Week 2 Having the Mind of Christ Sermon Series (Renovation Begins)
March 15, 2025

Opening Monologue

Welcome to Week 2 of our series, “Having the Mind of Christ.” If you missed Week 1, I encourage you to listen to it, as it lays a foundation that will make this week’s sermon, “Renovation Begins,” even more impactful.

Throughout our lives, we have developed a worldview—a way of seeing and responding to life—shaped by what we have witnessed, learned, and experienced. Our minds store these experiences in compartments, forming neurological pathways that influence how we think and react to situations. (We will explore this concept further in this week’s sermon.)

If our goal as Christians is to have the attitude of Christ, we must not allow negative emotions, past patterns, or old thought processes to dictate our future. If we do, our lives will reflect the old self, the very nature that Jesus Christ came to deliver us from.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Join us this Sunday as we dive deeper into the renovation of the mind!

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…” (Philippians 3:13)

In Christ,

Rev. Brad Standfest




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Key Sermon Text

Philippians 2:5, Philippians 3:10-14a, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24 & Ephesians 4:29-32

Biblical thoughts and reflections based off of the sermon & some key texts

How is the Renewing of the Mind like a Renovation project?

Romans 12:2 states, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The process of mind renewal can be likened to a renovation. Just as renovating a home involves removing the old, worn-out elements and replacing them with new, enhanced features, renewing our minds requires us to let go of worldly patterns and thoughts that no longer serve us. We invite the Holy Spirit to transform our mindset, allowing God to replace these with His truths, wisdom, and purposes.

This transformation isn’t just a minor adjustment but a complete overhaul—a deep, abiding change that affects every aspect of our thoughts, aligning us with God’s perfect will. It’s through this spiritual renovation that we grow in understanding, discerning what is pleasing to God, and embodying the new creation we are in Christ. As our minds are renewed, our lives become a reflection of His glory and a testament to His transformative power.

God’s Word defines what science and psychology tell us about the Mind
Neural pathways in the brain connect networks of neurons that store and reinforce information based on our thoughts, habits, and experiences. Repeated behaviors and patterns strengthen these pathways, making them more efficient and deeply ingrained over time. This means that the more we dwell on certain thoughts—whether positive or negative—the stronger those thought patterns become in shaping our mindset and responses to life.

This is why Scripture calls us to be intentional about what we focus on. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:12-14, speaks of this renewal process, encouraging believers to press forward and not remain trapped by past patterns:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul’s words align with what we now understand about neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself. Just as he urges us to forget what is behind and press toward what is ahead, we must also train our minds to shift away from old, destructive thought patterns and replace them with Christ-centered thinking.

If we continue feeding fear, doubt, and negative emotions, those neural pathways strengthen, keeping us stuck in old ways of thinking. But when we intentionally focus on God’s truth, engage in consistent prayer, study Scripture, and practice faith-driven actions, we begin to form new neurological pathways that align with God’s will.

Paul’s encouragement is both a spiritual and practical strategy: to actively redirect our thoughts and behaviors toward Christ. Through persistence and faith, our minds are renewed, and we are transformed into His likeness.

Neuroplasticity and Biblical Transformation: A Unified Perspective

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to rewire and reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This means that our thoughts, habits, and experiences shape the pathways in our brains, reinforcing certain ways of thinking and behaving. Repeated patterns of thought—whether positive or negative—strengthen neural pathways, making those patterns more automatic over time. The good news is that we are not stuck in our old ways of thinking! Science confirms that the brain can be transformed through intentional effort, just as Scripture teaches about the renewal of the mind in Christ.

The Bible speaks directly to this concept, particularly in Romans 12:2:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

This verse aligns with neuroplasticity because it emphasizes that transformation happens through renewing the mind. Just as neuroplasticity allows the brain to rewire itself based on new thoughts and behaviors, spiritual transformation requires us to intentionally shift our focus from worldly patterns to God’s truth. The more we immerse ourselves in Scripture, prayer, and Christ-like thinking, the stronger those new pathways become, making it easier to walk in righteousness.

Paul expands on this idea in Philippians 3:12-14, where he encourages believers to press forward rather than remain bound by their past:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

This passage reflects the practical application of neuroplasticity in spiritual growth. Paul acknowledges that transformation is an ongoing process—just as the brain doesn’t change overnight, neither does our spiritual renewal. However, by actively shifting our focus from past failures and unhealthy thought patterns to God’s calling and truth, we create new neural pathways that align with Christ.


How Scripture and Science Work Together

  1. Old Patterns Can Be Broken – Romans 12:2 reminds us that we do not have to conform to old ways of thinking. Just as neuroplasticity allows the brain to change, spiritual renewal allows us to break free from destructive habits and thought patterns.
  2. Repetition Strengthens New Pathways – The more we focus on God’s truth, engage in prayer, and practice faith-driven habits, the stronger those thought patterns become, making it easier to live according to God’s will.
  3. Growth Requires Perseverance – Philippians 3:12-14emphasizes that transformation is an ongoing process. The brain doesn’t change instantly, and neither does our spiritual journey—but through consistent effort and faith, we can be renewed in both mind and spirit.

Scripture defines scientific truth, which affirms that transformation is possible. Neuroplasticity demonstrates that our brains can be rewired, and the Bible teaches us how to renew our minds in Christ. By focusing on God’s truth, letting go of the past, and intentionally practicing new ways of thinking and living, we create stronger, healthier neural pathways that align us with God’s will.

Commentary: Digging Deeper into the Main Text

Philippians 3 FORGET THE PAST AND REACH TO THE GOAL
Paul changed from accounting language to athletic language, saying that his goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him. This goal absorbed all Paul’s energy. This provides a helpful example. We should not let anything take our eyes off our goal—knowing Christ. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians. What is holding you back?
3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Obtain can mean to take hold of, to receive, to make one’s own, to apprehend in the moral or spiritual sense. So Paul may have been saying that he had not fully grasped all the meaning of Christ in his life. There is more to receive by pressing on. The power of Christ in Paul’s life aroused him to want to know Christ better, and this would take a lifetime.

TRAINING FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Just as a great amount of training is needed for athletic activities, so we must train diligently for the Christian life. Such training takes time, dedication, energy, continued practice, and vision. We must all commit ourselves to the Christian life, but we must first know the rules as prescribed in God‘s Word (2 Timothy 2:5).

Reference Metaphors Training Our Goal As Believers

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 Race Go into strict training in order to get the prize. We train ourselves to run the race of life. So we keep our eyes on Christ—the goal—and don‘t get sidetracked or slowed down. When we do this, we will win a reward in Christ‘s kingdom.
Philippians 3:13–14 Race Focus all your energies toward winning the race. Living the Christian life demands all of our energy. We can forget the past and strain for the goal because we know that Christ promises eternity with him at the race‘s end.

1 Timothy 4:7–10 Exercise Spiritual exercise will help you grow in faith and character. As we must repeat exercises to tone our bodies, so we must steadily repeat spiritual exercises to be spiritually fit—like Bible study, self-discipline, and Christian service. When we do this, we will be better Christians, living in accordance with God‘s will. Such a life will attract others to Christ and pay dividends in this present life and the next.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 Fight/Race Fight the good fight and persevere to the end. The Christian life is a fight against evil forces from without (Philippians 3:18) and temptation from within. If we stay true to God through it all, he promises an end, a rest, and a crown.

Paul saw the Christian life as a process. While believers are considered righteous when they accept salvation, their entire lives are marked by growth toward Christlikeness. Complete perfection will not be obtained until Christ’s second coming, when he will take his people with him. While Paul may have seemed like a nearly perfect Christian to his Philippian friends, he emphasized that he had not obtained perfect knowledge of Christ, the power of his resurrection, the fellowship of his suffering, and conformity to his death (3:10). All of these were part of the process of sanctification—of getting to know Christ better and better as he lived the Christian life. And even Paul, despite all his sufferings and victories for Christ, still had much to learn. He had not yet been made perfect. He knew that only upon Christ’s return would all believers be made perfect in knowledge and experience, but he was willing to press on to take hold of the goal—living and working for Christ—because of what Christ had done for him. “Pressing on” is a hunting term meaning to chase or hunt down. Christ Jesus took hold of Paul almost thirty years earlier when Paul was converted on the road to Damascus. Christ laid hold of Paul so that Paul could lay hold of the prize—knowing Christ completely.


PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

True Christian faith is often called a “personal relationship” with Jesus Christ, and no verse describes it better than this. A relationship requires two persons, each actively searching, seeking, and building a bond between them.
In your spiritual life, God takes the initiative (Christ takes hold of us), then we enter into it (pressing on) to pursue all that our new friendship offers. We are truly relating to each other, together pursuing God’s goal for all creation—eternal life free of all pain, all death, all sin. Are you pressing on, taking responsibility for your progress in faith and character? What steps are you taking to know Christ better?

3:13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. Paul had not yet attained perfection or complete knowledge of Christ. Unlike the Judaizers, Paul did not consider that he had achieved spiritual maturity; he was not perfect, but he lived in absolute confidence of his ultimate salvation. Christians know they will be saved, yet they must have perfection as their goal (Matthew 5:48) while not pretending that sin does not exist (1 John 1:8). Like Paul, they should not dwell on the past. The past should not be used as a barrier to the future, as an excuse for dropping out, or for avoiding proper spiritual conduct in their relationship with God. Believers should be devoted to God whatever their present circumstances (Luke 9:62; 17:31–32) and should strain forward to what lies ahead. Paul would forget his past with all its credentials and accomplishments (and sins) and, like a runner in a race with his whole body reaching for the finish line, would press on toward the goal (3:14).



LET IT GO
We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. Don’t dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with him now. Realize that you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your hope in Christ.

3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. As a runner straining every effort toward the finish line, Paul pressed on toward the goal. In Greek athletic games, the winner’s prize was a garland or palm branch. While Paul didn’t identify the prize, it seems from his writing above that the prize refers to gaining full knowledge of Jesus Christ (see also 1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 4:7–8). Paul aimed to win the prize, but all who finish the race win it as well. The full knowledge of Christ is the final prize for which believers gladly lay aside all else.
Scholars have presented several views for the meaning of the heavenly call, also translated “called me heavenward” (NIV) or the “upward call” (NASB). The Greek words ano kleseos literally mean “high or upward calling.”



LONG-DISTANCE RUNNING
Like a dedicated athlete, Paul wanted to run the race and gain full knowledge of Christ. The first-time marathon runner has periodic thoughts about quitting, especially during the last six miles. By then, the novelty of the experience has faded to the dull regularity of the pace; early adrenaline has given way to soreness and fatigue. Others around him or her are limping along, and some have dropped out entirely.
But dedicated runners must keep going. Somewhere out there is a finish line. Ask yourself these questions:
• What kind of race are you running for Christ?
• What prize do you seek?
• What kind of opposition do you face in your struggle to live as a Christian?
• How can Christ help you stay on track and reach the goal?
• What spiritual workout or training this week will help you run your Christian marathon?
• In what way can you renew your commitment to press on toward the goal of being like Christ?

2 Corinthians 5:17

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! Christians are brand-new people. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. Christians are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated—they are recreated (a new creation), living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6–7). At conversion, believers are not merely turning over a new leaf; they are beginning a new life under a new Master.
In addition to recreating individual Christians, Jesus is incorporating them into an entirely new order. This new creation that Christ has begun constructing through his work on the cross includes the community of faith and all of creation (see Romans 8:20–21; Ephesians 1:9–10). This recreation of all the earth was something the prophet Isaiah had predicted (see Isaiah 65:17). An important aspect of this completely new creation is how people are reconciled to their Creator and even to other people. The distinction between Jew and Gentile is abolished. In its place is the new creation (see Galatians 6:15). Everything old has passed away. The old order of sin and death has gone; the selfish, sinful human nature has been dealt a death blow (see Galatians 5:16–21, 24). Old ways of thinking, old distinctions, have been abolished for those who are in Christ. In its place, the new has come. To draw attention to the coming of this new order, Paul announced it with the word “see.”



NEW LIFE

Paul proclaimed a whole new creation in Christ. Too often this verse has been individualized so that the main point is blurred. Many preach, “If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation.” While this is true, Paul is saying much more. Not only are believers changed from within (mysterious new creations in Christ), but a whole new order of creative energy began with Christ. There is a new covenant, a new perspective, a new body, a new church. All of creation is being renewed.
So sit up. Take notice. The old, worn-out ways are being replaced with new. This is not a superficial change that will be quickly superseded by another novelty. This is an entirely new order of all creation under Christ’s authority. It requires a new way of looking at all people and all of creation. Does your life reflect this new perspective?

Ephesians 4:22-24 & 29-32

Putting off the old man, putting on the new man [4:17–32]

  1. The character of the old man (17–19)
    a. Therefore: This makes the connection, not only with the glorious spiritual privileges laid out in Ephesians 1 through 3, but also with the high call of a unified, mature body as described in Ephesians 4:1–6. Because of this high calling, we should walk (live) in a different way than the world around us does.
    i. There is a constant tendency for Christians to display to the world that we really aren’t so different after all. This is usually a misguided effort to gain the world’s “respect” or approval. This must be resisted at all costs, because the goal in itself is both undesirable and unachievable.
    ii. This principle of compromise can be illustrated by the exchange between a liberal scholar theologian and a Christian professor. The liberal agreed, “I’ll call you a scholar if you’ll call me a Christian.” The trade isn’t worth it.
    b. No longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk: The Gentile walk is characterized by the futility of their mind. In the end, their thinking is futile because their understanding is darkened—because they are alienated from the life of God.
    i. This is not to say that man, in his rebellion against God, is not capable of mighty intellectual achievements. Instead it is to say that all such achievements fall short of true wisdom, because the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).
    ii. Futility: “The thought is not that unregenerate minds are empty. It is that they are filled with things that lead to nothing.” (Vaughan)
    iii. As Christians, we have a proper way and place to walk. It is as if Jesus turned us around and put us in the right direction, and now we have to walk and progress in that direction.
    c. Because of the blindness of their heart: Fundamentally, the ignorance and lack of understanding of man is a heart problem. It is shown not only in a foolish denial of God, but also in his moral failures (licentiousness, uncleanness, greediness).
    i. The Gentiles Paul speaks of were either atheists or they believed in gods who were themselves immoral. Therefore in their denial of the true God, they denied any standard of morality that they must answer to.
    ii. Past feeling has the idea of one’s skin becoming callous and no longer sensitive to pain. It is the logical result of the blindness of their heart. Blindness can also be understood here as hardening, and this ancient Greek word “is used medically to denote the callus formed when a bone has been fractured and reset. Such a callus is even harder than the bone itself.” (Wood)
    iii. Licentiousness is sin that flaunts itself, throwing off all restraint and having no sense of shame or fear; uncleanness is a broad word, mostly with reference to sexual impropriety.
    iv. Barclay elaborates on the Greek word aselgeia, translated licentiousness: “The great characteristic of aselgeia is this—the bad man usually tries to hide his sin; but the man who has aselgeia in his soul does not care how much he shocks public opinion so long as he can gratify his desires.” (Barclay)

  2. Putting on the new man (20–24)
    a. Put off … the old man … put on the new man: This has the same idea of putting off or putting on a set of clothes. The idea is to “change into” a different kind of conduct.
    i. Think of a prisoner who is released from prison, but still wears his prison clothes and acts like a prisoner and not as a free man. The first thing to tell that person is that they should put on some new clothes.
    ii. Even as putting on different clothes will change the way you think about yourself and see yourself, even so putting on a different conduct will start to change your attitudes. This means that we shouldn’t wait to feel like the new man before we put on the new man.
    iii. Fundamentally, Paul says that for the Christian, there must be a break with the past. Jesus isn’t merely added to our old life; the old life dies and He becomes our new life.
    b. You have not so learned Christ: The repetition of this idea shows that putting on the new man has a strong aspect of learning and education to it. You have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus … and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.
    i. Our Christian life must go beyond head knowledge, but it must absolutely include head knowledge and influence our whole manner of thinking. This is not just in the sense of knowing facts, but the ability to set our minds on the right things. This is so fundamental to the Christian life that Christian growth can even be described as the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).
    ii. The Ephesians learned Christ, not only learning about Jesus, but also learning Him. This means a living, abiding knowledge of Jesus will keep us from the kind of sinful conduct Paul speaks of. Just knowing about Jesus isn’t enough to keep us pure.
    iii. “So, if you want to know the Lord Jesus Christ, you must live with him. First he must himself speak to you, and afterwards you must abide in him. He must be the choice Companion of your morning hours, he must be with you throughout the day, and with him you must also close the night; and as often as you may wake during the night, you must say, ‘When I awake, I am still with thee.’ ” (Spurgeon)
    c. Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness: The new man is the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) created in us at conversion. It is the person created according to the image of Jesus Christ and instinctively righteous and holy. It is in contrast to the old man, who is the person inherited from Adam and who instinctively rebels against God.

  3. The conduct of the new man (25–32)
    a. Therefore, putting away lying: The new man tells the truth. The motive for doing this is because we are members of one another, therefore there is no place for lying.
    i. A body can only function properly if it tells itself the truth. If your hand touches something hot but your hand tells your brain that the thing is cool, your hand will be severely burned. That’s why telling the truth is so important, because we are members of one another.
    b. Be angry, and do not sin: The new man may get angry, but he does not sin. The new man knows how to let go of his wrath, thus giving no opportunity to the devil.
    i. “Here it is suggested that anger can be prevented from degenerating into sin if a strict time limit is placed on it: do not let the sun set on your anger.” (Bruce)
    ii. The devil’s work is to accuse and divide the family of God, and to sow discord among them. When we harbor anger in our heart, we do the devil’s work for him.
    c. Let him who stole steal no longer: The new man does not steal, but he works with his hands. He does this not only to provide for his own needs, but also to have something to give him who has need.
    i. Let him labor: Labor is literally “to exert himself to the point of exhaustion.” This is the kind of working heart God commands those who used to steal to have. Paul’s idea is that we should work so that we can give. The purpose for getting becomes giving.
    d. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth: The new man knows how to watch his tongue, speaking only what is good for necessary edification, desiring to impart grace to all who hear him.
    i. Corrupt communication: “Not only obscene vulgarity but slanderous and contemptuous talk.” (Bruce)
    e. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God: The new man will not grieve the Holy Spirit, knowing that He is our seal both in the sense of identification and protection.
    i. There are many ways to grieve the Holy Spirit. We can neglect holiness and grieve the Holy Spirit. We can think in purely materialistic terms and grieve the Holy Spirit. The Spirit exalts Jesus (John 15:26); when we fail to do the same, we grieve the Spirit.
    ii. “I think I now see the Spirit of God grieving, when you are sitting down to read a novel and there is your Bible unread.… You have no time for prayer, but the Spirit sees you very active about worldly things, and having many hours to spare for relaxation and amusement. And then he is grieved because he sees that you love worldly things better than you love him.” (Spurgeon)
    iii. The Holy Spirit’s grief is not of a petty, oversensitive nature. “He is grieved with us mainly for our own sakes, for he knows what misery sin will cost us; he reads our sorrows in our sins … He grieves over us because he sees how much chastisement we incur, and how much communion we lose.” (Spurgeon)
    f. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you: The new man has control of his emotions (bitterness, wrath, anger and so forth). When such things do emerge, he is able to deal with them in a manner glorifying to God.
    i. Aristotle defined bitterness as “the resentful spirit that refuses reconciliation.”
    ii. Wrath speaks of an outburst of the moment; anger speaks of a settled disposition. Both must be put away.
    g. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another: The new man seeks to show the same kindness, tender heartedness and forgiveness to others that God shows him. If we treat others as God treats us, we fulfill every thing Paul told us to do in this chapter.
    h. Just as God in Christ forgave you: Our forgiveness to others is patterned after the forgiveness of Jesus towards us. When we think of the amazing way God forgives us, it is shameful for us to withhold forgiveness from those who have wronged us.
    • God holds back His anger a long time until He forgives. He bears with us for a long time though we sorely provoke Him.
    • God reaches out to bad people to woo them to Himself, and attempts reconciliation with bad people.
    • God always makes the first move in forgiveness, trying to reconcile even though the guilty party is uninterested in forgiveness.
    • God forgives our sin knowing that we will sin again, often in exactly the same way.
    • God’s forgiveness is so complete and glorious that He grants adoption to those former offenders.
    • God, in His forgiveness, bore all of the penalty for the wrong we did against Him. He was innocent yet He bore the guilt.
    • God keeps reaching out to man for reconciliation even when man rejects Him again and again.
    • God requires no probationary period to receive His forgiveness.
    • God’s forgiveness offers complete restoration and honor. He loves, adopts, honors, and associates with those who once wronged Him.
    • God puts His trust in us and invites us to work with Him as co-laborers when He forgives us.

Resources: Rev. Brad Standfest, Logos Bible Program, Walter A. Elwell and Philip Wesley Comfort, Guzik, David. 2013. Romans. & Ephesians. David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible, Barton, Bruce B., David Veerman, and Neil S. Wilson. 1992. Romans. Life Application Bible Commentary, Barton, Bruce B., and Philip Wesley Comfort. 1995. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers. Barton, Bruce B., and Grant R. Osborne. 1999. 1 & 2 Corinthians. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

Sermon Notes: Having the Mind of Christ

Our Key Passage for our Series is found in Philippians 2:5
Philippians 2:5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:”
Having an Attitude of Christ may seem Very Hard to live up to, But…
Just because Something may be hard doesn’t mean it’s Impossible… Scripture Says it so we can do it
We must not Keep Rehashing & Regurgitating the past… OR that will become the Reality of our Lives
I don’t want to live in the Past… The Past is not healthy…
Jesus gives us a “Clean Slate” Please Listen to Week 1 if you missed it – That is the Starting Point to Having the Mind of Christ

Scripture says this:
Philippians 3:10-14a

Here are some Important Keys to Moving Forward
• Don’t make the Past your Final Story
• Open your Heart & Mind and be ready for what Jesus Christ is about to do for you.
• If you have doubts, lean into The Lord.
“The Lord will renew and strengthen you… You will soar on wings like eagles and not grow tired or weak” (Isaiah 40:31)
• Get Rid of the Know it all Attitude, the Blame Game, and Critical Spirit
• Start the Renovation Process of “Renewing the Mind.”

Last Week we Ended with Romans 12:2 We will pick it back up so this Renovation Can Begin in your minds
Romans 12:2

The word Renew Literally Means…:
• Renovation
• A Complete Change for the Better
• A New Way of Thinking

A Renovation or Complete Change requires work to be done…

When we bought our New house in 2017 we purchased it with the understanding that a Lot of Work needed to be done to it to make it Home…

Here’s the Real Deal…
We turned that House into a Home… Listen:
Roman Philosopher Pliny Said this about a Home:
“A Home is more than just a physical place, a home is where comfort and belonging takes root and is where security, love and familiarity exists. Home is where the heart is.”
Our Minds are the House where all our thoughts are Stored – The Good, Bad, & Real Ugly…
When the House is Messy it Affects the Rest of the Body…

Everything we know and understand starts in the Brain…
It is inside the Mind that we Develop an Outlook on Life in General…
Our Outlooks are Stored and from there we Fire off that Information

Let me Explain what this can Look Like and How Damaging it can be when our Brain Wires are Short circuited…
Let’s just say you had a Bad Father Growing Up… He was not Nice… He was Verbally Abusive… His Encouragement was to always Corrupt & Cut you down… He was Mean!!
The Storage Tank in your Mind May Tell You … Men can’t be Trusted… You better watch out for that guy he is out to get you.

Here is the Psychology and Science of what I am Describing: I Quote

“Neural pathways in the brain connect networks of neurons that store and reinforce information based on our thoughts, habits, and experiences. Repeated behaviors and patterns strengthen these pathways, making them more efficient and deeply ingrained over time.”
—(Kandel, Eric - Principles of Neural Science)

This is exactly why God’s word tells us to Renew our Minds… Re-wire our Thoughts
Psychology calls the process of rewiring Neuroplasticity “When we can create new pathways and retrain our brains by practicing new habits and positive Christ Like thinking.”
This is a Biblical Concept… Scripture says this:
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Through Jesus Christ this Can Happen…
I want to close with A Powerful passage that puts all this together for us:
Read Ephesians 4:22-24 & 29-32

Devotional Questions.

Read Philippians 3:10-14
& engage in the following devotional questions:


  1. How can I actively participate in renewing my mind to know Christ more intimately, as Paul longs to do in Philippians 3:10?

    • Reflect on specific ways you can engage your thoughts and heart to deepen your relationship with Christ, transforming your mindset with His truth and presence.
  2. What mental habits or patterns do I need to renew in order to embrace the power of Christ’s resurrection in my life, as mentioned in Philippians 3:10?

  3. Consider attitudes, thoughts, or beliefs that hinder you from living in the newness of life offered by Christ. How can you replace these with thoughts that affirm His resurrection power?

  4. How can a renewed mindset help me press toward the goal that God has set before me, as Paul describes in Philippians 3:14?

    • Identify ways to refocus your mind on God’s calling and promises, allowing this renewed perspective to inspire your actions and decisions toward His heavenly prize.
  5. In what ways does letting go of past mindsets or failures, as Paul suggests in Philippians 3:13, prepare me for mental and spiritual renewal?

    • Reflect on how releasing past regrets or misconceptions can free you to embrace a transformed mind that looks forward with hope and determination in your spiritual journey.

    Read 2 Corinthians 5:17

  6. How can I embrace and sustain the mindset of being a “new creation” in Christ as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17?

    • Reflect on areas in your life where you may still hold onto old patterns or ways of thinking. Consider practical steps to align your thoughts with the identity of newness in Christ, allowing His transformative power to renew your mind.
  7. What specific “old” thoughts or beliefs do I need to let go of to fully experience the new life in Christ that 2 Corinthians 5:17 promises?

  8. Examine the thoughts or beliefs that might hinder your spiritual growth and renewal. How can you actively replace them with the truths of who you are in Christ, nurturing a mindset that reflects your identity as a new creation?

    Read Ephesians 4:22-24 & 29-32

  9. What does it mean to be “made new in the attitude of your minds” as described in Ephesians 4:23, and how can I cultivate this renewal daily?

    • Consider how you can intentionally renew your thoughts and attitudes each day, inviting the Holy Spirit to transform your mind to reflect the virtues of Christ.
  10. In light of Ephesians 4:29, how can I use my words to edify and build others up, reflecting the renewed self?

  11. Examine your speech and its impact on others. How can you ensure that your words reflect kindness and truth, contributing to the growth and encouragement of those around you?

  12. How can I embody the kindness, compassion, and forgiveness described in Ephesians 4:32, reflecting the new self created to be like God?

    • Reflect on relationships or situations where you can practice compassion and forgiveness, allowing the renewal of your mind to lead you in extending grace and understanding as Christ did.