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