This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Romans series with a message about being transformed by Christ rather than conformed by the world. We are always being influenced by the world around us and must intentionally set our hearts and mind on Christ and godliness. Renewing our minds regularly keeps on the path of righteousness and helps us become like Jesus.

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

The main problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps crawling off the altar.
—Anonymous

Worship Questions…

  1. Who or what do you cheer the most loudly for?
  2. Who or what do you make the biggest sacrifices for?
  3. Who or what carries the most weight in your life?

Romans 12:2a (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world,

1 Peter 1:14 (ESV)
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 23:7a (NKJV)
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

The Battle for Our Mind

  1. The way we think is the way we live.
  2. Take thoughts captive and meditate on truths that bring freedom.
  3. What we meditate on is what we become.
  4. Whatever gets our mind, gets us.

Philippians 4:8–9 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Joshua 1:8 (ESV)
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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.

1. We are only as free as our minds are.

    2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (ESV)
    For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

    2. The mind is the main battlefield of good and evil.

    3. We are the gate keepers of our minds.

      James 4:7 (ESV)
      Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

      Winning the War of Your Mind…

      1. Challenge and Examine Your Thoughts
      2. Bring Your Mind into Submission
      3. Fight Back

      1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)
      Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

      Discussion Questions:

      1. A good indicator of what we worship is evaluating what we make time for, what we sacrifice the most for, whose opinion matters most to us, ect. Based on these, are there things you could do differently to be transformed by God instead of conformed to the world?
      2. As believers, it’s important to pause, reflect on our hearts and break ties with ungodliness. Is this a regular practice for you? If not, how can you integrate it into your life?
      3. We are only as free as our minds. What are some practical ways you can be a good gatekeeper to your mind?

      Application Questions:

      1. Spend time this week evaluating if you’ve made friends with ungodliness (fear, greed, lack of integrity, ect.). Repent, receive God’s forgiveness, replace it with godliness and start walking in freedom!

      Join us for an in-person service at City Central Church in Tacoma, WA
      Sundays at 9am + 11am