The Power of Renewing Your Mind
Romans 12:2
June 30, 2024
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
I. Introduction
A. We are studying Chapter 12 in Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome
1. It was a letter written by the Apostle Paul, TO Christians in Rome
2. It is probably THE most important Book of the Bible for Christians to know inside and out, next to the Gospels themselves
B. Chapter 12 is all about SPIRITUAL GIFTS
1. God has supernaturally gifted every believer – not everyone, but every believer, with an ability to serve the Lord
2. Seven absolutely priceless gifts and abilities you didn’t have before being saved
3. But before Paul teaches us about all the gifts God has given us
4. He begs every Christian to BE the gift of a Living Sacrifice for God
5. Last week I showed you HOW to be a living sacrifice
II. Review (Romans 12:1)
A. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
B. Paul is Begging Us…
C. To give God the Gift of Your Life, Back to God
1. To give our lives back to God as something amazing… living sacrifices
2. He gave you eternal life – the least you can do is give your physical life back to Him now
D. All Because of the Mercies of God
1. If you are saved, born again:
a. Jesus saved you from hell – ponder THAT for an hour!
b. He PERSONALLY paid for our every sin of every sinner, in full – on the cross
c. He broke sin’s grip
d. He blotted out sin’s record
e. He cleansed you from sin’s stain
f. He made you holy on the inside – justified, forgiven, pardoned!
2. So, Paul says ALL of us should Live our Life as a Living Sacrifice now
a. Are you Single? Married? Divorced?
b. Unemployed? Student? Working?
c. Sick and weak? Strong and healthy?
3. Whatever your life is like, Give it AS IS, to God! Part of worship!
a. Yield to God’s will for your life, daily
b. NOT as a duty, but out of WORSHIP!
c. Present Your BODIES as a Living Sacrifice to God
1) Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God [THAT IS WORSHIP], as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
2) Your mind, hands, feet - everything that used to be used for evil, now needs to be used for good
3) Your tongue, your thoughts, your clothes, your heart need to become an extension of the will of God – how HE would use them if HE was you!
4) You start acting like Jesus lived, loved, served, talked, sacrificed
5) Do the will of God every day, instead of your own will
E. What Paul is describing is the normal Christian life. And it doesn’t stop there!
1. Not following and doing MY will anymore, but God’s will!
2. Yes, it means we will be different than the culture around us
3. Not just out of step, but not even walking the same direction!
4. This is the only response to all that God has done
a. Every morning thankful for the mercies of God towards you
b. Every morning having the greatest purpose of all... Glorifying and honoring your Saviour and King by your life!
c. Every morning deciding to endure what God allows into your life
d. And then LIVING like Jesus is in you!
5. God saved you to live, full of his Holy Spirit, as a light in a very dark place
6. How could anyone continue to just live the same?
III. Background to Romans 12:2
A. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
B. Two commandments to the Christian:
1. Stop being shaped by the world around you
2. And start being transformed by the renewing of your mind, in you!
C. Most Christians, many in this room, are living THE SAME as they always have
1. There is so little difference today between Christians and the world around us
a. So little likeness of Jesus Christ – seriously!
b. So much divorce – basically the same numbers as the unsaved
c. So much bitterness, unable to forgive and love
d. So few evangelising, soul-winning, caring for souls
e. So few Christians even reading through their Bibles
f. Our music and entertainment tastes are the same as our neighbours
g. Our words are worldly – filthy words, F-words, God’s name…
h. Christians are Proud, arrogant, angry, bitter, envious, covetous, hateful, selfish, self-centred, anxious, manipulative, lazy, addicted – just like everybody else
i. Excited about sports and politics and property-markets
j. Apathetic about Church, preaching, soul-winning, heaven, hell, the rapture!
2. Why no difference? Not because they have not believed on Jesus Christ for salvation
3. But because they have not been transformed by the renewing of their MIND and thinking and choices!
a. Christians have NOT renewed their minds for a very long time
b. People instead feed their mind, and therefore their heart with all the rubbish of this life
1) All the conspiracy theories
2) All the politics
3) All the movies, music and entertainments
4) All the sorrows and worries of this world
5) Most people give in to the pressures of every day – and they are intense
4. It leaves you STILL thinking the same, and living like you always have
a. There is such a better life you could be living
b. But it is only lived by refusing to be conformed to this world, and instead yielding to something that renews the mind – and it is not just the Spirit of God!
c. Change my mind and you will change my life!
IV.Message
A. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
B. First Command: Be Not Conformed to this World
1. Conformed means…
a. It means fashioned, pressured, molded into a shape other than you currently are
b. LIKE CLAY
c. All of us are constantly being pressured, molded by life and problems
d. Usually into HORRIBLE people
e. Influenced by the things we see on Social media, on TV, in movies, by the music we listen to, by the friends we hang around with
1) Do you even care what they are doing? What words are being sung
2) Do you ever feel grieved, ashamed, sad about all they are pressuring you to do?
2. Conformed To THIS World
a. Paul is referring to THIS world around us that we live IN – that is obvious
b. But there's more than one world. (John 18:36) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
c. Science says there are many “dimensions” – the Bible calls them “worlds”
d. Question is… Which one are you allowing to affect and mold your life?
e. Do you really like and trust THIS world?
3. What does it look like being conformed to this world?
a. That means you are conformed, shaped, living like the world around you
b. Living, thinking, acting, reacting like the world around you – like a puppet
1) No different than everyone around you
2) No problems with how the world is – getting along just fine
3) No concern over your own personal sinfulness
4) Like a lizard – cold blooded – take on the temperature of the world around them
c. One of the ways you know you are conformed to this world is everyone likes you
1) Listen to John 15:19 … “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” Is that YOUR testimony, or are you just like everyone else?
2) It is probably because you get along with everybody
3) Never telling anyone what you know about HELL
4) And about God’s coming judgment on this entire world
5) And never caring about the souls of your friends – only their attention and praise
6) The average Christian doesn't mind coming to church, and doing something for Jesus Christ, as long as they don’t have to be different from the world around them
d. But, I have to ask, Are you even a Christian?
4. What a WASTED way to live
a. To be fashioned and molded by the world – like a deflated balloon – not meant to be
b. Constantly pressured to conform to the image of your friends and of the movies and of the devil himself
1) Tattoos, piercings, next to nothing fashion
2) Young girls are molded into “dolls” and movie stars instead of into ladies – manipulated, perverted! From 10 years old!
3) Christian men talking like sewers – no different than the world!
c. Don't yield to the world around you - don't be like your friends, co-workers, class-mates – they don’t even know what they ARE!
d. Don’t give in to (conform to) family pressures, work pressures, bill pressures, Geraldine pressures (hah hah)
e. It is NOT right to live like the world around us as CHRIST-followers…
1) 2Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together [JOINED TOGETHER] with unbelievers: for what fellowship [RELATIONSHIP] hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2) THEY DON’T GET ALONG!
3) 2Corinthians 6:15-18 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
f. So, Don’t TOUCH that phone of yours if it has enabled you to access porn – get a flip
g. Touch NOT Netflix, Hulu, Prime, and any other streaming services that promote homosexuality and nudity – be separate! There are other ways to enjoy good entertainment
h. Touch not a drop of alcohol, or a bag of heroin – don’t touch it!
i. It does not belong in a Christian’s life AT ALL!
j. Am I narrow-minded? No!
k. I am Separated! Different. Peculiar. CHIST-ian! Someone who wants to be like Jesus
5. We are commanded to NOT be anything LIKE this world
a. Our marriages are NOT to be like Hollywood – swapped out every few years
b. Our children are not to be like zoo animals
c. Our worship is not to be like a Nightclub
d. Our thoughts are NOT to be like a warzone
e. Our words are not to be like an Irish Pub
6. God SAVED us from all that and more
7. He SAVED us to be DIFFERENT – peculiar – a treasure!
a. Living by DIFFERENT laws – higher laws
b. Living full of the Holy Spirit instead of the devil
c. Living for a better hope than money and success
d. Living clean and holy
e. Titus 2:14 [JESUS] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
f. 1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
C. Second Command: Be Transformed
1. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed ...
2. Transformed means…
3. Changed from the INSIDE
a. Instead of yielding to the constant external pressure on you from the OUTSIDE...
b. Like a caterpillar changes into a butterfly
1) The caterpillar does NOT come out of a cocoon wearing a costume!
2) A complete chemical and genetic change has taken place
3) Changing an ugly, fat, stripped, creepy-crawly into a beautifully delicate winged insect that is one of creation’s most amazing proofs that God can change anybody!
c. Because of our new birth, we are new creatures in Christ, but we don’t believe it and we don’t accept its power in us to change us (2Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
d. To be transformed means…
1) It means to be changed from the inside out!
2) Allowing the new inner man (your spirit) to freely affect the outer man (your body) instead of the outer man (the flesh) being in charge of your life now!
3) For what purpose?
4) To take on a different likeness
5) To MAKE ME LIKE JESUS in every way
6) Living, thinking, acting, reacting like the world to come!
4. What a GREAT way to live!
a. We are different than every culture of this world
b. Yes, We live in this world, but we are not trying to be like the world
c. We are a culture all our own – no matter what culture we live in
d. We are trying to be like Jesus Christ is!
e. If you have decided to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour... Then yield to Him instead of to the culture around you
1) That means do not give in to the pressures to talk like everyone else
2) That means do not allow yourself to give in to the pressure to dress like everyone else - especially women and young women!
3) That means do not allow yourself to just go with the flow of the people around you
4) You or a Christ follower, a Christian, someone separated for a greater purpose!
5. Don’t stay the way you are. Be transformed
6. Paul next tells us HOW to be transformed!
D. By the Renewing of Your Mind (this is the key, and most miss it)
1. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, ...
2. Renewing, refreshing, recharging…
3. Your MIND
a. NOT your heart - But your THINKING
b. You already got a new heart when you were born again – if you are a believer
c. You need “a new MIND”, constantly – A SOUND MIND
d. The world and the devil knows that so it constantly attacks the MIND – the thinking of people – numbs it, dumbs people down – A-muses them!
e. Even happens to Christians
f. Gets Christians to believe lies – to believe their own heart – to believe their friends
4. It HAS to be renewed – recharged with something TRUE, and GOOD, and STRONG
5. Transformation is not automatic
a. Have you ever wondered why so few Christians are actually Christ like?
1) It is because they expect to no longer want to sin into no longer have temptations
2) And it's because they are lazy. There is no other word for it. They don’t want to put any effort or time into renewing their MIND
b. The Bible says that you are not transformed by the laying on of hands, or by praying magical prayers, but by the constant renewing of your mind!
c. The renewing of your THINKING
d. By this book. All of it
e. By the INSIDE pressure of the Spirit of God AS you learn and obey this Book
f. That means read, study, meditate, memorize, believe, and trust the words in this book!
1) We exercise most every part of our body except our minds
2) We recharge our phone batteries our watch batteries our car batteries are constantly recharged
3) But our minds and ultimately our hearts are constantly drained
4) Your heart will follow what your mind believes
5) You had better renew your MIND if you want to have a stable heart
6) Yielding to the still, small voice of the word of God spoken to your heart
6. Your Mind Must be Renewed, DAILY
a. The new man is renewed and recharged and strengthened in the most basic of ways
b. It is so easy to speak what is on our mind - It gets us into a lot of trouble
c. It is much more important that we speak TO our minds what the scripture says
1) We MUST be in the habit of TELLING our minds what to think
2) Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [A CONSTANT EFFORT]
3) Start to think and believe that every problem is under GOD’s control, because GOD SAID IT IS
4) Start to think and believe that God is going to work everything out for good if I would just love Him and do His will! Because GOD’S WORD SAYS SO!
5) That God ONLY does amazing things (Psalm 72:18) Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
d. We often say whatever our heart feels - and sometimes that is good and important to express, but not always
e. It is important that we speak TO our hearts and our feelings what God says
1) Tell our hearts what to feel – I AM SERIOUS!
2) Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings.
3) Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
4) 1Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
5) Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
7. Thoroughly Know and Enjoy GOD’S TRUTH – it frees and changes your life
a. By reading and meditating on the word of God, from cover to cover
1) Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
2) Psalm 1:2,3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
3) Start READING your Bible every day. Start in Matthew
4) THINK about what you are reading
5) Obey the commandments of God – DOING what it says – not suggestions
a) Like forgiving
b) Like Praising God BEFORE you begin each day, and throughout each day
c) Like walking away from what everyone else is doing
b. Refuse to be conformed, and instead be transformed
1) It is a two step process: Put off the old man, And put on the life of the Lord
2) Romans 13:12-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
c. These two steps are throughout the Bible:
1) Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
2) HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES
3) Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
4) Ephesians 4:26,27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
5) Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
6) Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
7) Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
8) Ephesians 4:31,32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
9) Always in that order
a) Refuse to lie like everyone else, and instead tell the truth
b) Refuse to steal, and instead WORK to give your own money away
c) Refuse to be angry, and instead kill the anger instead of your enemy
d) Refuse to say corrupt, evil things, and instead edify and bless
e) Refuse to grieve the Holy Spirit, and instead please God
f) By putting away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking
g) And instead putting on kindness, tender-compassions, forgiving each other
h) All because THAT is how Jesus Christ treats YOU now!
E. We Have Something to Prove – three things as a matter of fact!
1. Romans 12:2 … that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2. We do all this so that you can prove THREE great Facts
3. That God's will and His Ways are Good
a. God's will is not bad, or boring, or stupid, but GOOD
b. I wish you believed this
c. God's will is for men and women to be married, not living in fornication – because it is good
d. God's will is for families to have children – not because they are easy, but are good
e. God's will is for every Christian to be serving in a ministry of some sort serving people with the gospel – not just coming to church and sitting there
f. God's will is for every man to work a job. If you won't work then you should not eat
g. All of God's will, no matter how hard it may be for you to do, is good
1) Job found God's will to be hard. Losing his family and his health.
2) Jonah found God's will to be hard. But it was good
3) Jesus prayed for the will of God to not be for Him to die, because it was hard. But I'm glad He yielded to it, because it was good for the whole world so that we could be saved!
4. God’s Will and Ways of Doing Things Are Acceptable
a. Pleasant - approved
b. Acceptable means being approved by other Christians who are watching your life – not the world
c. God's will is rarely unusual to Bible believing Christians
d. See Acts 13 where the church knew God was calling Saul and Barnabas to be missionaries and the entire church approved of it!
5. And God’s Will is Perfect! Nothing needs to be added to it
a. Marriage is perfect – the people aren’t but the lifde-long covenant is
b. The ministry is perfect - the best life! Those of us doing the ministry are not perfect, but there is no greater life to live than serving God, and preaching this Bible!
c. Praying is a perfect act
d. Praising is perfect
e. Christians USED to prove these things to be so
f. We need to do it again!
V. Conclusion
A. Every Christian must respond to what we read and learn from this Bible. You can't just walk away – come in and hear this, and then do nothing!
B. It begins with a choice
1. To no longer be a puppet, manipulated, molded by the world and the devil
2. But instead to be transformed by the Spirit of God, through the word of God
C. And it takes work – a bit of effort
1. Work on recharging your mind every day – just like your phone battery!
2. Open your bible and read IT for 30 minutes a day
3. STOP PICKING UP YOUR PHONE FIRST THING! THAT IS AN ADDICTION!
4. Make it a Priority of being here Sundays and Wednesdays – as much as possible, not because it is convenient, but because you will learn more from this BOOK
D. If you are not a Christian – not sure where you are going when you die… there is no effort needed to get saved – just enough faith to follow Jesus! Believing on Him!