AVBC - Sunday - 06/14/26 - Sermon Title: “Putting On the New Self” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 5 of 6) – Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10

Sunday 06/14/26 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “Putting On the New Self” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 5 of 6) – Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10     

(Cover Picture – Put On The New Self)

          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,” “The Battle of the Mind,” and “The Spirit’s Work in Us.” Beyond repenting of our sin, guilt, and shame and coming to Christ as Lord and Savior, the goal of the Christian faith is become more and more like Jesus. This “sanctification,” is the process of becoming holier and more righteous, so that we, as I said, become more and more like Jesus.

          The day we meet Jesus, begin to follow Jesus, as well as the day that we get baptized are great days, and are powerful spiritual experiences. Yet, the journey with Christ and each other on this earth continues, as we all are called to seek “The Power of Transformation.” Sometimes in our lives, when get stuck in “cocoons” or struggles in our lives, which can hold us back from becoming more like Jesus. We then might have times in our lives where we feel the fullness of “New Life, New Creation” through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we can get stuck in our own head or have “The Battle of the Mind” that I discussed a couple of weeks ago. Last Sunday, I talked about the importance of the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God, and work of the Spirit in us. The power of God and the person of God that moves in us, in our lives, and in the church. The power of God that fills us, gives us hope, mercy, love, grace, and power.

(Butterfly Cocoon – Picture)

          In this fifth sermon in this “The Power of Transformation” sermon series, I want to discuss “Putting On the New Self.” You see like caterpillar that goes into a cocoon and comes out as a butterfly, as I discussed on the first week of this sermon series, we are called to continue to change. I am called to continue to change, so that I might be more and more like Jesus Christ. In doing so, things in us that are not good or not Godly will continue to be shed and removed from us. Remember faith in Christ is a free gift, but becoming like Jesus, or “sanctification,” is the journey of a lifetime. This morning, therefore, I want to talk about “Putting On the New Self.” Now it is no secret that we have had some heat and humidity this past week! Has anyone else noticed the heat and the humidity this week? Of course, I still think that it is much better than the winter, but we have had a lot of humidity and heat this week. In fact, did anyone go out this week to mow, to do lawn or garden work, or something else, and after you felt hot, sweaty, and funky?

          Sometimes people come from working outside, and we sometimes have that blade of grass on our four heads that got there somehow. Maybe we then take a shower, and put on some fresh clothes, as does it not feel so great when we are hot, sticky, and want to be refreshed? In a similar way when we come in clean and up and change into fresh clothes we are “Putting On the New Self.” For some of us it could be that we were out shoveling snow in the cold of winter and then we came in and wrapped ourselves in a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee. That feeling of being warm when you are so cold. What is it like to “Put On the New Self.” There is nothing like feeling refreshed, feeling clean, and feeling made new!

          For those that lovingly like to pick on me for my sermon series and sermon titles being planned months in advance, sometimes God has a plan that we do not know. For me, often, in fact! You see, this “The Power of Transformation” sermon series was picked out like 3-4 months ago. When I picked this sermon series out through the Holy Spirit, I had no idea that I would be baptizing two people on Sunday June 14^th. Why is this significant and Holy Spirit filled? Well because my message this morning is called, once again, “Putting On the New Self.” When we are baptized, we go into the water, and we spiritually die to ourselves. We die to our sin, our brokenness, our guilt, and our shame. We spiritually die with Christ, and then we come up out the water as a new creation. We spiritually die with Christ, and we spiritually rise with Christ. Or to say it another way, as our baptism robes signify, we are “Putting On the New Self.” White is the color of purity, and the white robes of baptism therefore signify “Putting On the New Self.” Yet we also do this when we come to Christ, and hopefully we strive to do this every single day of our lives here on earth.

          Another amazing Holy Spirit thing is this: when I googled pictures entitled “Putting On the New Self” this is one of the first pictures that came up:

(Jesus Putting a Baptism Robe On A Man- Picture)  

This picture is a powerful depiction of putting on our new selves in Jesus Christ. You can see the humility, the emotion, and gratitude in this man’s face, as Jesus puts the “new self” of righteousness, holiness, mercy, and hope on this new creation of a man. I was so moved by this picture in fact, that I have a copy of this for both people getting baptized this morning. This is a reminder that in the waters of baptism, and in general, we are called to “Put On the New Self” in Christ, through the Holy Spirit.

          As we continue to grow in our faith, as Christians, and as people, where do we need in our live to “Put On the New Self?” How can we trust God more, and embrace the love of Jesus even more than we do right now? Further, what would it be like to surrender our worries, our struggles, our hopes, our fears, etc. at the feet of Jesus Christ our Lord? The goal the Christian faith to live like and become like Jesus Christ. I’m getting there, myself brothers and sisters, but I am far from all the way there completely. We are called to “Put On the New Self.”

(Ephesians 4:22-24 – Jesus’ Hand - Picture)

          In our reading for this morning from the Apostle Paul’s letter or Epistle to the church in Ephesus or the Ephesians, he says in 4:22-24, once again, this:

²² Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 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. 4:22-24, RSV).

How many of us, if we are honest, still have more to put off? How many of us, if we are honest, still have more righteousness and holiness to put on? Our journeys of faith, our journeys with Christ should continue to help us to “Put On the New Self.” Jesus reaches out to us. God loves us, and the Holy Spirit fills us and guides us. Our faith, our lives, were designed to be lived out together. We are a church that seeks Christ and we are all welcome on this journey!

(Ephesians 4:24 – Picture)

We are called to be like God, to be righteous and holy, even if we all still have work to do.

(Colossians 3:9-10 – God and Devil – Picture)

          In our reading from the Apostle Paul’s letter or epistle to the church in Colossae or Colossians, we hear this, once again in 3:9-10:

⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Col. 3:9-10, RSV).

If you are not perfect yet, guess what, neither am I, but every day let us strive to love more, care more, forgive more, and to be more like Jesus. Today we will have two people symbolically “Putting On the New Self” in the waters of baptism, two people “Putting On the New Self” in joining this church but may we all strive to get just a little closer. As we do, we will change for the better, and the world around us will get just a little bit better.

          How do we then take the idea of “Putting On the New Self” in our lives and in the world so that we might continue to pursue the “The Power of Transformation”? Here are some ideas and application points for us to consider this morning:

Putting on the new self in Christ is a transformative spiritual journey based on the Apostle Paul's teachings in the Bible. It requires intentionally shedding old, sinful habits and actively embracing a Christ-like life of righteousness, compassion, and truth.

 

 

The Concept

Rooted in Ephesians 4:22-24, this concept uses the metaphor of changing your clothes.

·         Put Off the Old Self: Discarding your former, destructive way of living that is driven by deceitful desires.

·         Be Renewed: Allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your mind and perspective.

·         Put On the New Self: Actively clothing yourself in virtues modeled after God’s own character.

Practical Examples

The transformation isn't just about avoiding bad behavior; it’s about replacing negative habits with positive, Godly actions.

 

 

·         Speak Truth, Not Lies: Ephesians 4:25 calls believers to discard falsehoods and speak truthfully to one another.

·         Share, Don't Steal: Ephesians 4:28 encourages doing honest work so you can help those in need.

·         Build Up, Don't Tear Down: Ephesians 4:29 instructs believers to avoid foul language and only use words that encourage others.

·         Be Compassionate, Not Bitter: Ephesians 4:31-32 commands the removal of malice and anger, replacing it with kindness and forgiveness.

 

 

How to Live It Daily

The new self is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. You can begin putting on the new self by focusing on daily practices like:

 

·         Immersing in Scripture: Reading the Bible to understand the teachings of Jesus.

·         Prayer: Surrendering your daily struggles and seeking God's guidance.

·         Fellowship: Surrounding yourself with a supportive church community to grow in faith together.

 

So, it is true that I pick out sermon titles and sermon series months in advance, but this morning with two baptisms and two new church membership we are hoping that not only these folks, but all of us will “Put On the New Self.” We can then say, we are not who were, we are more like Jesus. Then we can say this over and over again, knowing we will fall and that we will fail. Yet we keep striving and keep getting closer for this is “The Power of Transformation,” and this is “Putting On the New Self.” Amen.

(Baptism Water – Picture)

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)