New Season: Experiencing and Expecting Transformation of our Minds
Last Sunday we heard the sermon on Newness in Faith. We heard how we need to leave behind former things, not live in the past but move in faith. Only the year has changed from 2022 to 2023, everything else is the same, that’s what people say. Let’s do a quick recap of last Sunday.
Isaiah 43: 18-19
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
So put the past victories behind and focus your attention on the present and the future.
Leave Behind your past failures in 2023
God is making a way where there is no way in 2023
God is making streams in the wasteland in 2023
*The Way God wants us to respond for the NEW thing in 2023:
Allow God to work in Us: New heart, and a New Spirit
Develop a Relationship with God: Receive New Mercies:
New Life: Walk in Newness
17 Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Let’s continue from here…
God is always doing something new in our lives. He’s wanting us to draw near to Him and be transformed. And there are seasons when God does a new thing. It’s a shift, a breakthrough, a change, a restoration that occurs in our lives.
Illustration:
When we go into a new home, we expect new things, we live in a new ambience, we buy new things and get rid of old stuff. We develop new ways of living, although we have been doing that for years together, we will not do that thing in this new home because it is not required. Eg. Water Shortage, etc. Similarly, we need to work on ourselves even as God has asked us to expect newness in faith.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1
…all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. It’s a present tense. To become new, then only we will think new. We will change and adapt newness into our life.
Let’s look at the first story from the bible
The Four Friends
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2: 1 – 12
- What are some of the events/statements/behaviours which are new in nature? It has amazed people or something unique which has made them thinking?
- Four friends + 1 thinking of climbing the roof.
- Jesus healing the paralytic man
Our attitude could have been, it’s too crowded, we can’t get in. let’s come some other time. This is what we have been thinking and this is the attitude God wants to address today for you and to me.
Secondly, our attitude could be of sitting on the fence like the pharisees. A miracle has happened but they were least bothered about that. Whereas, they should have been the ones to worship God at this miracle.
Thirdly, the friends had that faith filled attitude, they changed their mindset and behaviour. They had this attitude of being bold, courageous, and let’s make that first move kinda thing.
Very clearly, we can see that when we move , MOVE in a new attitude, we will not be disappointed. For that we need to practice it from our heart. The friends moved in the right attitude, genuine spirit to see their friend healed. At times we may have people move for the wrong motives but they
There are many ways to be paralyzed. And there are times we cannot get to a place of healing on our own.
We need to change the way we think. We need to take that first step to move. We need to get into fellowship / friendship with people who love God and will take us to him, no matter what, they will break the roof and get us out of that situation. It’s new year. God wants us to live in newness. Come on we can’t continue to be paralysed with those same fears. We don’t have to be paralysed with stress. We don’t have to be paralysed with my routine, which is making me withdrawn.
Second story are disciples who experienced the crucifixion of Jesus, they experienced this new transformation. They became new. They left behind their doubts, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. There came a boldness to pray over people, there came a boldness to speak life and also, they did not conform to the same place, they had to move.
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.
- What are some of the events/statements/behaviours which are new in nature? It has amazed people or something unique which has made them thinking?
In this story, we don’t have friends helping this man. It was the apostles themselves. Today if I asked each one of us, what do you need? The same thing. This man never expected anything new in his life. He never expected that someone will give him life instead of money.
He was sitting there not expecting anything NEW. His mind was set, I am begging. That’s it. 2020 – I begged, 2022, I begged, 2023 – I will continue to beg, but NO. God had a different plan. We too may feel the same story.
The commonality, in this story and the other one is that in both other people had to take courage and give faith to both these paralytics.
Changing our Mindset
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4: 22 – 24
Suppose you could change anything about yourself, where would you start? Lots of us would start on the outside. Would you be …
Skinnier?
Taller?
Shorter?
Better looking?
Would you change …
Your eyes?
Your hair?
Your teeth?
Your legs?
Your bulges?
If you could wave a magic wand and change your outward appearance, would it be a light touch-up or an extreme makeover? Would we even recognize you? I think we all go through periods where we desperately want to change our outward appearance.
A changed mindset is what we require.
Today, the emphasis is on if we want to EXPERIENCE the newness, we need to open our heart, eyes and mind to something God will do. I need to start my process of EXPECTING newness. I need EMBRACE God’s work in my life. I need to ERADICATE my old self which doesn’t allow me to comprehend that something good / new will take place.
5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8: 5 – 8
The word “mind” refers to disposition or attitude. It is your way of thinking about life. Some would call it a paradigm or a worldview or perspective. It involves more than your ability to think or form thoughts. It has to do with the way you see God, the way you see truth, the way you see others, and the way you see yourself. It is a collection of all of your presuppositions or assumptions that guide the way you think and choose, and live.
-I believe we can evaluate our mindset based on how we think about various situations in life. When faced with decisions about what we will believe or what we will do.
The Mindset that these paralytics had was that I will be forever living in this mat. I will continue to beg, I will never change or my situation would never change. But God can change around everything in just a moment but are we willing is the question. I am comfortable being a paralytic. When Jesus says get up and walk, we need to make that effort to get up. We can’t say, I tried but doesn’t work out for me. Year 2023, says, get up and Walk. Change the way you think. Sin no more. Your sins are forgiven, don’t hold on to old thinking. Take that first step to join with ‘friends’, who’ll take you from being paralytic to being healed.
Where am I paralysed?
Would it be an impatient spirit?
Would it be a critical tongue?
Would it be envy of those around you?
Would it be a spirit of discontentment?
Would it be lingering anger and resentment?
Would it be uncontrollable sexual temptation?
Would it be financial mismanagement?
Would it be a guilty conscience?
Would it be a tendency to look down on others?
Would it be pride and arrogance?
Would it be prejudice toward others?
Would it be a quick temper?
Would it be profound discouragement?
Would it be an inability to appreciate life?
Would it be an ungrateful spirit?
Would it be a disorganized life?
Would it be an inability to say no?
Would it be a mean streak you can’t seem to get rid of?
Expecting God to turn up in all phases
Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. 1Corinthians 6:14
Humanly, each one of us has tried but when God takes interest, then we ought to expect a change. Jesus did not refuse to heal or forgive, on the other hand when these people came in with the paralytic, he most readily healed and forgave as well.
In my workplace when I am least expecting for a miracle, expect God to work. Change the outlook. The paralytic at the gate was doing his routine work. His miracle happens at his workplace and everyone is astonished. Change my mind from expecting God to work in a particular place, event or circumstance. Bring in the joy, the new mindset of EXPECTING GOD anywhere.
Test of Character and Perseverance
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward [man] is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory 2Corinthians 4: 16 -17
Many times as we proceed to look for a change, our character is built. Just like Jesus said to the paralytic man your sins are forgiven in other words, he was changing him from the inside also. He knew that his attitude was not right, he knew that he had done a lot of wrong or he had held enmity against others, and so on.
An Illustration:
Sir Edwin Landseer was one of the most famous painters of the Victorian era. His talent developed early, and he had the first showing of his work at the Royal Academy when he was just thirteen years old. He was commissioned to do a number of official portraits of the royal family, and even gave private drawing lessons to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. But he was best known for his depictions of the natural settings and life in the Scottish highlands.
One day as he was visiting a family in an old mansion in Scotland, one of the servants spilled a pitcher of soda water, leaving a large stain on the wall. While the family was out for the day, Landseer remained behind. Using charcoal, he incorporated the stain into a beautiful drawing. When the family returned they found a picture of a waterfall surrounded by trees and animals. He used his skill to make something beautiful out of what had been an unsightly mess.
God works in much the same way in our lives. The things that we think of as weaknesses and handicaps can, through His grace, become our greatest strengths—and the very things He uses the most to bring glory to Himself. God’s grace provides the strength to meet every challenge and overcome every weakness.
My changed and new mindset will build my character.
Lastly, my dependency on the cross, will change my mindset. He’s the greatest example of a renewed mind. A changed attitude towards life. That life is not about SELF but it’s about how Jesus rescues me from death and darkness giving me a new start, with a new spirit (His Spirit). I need to re-sentence my words. I am no more a paralytic, I am healed and forgiven. I am not going to beg any more at the gate. I can carry out a decent conversation. God wants me to come out of that paralytic thinking pattern. He wants me to experience newness in my mind this year 2023.
Let me end it with the same verse that we started with:
Isaiah 43: 18-19
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Sandra wife of Virjil .The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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