Sermon Tone Analysis

The Transformation of the Christian      2~/17~/08 a.m.

                                                *2 Co 10:3-5 *        *Ro 12:1-2*   

 

Our focus today is the transformation of the Christian through a change in the mind.

/(this is not salvation-but growing in Christ)/

The transformation or the change in function of the Christian through the changing of the mind is training our minds to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ /(or in agreement with) /rather than into captivity to the obedience /(or in agreement with) /of man’s wisdom or the world around us-

 

Studies show no difference between the life styles and habits of church goers and non-church goers.

The divorce rate in the church is equal to that of the secular world.

*The transformation of the Christian life is brought about by learning to think like Christ, or learning to think in agreement with Christ.

*/(this is not salvation-but growing in Christ)/

/ /

*2 Co 10:3-5 *  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons  of our warfare /are/ not 1carnal but  mighty in God  for pulling down strongholds, 5  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, *bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,*

 

*Our way of thinking or our beliefs are the foundation of our values, and our values are the foundation of our conduct.*

or do you fit in with the world around you,

|  OurConduct |

|  Our Values |

| Our ThinkingOur Beliefs |

*Gossip;*  cause trouble             *taxes;* pay taxes           *homosexuality;*  condone

               Unloving~/uncaring                              honesty                            ungodly

               O.K.                                                 Obey law                                      O.K.

*God*        *hates it                                             commands it                               abhors it*

 

Therefore if we want our conduct to be pleasing to God then;

            We must make sure our values are pleasing to God;

            And if we want our values to be pleasing to God then;

            We must make sure our thinking is pleasing to God.

 

God pleasing thinking doesn’t come natural for us since we are of a fallen nature.

Therefore we must bring every thought into compliance with the Word of God

 

For our thinking to be in compliance with God a change must take place in our mind.

*Ro 12:1-2*    I  beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, /which is/ your reasonable service.

2 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.* *

 

*The New International Version*

*v2*   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.

*New Century Version*

*v2*   Do not be shaped by this world; instead *be changed within by a new way of thinking.

Then you will be able to decide what God wants* for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect

 

*English Standard Version*

*v2*   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

* *

*For transformation to take place in the life of the Christian, our thinking must change to align with Gods’ thinking;*

*/ /*

*/do not be conformed to this world/*

———————

*con•form* \kən-ˈfȯrm\ vb

[ME, fr.

AF /conformer,/ fr.

L /conformare,/ fr.

/com-/ + /formare/ to form, fr.

/forma/ form] /vt/ 14c *: *to give the same shape, outline, or contour to *: *bring into harmony or accord 〈/conform/ furrows to the slope of the land〉 /vi/

*1*           *: *to be similar or identical /also/ *: *to be in agreement or harmony — used with /to/ or /with/ 〈changes that /conform/ with our plans〉

*2*     *a*      *: *to be obedient or compliant — usu.

used with /to/ 〈/conform/ to another’s wishes〉

     *b*      *: **to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs* 〈the pressure to /conform/〉 */syn/* see adapt — *con•form•er* n — *con•form•ism* \-ˈfȯr-ˌmi-zəm\ n — *con•form•ist* \-mist\ n or adj

\\ Merriam-Webster, I. (2003).

/Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary./

(Eleventh ed.).

Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

*He is telling us not to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs of the lost.*

*/ /*

*Rather than being in agreement with the prevailing standards or customs of the world we are to;*

*/be transformed /**/  -our life, way of life, life style, our conduct is to be like Christ/*

———————

*1**trans•form* \tran(t)s-ˈfȯrm\ vb

[ME, fr.

MF /transformer,/ fr.

L /transformare,/ fr.

/trans-/ + /formare/ to form, fr.

/forma/ form] /vt/ 14c

*1*     *a*      *: *to change in composition or structure

     *b*      *: *to change the outward form or appearance of

     *c*      : *to change in character or condition* *: *convert

*2*           *: *to subject to mathematical transformation

*3*           *: *to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation /vi/ *: *to become transformed *: *change — *trans•form•able* \-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl\ adj — *trans•for•ma•tive* \-ˈfȯr-mə-tiv\ adj

*/ /*

*/syn/* *transform**, metamorphose, transmute, convert, *transmogrify*, transfigure* mean to change a thing into a different thing.

/(from living an ungodly life to a Godly life)/

* *

*transform* implies a major change in form, nature, or function 〈/transformed/ a small company into a corporate giant〉.

* *

*metamorphose* suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power 〈awkward girls /metamorphosed/ into graceful ballerinas〉.

* *

*transmute* implies transforming into a higher element or thing 〈attempted to /transmute/ lead into gold〉.

* *

*convert* implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function 〈/converted/ the study into a nursery〉.

transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis 〈a story in which a frog is /transmogrified/ into a prince〉.

* *

*transfigure* implies a change that exalts or glorifies 〈joy /transfigured/ her face〉.

———————

\\ Merriam-Webster, I. (2003).

/Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary./

(Eleventh ed.).

Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

 

 

How can we as Christians bring about a transformation in our lives;

 

How can we as Christians bring about a major change in our nature, or function;

 

How can we as Christians bring about a change induced by the power of God;

 

How can we as Christians bring about a transformation into being a vessel of honor;

 

How can we as Christians bring about a change fitting for the use of God;

 

How can we as Christians bring about a change that exalts or glorifies God?

 

*Be transformed **/by the renewing of your mind,/*

*/ /*

Your* beliefs *are the foundation of your* values, *

and your* values *are the foundation of your* conduct.*

*Prov.23:7

*   For as he thinks in his heart, so /is/ he.

 

*Pr 4:23-27*    23     *Keep your heart with all diligence,         *

*     For out of it /spring/ the issues of life.

*/Beliefs-thinking/

24     Put away from you a 3deceitful *mouth,*

     And put perverse lips far from you.  

25     Let your *eyes *look straight ahead,

     And your eyelids look right before you.

26     Ponder the path of your  feet,

     And let all *your ways* be established.

/values/