Transforming Lives Through Small Commitments and Thoughts
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Radiate Church! As we dive into week two of our "Small Hinges" series, we are reminded that God has big plans for each of us, regardless of our past or present circumstances. The essence of today's message is that small, consistent commitments can lead to significant changes in our lives. Just as small hinges can swing big doors, our small, consistent actions can open up God's grand plans for us.
We are also gearing up for Friend Day next Sunday, a day dedicated to inviting friends, family, and even strangers to experience a life-changing encounter with Jesus. We encourage everyone to write down the names of people they plan to invite and place these cards in jars at the front of the stage. These names will be prayed over, believing that God will work in their lives.
Today's focus is on the power of our thoughts. Our thoughts can either draw us closer to God or push us away from Him. The Bible has much to say about the power of the mind, and we explored how our thoughts can shape our actions and ultimately our lives. We discussed the importance of capturing destructive thoughts and making them obedient to Christ. By doing so, we can transform our lives to align more closely with God's will.
Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This renewal allows us to discern God's will, which is good, acceptable, and perfect. We also touched on the importance of focusing on spiritual things, using Philippians 4:8-9 as a filter for our thoughts. By focusing on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, we can align our thoughts with God's.
In closing, we emphasized the importance of changing our mentalities to draw closer to God. Whether it's through serving, generosity, or inviting others, our thoughts play a crucial role in how we live out our faith. Let's commit to renewing our minds daily and living out God's will in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Small Consistent Commitments Matter: God has big plans for your life, but it’s the small, consistent commitments that pave the way for these plans to unfold. Whether it’s stewarding your finances or treating others with respect, these small actions are crucial. Without them, even the blessings we receive can become burdens. [38:01]
2. The Power of Thoughts: Your thoughts can either draw you closer to God or push you away from Him. The Bible emphasizes the importance of our thoughts, as they shape our actions and ultimately our lives. By capturing destructive thoughts and making them obedient to Christ, we can transform our lives to align more closely with God's will. [42:44]
3. Renewing Your Mind: Romans 12:2 teaches us not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This renewal allows us to discern God's will, which is good, acceptable, and perfect. Renewing our minds daily helps us to focus on what God wants us to focus on, leading to a transformed life. [54:56]
4. Focus on Spiritual Things: Philippians 4:8-9 serves as a filter for our thoughts. By focusing on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, we can align our thoughts with God's. This focus helps us to live a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to others. [01:02:33]
5. Changing Mentalities: Changing our mentalities is crucial for spiritual growth. Whether it’s through serving, generosity, or inviting others, our thoughts play a crucial role in how we live out our faith. By committing to renewing our minds daily, we can draw closer to God and live out His will in our lives. [01:10:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[35:08] - Introduction to Friend Day
[35:55] - Pray Day Invitation
[36:35] - Serving and Inviting
[37:15] - Writing Down Names for Friend Day
[38:01] - Small Hinges, Big Doors
[38:58] - Consistent Commitment
[39:46] - Vision Beyond the Present
[41:09] - The Danger of Complacency
[42:10] - The Power of Thoughts
[42:44] - Assumptions vs. Reality
[44:43] - Connecting with Others
[47:23] - Serving with Your Gifts
[49:26] - Generosity and Thoughts
[50:48] - The Gap Between Emotion and Action
[54:56] - Renewing Your Mind
[58:12] - Capture Destructive Thoughts
[01:02:33] - Focus on Spiritual Things
[01:10:02] - Changing Mentalities
[01:14:28] - Closing Prayer and Instructions
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
2. Philippians 4:8-9 - "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
3. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 12:2 say about the transformation of our minds and its purpose?
2. According to Philippians 4:8-9, what types of thoughts should we focus on to align our minds with God's will?
3. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, what are we instructed to do with destructive thoughts?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the renewal of our minds help us discern God's will according to Romans 12:2? [54:56]
2. Why is it important to focus on thoughts that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy as mentioned in Philippians 4:8-9? [01:02:33]
3. What does it mean to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ as described in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5? [58:12]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily thoughts. Are there specific negative or destructive thoughts you need to capture and make obedient to Christ? How can you start doing this today? [58:12]
2. Romans 12:2 talks about renewing our minds. What practical steps can you take this week to renew your mind and focus more on God's will? [54:56]
3. Philippians 4:8-9 provides a filter for our thoughts. Choose one category (true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, praiseworthy) and identify a specific thought or habit you can change to align with this category. [01:02:33]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of small, consistent commitments. What small, consistent action can you commit to this week to draw closer to God? [38:01]
5. How can you use your thoughts to serve others better, whether through generosity, inviting others, or another form of service? [36:35]
6. The pastor mentioned the power of thoughts in shaping our actions and lives. Can you recall a time when a change in your thinking led to a positive change in your life? How can you apply that experience to your current situation? [42:44]
7. Friend Day is coming up. Who are the people you plan to invite, and how can you prepare your heart and mind to make this invitation meaningful and impactful? [35:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Small Consistent Commitments Lead to Big Changes
Small, consistent actions can pave the way for God's grand plans in our lives. These actions, though seemingly insignificant, are crucial in shaping our future. Whether it's managing our finances wisely, treating others with respect, or dedicating time to prayer, these small commitments can lead to significant transformations. Without these foundational actions, even the blessings we receive can become burdens. It's essential to recognize the power of these small hinges that can swing big doors in our spiritual journey. [38:01]
Zechariah 4:10 (ESV): "For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth."
Reflection: What small, consistent commitment can you start today that will help you align more closely with God's plans for your life?
Day 2: The Power of Thoughts
Our thoughts have the power to draw us closer to God or push us away from Him. The Bible emphasizes the importance of our thoughts, as they shape our actions and ultimately our lives. By capturing destructive thoughts and making them obedient to Christ, we can transform our lives to align more closely with God's will. It's crucial to be mindful of our mental patterns and ensure they are in line with God's truth. [42:44]
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV): "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: Identify a recurring negative thought in your life. How can you replace it with a truth from God's Word today?
Day 3: Renewing Your Mind
Romans 12:2 teaches us not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This renewal allows us to discern God's will, which is good, acceptable, and perfect. Renewing our minds daily helps us to focus on what God wants us to focus on, leading to a transformed life. By immersing ourselves in God's Word and seeking His guidance, we can experience a profound change in our thinking and actions. [54:56]
Ephesians 4:23-24 (ESV): "And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to renew your mind and align your thoughts with God's will?
Day 4: Focus on Spiritual Things
Philippians 4:8-9 serves as a filter for our thoughts. By focusing on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, we can align our thoughts with God's. This focus helps us to live a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to others. By intentionally directing our thoughts towards spiritual things, we can cultivate a mindset that honors God and fosters spiritual growth. [01:02:33]
Colossians 3:2 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can shift your focus to spiritual things today?
Day 5: Changing Mentalities
Changing our mentalities is crucial for spiritual growth. Whether it’s through serving, generosity, or inviting others, our thoughts play a crucial role in how we live out our faith. By committing to renewing our minds daily, we can draw closer to God and live out His will in our lives. It's important to recognize the impact of our mentalities on our actions and make a conscious effort to align them with God's truth. [01:10:02]
Romans 8:5 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you change your mentality today to better reflect God's will in your actions and decisions?
Quotes
1. "God has big things for your life. No matter where you are, who you are, what you've done, where you've been in your life, no matter when you prayed that prayer, if it's today or whether you prayed that prayer 80 years ago, God has big things for your life. But here's what I want to tell you, the small things, and the commitment, consistent, commitment, the consistent commitment to doing the small things matters." [38:01] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Your thoughts can push you away from or toward God. It can push you away from God's principles, away from God's ways, away from God's will in your life, or push you toward God's will and God's ways and God's principles in your life. Your thoughts can push you away from or toward something." [43:22] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Connecting with others is actually a biblical principle. It's actually a biblical principle. See, that's the importance of church, you know? You know, people will say, well, I don't have to go to church to go to heaven. That's right. You don't have to go home to be married either. But you're not going to have a very good marriage if you never go home." [44:43] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Serving, serving everybody in the room today. Everybody watching online today. We all have a gift within us. Some of us, it's working with radiate kids. Some it's giving high fives in the parking lot. Some it's behind the scenes. Some it's generosity. Some it's just loving on people through prayer. Whatever it is. Because we all have this gift about us and your gift is not for you, first of all. Your gift is to be used to serve God through you and serve others." [47:23] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If I can get my mind and my thoughts under the direction of Jesus, I may be able to change the product of my life to look more like him. If I can get this redeemed and pulled back under Jesus and back under the word of God and into obedience with God, then maybe the product of my life." [52:11] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Your life moves in the direction of your strongest thought. In fact, Proverbs chapter 23, excuse me, verse seven says this, for as he thinks within himself, so he is. In other words, what I think about, I will become. How did I become so negative and skeptical? Because that's all you focused on. It's all you thought about. How did I become so positive and so encouraging? Because that's what you focused on. That's what you thought about." [53:06] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Now we're going to put that scripture on the screen because I really want to break it down with you for a minute. We're going to leave it there. It says, do not be conformed to this world. What is the Old Testament all about? Deuteronomy, lamentations, all that stuff is about one thing, that we are not as children of God to look like everyone else." [54:56] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Capture destructive thoughts. Now watch what 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verses 3 through 5 says it like this. It says, for though we walk in the flesh and do not war according to the flesh. In other words, watch this. Here's why that is important. We fight a spiritual battle and your mind is one of the biggest battle grounds. We fight a spiritual battle. It's not against flesh and blood. It is about your mind. It is about getting you not thinking about God, but getting you thinking about everybody and everything else because distraction is destruction a lot of times." [58:12] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Your life is the fruit of your thoughts. Your life becomes the fruit of your thoughts. For some of us, that's a scary reality. For some of us. It's a, it's all we need to get a little bit better in this small hinge of our life so that we can see God do something more in our lives." [01:01:48] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Both birds find exactly what they're looking for every time. And some of you in the room today, you're living like a buzzard and you're soaring around and you're looking for dead carcasses because the reality is if you want to find something dead and something to be mad about in church, you're going to find it. If you want to find something to be mad at with your friend group, you'll find it. If you find something that you want to be disappointed at in life group, guess what? You'll find it." [01:07:50] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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