Single-Minded

You listening to the radio ministry of Clearview church in Henderson, North Carolina I Clearview.

Our goal is to make Christ visible in everything we do before we started, we want to remind you that Dr. Shawn Nichols devotional 30 days through a crisis daily devotions and navigate your faith is available for purchase now you can purchase it as a paperback book from Amazon.com or pick up a paperback at Hills music shop locally here in Henderson, North Carolina this week. Dr. Shah continues our series to the book of Philippians titled we learn what it means to be single-minded both with one another in our pursuit of Christ, but listening to this week's message. If you have ever heard growing up, or ever asked a question like what were you thinking or did you not think ever said that you kids did you not think before you made that decision, or what was going through your mind when you did this source said that while the ones that often said was what possessed you to do that.

Anybody else said that I can see your hands if you raise and what possessed you to do that.

I remember a story that my parents often told about my brother when he was about five years of age and he really wanted a slingshot into the slingshot he really wanted one ends this HOUR I will get you one and they got him one mother told him to get outside and he did and less than a minute later they hear this loud shatter. They run into the living room to see their Phillips radio and I were going back to the late 60s. They had a brand-new Phillips radio.

Nice and shiny glass on top that Phillips radio shattered the screen door from our living room to the yard or to the front driveway was just barely ajar just as much open space, and so they because my brother must've just gone out and the door was not shut all the way just this much space and and he is standing there with the slingshot still in his hand. This rumor is just less than a minute and so they went up to him as his son. Why did you do that in his simple answer was because I had a clean shot that he was less than five years of age and his reasoning for his action was.

I had a clean shot. I looked through the screen door. The little opening and I saw the radio and I think I thought I could take it out. Some peoples reasoning for their behavior is no different and I'm not talking about a little toddler little kid I'm talking about adults. Many many times our behavior is based on some very faulty reasonings. It doesn't match our belief system. We've often heard the statement.

The adage, what you believe is how you behave. But that's not totally accurate unless the Holy Spirit has renewed your mind by what you believe, you will behave as you always behaved in this message is convicting for me, because many times my confession doesn't match my conduct. There is something missing in between and I know right where you are.

You feel it you feel because you say this, but then you do this one are you jumping over what are you climbing over that you should not be any should actually be going through it. We'll talk about that today. Today's message is titled single-minded. So if you have your Bibles with you, trying to Philippians chapter 2 starting in verse one all the way to verse five Philippians chapter 2 verses one through five. Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy fulfill my joy not pay attention to the many times Paul uses the word mind and really look at that word in the Greek, but right now just focus on the English word mind fulfill my joy by being like minded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in the lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests or her own interest, but also for the interests of others. Verse five let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus question for you before we pray and dive into this message. Do your actions.

Do your actions match your confession. Is there a disconnect between your beliefs and your behaviors and has your mind ever been renewed through the Holy Spirit.

You see mind renewal cannot happen until the Holy Spirit comes into your life. The Holy Spirit doesn't come into your life until you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and as your King. If you've never done that.

Would you do it right now, right where you are. A simple prayer that said Jesus I need you in my life. I believe the best of my ability. I believe that you came you died, you are married you rose again. As promised, and that you were seen by many, and I confess I confess that I'm a sinner. I confess that you are the Savior and I invite you to come into my life. Forgive me of my sins and take over and I want to follow you the rest of my life as you help me know if you remember from our past two messages in this series we began the series 2 weekends ago we learned that there were some divisions among the Philippians.

There were some bad behaviors going on. One example of that is found in Philippians 127 Paul says only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel to remember last week and we talked about that there's a lifestyle that goes with the gospel. Something you can do and say that can undercut the gospel so make sure your conduct is worthy, but listen to what Paul says only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that with our come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs not pay attention that you stand fast in one spirit stand fast in one spirit which means what lately they haven't been standing fast in one spirit. They are divided they are scattered, they're not together they're not unified. Stand fast in one spirit, but if is that if that doesn't convince you, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. In other words, the last time Pete Paul heard about the Philippians they were not united. In fact, he even gives us an indication of how serious the situation was because in the fourth chapter he talks about two women who helped him a lot in his ministry. Your defense indicated there were not getting along. One can imagine that your names are written in the word of God be inspired, authoritative in their insufficient word of God as to people who can get along, but that was happening in the Philippian church and Paul is telling them his lesson. There is a problem here. So what was his solution to the problem. Listen to Philippians chapter 2 verse one we just read this passage, he says. Therefore Paul says listen I have joy in my heart I am serving God. I'm reaching the palace guards, but my joy is leaking out and you fulfill my joy tenant can you top it off a little bit. All right, Paul. How to be top of your joy. What he says it right here. Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love and if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any, affection mercy, we just read this a few moments ago. What Paul is doing over here is he's appealing to what they believe in common, but pay attention to verse two fulfill my joy by being like minded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind not pay attention to that word mind in the greed that word is fro name or some variation of that in Paul's letter to the Philippians he uses that word about 11 times fro name. What is that word from name. I mean it it it means mind. It means part it means a way of paying King in mind set that word for name means mindset and then Paul goes on to verse three and he says it again. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind of the war. Again comes from fro name of which means humble mindedness and that of course, in verse five let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus the same word coming from fro name. What is Paul's point. Don't miss this, because that's what this comes down it affects you on your every day life, so don't miss what where I'm going with this. What Paul is saying here is the remedy for your bad behavior is for the right believes to transform your mind you're thinking your mindset is very critical. You can have the right beliefs, but if you jump over the transformation of the mind and tried to behave is not to be possible because your mindset is still the old way and even though you confess the truth, yet your actions are still based on the old mindset. Let me give an example to the book of Romans, because Paul talks about this this mind. This mind even though he uses different words for mind so Romans one through 11 theology Romans 12 through 16 application but what is in the middle. Listen to Romans 12 verse two 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 between theology and application is transformation.

Transformation by the renewal of the mind, through the Holy Spirit.

Please listen very carefully right beliefs do not automatically change how you behave. That's why people can say do you believe in the Trinity.

Yes, I do believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God. Yes, I do believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Yes, I do believe the virgin birth ESV believe in heaven and hell yes. Do you believe that salvation is bowel only by grace through faith. Yes, but why do you still keep doing those the things you do because there is no transformation happening. The mind is not being reconfigured according to the work of the Holy Spirit. For many of us, we have the right confessions, but our minds are still the old us the old us that we inherited from our parents, Adam and Eve the sin nature. The old us what we inherited from our immediate parents, grandparents, their habits, they behaviors, and sadly that went to church and that certain church and yet they had things that did not line up with the word of God and we watched their examples. And guess what were doing doing the same things they did were stepping over the transformation that thinking is still the old so what are the right believes time is running away while Paul doesn't give us a long list doesn't go into detail in Philippians like he goes in Romans.

But he gives certain general truths that we should all hold number one. If there is any consolation in Christ, which means there is don't miss this.

If being in Jesus means anything to you being in Christ, that our God is in us and we are in him should be fundamental in the mind change this week. Let's face it, this crisis has brought out what we really believe. I'm not saying don't be careful about this virus.

I'm not saying go around. Be reckless and hug and kiss everybody way that if you do that you deserve to get sick. Thus, however, say what I'm saying is, how many of us are living in abject fear on the opening I said opening of this crisis us that you know this would be a great time for us to be revived, or have an awakening lesson that's only possible if you spread Jesus is not possible if you go around spreading fear and anxiety.

Yes, we did that.

Why because her mindset is still the old if there is any consolation, which means this if being in Christ means anything to you folks. My God is with me. I don't have to look for Jesus somewhere in the clouds. He is inside of me. He's not done this and what he says. The next one. If any comfort of love, which means this is God's love has comforted you. Have you felt God's comfort you were under the wrath of God, but receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior.

The wrath of God has been lifted. You are now free. God's love daily penetrates your heart and assures you that you are his child, and that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Listen there should be a mind change was the last one year.

Verse two chapter 2 verse one, if any affection and mercy which means this. If you have experience God's love and mercy in your life. There may be people who think differently than you have to show mercy have to show love.

Now the pay attention were almost done if all these things still don't impact you okay if all these things were all these things, consolation of being in Christ Fellowship of the spirit of the comfort of God's love, affection and mercy. If all those things are not strong enough to motivate you to have mind renewal then listen, let's go to Jesus. Let's go right to Jesus what you mean good right to Jesus which means this let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. In a sense, Paul launches into a time of worship but is also giving an example. Have you ever wondered how you were wondered where you are, why we even have worship while churches have worship. I had people tell me pastor I love your preaching. Do away with music and this is good right to admin. I want more to hear why we have worship. Worship is a time for you to exalt Jesus Christ to exalt the living true triune God and realize that he is God and you're not. So now Paul is launching into this a little worship him.

But he also wants you to get the example example of Jesus as you worshiping Jesus. He is God.

I'm not he is in control. I'm not. But what is he like listen, who, being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, better translation, who, being in the form of God did not consider equality with God. God the father something to grasp. Verse seven, but he made himself of no reputation.

You see the mind change the mind changes. If my Savior if my king if my God made himself nothing. Who am I what would happen if and families numbed out about families, not just a church family, but in your own family.

If that kind of a heart is cultivated and I know it's hard sometimes because some people always act the old way. Why could it be that the never had the confession could be the transformation hasn't happened. Something else over here about Jesus and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. That's the mindset you and I need death debt to self but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. So what's the result listen to his this is powerful. The mind shift is happening. Is it happening is it happening where you are. The mind shift believes become behavior. Is there some becoming happening some shift is happening just like the gravity I can if I can say I believe in gravity but I keep jumping off tall buildings. My mind hasn't shifted. Therefore God also has highly exalted him, given him the name which is above every name that had the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven of those on earth, and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. Listen here Paul is kind of ending the application and going into worship.

Worship should be one of the most liberating things in a Christian's life.

When you begin to truly saying happy we had hung up on hymns of this and I'm like, but you still like the old way because they all are hymns, but you still like the old way is not about the style of the music is about the transformation of the mindset. What should the product be listen to four of Philippians chapter 2 verse 12 what should all this cause you to do. Therefore, verse 12, Philippians 212 therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence means of Philippians behaved when Paul was around when Paul was not around they went back to their old bickering and fussing and fighting the old mindset. Paul says come on come on, be like Christ. Even if I'm not there be like Christ. But here's a phrase that I want to walk away with work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. What is working out your own salvation with fear and trembling. It means work for the full realization of your salvation in your life. In other words, let your mind be renewed. Working out your salvation with fear and trembling, is no different than let your mindset be changed as a husband, God has told me how I need to be husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. That's the belief which means my mindset has to change the mindset is this, no matter how my wife is a whatever is happening or whatever she's doing. I have to treat her the way Christ treats the church. If that mindset doesn't happen you can go to every counselor in the world and to get every class. It will not change you will still be the state same old mean cantankerous, selfish person. It is what it is, folks, and then we come to church and we demand our way and that is like when people do that. It's an indication of what you really are. That's all bananas wives. You are to submit to the Lord and check into your husband just the way the church is submitted to Christ.

As you can argue with me in this age of feminism. But that's what the order is there needs to be a shift. Does that mean that he is lording over you. Of course not. The is called to lead. But what if he is not leading like you should.

You still show that you have your mind changed and how you view him regardless of how he views you and your family. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God. Has that transformed you or are you also the instigator because guess what, when you're done instigating in your family go to Cummins to get here has just the law of the mind hasn't shifted you see your mind does not know how to compartmentalize bitterness and envy and and selfishness. It doesn't know how to ski but here it kinda spreads elsewhere mind shift has to happen. How do you see your church family.

Have you worked out your salvation, and that that that this place is important because these are the people that you will spend eternity with which means start changing the way you treat them and by the way, in church and I'm telling you what the word of God says God has called people to lead. That's our team here. Not if you are coming here and saying the democratic process not God decide what our full like okay God has told you these are the leaders and you are acting this way of courses can be problems of people do that. What is my response.

We are called to be servant leaders to put an apron around our waist and wash the feet unless that mind shift happens, I will not lead the sheep. I will beat the sheep you see see how the mind shift is so critical. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling as a pastor's heart is hard to do that. I hope you still have your Bibles open in front of you. I'm giving you all the references.

Verse 13 for it is God. This is not viewed, activating the change in your mind is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure, which means this. Here's a confession here's your conduct when you submit to the change in cognition brought about by the Holy Spirit when you submit to it. God says now I can work and he does the work he does an amazing work question for us is that happening in your life. Are you still the old you and you gonna die. The old you really just like that person you admire in your life. Here's my challenge to you. Go back and see how that person lived and how the person died. That's gonna happen to you. Who do you want to be like I'll be like Jesus. I want a mind shift like Jesus.

And it's tough old nauseous tough is very tough because every time you do that the world is going to come.

It would how to do that.

The devils will attempt you every time you do that the old nature's gonna rise up things are going to happen and you gonna go I does not do this and in those moments you will even fail. But that's okay. When you fail God lifts you up, he gives you more grace if your humble and in the process of that breaking God begins to build your character confession change in cognition than conduct beliefs becoming like Jesus through the Holy Spirit then behave. Thank you so much for listening to this week's message Dr. Shah reminded us in between belief and behavior is becoming by the transformation of the mind Holy Spirit is your behavior match what you say you believe, pray and ask God to renew your mind and make you single-minded pursuit of Jesus Christ. For more information visit us online@clearviewvc.org for the sermon notes and other additional resources check on Dr. Shah's block out on Shah.com. Don't forget 30 days through crisis daily devotions navigate your faith read by Dr. Shah and his wife Nicole is available now.

You can purchase it as an e-book or paperback from Amazon.com or you can shop locally at his music shop and pick up a paperback for you and for Loveland today