Posts Tagged ‘ Thoughts ’
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12, CSB
The gospel is God changing our hearts from the inside out by the blood of Christ, because He knows us better than we know ourselves from the inside out and reveals that through His Word.
I preached again!
I was once again at Paulden Christian Fellowship, planned for nearly two weeks, so before the events of the first full week of September 2025. Fortunately and unfortunately, the message was ready for this week. I also was dealing with a cold.
As usual, below are my rough notes (in fact, very rough notes this time), so there is a deviation from what is written and what was said. (P.S. I made the correction to the PowerPoint that I reference in the sermon.)
[Intro]
[Read passage]
Recent events also show it continues.
Rise in Persecution: In the past 15 years, so many Christian businesses, ministries, and individuals have faced civil and criminal legal troubles for standing for their biblical faith, such as the Masterpiece Cakeshop and Jack Phillips in Colorado.
(I think Kim Davis of Kentucky is a slippery story, and musician/activist Sean Feucht is creating problems.)
Step on toes: Remember that political violence happens on both sides. (Gabbi Giffords, JFK, MLK, abortion bombings of the 1980’s-90’s and later in 2020’s, shots fired/knives bared at the White house in the past four administrations).
Both sides of the political aisle have ramped up violent rhetoric.
But this serves as a reminder that we have a message that divides:
v. 11: Unlike Paul, most of us don’t get a message straight from Jesus confirming anything past today, but we have the message that He is with us (Matthew 28:20; John 16) and that we have hope of eternity when we die (Luke 23:43).
vv. 12-15: Some conspiracies are true, and people will hate us for preaching righteousness.
vv. 16-22: We fight for life and light & reveal darkness, but we remember those made in God’s image.
Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
1 Peter 5:8, CSB
The power of Christ moves in us by the Holy Spirit, and He helps us to prepare and stay prepared for the inevitable attacks from demonic powers and unwanted thoughts.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV
The cost of following Jesus is getting over ourselves, admitting we don’t have all the answers, and devoting ourselves to God’s Word. Then, we respond to attacks on the faith with Scripture, and stop arguments with the Word of God.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12, ESV
God can do anything, and by His Word He even gets past our thoughts, feelings, and sins to change us from the inside out and give us new life.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
Prayer changes us, and especially it helps us to think like God and trust in His ways.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2, NASB1995
Prayer helps us focus our thoughts and will on God and His Kingdom, but it also changes our hearts to seek the lost in this world.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus
Philippians 2:5 ESV
We think we know best, but the state of our world shows otherwise. Instead, when our faith is in Christ, we are given His Holy Spirit who helps transform our minds to think like Christ.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV
This world fights and argues against God. The Holy Spirit guides us in all truth, based on the Word, showing how our thoughts deviate from truth and then pointing us to Christ.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2, ESV
This world is a mess, full of distractions, problems, and temptations.
Let us keep our focus on the heavenly things, not ignoring the world but bringing heaven here.
a simple man of God 