Sermon Notes 9/15 – A New Mind

Romans 12:1-2
 
God specifically equipped us and gave us the Tools needed to live in this world with a renewed mind. 
 
Our mind is a battlefield, a spiritual battlefield
 
In order for our mind to be Transformed, we must first present our Whole bodies as a sacrifice to the Lord…….All the while not conforming to the false beliefs of the World. 
 
We are not Alone 
Many Great men in the Bible suffered only to rise to do great things. 
Romans 8:18
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Our Sufferings now, are not worthy…..Cant even be placed in the same category as the glory that will be revealed in our lives.
  1. We have authority against Demons 
A. Christians can be oppressed by a demon but not possessed
 
Romans 8:9-11
We must choose the side of the fence we are on.
 
Demon Possession: Demon has complete Control of thoughts/actions
Demon Oppression: Attacking a person Spiritually and Encouraging sinful behavior
Sin: Missing the mark. So if you think about a target, the devil is trying to keep you from hitting the target….. Being the very will of God
Spiritual Warfare: If you dont become a good demon slayer, they will get to you…
There are no instructions on Casting a demon out of a believer but there are many passages dealing with Spiritual warfare
James 4:7: Resist the Devil and he will flee from you ( Who is the Boss) 
 
 B. Dont fall for that scam
When the Bible speaks of the “devil seeking to kill and destroy”, it’s not ambush style
It is subtle and sneaky. Just like a snake.
Jesus said in Matt 10:16 That we are to be as “Wise as serpents”
The Greek word for wise means prudent, discerning, intelligent, thoughtful and careful.
Serpents dont announce their presence, they lay low and stay quiet.
We can do this!!!
Luke 10:19
19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Some of the benefits to being a Christian is the ability to have authority
Just because authority is given, it doesnt mean its used.
We must use our authority !!!!!!
The same authority that Jesus had, to raise people from the dead, and set people free, we have.
  1. Extinguish the Fiery Darts 
We Must extinguish every fiery dart of the devil
 
Ephesians 6:16 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
 
 ‘By which” in the Greek Dunamis meaning EXPLOSIVE POWER
Taking the shield of faith by which you will be dynamically powered
If a believer lifts up this shield of faith in front of them, the shield energizes the believer to stand bravely against every assault of the devil.
Faith is a shield of every Christ follower
The shield is so powerful that it makes you fortified and invulnerable
It will turn you into a spiritual tank
“Quench” in the Greek meaning to extinguish by drowning in water or quench by dousing.
Romans 10:17 states that Faith is increased by hearing the Word of God.
Water in Ephesians 5:26 is shown as the Word of God
So as we Read the Word of God, we are Soaking in Faith
When our faith becomes Word saturated, the arrows may hit but the effects are not significant.
3. We stay on the right side of the fence
 
We really have a choice in what side of the fence we are on
  • The world ( Culture influenced by the world )
  • Kingdom of God ( Influenced by the Word of God) 
Are you spending more time being influenced by a world culture than your Christian faith?
 
Ephesians 4:1 “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,”
 
We need to be responsible, we need to hear the voice of the Lord more than the voice of the World
 
We were not meant to fight alone: we need to gather together…. We are stronger together