It’s All in Your Mind: Captivated

“You cannot change what you do not confront.” -Craig Groeschel

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• Locations and TimesReview – Week 1-We are focusing this series on the battle in our minds. We believe God gives us victory in this battle. We will not waste another day losing a battle we can win.-There are a lot of ways God’s Word could challenge us to be transformed, but it clearly states we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).-Most of life’s battles are won or lost in the mind.-This transformation isn’t optional – only for some people – but for anyone who wants to mature in the faith. It’s for anyone who wants to experience victory.-Without a renewed mind we are adrift, not able to know the Will of God.-When we are in Christ, we have access to the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).-A transformed mind isn’t just your mind cleaned up a little – it’s HIS MIND IN YOU.-Our declaration of truth: Change your mind, change your life.Add your private notes…• • •The question for us today: What does it look like to have our minds transformed?If we are to be transformed by our mind’s renewal, then what does that look like on a day by day and moment by moment basis?Add your private notes…• • •2 Corinthians 10:3-5NIV

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

The word used here for war literally means….war. The word used here for weapons literally means…weapons. Paul’s readers would have been thinking of actual war.-While the opening sounds like an instruction on waging an earthly war, it might surprise you when, in verse 5, Paul writes that we are not fighting people, but “arguments and every pretension”-The word for “take captive” is also a military term, indicating that you have overcome an enemy and that enemy is now under your control.-It appears there are two options presented in the text: you control your thoughts or your thoughts will control you.

The good news:-Just because a thought is in your head does not mean it’s your thought .It does not mean you put it there. It does not mean that it’s true.-Just because a thought pops into your head doesn’t mean you have to accept and believe it.-You actually have the power to CHOOSE what you believe and what you allow into your mind.

How we ‘take thoughts captive’:1. First we must ask ‘what is the lie’?2. Next we must ask ‘what does God’s Word say’?3. We must proclaim truth over our lives.

Taking every thought captive means that we take control of what we think. We think intentionally, not accidentally

Stronghold: God doesn’t exist.
The Truth:-The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1-The heavens declare the glory of God the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2-Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” John 14:9-You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13Add your private notes…• • •Stronghold: I’ll never know God’s will. He has abandoned me.
The Truth:-Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6-Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10-The Lord has said “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Hebrews 13:5-6

Stronghold: God ignores my prayers completely.
The Truth:-This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14-The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16-And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Luke 11:9 (NLT)

Stronghold: I’m a failure and always will be.
The Truth:-For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13-I don’t want self-confidence anyway – my confidence is and always will be in Him. (But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7)-Jesus said “He must greater and I must less.” (He must increase, I must decrease) John 3:30

Stronghold: God won’t meet my needs.
The Truth:-Jesus said “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ” Matthew 6:26-Jesus taught us to pray ‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.’ Matthew 6:10-11-And my God WILL meet ALL your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Stronghold: Lust will always be a part of my life. Might as well just get used to it.
The Truth:-We know that our old self was crucified … so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:6-No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Stronghold: Other people can trust God for a bright and hopeful future, but that’s for them, not for me.
The Truth:-Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-8-Cast all your cares on Him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7-If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Church of the Nazarene- East Rock

It’s All in Your Mind Part 2
It’s All In Your Mind: Captivated

Welcome back to series- It’s all in your mind

“Most of life’s battles are won or lost in our minds”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:3‬‬
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬‬
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

From the very beginning, to follow Jesus means to live differently, to engage the battle differently than the world around us.

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:4‬‬
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

“Not” here is in the strongest tense in the original language.
“The weapons we fight with are absolutely not the weapons of the world…”

“Victory in the battle of the mind, begins with surrender”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16:24-25‬‬
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

“Our commitment to Jesus must rule over our desire to realize our own fulfillment”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:5‬‬
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

What does this look like in our everyday lives?
1. First, we must ask “What’s the lie?”
2. Next, we must ask “What’s God’s Word say?”
3. Finally, we must proclaim truth over our lives. (Counter attack!)

It’s All In Your Mind: Part 1: Transformation
Welcome to our new series- It’s all in your mind

“Our mind is the control center of our attitudes, our thoughts, our perceptions, our feelings, our affections, and our actions.”
What we think about matters!

-We are focusing this series on the battle in our minds. We believe God gives us victory in this battle. We will not waste another day losing a battle we can win.-There are a lot of ways God’s Word could challenge us to be transformed, but it clearly states we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).-Most of life’s battles are won or lost in the mind.-This transformation isn’t optional – only for some people – but for anyone who wants to mature in the faith. It’s for anyone who wants to experience victory.-Without a renewed mind we are adrift, not able to know the Will of God.-When we are in Christ, we have access to the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).-A transformed mind isn’t just your mind cleaned up a little – it’s HIS MIND IN YOU.-Our declaration of truth: Change your mind, change your life.

It’s All In Your Mind: Part 1-Transformation
Welcome to our new series- It’s all in your mind

“Our mind is the control center of our attitudes, our thoughts, our perceptions, our feelings, our affections, and our actions.”
What we think about matters!

How is your thought life right now? Where would you land on these scales?
Worried 1 2 3 4…8 9 10 Peaceful
Pessimistic/negative 1 2 3 4…8 9 10 Optimistic/hopeful
Worldy/temporary 1 2 3 4…8 9 10 Jesus/eternal

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬‬
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world”
We are not to “fall into line” with the worlds way of thinking or doing things.

“But be transformed by the renewing of your mind”
Rather than conforming to the ways of the world we are to be completely, categorically made new in Christ.

The renewing of our minds is a renewal of…
1.The seat of our emotions and affections
2.Our modes of thinking and feeling
3.Our disposition, our right and wrong decision making
4.Our perception, our understanding
5.Our ability to discern and judge

“Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The result of a transformed life and a renewed mind is that we can navigate our world and our thoughts with the ability to test and know what God’s will is.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:16‬‬
for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

We can have the disposition of Christ, His understanding, his perception, his thoughts.

Because we have the mind of Christ, we can be transformed into His image.

Will you take a stand in the battle of your mind?
To change your mind is to change your life…

Will you pray this prayer of transformation?
“Lord, change my mind, change my life”

http://bible.com/events/48747337

Stand

Brian Charette unpacks Ephesians 6:10-14 and a biblical approach to standing firm in our time.

Pastor Kerry’s Message – 8/8/21
This morning is a kind of Part 2 to Pastor Kerry’s message last week as we fill in for Pastor Adrian who is away for a much-needed vacation. We encourage you to watch that message when you have a chance. You’ll find it here:
https://vimeo.com/584581193

Ephesians 6:10-14a
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then…

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:16‬‬
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

The Greek word, histemi (throughout the Ephesians 6 text) is an important one throughout the New Testament as it relates to how a believer is to act. It means “make a stand,” “stand before/among others,” “rise up,” “stand unshakeable,” etc.

Standing Lessons
1. Standing is standing as individuals together – in unity

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:1-2‬‬
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! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.

Just as in the church at Ephesus, there were those in Philippi taking stands against each other instead of the real enemy.

‭‭John‬ ‭17:22-23‬‬
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Standing Lessons
2. Standing is sacrificing

‭‭Acts‬ ‭14:8-20‬‬
In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Standing Lessons
3. Standing is an expression of love

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:10-13‬‬
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

‭‭John‬ ‭15:13‬‬
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Ultimately, to stand firm – to take your stand – in a biblical sense, is to love.

And perhaps, in the middle of a love drought, those of us carrying living water are needed more than ever.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:19‬‬
Stand firm, and you will win life.