Pastors Notes: Sunday 2/21/2016

Experiencing the Will of God - Part 5

"By the Renewing of your Mind" - Romans 12:1-2

Sunday  2/21/2016

Winning The Battle of the Mind

Text:  2 Corinthians 10:3-6

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

 Intro:

     There is a battle going on:

• “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Cor. 10:3–6)
•  “ “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Galatians 5:17)
• “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15–16)

             The battleground is the mind

•  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37) 

• “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5)
•  “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)
•  “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)
•   “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
•   “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” (Ephesians 4:23)

How to Win the Battle

           Intel – locate the Fortresses & High Towers

1. “strong holds” vs. 10:4
2. “every high thing” vs. 10:5
3.  “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7, AV)

           Military Strength

1.  “mighty through God” –  Rely up God (Air Support)
2. Luke 18:27 (AV)  And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
3. Philippians 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection . . .
4. Colossians 1:11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power . . .
5. Ephesians 1:19–20 , And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, ²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
6.  Ephesians 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
7. For whatsoever is born of God ⁱovercometh the world: and ^jthis is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5

              Military Strategy

Warfare = strateia = military campaign = strategy

• Cut of Supply – find the source of the evil thoughts – requires Intel – 1 Jn 1:7

• “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33,)
• “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” (2 Timothy 2:16)
•  “And their word will eat as doth a canker. . .” (2 Timothy 2:17) 

•  Envelopment – surrounding and overpowering the enemy

• With Prayer
• With the Word of God
• With Godly People
• With Godly Entertainment

• Taking Prisoners
•   “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5)
• Constant Patrol
• “And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Corinthians 10:6)