A New Mindset the Battle for Control
No Condemnation • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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It would appear that we are the most distracted civilization in the world.
We are increasingly fragmented and create new things that pull us away from the basic things that make us human.
This problem becomes even more pronounced for the Christian. We believe that the inner person is more important than the outer, and that is where we focus our minds and hearts today counts forever. The very essence of what we believe to be true about the world hangs in the balance of our attention.
We must acknowledge the ability that we can direct our attention. We are not defenseless in our crazy surroundings. We are not animals. God gave us a beautiful mind, our minds are on a leash we hold. Your really have the ability to control your mind.
The Holy Spirit is in the ministry of helping us use self-control.
A Dangerous Appetite
The bubble gum scene from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (directed by Mel Stuart [Paramount Pictures, 1971]) provides a great analogy for Philippians 3:12–21 where Paul writes about people headed towards destruction.
He says ‘their god is their stomach, their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.’ Much like the the young in Willy Wonka who ravenously snaps up the bubble gum because of her desire for food. Little does she know, her gluttonous action will cost her the chance to win a lifetime supply of chocolate
Martin Luther
“You may not be able to keep the birds from flying over head, but, you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”
One of the most pressing issues in the practicality of the Christian Life we have today is where do we set our Minds? Where do we direct our attention, and focus. We direct our minds and sense of reality to that which we tune our hearts, this makes all the difference between hearing from Jesus, as Peter did, “Blessed are you” (Matt. 16:17), or “Get thee behind me Satan!” (Matt. 16:23)
Note: Why was Peter blessed? “He declared Jesus to be the Christ.” “For flesh and blood had not revealed that to Peter, but His heavenly Father revealed it to Him.” Instead of tuning His ears to mere mortals, and all the distractions that surrounded Jesus ministry, Peter took his decisive cues from God.
However, just five verses later in Matthews Gospel, why did Peter stand in the place of Satan? Jesus does not leave us in the dark: “For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (Matt. 16:23).
We either Hear from God or We Act Like satan
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Flesh (Sarx)
What does the writer mean when he uses the word for flesh?
Humanity - it is the noun that makes up the human nature as understood by soft tissue (or the physical body) that makes us humankind.
Sinful Humanity - it is the noun that makes up the physical aspect of a person in distinction to the immaterial soul; often understood as the seat of sin and rebellion to God.
We read in Romans 8:3 just above this text that Jesus was sent by God in the likeness of sinful flesh in order that He might condemn sin once and for all in the flesh.
Your Position is Either in the Flesh or in the Spirit.
Paul makes this point clear in Ephesians 2:11-15
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
Spirit (Pneuma)
Supernatural Being: noun, immaterial, supernatural entity that is self-aware with powers to affect the course of human events.
We see this displayed in the casting out of demonic spirits all throughout Jesus Ministry.
Soul - Spirit: understood especially according to its composition, being made of a transcendental, immaterial existence known as a spirit.
This is the spirit that indwells and empowers a person and leaves that person upon death.
Paul is reminding the members of the church in Rome that it is impossible to be on both sides of the fence at the same time.
There is a clear disposition or direction of our lives that is either on God’s side or on the side of sinful humanity and its nature.
If a person persists in living a worldly or fleshly life, he is on the side of the world and must expect the consequences for choosing the world. However, on the other side if the things which concern God and his kingdom are our chief concern, we can expect life: sweet communion with God, God’s love shed in our hearts, joy unspeakable and full of glory, all this and far more forever and ever.
The beginning of our mindset this morning expresses our basic nature as Christians or non-Christians. On the one hand, there are those who live according to the sinful nature. They are not now those who ‘walk’ according to it (vs. 4 literally). Whether Christian or non-Christian these individuals have their minds set on what that nature desires.
The meaning of the text is not completely that people are like this because they think this way, although, that is partly true, however that they think like this because they are this way.
What Difference does it make where we set our minds?
What Difference does it make where we set our minds?
1. Our Mindset Reflects Eternal Consequences
1. Our Mindset Reflects Eternal Consequences
Paul is makes it clear in Colossians 3:2
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
We either set our minds on things above or on things that are on the earth.
Now in Romans 8 Paul expresses that we either set them on things of the flesh, or on things of the Spirit.
Where do we regularly set our mind?
Let’s look at the default position of humanity. We are all born into this world as sinners (Romans 3; Romans 5) as in Adam we all sin. So, the default position of the human mind is directed towards the sinful flesh.
So, the signals we get before the spirit transforms our minds to Christ is one of darkness, exile, apathy. We read in Romans 1:18 that humanity suppressed the truth even though what can be known about God is plain to see; they became futile in their way of thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
We all walk around with these electronic devices in our pockets called cell phones. Don’t you hate it when you get somewhere that is so, off the grid that you cannot get a cell signal. Why does this happen. Usually it is either blocked by the terrain you are traveling through or the closest tower is too far away to get any consistent signal. This is similar to what has happened to God’s creation. Because of their foolish hearts they exchanged the truth about God for a lie. Now the signal that was once open and constant has been cut off, distanced from His creation.
So, as we talked about last week, many times people try to reconnect the signal to God through other means such as Christian service, moralistic living, trying to do enough good things to reconnect with God. Once you become a follower of Christ there is an instant connection and access to the signal that was once cut off by sin and darkness has now been reconnected or established with God.
Where is the disposition or direction of your life today?
Where does you mind go on a regular basis. When your sitting in traffic waiting for the cars in front of you to move. Why you are at work and things are frustrating and not going your way. When you are struggling in your marriage relationship and things get heated. Why you are struggling with disobedient children and see no end in sight.
Where does your mind go? Does it reflect back to God and His word, or something you heard on Opera Winfrey or some pop-psychologist somewhere. If the default position of your mind is constantly somewhere other than God, chances are that you are not truly one of His children. Chances are you are not truly saved.
Why do I say this, well, look at verse 7 which tells us that the mind set on the flesh is hostile towards God and cannot submit to at all.
Note: This flies in the face of the idea that you can be a carnal Christian.
There is not such thing as carnal Christianity. You cannot proclaim to be a Christian because of a prayer you said somewhere as a child, however, your life does not reflect that you have crucified the flesh, in fact the so called carnal Christian looks more like the world.
This would have been Paul’s rebuke to such people. He would say that, the mind set of the flesh is hostile towards God and that it would be impossible for you to please God.
How do we know if someone is in Christ?
Absolute Surrender
“When a soldier bows to his general, or a scholar to his teacher, he is yielding his will—his life—he gives himself to the rule and mastery and the power of another. Christ did that. He said He came not to do His own will but to do His Father’s will.
In Gethsemane He said, ‘Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will’ (Mark 14:36).
On the cross He suffered what had been settled in Gethsemane. He yielded His life to God and thereby taught us that the only thing worth living for is a life yielded to God, even unto death.
If you are controlling your life and spending it on yourself, even partly, you are abusing it and taking it away from God’s original purpose. Learn from Christ that the beauty and purpose of having life is so that you can surrender it to God and then allow Him to fill it with His glory”
We cannot pursue both God’s will and our own independent will. We have to empty ourselves of one in order to fully embrace the other. When our hearts are surrendered and trusting God, our desires will align with God’s and our joy will be made full!
The Mind of the sinful man is set on Death!
The Mind Controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace!
2. Our mindset reflects our Attitude towards God.
2. Our mindset reflects our Attitude towards God.
There is no Place Like Home.
Just as most of us have a place we call “home,” where we typically go to bed and wake up and return to, by default, when we are not someplace else on purpose.
The expression that there is no place like home means that it is the only place we truly feel comfortable and at rest of peace. When I am traveling and on the road my sleep patters are erratic. I never sleep as well as I do at home in my own bed. Why? Because there is no place like home where I feel comfortable and at rest.
So, our minds (and hearts) have a way of returning to some “home” when we are not pressing them into a specific use.
Unfortunately many peoples minds return to a default position that is death. It lulls them into a false sense of security that they can truly find any peace or rest apart from God.
We read in Colossians 3:1
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Even though we know that Jesus calls us to engage the world where we live, as he prays to the Father, “I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil on” (John 17:15). It would be disobedient for us to try and extract ourselves from our very earthly callings in life. And it would be tragic to lose our relentless focus on the very Source of that life, seated in the heavenly places.
The balance we all face is living in the world but not being of the world.
*Our Minds are most full of Heaven when they are most full of Christ
*Our Minds are most full of Heaven when they are most full of Christ
God’s Cosmic Plan
“We are, mysteriously, part of a cosmic plan God has eternally known. And we have an eternal inheritance. The discomfort and disdain we endure in this life as a peculiar people will be a blip in the timeline of our infinite history. We will at last be the perfect church we presently long for; the unblemished bride at an unimaginable wedding feast. The dream will be real.”
The wedding supper of the Lamb is coming. It’s the reason we wake up early on Sunday mornings instead of sleep in, and it’s why we place ourselves in uncomfortable situations instead of remaining in our comfort zones. We have a hope that everyone needs, and we should embrace it, rest in it, and share it.
Do you live everyday with the reality that at any moment you could wake up and find your lungs filled with a different kind of air of “a better country.”
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Your sorrows will be out of sight:
11 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
You will see Jesus face to face:
23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
And with Him you will be at Home:
8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
You have heard me say before, (Oliver Wendell Holmes) “Do not be so Heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good.”
These people hummed, “I’ll fly away,” while floating on some comfortable through this world forgetting all of the sweat, blood, and tears that heavenly minded people labored for in this world. However, at the same time in the truest sense, you do not live here on earth, but there in heaven:
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
“You have died and your life is now Hidden with Christ.”
*Our Roots are in Heavenly Soil.
*Our Roots are in Heavenly Soil.
Note: We do not merely live then and there, but to live now in light of then, here in light of there.
“When Christ appears, you will also appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:4)
Your life is inextricably and forever tied up in Jesus Christ himself. Being heavenly minded means that our identity is no longer of this world. We must learn to define ourselves not by the person we see in the mirror every morning, but by the Savior we see in Scripture.
When the world looks at yours and my life they should not longer see or identify us with the old man, the father or mother, the son or daughter, the soldier or manager. Our identity is now in Christ.
However such a mindset does not nullify the responsibility we have in our life here on earth.
>We are transformed according to the culture and Norms of Heaven.
>We are transformed according to the culture and Norms of Heaven.
Col. 3:5-9 Put to death all things that dishonor God and demean other people.
Col. 3:12 They dress themselves in heavenly clothing: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Col. 3:13 Going against the societal norm, in a society of accusations and back biting, they speak the language of forgiveness.
Col. 3:15 They walk under the rulership and reign of divine peace, which has established its throne in our hearts.
Col. 3:17-4:1 In relationship, in every word, in every deed, they seek to show glory and honor to Christ: Husbands and wives, children, Gathers, workers.....
3. Our mindset Reflects who we Trust the Most.
3. Our mindset Reflects who we Trust the Most.
Note: The default position of our heart before Christ is one of enmity, strife, division, evil. Our faith is based on trusting what we can control and see. (Hebrews 11:1)
When Paul say’s “but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, does he mean that the believer is never going to have doubts or struggles? Does he intend to say that the Christian’s heart and mind are always filled with perfect peace all of the time? This would mean that when Paul say’s in Romans 7:24 “Wretched man that I am!” could not have been uttered by any child of God.
The answer must be, “No not at all.” Even though the basic disposition of the person whose life is controlled by the Holy Spirit is life and peace, this does not mean that the individual is not deeply sorry for his sin wishing to be rid of it.
In fact the more someone understands the Spirits control, the knowledge of the peace withing, the more he will regret and fight against the remaining sinfulness in his life.
The idea that the believer is somehow always staying on the even keel and never struggling again in this life is not true. Remember it was Peter who was the First to declare Jesus Christ as the Messiah (Matt. 16:16). Would we say he is not a true believer at this point. Peter was also the one who denied he even knew Jesus not once but three times.
If God is peace, then to know God is to bask in His Peace.
Our Peace comes from knowing God and His Son.
*Peace Transcends our circumstances.
*Peace Transcends our circumstances.
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Note: according to scripture even though the believer may experience a tremendous struggle between the old man and the new man, between doubt and trust, unrest and peace.
The Christian is comforted to know as Isaiah states in Isaiah 26:3
3 You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
The mind of a Believer vs. Unbeliever
If you were to compare the two minds as Paul does in 8:5-8, the contrast is striking, basically the mind of believers, that is, the mind of the Spirit, is life and peace. The very opposite is true when it comes to the mind of unbelievers, a mind that is hostile towards God. A mind that is incapable of pleasing God in anything.
Therefore, the fruit of disposition of such a mind is death.
Such a mind is self-centered, which explains the fact that it does not submit itself to the rulership of God and His laws. In fact as long as it continues to concentrate its attention on itself, it is, of course not even able to submit to God.
So, those who are in the flesh, that is, their affections, purposes, thoughts, words, an deeds are basically controlled by their sinful nature, are incapable of pleasing God.
*Peace Comes through Obedience
*Peace Comes through Obedience
It is interesting to note how much scripture talks about pleasing God, especially Paul.
Apparently the purpose of Human Life is to Please God.
9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
John also expresses the fact that pleasing God should be the true Goal of a believers life.
22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
CLOSING
The Regenerate and Unregenerate
There are basically two categories of people: the unregenerate who are ‘in the flesh’ and the regenerate who are ‘in the spirit.’
They have two perspectives or mindsets: ‘the mind of the flesh’ and ‘the mind of the spirit.’ Which lead to two patters of conduct or behavior. (living according to the conduct of the flesh or the spirit)
As a result there are two spiritual states (death or life, enmity or peace). Where we set our minds and how we occupy it, plays a key role in both our present conduct and our final destiny.
Marks of someone whose mindset is of the Spirit
1). Do you have vertical sorrow? (2 Cor. 7:10)
Worldly sorrow is not just being sorry you got caught, or being aware that you do bad things. It’s realizing your offense against a Holy God alone. Psalm 51:4 “Against you, and you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.”
2). Do you have a commitment to change? (there is no hesitation to do right and wrong vs. the mindset on the flesh is indifferent. Repentance is not only saying I’m sorry, but saying I am through with sin).
3). Do you have a desire to display real Christianity? (clearing a defense against accusation — vindication of self; - eagerness to clear self. 1 Peter 3:15 “A desire always to defend Christ before a watching world”).
4). Do you have a righteous anger against sin? (indignation; this is getting back on the right team - vs. self, sin, enemies of God. Romans 6:21 “But what fruit were you getting of the things which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.”
5) Do you have a fresh sense of the Presence of God? (Reverent fear of God). Proverbs 18:13 “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate.”
6) Do you have an unreserved Love for those who confront you?
Natural Reaction: Comparison; Criticism, Legalistic View.
Litmus Test: How does the “repentant” person talk about and act towards the one who confronts us. (do we have a humble loving heart towards the person who confronts us with our sin.)
Where is your mindset Today?
We do not assume that someone has a regenerate mindset because they go to Church, or they said a prayer or went through a catechism at some point in their life. If their mindset is still constantly on the flesh and not on the spirit they are unregenerate and what the Bible calls lost.
Listen to how Paul describes the unregenerate in Romans 3:13-18
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Notice the last one which is a key indicator whether someones mindset is on the flesh or on the Spirit. “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
If when you sin, there is no second thought about how it offends a Holy God, then there is not fear of God in you and you are still in the flesh and under God’s Judgment.
But, here is the good news. Your position can change today. The Spirits presence in us is made possible by God’s forgiveness and justification, which is made possible because the righteous requirement to pay the price for your sins has already been paid in full measure.
Remember what we talked about last week, the fact that Jesus did not only come to set us free from the penalty of sin, He also came to set us free from the power of sin. The snakes head has been crushed by our deliverer, therefore, you are no longer under condemnation you are now under His grace and mercy.
I will ask you one more time, Where is Your Mindset Today?