Renewing the Mind: Embracing the Mind of Christ

Thank you, Father, for Jesus and for the gift of being part of a church family built on the solid foundation of the gospel. Today, we honor the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and we open our hearts to be changed to think more like Jesus. Life often feels chaotic, and sometimes we feel like we’re losing our minds, but the truth is, in Christ, we are invited to lose our old way of thinking and receive something far better—the mind of Christ.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us that the wisdom of God is not like the wisdom of this world. The gospel seems foolish to those who are perishing, but to us, it is the very power of God. Paul didn’t come with persuasive words or human brilliance, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. The wisdom we receive is not of this age, but a hidden wisdom revealed by the Spirit, a wisdom that even the rulers of this world could not comprehend. Through the Spirit, we are given access to the very mind of Christ.

We all start with a fallen mind, darkened by sin, but in Christ, we are given a new mind. This is not something we have to beg for; it is already ours. The challenge is to learn how to access and live from this new mind. This requires a daily renewal—a continual process of putting off the old way of thinking and putting on the new. Transformation comes as our minds are renewed, enabling us to discern and do the will of God.

This renewal is not a one-time event but a daily practice. Like updating or upgrading our phones and computers, we need regular “mind-renewing updates” through prayer, worship, fellowship, and especially through the Scriptures. Obedience to God’s Word and openness to the conviction of the Holy Spirit are essential. Sin is a scam, promising joy but delivering death, and the Holy Spirit is our virus scanner, convicting us and leading us to repentance and life.

For all, and especially for mothers, God has given the mind of Christ to fulfill the calling He has placed on each life. No matter the season or the challenges, His wisdom and grace are available. May we all commit to daily renewal, living with the mind of Christ, and walking in the light He provides.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The mind of Christ is not a distant goal but a present reality for every believer. We are not called to strive for it, but to recognize and access what has already been given to us through the Spirit. This means we have everything we need for life and godliness, and our journey is about learning to live from this new reality. [13:30]
• 2. Daily renewal of the mind is essential for transformation. Just as we update our devices to function better, we must continually put off old patterns of thinking and embrace the new way of Christ. This process is the heart of discipleship, requiring intentionality and humility as we unlearn the darkness of the fallen mind and embrace the light of Jesus. [14:37]
• 3. Our thoughts shape our emotions, and our emotions shape our actions. True change begins not with behavior modification, but with the renewal of our minds. By meditating on truth and allowing God’s perspective to shape our thinking, we experience freedom from the roller coaster of feelings and find stability in Christ. [17:53]
• 4. Spiritual disciplines are the means by which we renew our minds. Prayer, worship, fellowship, and especially immersion in Scripture are not religious duties but vital practices that keep us connected to the source of life. Obedience to God’s Word and openness to the Spirit’s conviction are the upgrades and virus scans that keep our spiritual lives healthy and growing. [27:50]
• 5. Conviction from the Holy Spirit is a gift, not a burden. When we sense the Spirit’s correction, it is an invitation to repentance—a change of mind, heart, and direction. Embracing conviction and repentance daily keeps us aligned with the mind of Christ and protects us from the subtle scams of sin that seek to derail our lives and families. [31:56]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:34] - Losing Your Mind: Humor and Real Life
• [03:33] - Context: Corinth and Paul’s Letters
• [04:32] - Corinth’s Culture and Paul’s Mission
• [06:33] - The Upside-Down Wisdom of the Gospel
• [07:39] - God’s Hidden Wisdom Revealed
• [08:55] - The Mind of Christ: What Does It Mean?
• [09:58] - Three Minds: Eden, the Fall, and Christ
• [11:40] - Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New
• [13:30] - You Have the Mind of Christ
• [14:37] - Daily Renewal and Transformation
• [16:56] - Mary Magdalene: From Darkness to Light
• [17:53] - Thoughts, Feelings, and Behavior
• [19:23] - Darkness and Light: The Battle for the Mind
• [21:47] - Mind-Renewing Updates: Prayer, Worship, Fellowship
• [24:48] - Mind Upgrades: Scripture and Obedience
• [27:50] - Virus Scans: Discernment and Spiritual Health
• [29:11] - Sin is a Scam: The Role of the Holy Spirit
• [31:56] - Conviction, Repentance, and Daily Renewal
• [33:11] - Blessing the Moms: Wisdom and Grace for Every Season

1. In 1 Corinthians 2, what does Paul say about the difference between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom that comes from God? ([06:33])
2. According to Ephesians 4, what are some characteristics of the “old mind” or the “fallen mind”? ([11:40])
3. What does Paul mean when he says, “But we have the mind of Christ”? How does he describe this as something we already have, not something we have to earn? ([13:30])
4. In Romans 12:2, what is the result of having our minds renewed? ([14:37])

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that the mind of Christ is already given to believers, rather than something we have to strive for? How does this change the way we approach spiritual growth? ([13:30])
2. The sermon compares renewing our minds to updating or upgrading our phones and computers. What does this metaphor help us understand about the process of spiritual transformation? ([21:47])
3. How does the Holy Spirit act as a “virus scanner” in our lives, according to the sermon? What is the difference between conviction and condemnation? ([30:23])
4. The sermon says that our thoughts shape our emotions, and our emotions shape our actions. Why is it important to start with our thinking when we want to see real change in our lives? ([17:53])

1. The sermon says that daily renewal of the mind is essential, not a one-time event. What is one practical way you can “update” your mind this week—through prayer, worship, fellowship, or Scripture? ([21:47])
2. Are there any “old ways of thinking” or negative thought patterns you recognize in yourself that you want to put off? What would it look like to “put on” the mind of Christ in those areas? ([11:40])
3. The Holy Spirit convicts us as a gift, not a burden. Can you share a recent time when you felt convicted about something? How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? ([30:23])
4. The sermon says sin is a scam, promising joy but delivering death. Are there any “scams” or temptations in your life right now that you need to see more clearly for what they are? ([29:11])
5. The pastor mentioned that our thoughts influence our emotions and actions. Is there a specific area where your emotions have been running the show? How could renewing your mind with God’s truth bring more stability? ([17:53])
6. For parents or those in a caregiving role: How does knowing you have the mind of Christ encourage you in your daily responsibilities? What wisdom or grace do you need to ask God for in this season? ([33:11])
7. The sermon challenges us to commit to daily renewal. What is one step you can take this week to be more intentional about living from the mind of Christ? ([14:37])