#320 Why Series# 4, Why I Changed My Mind

#320 Why Series# 4, Why I Changed My Mind
By Guest Speaker: Bobby Sullivan

It’s easy for our minds to stray into natural thinking only, for our faith to erode so subtly that we don’t notice it happening. Little by little we can begin to think “practically,” leaning on natural wisdom instead of Kingdom reality. It is only when we accept the fact that I good Brain Wash is good now and then that we begin to embrace the process that God knows what he is doing! (make it your habit of thought)

Philippians 4:1-4

1. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

STAND FIRM IN THE CHALLENGES OF YOUR EVERY DAY LIFE

2. I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about (make it your habit of thought) such things.
9. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

**I don’t just have the peace of God but I also have the God of peace with me when my mind is set on HIM.

Not just resources and rich’s but revelation and righteousness. You can’t have a courageous life without having a concentrated mind.

Let this mind be in you! Whose mind? The mind of Christ!

Can I have the mind of Christ? Who would not want to function in just a fraction of the mind of Christ?

THERE IS NOTHING AS POWERFUL AS A CHANGED MIND. You can change address, girlfriend, boyfriend, spouse etc. but why is it hard to change your mind?

You forget that God said He would “keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on” Him (Isa. 26:3). Perfect peace means divine health, prosperity, well- ness of being, soundness of mind. Stayed or fixed means “braced, lodged in and not to worry.

Because if we look at the problem long enough it will gain our trust. Pretty soon we begin praying out of fear, and eventually we quit praying and start looking for sympathy. We have trusted that other voice, and it won the actions of our heart.

How do we get out minds set on spiritual things rather than trusting what’s happening in the natural? We mediate on the word and activate it in our lives. So we remember what God said, what he did and what how he did it. Then we Review it.

RE means “to go back” and view means“to see”So we go back over Gods promises until we can see them. Remember what the word says and HOLD THAT THOUGHT~   Repeat with me HOLD THAT THOUGHT!!!!

Renewing the mind becomes possible when we:
1. remember
2. record
3. review
4. remind ourselves of what God has done in the past.

To meditate on the Word and give ourselves every opportunity to 1.) remember what is true.

Write It Down or record it

Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who read it” That’s # 2

A written record is only useful when you 3.) review it. Go back over God’s promises until you can see! Sometimes I need to revisit those prophetic words that were spoken over me so I can become the word again.

It’s not simply positive thinking or using my imagination to trick myself into believing some alternate reality. It’s meditating on what God has said until I can see it and run with it.

3.) You may have to be
4.) reminded of the promise

All 4 of these will be touched on throughout this message today.

The gift of repentance is a changed mind as I have been presented with a new revelation of who I am in the eyes of Christ

Shawn Bolz “Revelation makes the genius of God revealed to the earth and answers the deepest questions of the heart.

The revelation of a transformed mind are the results of repentance.

You have to be presented with a new and preferred idea. You must embrace a revelation of the word to come to a new mindset.

There are 778 Million people across the world who believe in Pentecostal/Charismatic teaching. What would happen if they all agreed to a mind swap? Thinking the thoughts of Christ.

What would happen if their actions were because of an Apostolic activation of Acts?  How many of you would agree that God is willing to make an equal trade?  Your mind for his!!!

Romans 8:29-39The Message (MSG)
29-30 “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.”

When people saw Jesus they immediately knew what God was like. Why? He was so counter cultural to the current ….

He would look at the unchurched, ungodly and say My father is building something great in heaven for you. He spoke with language that was inclusive and activating not condemning. Why because he spoke the mind of his father. Get this…Out of the abundance of your heart you mouth speaks.

When you do ministry all of a sudden you are in complete heavenly alignment with your original plan and purpose. Its truly heaven invading earth.

We are living in a day where our minds must be transformed, renewed, refashioned and remolded from earthly, natural and reasonable thinking that, halts and holds back faith, hinders the holy and prevents the supernatural from becoming a reality in our daily lifestyles.

Most Christians have repented enough to get forgiven but not enough to open their own blinded eyes of expectation.

With the mind of Christ we can expect to expect the unexpected!!
Why? Because a heavenly mind is not fueled by earthly doubts!

Romans 7:25 “It is with the mind of Christ that we serve the Lord”

Jack Taylor said, if your encounters with God don’t leave you with more questions than you started, then you have had an inferior encounter.” Why? Lack of Transformation.

The normal Christian life is perfectly poised between what we presently understand and the unfolding revelation that comes from the realm of mystery.

How many would agree that “A mind is really a terrible thing to waste?”

Romans 12:2 is a classic scripture on this subject. “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.

Perhaps you have found yourself discontent with your life. Maybe you have had feelings of doubt, despair or feelings of inadequacy or not measuring to yours of others expectations.
Do you ever ask yourself if maybe you are missing God’s best for you life?
Do you ever wish you were a better person and a better Christian?
Maybe you find yourself asking questions like, “Why am I going through so many trials and temptation? Why can’t I get victory?

Has God given you a command that for whatever reason you absolutely can not obey or experiencing trails that make no sense and you ask WHY ME?

Well today we are going to look at these questions biblically and try and understand the biblical concept and necessity for a mind change in this message entitled, WHY I CHANGED MY MIND.

John F. Kennedy “The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable.”

Henri Bergson “ To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.”

George Bernard Shaw “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds can not change anything.”

Reinhold Niebuhr “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

“Some minds are like concrete, all mixed up and permanently set”

The devil wants to make you think you are less then what you really are, to make you feel like you are helpless, worthless and in the way.

We don’t serve the Lord based upon our acts of servanthood or things we can do. Not even with our physical hearts but with our mind, which is your conscience, your thoughts and imaginations.

The only way to consistently to the works of the kingdom is to view reality from Gods perspective. That’s what the bible means when it talks about renewing our minds and serving the Lord with the Mind of Christ. So lets address the need for transformation.

What does it mean to be transformed?

Definition of Transformation:

A. The Greek word is metamorphoo. It means to change into another form.

In the N.T. this word is used to describe Transfiguration in Matthew 17: 1-2 “Now after 6 days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them. His face shined like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light.”

Transformed is to be transfigured before men.
Transfigured is to be transformed into something more beautiful or elevated.

B. What is to happen to Christians in their service to God?
Romans 12:2 they are to be changed into a different form.

The idea being commanded by Paul is this:
Christians are to undergo a complete change, which under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct. Understand that transformation is something we allow to be done to us. Not something we do by our own power alone. We are changed, being changed and ultimately totally changed. We become a new creation!   2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things become new.”

What is the goal of a transformed mind?

A. To become Christlike:
1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 “ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory….
2. Romans 8:29 “ For He predestined us to be conformed to the image of His son…
The only alternative to transformation is being conformed to this world and its pattern of living. That word conformed means transition, changeable and unstable. Which implies nothing less than a cheap copy or imitation.

If not transformed, we will either be conformed to the (World)
1. Act like the inhabitants of, mirror.

Renewing our mind is made possible by where we set our minds:

1. Setting our minds on things above:
*Col 3:1-2

2. Setting our minds on the things of the Spirit
*Romans 8:5

3. Feeding our minds with the word of God
*Acts 2:42

Renewing our mind is possible when we experience transformation

1. Putting off the old man and putting on the new
*Col 3:2,5-10

2. Living according to the Spirit
*Romans 8:5,13

Colin Wilson, “The mind has exactly the same power as the hands; not merely to grasp the world, but to change it”

Romans 8:6-8 “Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death (death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter). But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and soul, peace. 7 Because the mind of the flesh with its carnal thoughts and purposes is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to Gods law, indeed it can not. 8. So then those who are living the life of the flesh catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature can not please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him. (AMP)

My old way of thinking kept me in mental bondage, depressed, oppressed and suppressed. Always looking over my shoulder.  If we don’t guard the fortress of our mind we open ourselves up for invasion.

You start thinking thoughts you never would have entertained and those cracks soon become canyons if we don’t learn to bind them up.

2 Thes. 2:2 (speaking of end time events) “Be not soon shaken in your mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, word or letter.”

Don’t be shaken.

Soon in the Greek is ‘tachus’ which means quickly, suddenly or hastily.
Shaken in the greek is “saleuo’ which means to shake, waver, totter or be moved.

In other words, Don’t be shocked or alarmed in your mind. Mind is Greek is “nous” which describes everything in the realm of the intellect, including one will, emotions, ability to think reason and decide.

Listen carefully…..Whoever or whatever controls a persons mind ultimately has the power to dictate the affairs and the outcome of that persons life.

Paul adds the word (troubled) which indicates an inward fright that results from nerve racking events so severe that it causes a person to be devoured in worry, anxiety or fear.

One scholar translates the word troubled as being jumpy or nervous!

SO with all this word study translations, 2 Thes. can read

“Some things will be happening right before His coming that could shake you up quite a bit. I’m referring to events that will be so dramatic that they could leave your head spinning-occurrences of such serious nature that many people will end up feeling alarmed, panicked, intimidated and even unnerved. Naturally speaking, these events could drive you over the brink emotionally, putting your nerves in edge and making you feel apprehensive and unsure about life.”

Without the peace of God in your mind, may people think themselves into a nervous breakdown, depression and defeatism.

Don’t waste anymore of your time wrestling with other peoples’ minds. Your destiny is not predicated on the decision of someone else.

You are not what others think of you. You are what you know you are through Christ!!

Its not good enough to just have nice thoughts!!  Our way of thinking is changed because we think from a different reality. From HEAVEN TO EARTH.

A TRANSFORMED MIND will have a piece of heaven in it!! That’s why Paul said.

Phil 4:8-9   And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 (“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about (Make it your habit of thought) such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

7- Paul gives us a list of things you can think or focus on but if you focus on the wrong things you can fall from faith. I’m not saying you fall from grace or get an eviction notice from Heaven.
I’m saying your faith grows faint. You see Faith and Fear is still fueled by focus. Whatsoever a man thinketh in his heart so is he.

Faith is the byproduct of correct focus!  Don’t ask God for more faith. Because while we are asking God to increase our faith
God is asking you to correct your focus?

IF you are not focusing on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy then this is the verse for you.

Paul is giving some examples of what you can focus on all day long. He said think on these things.

Now if you have thoughts that don’t line up in the Philippian’s model then this verse is for you.

2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments (anything that contradicts what God says) and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. And we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Definition of pretension. The unpleasant quality of people who think of themselves as more impressive, successful, or important than they really are. A desire to do something or a claim to be something that is impressive or important.

What is holding you back from having a sanctified and glorified mind? Why have not some changed their mind? Why do some still have stinkin thinkin?

GO BACK PHIL 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things!  Put these into practice.

Its never the things that holds you back! Its how you think about the thing that holds you back. You need to execute the excuses.  Quit the blame game! STOP it with well my parents did such and such.

Most of us never stop to think about what we are thinking about!
Some of us need to stop thinking and start living!

When you hear something, or see thing that’s good HOLD THAT THOUGHT!!!  Its one thing to hold a thought. Its another when the thought holds you! 

The opposite of success is not failure its unfaithfulness. If your faithful to God then even your failure will work!

How many of you have tried to let the bad thoughts go only to find out they are like a boomerang?   That don’t work!  That’s why Paul said 2 Corinthians 10:5 “take it captive.”  You see I tried to change my mind on my own but I could not do it alone.

You have to treat the thoughts in your head that are not from God like a prisoner of war!  In other words, you need to learn how to interrogate your imagination!!!

In an interrogation they sit you down and first ask: where did you come from?  Whenever you get a questionable thought, you need to stop and ask it where it came from?    In other words, what in hell are you thinking?  It’s a plot, a ploy a threat, a trick to tempt you to gave in under the pressure

You need a TSA in your brain. Have all your thoughts go through the detector and see what’s underneath.

You cant put anyone in jail without a badge cuz you don’t have authority! But my bible is my badge!!  The word of God is my authority!  I have been authorized and deputized to active my God given authority to rule over any thought that is unclean and unfit.

Its one thing to find out where the thought came from, its another to find out where its going.

Why is it that we are so afraid of the thing we are fearing?    Your thoughts can lead you into destruction or they can lead you into destiny. Remember Decisions determine the direction of your destiny!!!

Your mind is not supposed to lead you around like a puppy dog!  Your supposed to take control of it!!!!!

You can use your greatest fear to show you where your future is if you hold that thought. Embrace what God says about you and evict every other one

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” HOW DO I DO THAT?

Vs. 8  “Keep this book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Phillipians 4:9 Paul says, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice, And the God of peace will be with you

Closing illustration Bring up a married couple, embrace and hold each other.
The girl is Philipians 4:8 whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy.

Another guy is 2 Corinthians 10:5 Arguments, pretentions, whatever sets itself up against the knowledge of God.

Why would you let go of the good for the bad?   LOLOLOLOL

Why did I change my mind? Because I exchanged the bad for the good.

320 Why Series# 4, Why I changed my mind, PowerPoint Slides

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