lives.
How can one with such an attitude expect to renew his
mind to prove what is good and acceptable?
If youre not thriving spiritually, it may be because you
havent invested enough to make it worthwhile.
Consider Your Future
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Consider these questions in two ways:2. If you have invested, what steps are you
w i ll ing to take to secure your investment?
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break
in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and
where thieves do not break in and steal. For where
your treasure is, there you r heart wi l l be also.{Matthew 6:19-21}
Consider Your Future
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Consider these questions in two ways:2. If you have invested, what steps are you
w i ll ing to take to secu re your investment?
But Idisc ip l ine my bodyand bring it intosubjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I
myself should become disqualified. {1 Corinthians
9:27}
Let no one cheat you of you r reward, taking
delight in false humility{Colossians 2:18}
Consider Your Future
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Consider these questions in two ways: (2) If you have invested what steps are you
willing to take to secure it?
But then, indeed, when you did not know God,you served those which by nature are not gods.But now after you have known God, or ratherare known by God, how is it that you turn againto the weak and beggarly elements, to which youdesire again to be in bondage? You observe daysand months and seasons and years. I am afraidfor you, lest I have labored for you in vain.{Galatians 4:8-11}
Consider Your Future