The%20Word%20of%20Life

1
Renewing Your Mind
Romans 121-2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind
2
Renewing Our Minds

• No place in America is so obviously in need
  of a renewal (Post-Christian America)
• Life has changed all around us, as though we
  were sleeping and now suddenly awakened.
• We need renewal The gradual conforming of the
  man more and more to that new spiritual world
  intowhich he has been introduced, and in which
  henow lives and moves the restoration of the
  Divine image and in all this, so far from
  being passive, he must be a fellow-worker with
  God (Trench, Syn of NT, 65-66)

3
Some Never Learn This Vital Gift

• ever learning, never able 2 Tim 37
• In a sound church, without a clue (Dennis
  Reed)
• Still babes, after all these years Heb
  511-14 1 Pet 22 Hos 46
• Christians need to make progress in learning,
  understanding, application 1 Tim 415
• A congregation only matures as members learn to
  make application of truth to life

4
The Vital Text

• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
  mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
  living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which
  is your reasonable service.
• And do not be conformed to this world, but be
  transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
  you may prove what is that good and acceptable
  and perfect will of God.

5
Points of Emphasis

• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
  mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
  living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which
  is your reasonable service.
• And do not be conformed to this world, but be
  transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
  you may prove what is that good and acceptable
  and perfect will of God.
• CF 2 Peter 12-4

6
Important Definitions

• conformed - Gk suschematizo to conform
  ones self (i.e. ones mind and character) to
  anothers pattern Thayer
• We speak of a mirror image
• To fashion ones self to the fashion of this
  world J. B. Lightfoot
• Contrast Not to the fleeting fashion
  (Gkschema) of this world, but to undergo a
  complete change, assumes a new form (Gk morphe),
  in the renewal of your mind (Lightfoot)

7
Important Definitions

• transformed - Gk metamorphoo to change into
  another form, to transfigure Thayer
• Used in Mt 172 - Jesus transfiguration
• Do not fall in, says the apostle, with the
  fleeting fashions of this world, nor be
  yourselves fashioned to them.., but undergo a
  deep abiding change..by the renewing of your
  mind, such as the Spirit of God alone can work in
  you (2 Cor. iii18)(Synonyms of the NT, Trench)

8
Metamorphosis

• but undergo a deep abiding change..

Transformation
Old Man
New Man
Transformation
9
Other Passages to Consider

• 1 Pet 114 fashioned according to lusts
• 1 Cor 731 these fashions pass away Look at old
  family albums (note clothes fashions, haircuts,
  etc.)
• Col. 310 The inner man is different
• 2 Cor 517 old things passed away
• old habits, language, interests, associates
• all things have become new

10
How is the Mind Renewed?

• Titus 35 by renewing of Holy Spirit
• Jn 33, 5 born of the Spirit
• Rom 85-10, 12-14 being led by the Spirit
• Not a mystical, mysterious process
• But allowing Gods word to guide
• Value system of world no longer guides
• Revelation of truth is paramount
• Not accidental, but deliberate choice Rom 6

11
Be Not Conformed to This World

• World (Gk kosmos) the times attaching to
  the word an ethical signification or the
  agethe spirit or genius of the ageall that
  floating mass of thoughts, opinions, maxims,
  speculations, hopes, impulses, aspirations, at
  any time current in the world..which constitute
  the moral, or immoral, atmosphere which at every
  moment of our lives we inhaleand exhale (ibid,
  Trench)

EX Television
12
Things We Inhale and Exhale

• Worldly attitudes
• Conscience is safe guide
• moral relativism - situation ethics
• Just dont get caught
• I need to get high on alcohol, drugs
• One religion is as good as another
• Only a positive mental attitude that ignores
  negative things

13
Things We Inhale and Exhale

• Worldly style
• Watch any TV, movie, read any book
• Buy clothes without discretion
• Imitate latest TV icon, music star
• Rebel against older generation
• Have to be different (to be same)
• Be at ease with world
• Be a Christian fashioned by world

14
The World Is Passing Away

• 1 Cor 731
• Worldly attitudes
• Worldly styles, standards
• Worldly religions
• Are you wedded to this world?
• Its time to get a divorce!
• Christians and churches must be in the world,
  but not of it Be transformed