We can Find the Peace and Joy of God As We Radically Change for Christ and live for Him as part of His family of Christ followers

1) The key for you and I to be radically changed for Christ is to have our minds renovated so that we think more like God and less like the world.

God says that we can be transformed, radically changed, by changing the way our mind thinks. We need to renovate our minds, by cleaning out the old junk, and filling it with the new way of thinking in Christ. “What would Jesus think?”

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

We have a natural tendency to think like the world. God gives us His Holy Spirit when we are saved to give us assurance of our salvation, and to lead us so that we understand the way that Jesus wants us to live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God- Romans 8:14-16

13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned- Ephesians 1:13-14

2) We need to know the difference between the way the world looks at people and things, and the way Jesus thinks looks at them.

The world is really filthy, like an old house that hasn't been cleaned in a long time. There is a lot of anger, bitterness, and evil speaking that needs to be cleaned out of our minds.

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. -Ephesians 4:22-23, 30

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. – Colossians 3:8-10

The Holy Spirit lives within those of us that have trusted and followed Christ, and God tells us not to grieve the Holy Spirit by being unloving.

3) This project of renovating our minds and living for the Lord is something we do as a family of Christ.

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us

We are in this together. Back in Romans 12 where we started out talking about how you and I can be radically changed for Jesus this year, it says that we are all in this together, and we all have different giftings.

We need to sincerely love one another, be kind to one another, be patient in the midst of our troubles, pray for one another, and care for each other.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient[c] in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another.

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is the way we should live as the family of Christ, together. Being happy for each other when someone is happy about something, being sad for each other, when someone is sad about something.

Helping each other stay focused on the main thing. Loving people the way Jesus would want us to, and blessing all those around us.

When someone sees you coming they should think, “here comes a blessing!”.

The way to fight the evil in this world is by loving the way Christ called us to love.

So let’s renovate our minds and furnish our minds with the good stuff.

4) God promises us He will give us His peace as we do what He asks.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.- Philippians 4:8

We Christ followers can overcome fear and anxiety as we abide in Christ and focus on our mission.

1) Abiding in the perfect love of Christ as a community of believers helps drive out our fear and anxiety

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

- 1 John 4:17-20

The love of God is so strong that it casts out fear and anxiety and worry. When we totally trust in God’s love for us and we focus our lives on loving others for Him, our fears and anxieties are driven out.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. – Romans 12:2

Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth. – Colossians 3:2

The things of this world are what cause us our fear and anxiety, but when we set our minds on the things of God’s kingdom we find peace and joy.

For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved to men.- Romans 14:17-18

When our focus is on Christ and our mission as His chosen children our minds and hearts are focused on serving others, and we become filled with peace and joy.

When our focus is on the things of earth our minds and hearts are focused on our own problems and we become filled with anxiety.

put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him- Col. 3:10

Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. – Colossians 3:12-14

The word perfect means fulfilled. Just as an apple tree fulfills its purpose in life when it bears fruit, so we fulfill our purpose in life when we bear the fruit of the Spirit and love.

Fulfillment and peace in life is found in putting on the love of Christ.

2) We can overcome the fear and anxieties of this world by trusting in Christ and loving others

5 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? – 1 John 5:1-4

23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.- 1 John 3:23

The world is full of obstacles, and traps that can cause us distress and anxiety.

We need to learn to rise above our circumstances in Christ, and trust Him to work all things out for our good.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son- Romans 8:28-29

3) We can trust Christ because of the strong witnesses that tell us He is the Son of God, and that He died on the cross for us.

The Holy Spirit and the Heavenly Father testified that Jesus was the Son of God.

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice camefrom heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:16-17

At the cross they pierced Jesus’ side to confirm his death, and both blood and water testified that He had truly died.

33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true;- John 19:33-35

John the apostle witnessed Jesus’s death and he wrote in 1 John that:

6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

- 1 John 5:4-8

There is no doubt that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on that cross some two thousand years ago for us, and that He keeps His promise to never leave or forsake us.

Our comfort and hope must be in Christ and not in our circumstances.

For He, Himself, has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. – Hebrews 13:5

OUR PRAYER FOR YOU

5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

– Romans 15:5-6

Seeking His Guidance

Serving with Others

Sharing with Others

20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” - Matthew 18:20

Find someone to share your journey with- to pray with, to serve with, to grow with

We are not called to follow Jesus alone, but with others. Whether it is your spouse, a friend, a co-worker, or a family member- find someone you can pray with regularly (even if it's over the phone). Find someone you can serve with (maybe someone who can volunteer with you at an assisted care facility or a homeless shelter). Find someone you can grow with.

1) Living a life of service for God means seeking to serve others and not be served

1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,- 2 Peter 1:1a

Peter didn’t expect to be served, he expected to serve the Lord and serve others, just as a servant would, and just as Jesus did.

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”- Matthew 20:28

We should live a life of service to our Heavenly Father just as Jesus did, and just as Peter did.

2) Our life of service for God starts with us becoming a part of the family of God

To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:- 2 Peter 1:1b

How do we obtain saving faith in Christ? Not by our own righteous, but by the righteousness of Christ who made the perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty of our sin.

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, . . . through Jesus Christ our Savior- Titus 3:5-6

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.- Ephesians 2:8-10

God expects His children to do good works, but we become His children by faith, and not by our good works.

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: - John 1:12

Believing on His name is taking on His name, and submitting to Him and His will for us.

3) The better we get to know our Heavenly Father and Jesus, the better we are able to experience God’s grace and peace in our lives.

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, - 2 Peter 1:2-3

God’s grace or kindness and God’s peace can be multiplied to us as we get to know our Heavenly Father and Jesus better.

If you start with a penny on the first square of a checkerboard, and double it on each square, you have 9,223,372,036,854,775,807 pennies on the 64th square, or $92,233,720,368,547,758.07 (over 92 quadrillion dollars)

4) God has given us everything we need to fulfill our purpose in life and to be godly examples to others.

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, - 2 Peter 1:2-3

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.- Ephesians 2:10

5) We therefore should focus every day on how we can grow in our faith, in our love toward others, and in good works toward those in need.

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither [e]barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 1:5-8

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. - Colossians 3:23-24

Ready to grow?

Ready to grow?