August 10, 2014

Thinking About What I Think About

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: reFRESH: Familiar Verses, Fresh Insight Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Thinking About What I Think About
Philippians 4:8 & Romans 12:2

Our Actions and our Emotions flow from our beliefs

“to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
(Ephesians 4:22–24, ESV)

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
(Colossians 3:9–10, ESV)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
(Romans 12:2, ESV)

How to Renew My Mind

1. Identify your beliefs
What am I thinking right now?
2. Analyze your beliefs
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
(Philippians 4:8, ESV)
3. Locate the lies
4. Replace the lie with the truth

Example: Jesus (Matthew 4:1-10)

First Temptation (3-4):

  • Lie: Your Hunger is the most important thing right now
  • Truth: Life isn’t just about fulfilling my hungers, but it is about Faithfulness to the Father

Second Temptation (5-7):

  • Lie: If you are truly the Son of God you can “Force” God to act on your behalf in a miraculous way
  • Truth: Jesus was under Authority and would not put God to a manufactured test

Third Temptation (8-10):

  • Lie: There is another way – a Shortcut
  • Truth: Worshipping and honoring God is the highest priority

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:1–3, ESV)

If we do not Actively seek to come under the influence of the Word of God, we will come under the influence of the sinful society around us

Renewing My Mind through God’s Truth

  1. Discover the truth
  2. Speak the truth
  3. Personalize the truth
  4. Pray the truth
  5. Meditate on the truth

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8, ESV)

     6. Memorize the truth

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11, ESV)

Our actions and our emotions flow from our beliefs

Over time, a renewed mind results in a transformed life!

other sermons in this series

Sep 7

2014

The Eyes of the Lord

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 2 Chronicles 14–16 Series: reFRESH: Familiar Verses, Fresh Insight

Aug 31

2014

Weakness Is the Way

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9–12:10 Series: reFRESH: Familiar Verses, Fresh Insight

Aug 24

2014

Christ-Centered Contentment

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Philippians 4:10–4:20 Series: reFRESH: Familiar Verses, Fresh Insight