This is the manuscript of the sermon preached at Christ Church, Los Angeles, CA on Sunday February 10, 2019. It is the third in the "You Are A New Creation" series.
This new creation was brought about by the will of God. He created something entirely fresh and unique. The new creation is completely new, created from nothing, just as the whole universe was created by God... from nothing. The change from the old creation into the new takes place in the heart, mind, and body. Change starts in the heart but change also takes place in the mind.
To hear the audio click on the YouTube image at the end of the manuscript.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (HCSB) 16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone in a purely human way. Even if we have known Christ in a purely human way, yet now we no longer know ⌊Him in this way⌋.17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, ⌊he is⌋ a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
This is the third of our You Are A New Creation series.
Romans 10:9 HCSB If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Being a new creation in Christ means that you are constantly being renewed.
When you make that confession you are instantly saved, justified and made righteous. You are no longer and enemy but now a friend of God. You are not perfect, but through the work of the Holy Spirit you are being constantly renewed and sanctified so that you will be conformed to the image of Jesus, which is God’s purpose for you.
Romans 8:28-29 (HCSB)28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
We said that the first thing we need to understand is that this new creation is something created by God.
John 1:12-13 (HCSB)12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
Being a new creation in Christ means that the old sinful person you once were has gone as a result of the finished work of Christ.
That means that we are assured of eternal life with Him. We don’t instantaneously become morally perfect, but our standing before God changes instantly—we are made right with God (just as if we had never sinned or had a sin nature). We then start the lifelong journey of being renewed and sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit, being conformed to the image of Jesus—to become like Jesus in thought, word, and deed.
Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
The change from the old creation into the new takes place in the heart, mind, and body.
It starts in the heart and we talked about that last week.
The heart is the center of life. It is within this uniquely created internal organ that we have physical life. Without it, life is just not possible. The heart is also the center of spiritual life.
Proverbs tell us that we must guard our heart because it is the wellspring of both physical and spiritual life.
Proverbs 4:23 (HCSB) Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
Our heart determines our actions and reflects whether or not Christ is the center of our lives. That is why it is important that we ask God to continually renew our hearts.
Psalm 51:10 (HCSB) God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
While the change starts in the heart change also takes place in the mind.
The mind is important because it is the key to the Christian life.
We’ve all heard the statement "the mind is the devil's playground". Most the spiritual battles we fight against our enemy take place in the mind. It may be the guilt of a past sin that constantly comes to your mind or the cravings of an addiction that you haven't overcome. Maybe you have doubts about your faith or your ability to accomplish what God has shown you that He wants you to do.
The struggles may not be identical, but many Christians are caught up in major battles in their mind. The promise of 2 Corinthians 5:17 sounds great “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, ⌊he is⌋ a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” , but when reality hits the road-we fall short- especially in our thought life. The old way of thinking has not gone away. Many of us still struggle with temptations, bitterness, depression, fear, hopelessness, frustrations, problems, and evil thoughts. The battle still rages in the mind.
We can pray, and that is very important but, we need to do more than pray. The Holy Spirit says through Paul;
Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
This new creation was brought about by the will of God. He created something entirely fresh and unique. The new creation is completely new, created from nothing, just as the whole universe was created by God... from nothing. The change from the old creation into the new takes place in the heart, mind, and body. Change starts in the heart but change also takes place in the mind.
To hear the audio click on the YouTube image at the end of the manuscript.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (HCSB) 16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone in a purely human way. Even if we have known Christ in a purely human way, yet now we no longer know ⌊Him in this way⌋.17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, ⌊he is⌋ a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
This is the third of our You Are A New Creation series.
Romans 10:9 HCSB If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Being a new creation in Christ means that you are constantly being renewed.
When you make that confession you are instantly saved, justified and made righteous. You are no longer and enemy but now a friend of God. You are not perfect, but through the work of the Holy Spirit you are being constantly renewed and sanctified so that you will be conformed to the image of Jesus, which is God’s purpose for you.
Romans 8:28-29 (HCSB)28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
We said that the first thing we need to understand is that this new creation is something created by God.
John 1:12-13 (HCSB)12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
Being a new creation in Christ means that the old sinful person you once were has gone as a result of the finished work of Christ.
That means that we are assured of eternal life with Him. We don’t instantaneously become morally perfect, but our standing before God changes instantly—we are made right with God (just as if we had never sinned or had a sin nature). We then start the lifelong journey of being renewed and sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit, being conformed to the image of Jesus—to become like Jesus in thought, word, and deed.
Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
The change from the old creation into the new takes place in the heart, mind, and body.
It starts in the heart and we talked about that last week.
The heart is the center of life. It is within this uniquely created internal organ that we have physical life. Without it, life is just not possible. The heart is also the center of spiritual life.
Proverbs tell us that we must guard our heart because it is the wellspring of both physical and spiritual life.
Proverbs 4:23 (HCSB) Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
Our heart determines our actions and reflects whether or not Christ is the center of our lives. That is why it is important that we ask God to continually renew our hearts.
Psalm 51:10 (HCSB) God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
While the change starts in the heart change also takes place in the mind.
The mind is important because it is the key to the Christian life.
We’ve all heard the statement "the mind is the devil's playground". Most the spiritual battles we fight against our enemy take place in the mind. It may be the guilt of a past sin that constantly comes to your mind or the cravings of an addiction that you haven't overcome. Maybe you have doubts about your faith or your ability to accomplish what God has shown you that He wants you to do.
The struggles may not be identical, but many Christians are caught up in major battles in their mind. The promise of 2 Corinthians 5:17 sounds great “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, ⌊he is⌋ a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” , but when reality hits the road-we fall short- especially in our thought life. The old way of thinking has not gone away. Many of us still struggle with temptations, bitterness, depression, fear, hopelessness, frustrations, problems, and evil thoughts. The battle still rages in the mind.
We can pray, and that is very important but, we need to do more than pray. The Holy Spirit says through Paul;
Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
God's Part vs. Your Part in Renewing Your Mind
When it comes to mind renewal God plays a part and we play a part. Remember we still have free will after becoming new creatures so we have a choice in doing or not doing our part in renewing our minds.
Notice that Paul didn’t say pray that God will renew your mind. If we read
Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Would indicate that you are to renew your mind as part of your spiritual worship.
God's Part
Here's God's part:
II Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The reason why non-Christians do not respond to Christian truth is that they can't understand spiritual truth.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT) But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
When Jesus told His disciples that was preparing to leave earth and return to heaven, He specifically promised that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth.
John 16:5-7 NKJV “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Then in
John 16:12-15 NKJV “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
He also told them;
John 14:15-17 NKJV “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
When you become this new creation the Spirit of Truth is in the new you.
I Corinthians 3:16 NKJV Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
He promised that He would bring us from darkness into light.
John 8:12 NKJV Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
God has done His part and it is clear that He will not do your part.
Our Part
We must accept our responsibility in the renewing our minds. We need to learn to think like God thinks. We need to get rid of our sinful attitudes, our negative, critical ways of thinking, our selfish thoughts.
Philippians 4:8 NKJV Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
We may not be able to stop certain thoughts from entering our mind. It’s what we do with that thought that’s important. Our immediate response to that thought shows whether or not we are renewing our mind.
Much of what we think about is directly connected to what we put into our mind through reading or watching on television, or movies we go see. If gaining material things, or finding that new mate, or getting back at that person who hurt you is what stays on your mind it will affect your whole life because it will dictate your actions.
Romans 16:19 NKJV For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.
We need to guard our mind and not fill it with garbage.
We need to think like God thinks as God's new creation we need to have the mind of Christ.
I Corinthians 2:10-16 NKJV But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Scriptures about Renewing Your Mind
Romans 12:2 says that when we are transformed by the renewing of our minds we can prove “what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
It tells us the benefits of a renewed mind but it doesn’t tell us how to do it.
So how do we renew our minds?
We do it by spending time in God’s word, meditating on it, listening to it, applying it.
The only way to replace the junk in our minds, and the way the world’s way of thinking is to replace it with the truth of God’s word. The only infallible source of God’s truth is His revealed Word, the Bible. Renewal of our minds comes as we expose ourselves to God’s Word. We expose ourselves through frequent attendance at a bible teaching church, like this one, personal Bible study, and group Bible study. I cannot overemphasize the role and importance of a church that believes in preaching the Word, reading the Word, and singing the Word in helping us renew our minds.
There are no shortcuts. There is no magical formula for renewing our minds. We must fill our minds with God’s Word. This was Jesus' prayer for those who follow Him;
John 17:17 NKJV Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
The Mind of Christ
Two of the scriptures We've read today mention the mind of Christ:
1 Corinthians 2:16 (NKJV) For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Philippians 2:5-7 (NKJV)5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
The only people who can have the mind of Christ are those who have become new creatures and we already said that you must be born again for that to happen.
John 1:12-13 (HCSB)12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
If you haven’t done that not only can’t you have the mind of Christ you can’t even begin to really understand what you read if you are reading the Bible or somebody is talking about Christ and the Kingdom of God because those are spiritual things and the Bible says you won't get it.
I Corinthians 2:14 NKJV But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
So how do you become this new creation.
Romans 10:8-13 NKJV But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
And with salvation comes forgiveness of sin, and eternal life as a new creation.
II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
When it comes to mind renewal God plays a part and we play a part. Remember we still have free will after becoming new creatures so we have a choice in doing or not doing our part in renewing our minds.
Notice that Paul didn’t say pray that God will renew your mind. If we read
Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Would indicate that you are to renew your mind as part of your spiritual worship.
God's Part
Here's God's part:
II Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The reason why non-Christians do not respond to Christian truth is that they can't understand spiritual truth.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT) But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
When Jesus told His disciples that was preparing to leave earth and return to heaven, He specifically promised that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth.
John 16:5-7 NKJV “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Then in
John 16:12-15 NKJV “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
He also told them;
John 14:15-17 NKJV “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
When you become this new creation the Spirit of Truth is in the new you.
I Corinthians 3:16 NKJV Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
He promised that He would bring us from darkness into light.
John 8:12 NKJV Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
God has done His part and it is clear that He will not do your part.
Our Part
We must accept our responsibility in the renewing our minds. We need to learn to think like God thinks. We need to get rid of our sinful attitudes, our negative, critical ways of thinking, our selfish thoughts.
Philippians 4:8 NKJV Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
We may not be able to stop certain thoughts from entering our mind. It’s what we do with that thought that’s important. Our immediate response to that thought shows whether or not we are renewing our mind.
Much of what we think about is directly connected to what we put into our mind through reading or watching on television, or movies we go see. If gaining material things, or finding that new mate, or getting back at that person who hurt you is what stays on your mind it will affect your whole life because it will dictate your actions.
Romans 16:19 NKJV For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.
We need to guard our mind and not fill it with garbage.
We need to think like God thinks as God's new creation we need to have the mind of Christ.
I Corinthians 2:10-16 NKJV But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Scriptures about Renewing Your Mind
Romans 12:2 says that when we are transformed by the renewing of our minds we can prove “what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
It tells us the benefits of a renewed mind but it doesn’t tell us how to do it.
So how do we renew our minds?
We do it by spending time in God’s word, meditating on it, listening to it, applying it.
The only way to replace the junk in our minds, and the way the world’s way of thinking is to replace it with the truth of God’s word. The only infallible source of God’s truth is His revealed Word, the Bible. Renewal of our minds comes as we expose ourselves to God’s Word. We expose ourselves through frequent attendance at a bible teaching church, like this one, personal Bible study, and group Bible study. I cannot overemphasize the role and importance of a church that believes in preaching the Word, reading the Word, and singing the Word in helping us renew our minds.
- Psalms 119:11 NKJVYour word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
- Ephesians 4:20-24 NKJVBut you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
- Colossians 3:2-3 NKJV Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
- Joshua 1:8 NKJV This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
- Philippians 2:5-7 (NKJV)5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
- 1 Corinthians 2:16 (NKJV) For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
There are no shortcuts. There is no magical formula for renewing our minds. We must fill our minds with God’s Word. This was Jesus' prayer for those who follow Him;
John 17:17 NKJV Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
The Mind of Christ
Two of the scriptures We've read today mention the mind of Christ:
1 Corinthians 2:16 (NKJV) For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Philippians 2:5-7 (NKJV)5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
The only people who can have the mind of Christ are those who have become new creatures and we already said that you must be born again for that to happen.
John 1:12-13 (HCSB)12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
If you haven’t done that not only can’t you have the mind of Christ you can’t even begin to really understand what you read if you are reading the Bible or somebody is talking about Christ and the Kingdom of God because those are spiritual things and the Bible says you won't get it.
I Corinthians 2:14 NKJV But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
So how do you become this new creation.
Romans 10:8-13 NKJV But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
And with salvation comes forgiveness of sin, and eternal life as a new creation.
II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
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