The Christian and Self-Renewal

Renewing the Mind (2)

“Walk in Newness of Life”

Introduction

• Studying the Christian and Self-Renewal– Individual renewal– Putting into place a process to

continue vibrant growth• “And do not be conformed to this world, but

be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” {Romans 12:2}

Recognize the Need

1. Do you want to go to heaven?– Everyone says “yes,” but…– What are you doing to secure your

eternal salvation?– Do you really believe you need to grow?– Do you really believe that you are

progressing satisfactorily?

Passages to Consider

• “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” {1 Corinthians 9:27}

• “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” {2 Peter 1:10}

• What things are we to do?– GROW in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-

control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

Passages to Consider

Recognize the Need

2. Do you want others to go to heaven with you?– This should be every Christian’s goal.– “Do you not say, 'There are still four

months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” {John 4:35}

2. Do you want others to go to heaven with you?– This should be every Christian’s goal.– “And on some have compassion, making

a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” {Jude 22,23}

Recognize the Need

• Are things any different today?• We need to be aware that we may be

the ONLY hope for some in this world.• Our BEST opportunities lie with

teaching the gospel to those who are close to us…

• Will we meet the challenge?• How often do we remind ourselves that

UNTOLD MILLIONS are DYING lost?

Recognize the Need

I have a Moral Responsibility

• Sometimes, we realize we need to do something because it needs doing.

• Our country does many things because it has the power and wealth to do them.

• “Stepping up to the plate” shows we care and wish to help.

• “FROM THOSE WHO HAVE MUCH—GOD DEMANDS MUCH.”

• Personal level.

• When someone cries out for help, do I answer?

• Women attacked in NYC few years ago…

• Are you MORALLY RESPONSIBLE?

I have a Moral Responsibility

• As a Christian, I should recognize my God-given responsibility to warn those who are lost.

• “Snatching them out of the fire.”

• Paul understood this…– 1 Corinthians 9:16

• So did Ezekiel…– Ezekiel 3:17

I have a Moral Responsibility

Understand Love—How Much Do You Care?

• Christian love is not just a feeling.

• It involves a person’s mindset—how we act.

• Love is defined as, “caring enough to sacrifice what is best.”

• God best demonstrated love…– “He who does not love does not know

God, for God is love.” {1 John 4:8}

How Did God Manifest His Love?

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”{John 3:16}

• “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” {John 15:13}

How Important Is This Love?

• “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” {1 Corinthians 13:1-3}

How Important Is This Love?

• “We love Him because He first loved us.” {1 John 4:19}

• “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.” {2 Corinthians 5:14}

• “…he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” {James 1:12}

Optimism

• Some are afraid to use this word because of how it’s been abused.

• Some teach only a positive Christianity to the exclusion or neglect of the negative.

• Such conclusions are not pleasing to God.

• We must strike a BALANCE…

Optimism

• There are times when people need to be rebuked and condemned.

• We must expose error—even calling names at times.

• Why—things are not what they ought to be.

• Optimism is associated with the one who is right as he stands before God.

Optimism

• Many Christians fail to grow because they lack confidence in God and in themselves.

• They’re willing to settle for mediocrity and complacency.

• “I can’t teach anyone.’’ Right, but why?

• They’re not capable because they’ve chosen NOT to develop their abilities.

Optimism

• Some churches don’t grow because, in their minds, they’ve “come as far as they can.”

• “Nobody wants to hear the gospel anymore.”

• Instead of building on what is right, we get bogged down with what is wrong.

Optimism

• Remember the blessings you’ve received.

• Christians should have a different perspective on life.– “If then you were raised with Christ, seek

those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” {Colossians 3:1,2}

Optimism

• God is on OUR side—giving us a reason to live.− “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens

me.” {Philippians 4:13}

− “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” {Romans 8:31}

− “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” {Romans 8:37}

Dangers of Pessimism

• God’s word contains many examples of the dangers of pessimism.

• Why did Israel wander in the wilderness for 40 years?– “Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not

with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” {Hebrews 3:17-19}

God’s Word Calls for Optimism

• Not false optimism

• Not ignorant optimism, for example, one who believes he is forgiven even though he refuses to obey the gospel!– “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord,

Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” {Matthew 7:21}

God’s Word Calls for Optimism

• Not false optimism (one who thinks he is better than he is)– “Because you say, 'I am rich, have

become wealthy, and have need of nothing' --and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” {Revelation 3:17}

God’s Word Calls for Optimism

• Not false optimism• One who sees great wealth—but leaves God

out of the picture– “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many

goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.‘ But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’” {Luke 12:19,20}

God’s Word Calls for Optimism

• Not false optimism

• Self-righteousness– “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus

with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’” {Luke 18:11,12}