Acquiring a “Christian” Mentality
FILING INFORMATION:
2001043
Subject: Bible Study
Preached Originally:
08/12/01 – Rapid City, SD
Introduction:
A. Before coming to Christ…. how would you describe your attitude toward God?
1.
w/o knowledge; understanding?
2.
Insensitive to sin?
3.
Would you describe yourself as having been a product of the godless
society?
B. Notice way Paul described way of the Gentiles in His day:
1.
Eph. 4:17-19
2.
Rom. 1:21
C. Usually…in person’s life – there will be a time (maybe short-lived) when one will be receptive to gospel. Person begins to question where he is going/what he is all about/what he needs to do to be pleasing to God.
1. Some – when reached w/gospel – obey it. Have a desire to have the mind of God & do His will.
2.
One who obeys gospel must change his value system & entire mentality
to that of serving God.
a)
See Eph. 4:23 – spirit of your mind – talking about
one’s attitude or mentality.
b)
Christians called upon repeatedly to acquire a Christian mentality as a
means of being transformed. Rom.
12:1-2; Col. 3:10
D. If I am going to be a Christian – and start living like one – I am going to have to start thinking like one.
1. Why? We = product of our thinking.
2.
See Prov. 4:23
E. The Christian must determine to know all he can about Jesus.
1. So that we can learn to think as Jesus did.
2.
See from His perspective.
3.
Do as He did.
F. Notice instructions of Jesus to Christians:
1.
Mt. 11:29 – learn from me.
2.
Jhn. 13:15 – follow My example; do as He did.
3.
Paul – Phil. 2:5 – told Christians to possess the mind of
Christ.
I. We
must acquire the mind of Christ.
A. How can I think as Jesus did?
1. His mind has been revealed in what He said & did.
2.
TO know this means we are going to have to study on regular basis. 2 Tim. 2:15
3.
Going to have to keep studying His mind until it becomes a permanent
part of our thinking.
B. This = something that I will have to acquire for myself.
1.
not inherited
2.
not by osmosis
3.
not as a gift – no magical working of the HS will impart this gift
to us.
4.
To obtain it means we will have to ready & study
C. This will require discipline on our behalf.
1. Only those who discipline themselves & sit down & concentrate will be successful.
2.
Hard to bring our minds into focus all the time.
3.
Regular; daily study hard to do – but possible.
a)
want to
b)
not only meditate upon Scriptures – but good/wholesome material
– Phil 4:8-9
II. A
plan is necessary.
A. Many fail to establish consistent pattern of BS because they lack a plan.
1. a plan will aid us in our discipline in study habits.
2.
as long as one has a plan – you are likely to follow it.
B. Different plans are possible.
1. Perhaps reading the NT through.
2.
or….learning fundamentals of Christianity in NT: James; Galatians;
Ephesians; Philippians; etc.
a)
might read section at a time.
b)
Or short books all at once.
3. A plan could also be developed by studying various topics.
a)
Faith; love; prayer
b)
Fellowship
c)
Bible Heroes & their example for us today.
d)
Maybe….the parables of Jesus; the miracles of Jesus; his personal
conversations w/people; or even his I AM sayings.
e)
Literally there is no end when you get down to it.
C.
Establish a plan & stick to it
III. This requires time.
A. Where’s the time to do it?
1. May have to “find” time. Means….going to have to “make it.”
2.
Reshuffle list of daily priorities.
B. Needs to be a time when we will be:
1. mentally alert.
2. able to fix that time& hold to it religiously.
a) beginning of day
b) breakfast
c) lunch break
d) just before bed.
C. Once we have seen need & placed it high on priority list –we will begin to acquire mind of Christ.
Conclusion:
A. How is your mentality? Is it governed by the word of God?
1. Do you “know” Jesus?
2. Do you have a relationship with Him? Phil. 3:8-10
B. Have you renewed your mind?
1. This will be foolishness & a waste of time w/some.
2. 1 Cor. 1:18, 21-24
C. Nothing more important than having a Christ like mentality.
D. Do whatever necessary to grow stronger in Lord.