Transformed by Renewing the Mind

Sunday Worship

8:45 AM SERVICE 10:00 AM Sunday School & Adult EdUCATION 11:00 AM SERVICE

by: Pastor Eibel

01/19/2023

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Good morning, and a blessed Thursday morning to you!


We live in a day in which there is an emphasis on feeling not thinking, where feeling can become the arbiter of truth. For example, one might say, “Well, I believe that this is true.” The question then follows, “Why is that true?”  And then the response, “Well, that’s just how I feel.” Feeling becomes the arbiter of truth. How different is the message that we receive from God's Holy Word.


In Romans chapter 12, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes:


I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.


As a response to the mercy of God… the mercy of God through the Lord Jesus Christ… the mercy of God in which Jesus takes all of our sin upon him at the cross… the mercy of God that through Jesus effects this reconciliation with humanity… in response to this mercy of God, we are to present our entire selves unto the Lord in service and in worship to Him.   


And what is singled out here is the “mind.” Look at verse 2.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.


Don’t be conformed to the ways of the world, but be transformed.  How does that transformation occur?  Through the renewing of the mind. Scripture tells us indeed that our minds certainly need to be renewed. It's not very complimentary as the scripture talks about with regard to our minds and our natural state of sin. 

  • Romans 1 says our mind is depraved.

  • In terms of our thoughts and our thinking, 2nd Corinthians the 4th chapter says we're blind.

  • Ephesians the 4th chapter says it's useless, and futile, and ignorant. 

  • 1 Corinthians the 2nd chapter describes as foolishness.

Those are the Scriptural descriptions with regard to our mind in the fallen state of our sin. 


But something happens when God converts us. Romans 8:5.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.


You see, when we are converted… when God brings us by His grace to faith, there is a transformation in our thinking. Will we still struggle with this? Absolutely. Remember we are simultaneously saint and sinner. There will be a struggle this side of heaven. But God is constantly at work renewing our mind. And how does this occur? 


2 Timothy 3:16

16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.



That’s how God renews our mind. He renews our mind through His Word, so it won't be conformed to the ways of the world, but we will be continually transformed by His Word… His gift to us.  Look again at Romans 12:1-2.


I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.


Let’s pray.  Gracious God, we thank you for this time and your Word. Your Word is truth. We thank you Lord for not only the call for the renewing of our minds, but we thank you that you renew our minds to Your Word. Gracious Heavenly Father, we praise you for the glorious gospel that our sins are forgiven through the Lord Jesus Christ. We praise you that you call us your own through the waters of baptism. We praise you that the tomb of our Lord is empty. We praise you for your gracious touch in our life, and we praise you that you are constantly at work renewing our mind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


God bless you today! Encourage someone!


Pastor Eibel

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Good morning, and a blessed Thursday morning to you!


We live in a day in which there is an emphasis on feeling not thinking, where feeling can become the arbiter of truth. For example, one might say, “Well, I believe that this is true.” The question then follows, “Why is that true?”  And then the response, “Well, that’s just how I feel.” Feeling becomes the arbiter of truth. How different is the message that we receive from God's Holy Word.


In Romans chapter 12, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes:


I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.


As a response to the mercy of God… the mercy of God through the Lord Jesus Christ… the mercy of God in which Jesus takes all of our sin upon him at the cross… the mercy of God that through Jesus effects this reconciliation with humanity… in response to this mercy of God, we are to present our entire selves unto the Lord in service and in worship to Him.   


And what is singled out here is the “mind.” Look at verse 2.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.


Don’t be conformed to the ways of the world, but be transformed.  How does that transformation occur?  Through the renewing of the mind. Scripture tells us indeed that our minds certainly need to be renewed. It's not very complimentary as the scripture talks about with regard to our minds and our natural state of sin. 

  • Romans 1 says our mind is depraved.

  • In terms of our thoughts and our thinking, 2nd Corinthians the 4th chapter says we're blind.

  • Ephesians the 4th chapter says it's useless, and futile, and ignorant. 

  • 1 Corinthians the 2nd chapter describes as foolishness.

Those are the Scriptural descriptions with regard to our mind in the fallen state of our sin. 


But something happens when God converts us. Romans 8:5.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.


You see, when we are converted… when God brings us by His grace to faith, there is a transformation in our thinking. Will we still struggle with this? Absolutely. Remember we are simultaneously saint and sinner. There will be a struggle this side of heaven. But God is constantly at work renewing our mind. And how does this occur? 


2 Timothy 3:16

16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.



That’s how God renews our mind. He renews our mind through His Word, so it won't be conformed to the ways of the world, but we will be continually transformed by His Word… His gift to us.  Look again at Romans 12:1-2.


I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.


Let’s pray.  Gracious God, we thank you for this time and your Word. Your Word is truth. We thank you Lord for not only the call for the renewing of our minds, but we thank you that you renew our minds to Your Word. Gracious Heavenly Father, we praise you for the glorious gospel that our sins are forgiven through the Lord Jesus Christ. We praise you that you call us your own through the waters of baptism. We praise you that the tomb of our Lord is empty. We praise you for your gracious touch in our life, and we praise you that you are constantly at work renewing our mind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


God bless you today! Encourage someone!


Pastor Eibel

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