Transforming Thoughts: Embracing Christ's Redeeming Power
Summary
Taking a deep breath, I reflect on the journey we embarked on together today, exploring the profound transformation that Christ offers us. We began by acknowledging the importance of approaching our spiritual journey with an open and relaxed mindset, ready to learn and grow in discipleship. This journey is not about credentials or titles but about the real and present work of God in our lives. Our focus is on experiencing the righteousness and joy that Jesus, our Shepherd, came to give us.
We delved into the concept of the "beast within," a metaphor for the thoughts and feelings that often cage us. These thoughts and feelings can lead us astray, especially when they become entangled with our bodily desires and the world's evil influences. The challenge is to change how we think and feel, to give thanks in all circumstances, and to recognize that everything is redeemable through Christ. This is not about denying reality but about seeing God's hand in all things, even the painful ones.
We explored the role of feelings in our lives, understanding that they are essential to action and deeply rooted in our being. Feelings can guide us toward good or evil, and they often reflect the brokenness of the world. However, by focusing our thoughts on Christ and the goodness of God, we can learn to be content and not be dominated by our feelings. This contentment is not about suppressing feelings but about aligning them with God's truth and love.
We also touched on the importance of art and beauty in revealing truth and healing. Art, when redeemed by God's people, can be a powerful force for good, helping us to see the contrast between good and evil and to appreciate the beauty in God's creation.
Finally, we discussed the process of transforming our thoughts and feelings to align with God's will. This involves recognizing occasions to do what is right and becoming the kind of person who naturally responds with love and grace, even in challenging situations. It's about becoming more like Christ, who exemplified perfect love and forgiveness.
Key Takeaways:
1. Discipleship and Learning: True discipleship involves a relaxed yet focused approach to learning, where we devote our minds and time to understanding and experiencing the truth of Christ. This journey is not about titles or credentials but about the real work of God in our lives. [01:22]
2. The Redeemable Nature of All Things: In Christ, everything is redeemable. While not all things are good, God can work through every situation for our good. This perspective allows us to give thanks in all circumstances, acknowledging pain and disappointment while trusting in God's redemptive power. [06:01]
3. The Role of Feelings: Feelings are essential to our actions and deeply rooted in our being. They can guide us toward good or evil, reflecting the brokenness of the world. By focusing on Christ and the goodness of God, we can learn to be content and not be dominated by our feelings. [25:50]
4. Art and Beauty as Revelation: Art and beauty have the power to reveal truth and heal. When redeemed by God's people, art can help us see the contrast between good and evil and appreciate the beauty in God's creation. This is a vital part of our spiritual journey. [38:15]
5. Transforming Thoughts and Feelings: The transformation of our thoughts and feelings is crucial to aligning with God's will. By recognizing occasions to do what is right and becoming more like Christ, we can respond with love and grace, even in challenging situations. This transformation is a journey of becoming the kind of person who naturally embodies Christ's love. [48:33]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:24] - Vineyard Greetings
- [00:42] - Importance of Notes
- [01:22] - Real Discipleship
- [02:24] - Serving Jesus
- [03:08] - Easy Life of Righteousness
- [04:31] - Transition from Thoughts to Feelings
- [06:01] - Redeemable Nature of All Things
- [07:50] - Discipline of Celebration
- [09:55] - Focus on the Goodness of God
- [11:24] - Paul's Imprisonment and Attitude
- [13:18] - Rejoice and Be Anxious for Nothing
- [15:11] - Dwell on Goodness
- [18:16] - Contentment and Feelings
- [20:33] - Understanding Our Identity in God
- [25:50] - Understanding Feelings
- [38:15] - Art and Beauty as Revelation
- [48:33] - Transforming Thoughts and Feelings
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 4:4-9
2. Romans 5:8
3. Galatians 5:22-23
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul encourage believers to focus their minds on in Philippians 4:8, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on focusing on the goodness of God? [15:11]
2. How does the sermon describe the "beast within," and what role do thoughts and feelings play in this metaphor? [04:31]
3. According to Romans 5:8, how does God demonstrate His love for us, and how is this connected to the sermon’s message about the redeemable nature of all things? [08:49]
4. What is the relationship between feelings and actions as discussed in the sermon, and how does this relate to the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23? [26:49]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul talks about the peace of God guarding our hearts. How does this peace relate to the sermon’s idea of contentment and not being dominated by feelings? [14:18]
2. The sermon mentions the importance of art and beauty in revealing truth. How might this concept be understood in light of Philippians 4:8, which encourages believers to dwell on whatever is lovely and praiseworthy? [38:15]
3. How does the sermon’s discussion of the "beast within" challenge or expand the understanding of Romans 5:8, where God’s love is shown despite our sinful nature? [04:31]
4. The sermon suggests that everything is redeemable through Christ. How does this align with the message of Galatians 5:22-23 about the fruit of the Spirit and living a life led by the Spirit? [06:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where your feelings dominated your actions. How can you apply the sermon’s teaching on aligning feelings with God’s truth to respond differently next time? [18:37]
2. The sermon encourages giving thanks in all circumstances. Identify a challenging situation in your life. How can you practice gratitude in this context, trusting in God’s redemptive power? [05:14]
3. Consider the role of art and beauty in your spiritual journey. How can you incorporate more of these elements into your life to help reveal truth and promote healing? [38:15]
4. Think about a time when you felt stuck or paralyzed by your feelings. What steps can you take to focus your thoughts on Christ and the goodness of God to move forward? [28:24]
5. The sermon discusses becoming the kind of person who naturally responds with love and grace. What is one practical way you can work on transforming your thoughts and feelings to align more closely with Christ’s example? [48:33]
6. How can you use the concept of the "beast within" to identify and address negative thoughts and feelings in your life? What strategies can you implement to prevent these from leading you astray? [04:31]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the redeemable nature of all things. How can this perspective change the way you view past mistakes or current challenges in your life? [06:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Discipleship with Openness
Discipleship is a journey that requires an open and relaxed mindset, allowing individuals to learn and grow in their faith without the constraints of titles or credentials. It is about experiencing the real and present work of God in one's life, focusing on the righteousness and joy that Jesus, the Shepherd, offers. This journey involves devoting one's mind and time to understanding and experiencing the truth of Christ, which leads to a deeper relationship with Him. By approaching discipleship with a willingness to learn and grow, individuals can truly experience the transformative power of God's work in their lives. [01:22]
"For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him." (Ephesians 1:15-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to approach your spiritual journey with an open and relaxed mindset, allowing God to work in your life without the constraints of titles or credentials?
Day 2: Recognize Redemption in All Circumstances
In Christ, everything is redeemable, even though not all things are inherently good. This perspective allows individuals to give thanks in all circumstances, acknowledging pain and disappointment while trusting in God's redemptive power. By recognizing that God can work through every situation for good, individuals can maintain a hopeful outlook and find peace in the midst of challenges. This understanding encourages believers to see God's hand in all things, even the painful ones, and to trust in His ability to bring about redemption and transformation. [06:01]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you shift your perspective to see God's redemptive power at work in this circumstance, and what steps can you take to give thanks despite the difficulty?
Day 3: Align Feelings with God's Truth
Feelings are essential to action and deeply rooted in one's being, often reflecting the brokenness of the world. However, by focusing thoughts on Christ and the goodness of God, individuals can learn to be content and not be dominated by their feelings. This contentment is not about suppressing feelings but about aligning them with God's truth and love. By doing so, individuals can navigate their emotions in a way that honors God and leads to a more fulfilling and peaceful life. [25:50]
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a feeling that has been dominating your thoughts recently. How can you focus on Christ and the goodness of God to align this feeling with His truth and love?
Day 4: Discover Truth and Healing through Art
Art and beauty have the power to reveal truth and heal, serving as a vital part of one's spiritual journey. When redeemed by God's people, art can help individuals see the contrast between good and evil and appreciate the beauty in God's creation. This appreciation of art and beauty can lead to a deeper understanding of God's truth and a greater sense of healing and wholeness. By engaging with art in a way that honors God, individuals can experience the transformative power of beauty and creativity in their spiritual lives. [38:15]
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate art and beauty into your spiritual journey this week, allowing them to reveal truth and bring healing to your life?
Day 5: Transform Thoughts and Feelings to Reflect Christ
The transformation of thoughts and feelings is crucial to aligning with God's will. By recognizing occasions to do what is right and becoming more like Christ, individuals can respond with love and grace, even in challenging situations. This transformation involves becoming the kind of person who naturally embodies Christ's love and forgiveness, allowing His truth to guide one's actions and decisions. By focusing on this transformation, individuals can experience a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling and purposeful life. [48:33]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thought or feeling you need to transform to better align with God's will? How can you take practical steps to embody Christ's love and grace in this area of your life today?
Quotes
"See that's real discipleship is where you devote your mind and your time in a serious relaxed but focused way on learning in now let me just say bill calls me dr. Willard and I actually I'm one of those kinds of doctors that can't do anyone any good." [00:01:17]
"The way of Christ is to say it's all real that's all real and everything is redeemable there isn't a single thing that happens to human being in this world that is not redeemable all things work together for good that doesn't mean all things are good do you understand that there's some bad stuff." [00:06:01]
"See and that's the story so that's what enables us no matter what is happening to be able to give thanks now that takes some work because our thoughts have often been obsessed with bad stuff and one of the things that really pulls us in is the bad stuff that happens to us then we become fixed on that and we become angry and unforgiving and superior in our outlook to defend ourselves all kinds of things." [00:06:58]
"Now that's a choice see now that's what I've been talking to you about he's making that choice where you gonna put your mind what are you going to be focused on that's your first freedom and of course the first thing we focus on to begin to pull ourselves out is Jesus Christ and the God that reveals himself in him you know Romans 5:8 God recommends his love to us it's like Jesus is a letter of recommendation in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." [00:08:29]
"Now that's a major point for tonight is that if we are not weary in fact even if we are weary if we don't have help teaching the grace of God our feelings will capture our thoughts and when that happens then our thoughts turn towards ourselves and bad things and we become incapable of trusting God and so then we wind up trying to run our own life." [00:10:29]
"Being content means well I'm contained feelings when they come on you you're not contained you're splattered all over the wall right the person who is content as the person who's contained he's learned he or she has learned how to take whatever the circumstances are and to so have their thoughts focused on Christ and God and what is good that they are not victimized by their feelings." [00:18:37]
"Now you see the legalism in that because what they do is they took Jesus's teachings well don't look to lust and said well we know how not to do that don't look how do you not look live where you can't see and this is a part of the really sad story of the Christian Church that sees women as evil or less at least than men now you see Jesus is not talking about doing that see he's talking about a kind of change an inward change where you wouldn't do what he's saying don't do." [00:44:03]
"Now we want to grow to the point to where when something presents itself perhaps around us in the social situation and people are doing things that are wrong that we would see that as simply crazy we want to be in a position where instead of in many of social situations people expect you to lie or to deceive it's just something they're prepared they they believe that human beings are like that they so they think they can count on you to do that and you want to be in a position of looking at them and saying why would anyone want to do that." [00:45:36]
"See because we're really talking about changing thoughts and feelings here why would I want to hit him just because he hit me see when Paul teaches about don't take vengeance leave vengeance to God and all of that he's talking about a total shifting of thought and feeling now we'll talk about this next week would you see ordinarily when someone hits me I've already hit him back before I think about it if I'm the standard human being maybe it's just verbal they slapped me verbally I slapped them back before I think okay so we have to we have to talk next time about the body and the social circumstances and how that works but tonight we have to talk about the feelings." [00:47:10]
"Recognizing the occasion is a major part of what has to happen in thought and feeling before you can begin to think about doing what Jesus said the normal person reads what Jesus says and think what I got to do that and the answer is no you can't do that and if you try you'll just mess yourself up and a lot of other people too you wind up faking it you create a legalism of some sort and there you are." [00:48:36]
"Art is one of those great functions in our church's art the artist often has the hardest time because they're in a world of imagination and that is often experienced as threatening but you see what you what happens if the people of God do not redeem art by their presence and I don't mean by making Christian pictures or whatever I mean making good pictures right if they don't do it then it's taken over by evil and used with tremendous force and the 20th century and the present is full of all these things but feelings are basically good but they have become twisted and constantly deepened the human brokenness." [00:38:15]
"Feelings are absolutely essential to action and we are active beings we're made to act and if if you just had to do it with thought it wouldn't happen and when when we feel good as we say you feel good Wow yeah okay that life is flowing in that right when you feel good it flows and of course that's good that makes you feel even better doesn't it so I mean even treating some forms of mental malfunction if you can just get people to be active it'll do wonders for them and see that that's deeply rooted in it when we feel bad we experience opposition and resistance it's a real drag that's what we say a real drag what's a drag well that means you just have to pull it along it's a drag it's not flowing." [00:25:50]
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