AVBC - Communion Sunday - 06/07/26 - Sermon Title: “The Spirit’s Work in Us” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 4 of 6) – 2 Corinthians 3:18, Titus 3:5, Galatians 5:22-23

 Sunday 06/07/26 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “The Spirit’s Work in Us” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 4 of 6) – 2 Corinthians 3:18, Titus 3:5, Galatians 5:22-23

(Cover Picture – How The Spirit Comforts Us)

          This morning, we are continuing our six-week “The Power of Transformation” sermon series. So far in this sermon series, we have talked about “When You’re Stuck in the Cocoon,” “New Life, New Creation,” and the “The Battle of the Mind.” If we want to become more and more like Jesus, so that we can experience more “The Power of Transformation” through the Holy spirit, then we must tear down and remove everything that separates us from God, through Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. As I asked last Sunday then, what is holding us back from being more and more like Jesus? If we desire to be more like Jesus, which I hope we do, how do we get there? Beyond just loving Jesus, and believing in Jesus, how do we move forward and grow our faith, grow our impact in this church, in this community, and in this the world? I do not know about you, but I want to be ever more like Jesus, as the goal of the Christian faith is for us to become completely like Jesus. The more we are like Jesus, the more holy we are, the more righteous we are, the more loving, the more kind we are, etc. When we chose kindness, when we choose love, when we chose forgiveness, we are being like Jesus.

          You see, Jesus took and still takes broken people and makes them whole. Coming to Christ, being changed by Christ is the beginning of “The Power of Transformation,” but how do we continue this process? Despite getting stuck in the cocoons of life, or “The Battle of the Mind,” of what we tell ourselves and believe that is often not true, how do continue to grow and move forward? The answer to my friends is the Holy Spirit. Historically Christians have believed in the Trinity, which is God in three persons, or three persons in one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In fact, the vast majority of Christian churches, like ours, do baptisms in “the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” The God who creates, the Son, who saves, and the Spirit who fills us. So, if God creates, if Jesus came to earth be with us, to teach us, to love us, and to die for us, then who is the Holy Spirit? A good definition of the Holy Spirit, the third person of God is this:

In Christian theology, the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost) is the third person of the Holy Trinity—co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. He represents the active, invisible, and personal presence of God in the world and within believers (https://www.google.com/search?q=holy+spirit+definition).

          What are some names for the Holy Spirit in the Bible? Here are forty of them:

Primary Proper Names & Titles

• The Holy Spirit: The most frequent title, emphasizing His divine nature.
• The Spirit: Used broadly throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
• The Spirit of God: Found in Genesis to signify His role in creation.
• The Spirit of the Lord: Indicates His authority and divine presence.
• The Comforter/Counselor: Translations of the Greek parakletos (Advocate) who guides and comforts believers.

Titles Based on His Divine Attributes

• The Eternal Spirit: Denotes His timeless, uncreated nature.
• The Spirit of Truth: Guides into all truth and reveals reality.
• The Spirit of Holiness: Emphasizes His moral perfection and role in sanctification.
• The Spirit of Life: The source of spiritual and eternal life.
• The Spirit of Grace: Dispenser of God's unmerited favor and mercy.
• The Spirit of Glory: Reveals the glory of God and rests upon believers.
• The Spirit of Wisdom: Grants divine insight and understanding.
• The Spirit of Knowledge: Fills with the knowledge of God's will.
• The Spirit of Understanding: Gives clarity and spiritual perception.
• The Spirit of Counsel: Guides in making wise and righteous decisions.
• The Spirit of Might/Power: Empowers believers with strength.
• The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord: Inspires reverence and awe toward God.

Titles Highlighting Relationship & Ministry

• The Spirit of Christ: Shared by Christ to indwell believers.
• The Spirit of Jesus/The Spirit of Jesus Christ: Connects the Spirit directly to the Son.
• The Spirit of the Father: Sent by the Father to dwell in His children.
• The Spirit of Adoption: Confirms a believer's place in God's family.
• The Spirit of Promise: Represents the fulfillment of God’s promise to send the Spirit.
• The Spirit of Prophecy: Inspires divine revelation and prophetic utterance.
• The Spirit of Revelation: Unveils spiritual truths to the mind.
• The Spirit of Supplication/Prayer: Helps and leads believers in prayer.
• The Spirit of Judgment: Executes righteous discernment and justice.
• The Spirit of Burning/Fire: Represents His purifying and refining work.

Additional Biblical Designations

• The Breath of the Almighty: Reflects His creative and life-giving power.
• The Good Spirit: Highlights His inherent benevolence.
• The Free Spirit: Symbolizes liberty and willingness.
• The Power of the Highest: Represents the supreme, unmatched power of God.
• The Seven Spirits of God: Symbolizes the Holy Spirit's perfect and complete nature. (https://www.google.com/search?newwindow)

With this all said, I have read how the Holy Spirit is described, explained, and named in over one-hundred different ways in the Bible. Further the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God is in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. If the Holy Spirit is the person of God that we feel that dwells in us, leads us, and convicts us, then here is a good question to consider for this morning, “What Is the Role of The Holy Spirit in Our Lives Today?”

(What Is the Role of The Holy Spirit in Our Lives Today?- Picture)  

          I have felt the presence of God on many occasions in my life. I have the presence of God, when I hear the choir sing, when I hear Janna play the organ. The other day in fact, I came in from the Session or Fellowship Room into the sanctuary, and I thought that Janna was at the organ about to play. You see the organ was all illuminated with light, and I thought that Janna was there. Sometimes at a certain time of the day the light from the outside comes in through the stained-glass window next to the organ. When this happens it literally looks like the light on the top of the organ is on, everything things is illuminated, and that the organ is about to be played. As weird as it might sound, when I come into the sanctuary now, when I see the church organ all illuminated by the light of the stained-glass window, I think of organ music. I feel blessed by this, and I feel joy, hope, and peace of good. Sometimes I also think, “Oh no, am I about to interrupt Janna!?”

          When we had four baptisms last month on Sunday May 10^th, I felt the presence of God, of the Holy Spirit in powerful ways. Seeing the joy, hearing a dynamic testimony of faith, hope, and “The Power of Transformation” in Jesus, through the Holy Spirit. I remember when Steve and Betsy Robinson came back, and Steve got up in front of this church, and gave a great testimony. Steve talked what God had done in him, his life, and in his family. “The Power of Transformation,” through the Holy Spirit. Feeling God, the hope, the peace, the joy. This, my friends, is the Holy Spirit.

          Where have you felt God’s presence then? Where have you felt the power of the “Holy Spirit?” Sometimes I feel this when I am praying, or as the church is singing, or the laughter and joy of our children. I feel this when someone new comes to the church and they tell us that felt loved here, that they felt hope and mercy here. When they tell us that the joy of Jesus Christ is here. Where have we felt the hope, the love, and the power of God? Friends, the fuel that grows a church, the fuel that grows our faith, which fills us, that guides us, and that leads us, is the Holy Spirit. So, what are the attributes once again of the Holy Spirit?

(Holy Spirit – Names - Picture)

Here are some of those attributes. Where have we felt the power of God, of the Holy Spirit? For “The Spirit’s Work in Us” is central to “The Power of Transformation” through Jesus Christ. This is another reason why our bulletin now says Sharing of Joys, Praise Reports, Concerns. Why? Praise Reports are area where we see God at work. These are areas where the Holy Spirit is clearly moving.

(2 Corinthians 3:18 – Flowers – Picture)

          For as we see and hear, the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:18 once again, this:

¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18, RSV).

 

God’s love, God’s hope, mercy, and joy, is available to us, as the scripture says: “from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Our experiences with God, us feeling God’s presence, is central to “The Power of Transformation” in our lives. As the flower changes and grows, so do we!

          In our scripture this morning from Titus 3:5 the Apostle Paul tells us this:

(Titus 3:5– Mountains – Picture)

⁵ he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit,         (Titus 3:5, RSV).

 

          The Spirit of God moves is us, washes us clean, and renews us. It could be you a listening to Christian song, and suddenly you find yourself singing along, that is the Holy Spirit. The joy of God that you feel when a new baby is born, when someone celebrates a success or a victory. The peace that you might feel “that passes all understanding” in times of trials and hardship. That grace that leads you, even when you feel stuck or uncertain. “The Spirit’s Work in Us,” in “The Power of Transformation,” and the evidence of the power and the hope of God. This makes our faith go from beyond the mental, beyond the intellectual, to a felt, and a lived experience. We do not just consider and think about God, we feel and grow closer to God. It is one thing to think about and discuss God, but what happens, when you feel God?

          The Apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Galatia, or the Galatians, says in 5:22-23 for this morning, this, once again:

(Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit – Picture)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law                      (Gal. 5:22-23, RSV).

 

          Where have the felt the presence of God, or felt or seen the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Have we felt the hope, love, and kindness of God in this place? Have we felt it this morning? When was the last time we felt God, felt the Holy Spirit? When is the last time drew closer to Jesus? For “The Spirit’s Work in Us” – “The Power of Transformation.” I still remember the Sunday that I felt God telling me during our Joys and Concerns to go down to the back the church, anoint Chyme Lane with oil and to pray for him. I told people they could lay hands on him, or that they could hold a hand up to call upon the Spirit of God. I felt the presence of God when we prayed. To know God, to pursue God, to know Jesus, to pursue Jesus, goes from heart to the heart through the power of the Holy Spirit. Seeing people change and being transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit. For example, of some interrupts this service because God is moving, then sometimes we grow closer to God.

          We hear this in the Book of or the Prophet of Ezekiel 36:26-27 in the Old Testament

(Ezekiel 36:26– Heart - Picture)

²⁶ A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances (Ezek. 36:26-27, RSV).

 

When we draw closer to God, we become more like God. When we seek the Spirit of God, and when the Holy Spirit fill us, it changes us, and changes us, and changes us some more. As we continue to seek “The Power of Transformation,” through “The Spirit’s Work in Us,” may continue to tear down strongholds, continue to draw closer to Christ, as we will continue to be transformed.

          While “Salvation” then, or forgiveness, eternity, and heaven, are free gifts through Jesus Christ, becoming like Jesus or “Sanctification” is the life-long process of becoming holy and righteous like Jesus Christ. Here is a good quote for this to make more sense:

(Sanctification Quote – Picture)

In this way, brothers and sisters, friends, we are becoming, our faith is growing, as we pursue Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

          Another good quote that I found about being centered on Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is this:

(Sanctification Quote – Picture)

          If we are centered on Christ, on Jesus, the Holy Spirit is present to guide us and lead us. The Holy Spirit grows and forms deeper faith in Christ within us. This process occurs throughout our lives during the good times, the hard times, and in general.

          To wrap this all up with how this sermon called “The Spirit’s Work in Us” can be applied to our lives let us look at some application points. This way this sermon can walk with us out of the sanctuary into Adams, and the world, so that through the power of the Holy Spirit we can continue to be transformed:

The Holy Spirit works within us to transform our character, empower our spiritual growth, and guide our daily lives. His active presence produces Christ-like virtues, directs our conscience, and equips us to serve others while deepening our relationship with God.

 

The indwelling power of the Spirit manifests in several key-ways:

·         Producing the Fruit of the Spirit: The Spirit naturally cultivates inward transformation, replacing old habits with "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control".

·         Transforming Our Mind: He renews our perspective, convicts us of sin to keep our hearts sensitive to God, and illuminates Scripture so we can apply spiritual truths to our daily lives.

·         Empowering and Gifting: The Spirit provides specific abilities and spiritual gifts to every believer so we can serve our communities and share God's grace.

·         Guiding Our Conscience: He acts as an inner guide, giving us peace about decisions or gently nudging us to take righteous action.

·         Bringing Assurance: He assures us of our salvation, reminding us that we are securely connected to Christ.

The Holy Spirit’s work in us is a deeply transformative, internal process. Rather than just dictating rules, the Spirit actively changes our desires and character, guiding our thoughts, comforting us in trials, and ultimately molding us into the likeness of Christ.

This internal work primarily unfolds in four distinct ways:

·         Transformation of Character: The Spirit produces the "fruit of the Spirit" within us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This goes beyond mere behavioral changes and alters our fundamental desires.

·         Conviction and Comfort: The Spirit convicts us of sin to lead us toward repentance, but simultaneously provides a deep, supernatural inner peace and assurance that we are God’s children, even in the midst of chaos.

·         Guidance and Illumination: The Spirit brings the truths of Scripture to life, helping us navigate moral choices and understand God's will on a daily basis.

·         Empowerment for Service: The Spirit equips us with specific spiritual gifts to encourage others, build up the church, and live out our faith boldly (https://www.google.com/search?q=the+importance+of+the+holy+spirit&oq=the+importance+of+the+holy+spirit).

Brothers and sisters, if we want to experience “The Power of Transformation” in Jesus Christ, then it is important that “The Spirit’s Work in Us” is powerful and consistent! Amen.

AVBC - Sunday - 05/31/26 - Sermon Title: “The Battlefield of the Mind” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 3 of 6) – Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

 Sunday 05/31/26 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “The Battlefield of the Mind” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 3 of 6) – Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5     

(Cover Picture – Battlefield of the Mind)

          This morning, we are continuing our six-week “The Power of Transformation” sermon series. So far in this sermon series, we have talked about “When You’re Stuck in the Cocoon,” and “New Life, New Creation.” To experience and continue to experience “The Power of Transformation” in Jesus Christ, we must tackle and work on the things in our lives that keep up of prevent us from experiencing more fully “The Power of Transformation”. So, what is keeping us or holding us back from deeper transformation in Christ this morning?

          The first Sunday of this sermon series, we discussed “When You’re Stuck in the Cocoon,” as sometimes in our lives, we all get stuck. Maybe you feel stuck this morning, and if so, I am so glad that you are here! When, we get stuck like a caterpillar going into a cocoon, it prevents us from growing, and it can prevent us from further experiencing “The Power of Transformation” through Jesus Christ. Yet, we should not stay in a cocoon forever, as we are called to continue to become more and more like Jesus Christ. We were made to thrive, and to be used by God in mighty ways. When we are struggling, when we are suffering, however, it can be hard to move forward in our faith in our lives, and in general. When we move forward however, as we talked about last week with the sermon “New Life, New Creation,” we can grow closer to Christ and experience more transformation, more hope, and become more impactful in our church, our community, our world, and in general. Lives are and can continue to be changed, as we tear down strongholds in our lives, and grow in grace, love, and holiness. You see, Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and we are all princes and princesses, as we are heirs to glory in God’s Kingdom. Our Lord and Savior is a king, and we are all in the line of succession.

Further, I really think that it is true to say that sometimes in our lives our faith is burning bright, and we are growing and flourishing. We also have or likely will have times in our lives that we will have setbacks, struggles, where we get stuck, and times were our faith, our growth, and our transformations in Christ seems harder. I would argue that most people throughout our lifelong walk with Christ, we all have ups and downs. We don’t abandon Christ, as Christ never abandons us, but we will likely have times that are better than other times. This is what makes a good and loving church like this so important. We are here for each other, here to build each other up, and here to serve and love each other through all the ups and downs of life. Wherever you are at in your life today, or where you are at with your journey of faith in Christ today, we are all here to like each other up. You are so welcome here, as we seek Christ, we pray together, we study together, we learn together, and love each other. We are the church, followers of Christ, and when we work together, we can shake the very gates of hell! In doing this, I believe good and loving churches help us to reach for and seek “The Power of Transformation” in Christ together. Jesus loves us, and He died for us. He is for us, and no matter where we are at together, we are loved. Faith in Christ is a journey, and it’s a journey that we take together. This is a church, brothers and sisters, where you can grow, where you will be loved, and place for you and for all the people that have not come into our spiritual family.

(The Battle of the Mind (Billy Graham)- Picture)

          This morning though, I want to specifically talk about the idea of “The Battle of the Mind.” By this, I mean the things that we tell ourselves, or the things that people tell us that are hurtful, harmful, and incorrect. Do we ever believe these things about ourselves that are condemning, shameful, hurtful, and things that make us think less of ourselves? When we begin to believe things that are not true, or when we have begun to tell ourselves things that are harmful about ourselves, then we can be in a “Battlefield of the Mind”. What do we believe about ourselves, brothers and sisters, that is probably not true? Do we ever believe or buy into things about ourselves that make us feel less than, or that make us feel like we are not good enough? If so, why do we believe such lies? I know some people in fact who do not go to church anymore, because they were told how awful and sinful they were. In reality friends, we all fall short of the glory of Jesus Christ, as we are in this together. We are stronger together, and when the church is united, what God will and continue to do!

(Romans 12:2 – Cocoon - Picture)

          In our reading for this morning from Romans 12:2, we hear, once again:

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

          We are told not to believe the false things that this world tells us, and we are not to believe the lies that people hurl at us to break us down. Who has mistreated you? Who has told you that you are no good? I can guarantee that it was not Jesus. Further, with artificial intelligence and computer technology, we can see images of people looking perfect, but their bodies and appearances have been altered. If we look on Facebook or Instagram, we can be led to believe that everyone else is happier, stronger, and living life better than we are. Is this really true though, or do we just feel the need to look perfect? If we are to continue to renew our minds and become more like Jesus, we need to believe that He made us, loves, and that He wants to be increasingly like Him. None of us are perfect, and we all find hope and transformation in Christ. We are loved by God, saved by Jesus, and filled through the Holy Spirit. God loves us, wants us to flourish, and to we need to believe that God is for us. Jesus wants us to see ourselves, as He sees us. He wants us to believe in ourselves, to love ourselves, and to believe that through Him we can do all things.

(Philippians 2:4-5 – Picture)

          In fact, in our reading this morning from the Apostle Paul’s letter or Epistle to the church in Philippi or the Philippians we read in the 2:4-5, once again, this:

⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus          (Phil. 2:4-5, RSV).

 

          If we are to confront and overcome the “The Battle of the Mind” then we must continue submit to Christ every day, continue to forgive, and continue to believe that we are worthy and enough through Jesus Christ. We are also to serve and love others, or as the scripture says to consider “the interests of others”. I think for us to get us out of the “Battlefield of the Mind” we must also not think less of ourselves but sometimes think of ourselves less. Once again, I think for us to get us out of the “Battlefield of the Mind” we must also not think less of ourselves but sometimes think of ourselves less. There is a community and a world out there that needs you, that needs your love, that needs your gifts, and in serving others you can be used by God to further transform us.

(2 Corinthians 10:3-6 – Overcoming Strongholds – Picture)

          In 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, we hear about overcoming strongholds and tearing down those things in our minds that hold us back. In “The Battle of the Mind” we are told things, we might believe things, and we might buy into things that are un-Godly, harmful, and destructive. 2 Corinthians say, once again:

³ For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, ⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵ We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ⁶ being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete             (2 Cor. 10:3-6. RSV).

 

          Through God, through the hope of Jesus Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit we can overcome the catastrophizing and believe that God loves us and is for us. Our warfare, brothers and sisters are spiritual, and God is our power and our hope. “The Battle of the Mind” is a spiritual struggle, as we turn to Christ, understanding of course there is a role for medical care, medications, etc.

(Ephesians 4:23-24 – Road Signs – Picture)

          In the final scripture reading that I want to reference for this morning, which is Ephesians 4:23-24, this scripture says, once again:

²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness                                   (Eph. 4:23-24, RSV).

Don’t believe brothers and sisters, the lies that you tell yourself. Don’t believe that you are not good enough, and don’t believe that you are unworthy of God’s love through Jesus Christ. For through Christ you are worthy, and through Christ “The Battle of the Mind” ends with us being enough through Jesus. It ends with grace, hope, and mercy, through Jesus Christ. For the God of the universe doesn’t make any junk, and He didn’t start with you. In fact, the great author Mark Twain said this:

(Mark Twain – Picture)

“I have spent most of my life worrying about things that have never happened”. How many of us have had days, weeks, and beyond worrying about things that never happened. We catastrophize, we thought the worst, we asked those “what if” questions, but generally nothing bad ever happened. What would it take for us to trust God and surrender the “The Battle of the Mind” to Jesus Christ. In fact, tonight before we go to bed, we should tell God all our problems, struggles, and worries, and give them all to Him, and sleep like a baby. Afterall, God will be up all night anyway! This type of reality can be largely illustrated by the concepts of an angel on one of our soldiers, and the devil on our other soldier:

(The Battle For the Mind – Angel and Devil – Picture)

Every day in this world there will be a battle for our heart and our souls. What voices do you listen to? Who has told you who you are? Who has told you who you are not good enough? How do we trust Jesus more, and believe more that God loves us, and wants us to believe in ourselves? Jesus came so that we may have life and have it abundantly. If we want to continue to experience “The Power of Transformation” we must in our minds not believe those voices that tell us we are not enough, that we are unworthy, and that God does not love us. “The Power of Transformation” is rooted in our trust and belief that Jesus wants us to love like Him, live like Him, and be like Him. We can best accomplish this, when we win “The Battle of the Mind.”

          To take this sermon out into Adams and the world with you, here are some application points that will help you further understand the importance of winning “The Battle of the Mind,” so that we might continue to grow in “The Power of Transformation”:

In Christian theology, the "battlefield of the mind" refers to the spiritual war where believers must choose between the lies of the enemy and the truth of God. It highlights that sin, anxiety, and doubt begin as unchecked thoughts before manifesting as actions.

 

The Core Theological Concepts:

·         The Spiritual War: The concept is deeply rooted in 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, where the Apostle Paul writes about tearing down "arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God". The enemy seeks to manipulate human desire and question God's character through deception.

 

·         The Renewing of the Mind: Believers are instructed to transform their thinking through scripture. This is summarized in Romans 12:2, emphasizing that a changed life requires a radical shift in one's perspective, desires, and thought patterns.

 

·         Taking Thoughts Captive: Theology around the mind focuses on cognitive discipline. Christians are called to evaluate every thought, rejecting those that contradict the nature of God and aligning their mind with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Practical Application:

·         Spiritual Authority: Believers are taught they have the divine authority and tools (such as prayer and scripture) to resist negative or destructive patterns like fear, depression, and anger.

 

·         The Flesh vs. The Spirit: It is the ongoing theological process of sanctification—where the Holy Spirit empowers the believer to overcome the inherited "flesh" (sinful nature) and submit to Christ.

 

The phrase was also popularized as a framework for Christian living by author Joyce Meyer, who outlined how to recognize and overcome negative mental habits in her widely read book, Battlefield of the Mind.

(https://www.google.com/search?q=%E2%80%9CThe+Battlefield+of+the+Mind%E2%80%9D+Christian+Theology)

 

          So, everyday brothers and sisters, can and sometime is “The Battle of the Mind” in our lives. Jesus has overcome though, and through Him and together we win “The Battle of the Mind!” For God is greater! Amen.

 

(Tony Evans – Elephant – Video)

 

AVBC - Sunday - 05/24/26 - Sermon Title: “New Life, New Creation” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 2 of 6) – 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:3 - (Memorial Day Sunday)

 Sunday 05/24/26 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “New Life, New Creation” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 2 of 6) – 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:3 - (Memorial Day Sunday)

(Cover Picture – New Creation)

          This morning,  we are continuing our six-week “The Power of Transformation” sermon series. Last Sunday on our “Live It Out Loud” Sunday, or formerly “Camp” Sunday, we discussed the idea of “When You’re Stuck in the Cocoon.” It is hard to live our faith in Christ out fully when we feel stuck, or not fully who God has called us to be. If we want to continue to be transformed by Christ, and if we want to have the fullness of “The Power of Transformation” in Christ then we need to pursue Christ daily. We need each other, and we need great churches like this where we can live out our faith and lives together.

          This morning, since this sermon series is called “The Power of Transformation,” on this Memorial Day Sunday, I want to talk about “New Life, New Creation.” For those that were here last Sunday, or who watched online last Sunday, you know that we talked about the transformation that a caterpillar goes through to become a butterfly. This transformation in Christ that we continue to experience makes us more and more like Jesus. Further, the scriptures talk very directly of about “New Life, New Creation.” The two scriptures that I chose for this morning on this topic, once again are 2 Corinthians 5:17 and John 3:3.

(2 Corinthians 5:17 – Butterfly - Picture)

          In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we hear, once again, this:

¹⁷ Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17, RSV).

 

          So, this idea of “New Life, New Creation,” this idea of our sermon series,

“The Power of Transformation” is powerful. How do we come to Jesus, and how do we grow deeper in faith with Him? How do we have “New Life, New Creation?” The first thing that we need to do if have not done so already, is to surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. Jesus loves us, has forgiven us, and He has died for us. When turn Christ and when we give Him our grief, our shame, and our sin, He offers us, wait for it, new life. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 just told us, when we come to Christ, we are a “new creation,” and everything that we have ever done has been forgiven. Or as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “the old has passed away, behold, the new has come”.

This being said, for most of us or many of us, there will be a fair amount of time in our lives from when we first come to Christ, to when we go to be with Christ. So, coming to Christ and being a new creation is an amazing thing. “The Power of Transformation” however, goes much further then just when we come to Christ as our Lord and Savior. The transformation continues, as we seek Him. The transformation continues as we read God’s word. The transformation continues as we pray, as we serve, as we love, as we worship, and as we seek the make the world look more and more like Jesus Christ. As we seek justice and mercy. This, my brothers, and sisters is, “The Power of Transformation.”  

(2 Corinthians 5:17 – Tree Stump - Picture)

          Further, the speed of our spiritual transformation in Christ, can happen at all different speeds, and in different ways. We might be like a tree stump, and then we have the “New Life, New Creation” of Christ in us. It might just look like a small sprouting tree. You see, the tree stump is dead, like some people are or feel they are spiritually. Coming to Christ and receiving “New Life, New Creation” might be like having a small plant in a dead tree stump. Imagine over time however, what the Holy Spirit can do with that small “New Life, New Creation”? It can grow into a mighty new creation!

          In our reading from the gospel of John 3:3 for this morning, it says, once again this:

(John 3:3 – Man in the Water - Picture)

³ Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, RSV).

The idea of being a “Born Again Christian” comes from scriptures like this. In this case, Jesus is telling Nicodemus that he must be reborn, but of course Jesus means spiritual rebirth. Jesus is saying that “The Power of Transformation,” occurs with “New Life, New Creation.” Coming to Jesus, asking Him into your heart is “New Life, New Creation.” The process of growing in Christ though, is what we call “Sanctification,” or growing in God’s grace. This is a process that we live out our whole life long. For example, before we get baptized in this church, and churches like this, we must first profess our faith in Jesus Christ. We must first say that we have “New Life, New Creation” in Jesus. When someone gets baptized in this church, and churches like this they go into the waters of baptism to spiritually die to themselves, and to be raised to new spiritual life in Christ. It is as if we are spiritually going into Jesus’ tomb on Good Friday when He died when we go into the waters of baptism. It is also as if we are spiritually rising to new life when we come up from the waters of baptism. Baptism by itself and the waters of baptism in our church, and churches like our hold no spiritual power in and of themselves. The hope though is that we are open to movement of the Holy Spirit, and that we come up out of the waters of baptism with “New Life, New Creation.” This means that our transformation in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit continues from when accept Christ, to when we get baptized, etc. Or to put it another way, when we come to Christ and make Him our Lord and our Savior, He offers us forgiveness, eternity, and salvation. This is not the end of our spiritual transformations here on earth though. Rather, it is only just the beginning.

(John 3:3 – Forest - Picture)

          As we grow closer and closer to Christ, as we become more and more like Jesus, which is the ultimate goal of the Christian life, as we become holier and more righteous. Not “holier than though,” but more and more like Jesus. To be a “Christian” is to be a “mini-Christ,” as the goal of the Christian life is to be just like Jesus. Sometimes though, the journey with Christ towards holiness and righteousness can seem hard. It might seem foggy, or as if we are walking through a forest together. Be encouraged though brothers and sisters, because Jesus designed our faith through the power of the Holy Spirit, for us to walk this road of faith, not just as individuals, but together.

          Here are a couple of other scriptures, out others, which discusses “New Life, New Creation” and “The Power of Transformation.” The first one is Colossians 3:10 that says this:

¹⁰ and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Col. 3:10, RSV).

 

          To be a Christian, to come to Christ, is to realize that we are not perfect, as only Jesus is. It is to realize that we need a savior, and that we need God’s mercy and grace. When we do this, we shed the old self, and put the new self that is of God, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

          In Galatians 6:15, it says this:

¹⁵ For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation (Gal. 6:15, RSV).

 

What the Apostle Paul is saying to the church in Galatia, or the “Galatians,” and us, is that Jewish ritual and belief of male infant circumcision in and of itself does not make us a new creation. For Jesus once again, says in John 3:3 that we must be spiritually reborn. In fact, the founder of the Methodist Movement, John Wesley, preached a famous sermon the 1700’s called “The Circumcision of the Heart.” The idea of this sermon was that a religious belief, ritual, or practice has no meaning if we do not believe in it, and if God is not in it. You see Jesus is telling us that just wearing “church clothes,” and just saying the words, and just singing the songs, does not save us and transform us. Only faith in Christ, through the Holy Spirit can we truly know “The Power of Transformation.” This is how we receive and pursue “New Life, New Creation.” This means that John Wesley’s sermon called, “The Circumcision of the Heart,” is a call to be changed, and be changed, and wait for it, to be changed some more! This why the song called, “Change My Heart Oh God” says

Verse
Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like You.

 

Chorus
You are the Potter,
I am the clay.
Mold me and make me,
This is what I pray (https://www.google.com/search?q=change+my+heart+oh+god+lyrics+in+english).

 

This is the Christian journey, the Christian life, and it all starts with saying yes to Jesus.

          How then, on this specific Sunday, Memorial Day Sunday, does this connect to the idea of “New Life, New Creation,” and “The Power of Transformation?” It certainly is a hard argument biblically to say that war is a good thing, and something that Jesus taught and advocated. A saint of the Roman Catholic Church, Saint Augustine who lived in the 300’s and 400’s AD argued though for what is called “Just War Theory”. What is “Just War Theory?” This is what it is:

“Just war theory is a moral and political doctrine designed to evaluate when it is ethically justifiable to go to war and how warfare may be morally conducted. It strikes a balance between total pacifism and unrestrained realism, functioning as the ethical foundation for modern international laws of armed conflict (https://www.google.com/search?q=just+war+theory&rlz).

 

          You see in order to be transformed by Christ, and in order to gain “New Life, New Creation” you have to be alive to turn to Christ and accept Christ. Have there then been times throughout history when war was necessary? Some might say yes, and some might say no. My Quaker friends, also called “The Society of Friends” are generally strict pacifists, meaning no war ever. I admire my Quaker friends and others who are ardent pacifists, but I wonder what we should have done when King George III would not give us “Taxation without Representation?” This of course led up to the Revolutionary War that was fought our nation’s independence two hundred and fifty years ago. Should we have fought the British for national independence? What do you think? While I abhor war, I understand why the American colonists fought for what would become the United States of America. I also understand why the Civil War that was fought in this country from 1861-1865, was largely fought to end slavery, or owning as property other human beings. In understand why our brave soldiers hit the shores of Normandy France on June 6, 1944 or “D-Day” to liberate the world of Nazi fascism and tyranny. Some of these same soldiers liberated holocaust camps where humans being, including 6-million Jews were being massacred.

          What is also true, my brothers and sisters, is that we live in a very broken world. Some of us, per my definition of Saint Augustine’s “Just War Theory,”  might believe that there were times when wars have been “justified,” and other times when we feel that war and military aggression were unjustified. You might in fact, be thinking right now of some wars or military actions that you personally feel were “justified,” or “not justified.” As people though, I believe it is very important in this country and every country to support, love, and respect our soldiers. In both the Republican and Democratic parties in this country, we have elected leaders in congress that are military veterans. They signed up for service likely out a sense of duty to the families, their communities, and their country. Tomorrow, we honor those who have served in our armed forces who never made it home.

          For these reasons, and because I have people in my family and family history that served in the United States Armed Forces, I honor all three of the United State Military holidays of Armed Services Day, for those serving, Memorial Day, for those that never made it home, and Veteran’s Day for those who have served. In fact, I remember doing a special Veteran’s Day service at one of the churches that I served for six years. It turned out that this church had four Vietnam War veterans. As it also turned out, three of these Vietnam War veterans, whom were all drafted into the Vietnam War, never even saw combat. Meaning, three out of four of these never actually fought in Vietnam. Two of these three Vietnam veterans further, were medical soldiers. One was a field surgeon, and the other was a medic. Also, wait for it, both the field surgeon and the medic, at times cared for and operated on North Vietnamese forces too, as that was the side our United States military was fighting against in the Vietnam War. These two Vietnam veterans in particular spent their time in the Vietnam War preserving life and not taking it. Both of these men were drafted from a metal bingo cage rotating with numbered bingo balls. There numbers were called, and they went to Vietnam. They saved and preserved life the entire time that they were in the war, and when they got home, there was no parade. No “thank you for your service,” instead these two men largely were heckled, called “baby killer,” and were even spat upon. The first Sunday that I did a Veteran’s Day service in this church that I served for six-years, one of these Vietnam War veterans came up with tears in his eyes, and firmly grabbed my arm, and said, “Pastor Paul, thank you for that service, we have not been honored like that in years”.

          Friends, brothers and sisters, this is why we need to honor our soldiers, our warriors, our troops. Many of these men and women have seen and endured things that are beyond the comprehensions of many. Today, tomorrow, and always may we respect, may we remember, and may we realize that if we want the “The Power of Transformation” and “New Life, New Creation,” we have to be changed in Christ. Sometimes for us this can be a struggle, but so was the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War II, the Vietnam War, etc. Tomorrow, we honor men and women, who never made it home from serving in the armed services of our country.

          To take all of this, and make this sermon something that we can take out into Adams and the world, here are some application points for this morning message:

Memorial Day is a time to honor fallen service members, whose ultimate sacrifices defend the freedoms that make both physical life and spiritual liberty possible. Many observe the holiday’s somber weight alongside the concept of “new life” and “new creation,” bridging grief with the enduring promise of redemption, renewal, and hope.

The connection between remembrance, sacrifice, and rebirth spans deeply rooted theological concepts and cultural observances:

·       Sacrifice and Redemption: In many faith traditions, Memorial Day’s central theme of laying down one's life parallels the ultimate sacrifice made for spiritual renewal. It echoes scriptural foundations like John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends”.

·       From Grief to Renewal: The transition from the sorrow of loss to the hope of a "new creation" (often tied to passages like 2 Corinthians 5:17) serves as a comfort for mourning families. It emphasizes that out of the darkness of conflict and death, God and the human spirit can bring forth beauty, healing, and restored purpose.

·       Community and Remembrance: For many, visiting war memorials and cemeteries represents tending to the legacy of the fallen. It ensures that the memory of their ultimate sacrifice continues to inspire a peaceful, thriving, and renewed society.

In our closing hymn for this morning, is the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” written in 1863. It says this in the fourth verse:

4 In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
while God is marching on. [Refrain]

Refrain:
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on (https://hymnary.org/text/mine_eyes_have_seen_the_glory).

          Friends, brothers and sisters, come to Christ and experience “New Life, New Creation” and the “The Power of Transformation.” Happy Memorial Sunday, and may we remember and honor our fallen soldiers tomorrow and always. For freedom is free in Christ, but is so often pushed and fought for here in the United States and in the world. Amen.