Sermon 1: Breakthrough in the mind!
Thesis: We are in a war and for the most part that war is within – in our minds – it’s also in our thoughts and what we set our minds on becomes our reality – our minds dictate how we respond to life, situations and people. We need to have a renewed mind to win the war against the enemy of our spirit, soul and body.
Here are some main Scriptures making the battlefield of the mind clear:
Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 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.”
Ephesians 6:12: “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.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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.”
Introduction:
My thoughts as lead pastor of Christian Hills Church:
We (The staff) and I join a chorus of voices crying out for the condemnation and injustice of the brutal killing of George Floyd, which followed the recent tragic killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. Of course, these are only the most recent examples among the long scourge of racism and brutality against black and brown brothers and sisters who bear God’s image. We lament in the fullest biblical sense the injustice that has been perpetrated towards people of color which events like the killing of George Floyd continue to expose. We do not want to remain silent on what highlighted this crisis in America but we - I also lament and mourn the loss of life from the rioting and looting – dozens have been killed and police officers have been targeted with over 150 injured – 12 policeman have been shot, run over by cars or stabbed and I know that 4 of these officers who were killed were African American officers – David Dorn a retired captain was killed in St Louis in a senseless shooting making most of the headlines. All of these tragic events and killings grieve the heart of God and should grieve all of our hearts today as Christians. I know they grieve my heart. So in light of all the recent chaos and anger that we have seen, heard and even witnessed we (the staff) – I felt we needed to dialogue as a multi-cultural church and school about these current events.
Opening panel discussion:
The tension, stress and fear of current events is wearing on all of us today – and getting a proper perspective on it all is crucial – WHY? So we approach it with a renewed mind – with the mind of Christ – with a proper perspective – with sensitivity and wisdom.
Panel: Pastor Tiffany, and myself – we will look at perspectives – at the different mindsets on these current events facing all of us and what the bible says should be our response and responsibility.
Question:
1. What is your perspective on the current events as an African American?
a. Pastor Tiffany’s Response
b. My thoughts from the Bible - God does not play favorites because all are equal in His sight – He created us all in His image! (All colors, all nations or peoples, male and female, all cultures - the word is “all” – Yes all of us are created in His image - all of us together represent the image of God together).
i. Genesis 1:26: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
ii. Genesis 9:6: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.”
iii. Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
iv. We are all made in His image and all equal in His sight!
1. 2 Chronicles 19:7: “7Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
2. Job 34:19: “19who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?”
3. Romans 2:10-11: “10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.
4. Galatians 5:6: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
5. 1 Peter 1:17: “17Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.”
6. Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
v. “Black lives matter” is an international humans rights movement seeking to bring a conscious awareness of racism – towards blacks. They seek to bring to everyone’s attention the police killings of black people and unjust murders of black people - this human rights organization is seeking to highlight the fear filled mindsets of many African Americans today on the disease of racism:
1. Many African Americans mindsets are battling fear factors: (Like)
a. They fear for their children’s lives!
b. They fear they will be racially profiled!
c. They fear for the future and their children’s and grandchildren’s lives.
d. They wonder if they are next in a racist brutal killing?
2. Signs which spoke to my hearts these last two weeks:
a. I saw a sign being held by a 5 year old little girl protesting which said – “Nobody is free until we are all free!”
b. I saw another sign at a protest which stated, “Were not trying to start a race war we’re trying to end one.”
c. I saw another sign which said, “Black Lives Matter, Too!”
i. The Black Lives Matter motto is about drawing attention to a societal race problem and it’s injustices - but hear me they believe all lives matter too. So, I think we as non-color need to understand this truth and not take offense to their motto.
c. We really need a fresh perspective today and not look at everything from only our view or perspective. We need God’s perspective on how He see’s everyone!
i. Equal! Of intrinsic value! Precious!
2. Why do we need to know about other’s perspectives and mindsets during this crisis?
a. Pastor Tiffany’s response:
b. The Warning message and my thoughts in light of the Bible: The Enemy is all about causing division and dissension today – he has been doing this since the beginning.
i. 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
1. Racism is not just a USA problem it’s a global humankind problem because the enemy plays on this card to bring death and destruction!
a. Just look at world history!
ii. John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
c. Jesus was all about diversity and unity. Why because we are all created in the image of God and wanted to emphasize that while he ministered here on the earth in the flesh!
i. Jesus prayer: John 17:21-23: “20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
1. Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers!
d. Jesus loves all: rich-poor / outcast–popular / religious–nonreligious
i. Just look at His disciples!
1. The show: “Chosen” has opened my mind to how different his disciples were from each other – that’s what he wanted different people – not clones! Different people who would love each other – stand up for each other – fight for one another!
ii. Just look at all the different people groups reached since His death, His resurrection and His ascension.
1. The Gospel has reached globally all over the world – Christianity is the largest religion in the world found on all continents and in 2/3 of all ethnic people groups! It is the most diverse religion in the world!
2. Matthew 28:16-20: The Great Commission
a. 16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
3. What is our responsibility as the church and as a Christian to bring change?
a. Pastor Tiffany’s response
b. The Church’s response should be:
i. Quote: I read an article from Christianity Today called “Forgive us -my-our-their-sins by Jeff Peabody.
1. He highlighted Daniels prayer in Chapter 9 of the book of Daniel:
a. Daniel who from everything I read in this book was a total man of God and righteous – even while being enslaved in a foreign culture and nation:
i. He stands up in chapter 9 and takes responsibility for the sins of His nation which actually got him enslaved – I don’t see that he did any of things he repents for to God in this prayer:
1. He prays a prayer of confession and in every way imaginable asks God for forgiveness identifying with his people who sinned: He says:
a. We have sinned!
b. We have rebelled!
c. We have not listened!
d. We have done wrong!
e. We have been wicked!
f. We have transgressed!
g. We have turned away!
h. We have been unfaithful!
i. We have refused to obey!
j. We have not sought the Lord!
k. We have not turned from our sins!
l. We have not given attention to your truth!
i. See page 40 Christianity Today March 2020 edition.
2. Peabody states, “There’s a disconnect between his exemplary behavior and his humble confession. It makes you want to protest and say, “Daniel, you don’t have to do that. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s those who were unfaithful who should be apologizing! Daniel’s approach is so opposite from my own. When it comes to collective sins-whether those of the church, the clergy, or the nation – I want to distant myself from the offense. I want to point out why “they” are not “me.” And I want to denounce what I see “them” doing.”
a. Page 40-41
ii. Our Hearts must become empathetic to others.
1. Did you hear me we need to be empathetic to the struggle and pain of others! Just like Jesus was!
2. We need the heart of Jesus – so we are able to put ourselves in other people’s shoes!
iii. Mindsets must change!
1. The mind is basically a communication and control system between the spirit, soul and body of a person. The mind filters the environment around the individual. This mind is composed of mental image pictures which are recordings of past experiences, present situations and even perceptions of events. The individual uses his or her mind to solve problems related to survival and to direct his or her efforts according to these solutions.
a. According to Scientists: The mind is made up of two parts—the analytical mind and the reactive mind. The analytical mind is the rational, conscious, aware mind which thinks, observes data, remembers it and resolves problems. The reactive mind is the portion of a person’s mind which works on a totally stimulus-response basis. It is not under volitional control, and exerts force and the power of command over awareness, purposes, thoughts, body and actions.
2. Illustration: Have you ever had to paint some roof trim, very high up? You get halfway up that 42 foot extension ladder and you start wondering about the strength and stability of the ladder, you even wonder about your body weight. You stop and hug the ladder, looking down. Your left leg begins a ridiculous but uncontrollable shaking. You breathe and tell yourself it’s okay relax. You go up another rung and conquer each higher rung and you slowly inch your way to the next level, then the next. Finally you reach the top, still you mind is saying cling to the ladder for your life. But you have a problem - How can you take one hand off the ladder to use the paintbrush? But you force yourself to do it. The more you do it the easier it gets until the fear and stress factor has lifted and you mind calms down. You notice the sky is clear blue. The sun is warm. The thirsty wood soaks up the paint. You even start to whistle and think positive thoughts and you do a good job and forget about the height. The truth is you have just won a battle over your mind!
iv. Reconciliation is God’s plan and must be put into action.
1. That plan starts with you and I – it starts in our minds and comes out in our faith and our actions towards others!
The Bible speaks of 6 ways to get a breakthrough in the battlefield of your mind:
Sermon 1: Breakthrough in the mind!
1. Lighten up
a. Matthew 11:30
b. Matthew 26:38
2. Forgive yourself
a. Romans 8:1
b. Colossians 1:14
3. Forgive others
a. Matthew 6:14
b. Matthew 18:21
c. Colossians 3:13
4. Don’t Worry
a. Matthew 6:25
b. Matthew 6:27
5. Stress less
a. James 1:2-4
b. Romans 5:1
c. Hebrews 4:16
6. Rest more
a. Psalm 91:1
b. Jer. 6:16
c. Matthew 11:28
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from our message today?
Answer: We need to know that we are all created in the image of God and we all are commanded to love each other!
Why do we need to know this?
Answer: So that we work on being empathetic to others - seeing people pain and hurt – learning to walk in their shoes and understanding God wants us all to stand side by side. He wants us united not divided!
What do we need to do?
Answer: Change our mindsets – have them renewed by God’s word and ways. See people like Jesus saw people. Help those and love those who need our support at this time.
Why do we need to do this?
Answer: So, we see racism vanish in America and in the world. So that we see us all united together in brotherhood and sisterhood! So that we all can be free!
