Tonasket Free Methodist Church

Tonasket Free Methodist Church

Jesus, Reset my Mind

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Pastor Ryan Willson

January 8, 2016

“I want to live like Christ and be effective for him but sometimes I have thoughts that I seem to battle against that wage war within me.”

- Pastor Ryan

Mental strongholds in our lives

Examples of strongholds that people set up against the knowledge of God:

  Hedonism (pursuit of personal pleasure)

  Secularism (belief that rejects religion)

  Atheism (disbelief of the existence of God)

Notes:

Personal strongholds in our lives

  Worry

  Seeking the approval of other people

  Fear

  Guilt

  Resentment

  Insecurity

Notes:

I. We Demolish Strongholds with God’s power (1 Cor 10:4-5)

A. Paul admits to the Christians in Corinth that he walks according to the flesh like they do. But he does make it clear that he does not fight or wage war according to the flesh.

B. The Christians in Corinth tended to rely upon and use worldly weapons.

  Spiritual weapon = belt of truth

  Worldly weapon = manipulation

  Spiritual weapon = breastplate of righteousness

  Worldly = image of success

  Spiritual weapon = shoes of the gospel

  Worldly weapon = smooth words

  Spiritual weapon = shield of faith

  Worldly weapon = perception of power

  Spiritual weapon = helmet of Salvation

  Worldly weapon = lording authority over people

  Spiritual weapon = sword of the Spirit

  Worldly weapon = human schemes and programs

Notes:

II. Believe God’s mind, not yours

A. Under sin we can’t trust our own minds. There are many scriptures in the Bible that talk about the state of our minds. (Deuteronomy 28:20, Job 17:3-4, Ecclesiastes 2:21-23, Leviticus 5:4, Isaiah 32:4, 2 Kings 6:11, 1 Timothy 6:5, Romans 8:7, 2 Corinthians 3:14, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:8)

B. Stop and think about God’s truth (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Notes:

III. Guard your Mind

A. Proverbs 15:14 says, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” We need to question what we put into our minds.

B. 1 Corinthians 10:23 says You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial.

C. Psalm 101:3 says “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” We have to be careful of the things we watch.

Notes:

IV. Ways to guard our mind (Philippians 4:6-8)

A. Pray in every situation

B. Commit it to God and receive God’s peace

C. Fix your focus

D. Renew our minds (Matthew 11:28-29)

The word “disciple” means “learner.” You can’t be a disciple of Jesus without being a learner.

Notes: