The right MIND  

• 1^st – The Mind of Christ… vs. 1-2
  • 1^st – ARM yourself… vs. 1
    • Therefore – since Christ suffered for us in the flesh – arm yourselves also with the same mind!
      • THEREFORE – in light of the EXAMPLE Jesus gave to us …
      • SUFFERING – for the sake of others [the cross] so that they might be saved…
      • ARM [imperative] – only here in NT – to equip and prepare for BATTLE
      • Not physically – we are not to take up ARMS – we are ARM our MIND!
    • MIND [ἔννοια] – 2x in NT – how we THINK – the BATTLE is in our THOUGHTS!
      • The idea is we need to be mentally prepared for the BATTLE…
      • We need to understand that we are in a FIGHT – and get the TOOLS to win it!
      • II Corinthians 10:4-5 – “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God… bringing every THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
      • We are in a BATTLE for the hearts of minds of those who do not know Jesus…
      • Not a battle we fight with knives and guns – we fight by SUFFERING for the lost…
      • We ARM our mind to accept the RIDICULE – face the HARDSHIPS – endure the SHAME…
      • Knowing that it is through our TESTIMONY – people will come to know Christ!
      • Philippians 2:5 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”
  • 2^nd – STOP sinning… vs. 1
    • For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin!
    • When we SUFFER like Jesus – taking up OUR cross to die to ourselves – Luke 9:23
    • The RESULT [passive] of the SUFFERING we go through – is we STOP [cease] sinning…
    • CEASE – to be completely [perfect] set free from the bondage of SIN!
    • BEFORE we came to Jesus – our MINDS were ruled by SIN…
    • We did not SIN because we wanted to – we were SLAVES to SIN…
    • But through our SUFFERING – we have the MIND of Christ…
    • We now have a CHOICE – we are set FREE from SIN!
    • Romans 6:22 – “Now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.” [NLT]
  • 3^rd – Change of MIND… vs. 2
    • He no longer should live the rest of his time [on earth] for the [desires] of men!
      • Do not miss the key word here – TIME – what do we do with our TIME…
      • We ONLY have so much TIME – so much LIFE to spend…
      • From the moment we are born – the clock starts ticking – counting down our days!
      • The question becomes – what we DO with the LIFE that we are given…
      • Do we invest it in our DESIRES [ἐπιθυμία] – the cares of this world and riches…
      • If that is how we spend our TIME – we are wasting our most valuable resource – our TIME!
      • Mark 4:19 – “The cares of this world – the deceitfulness of riches – and the DESIRES [ἐπιθυμία] for other things entering in choke the word – and it becomes unfruitful.”
    • But for the will of God!

• What is the WILL of God – to spend TIME and KNOW Jesus – John 6:29
• Are we worried and troubled about MANY things…
• Rushing around and busy – no TIME to spare – no TIME to sit at Jesus feet…
• That is why we are worried and troubled – we did not find TIME for Jesus…
• When we make the TIME to sit at Jesus feet – everything else falls in place!
• Luke 10:38-42 – “Jesus answered and said to her – Martha – Martha – you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed [to sit at the feet of Jesus].”

• 2^nd – The mind of man… vs. 3-6
  • 1^st – Our PAST… vs. 3
    • For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles!
      • We already wasted enough TIME doing the WILL of the GENTILES [unsaved]
      • Our TIME as an UNBELIEVER was defined by having always [perfect] WALKED in:
      • 1 – LEWDNESS – an outrageous and shameless LACK of MORALS!
      • 2 – LUSTS [ἐπιθυμία] – craving or longing for what we do not have – forbidden things!
      • 3 – DRUNKENNESS – only here NT – doing FOOLISH things because of too much WINE!
      • 4 – REVELRIES – describing a riotous – half drunken parade to pagan gods [Mascara]
      • 5 – Drinking PARTIES – only here NT – a party where alcohol is the purpose!
      • 6 – Abominable IDOLATRIES – literally unlawful [Law of God] worship of false gods!
    • A familiar list – Galatians 5:19-21
      • Paul gives an almost identical list to the one given here by Peter [many of the same words]
      • Peter calls them the WILL of the GENTILES – Paul calls them the WORKS of the FLESH…
      • Either description – the RESULT of this kind of life is clearly defined!
      • Galatians 5:21 – “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
      • No wonder we are told we already WASTED enough TIME living for the world…
      • Is it no wonder God allows SUFFERING to WAKE us up – change our MIND…
      • So we realize what life is really all about – redeem the TIME – and start living for Jesus!
  • 2^nd – Their PRESENT… vs. 4
    • In regard to these [the way we used to spend our TIME]
      • They think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of [self-indulgence]!
      • THEY – those who are NOT saved – always [present] think we are STRANGE…
      • Because we NO longer RUN with them – in the same FLOOD of self-indulgence…
      • FLOOD – only here NT – pouring out till the container OVERFLOWS…
      • Self-INDULGENCE – only here NT – the negation of the word [σῴζω] – to NOT be saved!
      • The world CANNOT figure out why we are NOT rushing to JOIN them…
      • As they OVERFLOW with SINS that DESTROY them – wasting their TIME!
      • The co-worker who does NOT understand why you will not go to the BAR after work…
      • The friend who does NOT understand why you are committed to your MARRIAGE…
      • The WORLD does NOT have a moral compass – and do NOT understand why we do!
    • Speaking evil of you!
      • Speak EVIL [βλασφημέω] – the word YOU – is in italics…
      • Meaning they are not speaking evil of US – their lives BLASPHEME the LORD…
      • This might seem like a FOOLISH thing for them to do – but they are BLINDED…
      • They think it is STRANGE [passive] we do not follow them – they do not see the END!
      • II Corinthians 4:4 – “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not – lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ… should shine unto them.”
      • They are HARDENED by their SIN – so they do not want to HEAR the Gospel…
      • Satan uses their SIN to keep people from seeing Jesus – BLIND them to the truth…
      • That his only purpose – is to keep them OUT of heaven!
  • 3^rd – Their FUTURE… vs. 5
    • They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead!
      • GIVE [ἀποδίδωμι] – accounting term to pay off a DEBT…
      • ACCOUNT [λόγος] – could also be translated as Word [Jesus]
      • To THE one who is ready to judge the LIVING and the DEAD…
      • We will all stand one day before Jesus to be judged!
    • The LIVING…
      • LIVING [spiritually] – those who LIVE for Jesus…
      • II Corinthians 5:10 – “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…”
      • The judgment seat – BEMA seat – not speaking of the judgment of sin…
      • But the award seat – where awards were given to athletes at the Olympics!
      • The Olympic games began in Greece – it was well known event in Biblical times…
      • Every two years the Isthmus games were held in the city of Corinth…
      • Those who competed had to train hard in order to win a laurel [leaf] crown!
      • Living for Jesus is a DAILY choice – it takes work and commitment on our part…
      • We CHOSE to take the TIME to get into the Word – make TIME to pray…
      • We make the TIME to attend Bible studies – grow in our faith…
      • Not so we can earn a temporary CROWN – but an eternal CROWN!
      • James 1:12 – “He shall receive the crown of life…”
    • The DEAD…
      • DEAD [spiritually] – those who do NOT live for Jesus…
      • Will stand before the WHITE throne – to be JUDGED for how they LIVED their lives…
      • There will be TWO sets of books opened – the BOOKS and the Book of Life!
      • Revelation 20:11-12 – “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it…  And I saw the dead – small and great – standing before God…”
      • If a name is not found written in the Book of Life – the BOOKS are opened…
      • They are then JUDGED according to their LIVES – recorded in the books…
      • Everything they did – every word they said – every thought…
      • Not to see if they will go to heaven or hell – but to show why they will go to hell!
  • 4^th – The Gospel… vs. 6
    • For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead…
    • They might be judged according to men in the flesh – but live according to God in the spirit!
    • The GOOD news [εὐαγγελίζω] – was preached to the DEAD [spiritually]
    • So they might [subjunctive] be JUDGED here [in the flesh] – realize they are SINNERS…
    • Then they would CHOSE [active] to LIVE for God – in the power of His SPIRIT!
    • We do NOT share Jesus out of some sense of obligation – or for some reward…
    • We share the GOSPEL – because EVERYONE will be JUDGED by God…
    • And we want them to see their sin NOW – and cry out for FORGIVENESS…
    • Rather than at the WHITE throne – and be JUDGED…
    • Hell is not temporary – hell is the SECOND death – eternal separation from God!

• 3^rd – The mind of the believer… vs. 7-11
  • 1^st – Near the END… vs. 7
    • But the end of all things is at hand – therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers!
    • It is IMPORTANT we recognize the DAYS we are living in…
    • We are NEAR [ἐγγίζω] the end of ALL things – the RETURN of Jesus Christ…
    • The end is CLOSE – CLOSER today than the day when Peter wrote this!
    • Romans 13:11 – “Knowing the time – that now it is high time to awake out of sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed…”
    • We are in the LAST DAYS – the return of Jesus is CLOSER today than when we were saved…
    • Jesus is coming to rapture the church – take us to heaven – I Corinthians 15:51
    • It could happen next week – it could happen today – it could happen right now!
  • 2^nd – WHAT to do… vs. 7-10
    • THEREFORE – in light of the DAYS we live in – we are given FOUR things to do:
    • 1 – SERIOUS [σωφρονέω] – compound word – to have a SAVED [σῴζω] mind… vs. 7
      • We MUST [imperative] make sure that GOD is in control – guiding our lives…
      • Because what good will it do if we share Jesus with others – only to fall into sin ourselves!
    • 2 – WATCHFUL [νήφω] in prayers – we must [imperative] calm [watchful] – by praying… vs. 7
      • Because when we PRAY our perspective changes – we see other people in a new light…
      • We no longer see lost SINNERS – instead we see our God who is their SAVIOR!
    • 3 – Above all things have [constant] love [ἀγάπη] for one another… vs. 8
      • For LOVE [ἀγάπη] will cover a multitude of sins – Proverbs 10:12
      • ABOVE all – meaning this is the MOST important for believers…
      • But it is NOT a command [participle] – because it CANNOT come from us!
      • The LOVE [ἀγάπη] of Jesus put Him on the cross to PAY for ALL of our sins…
      • He is willing to FORGIVE everything we ever did – or will ever do…
      • And when we realize ALL we have been FORGIVEN – it will CAUSE us to FORGIVE others…
      • And when we FORGIVE – that LOVE will mark us as followers of Jesus!
      • John 13:35 – “All will know that you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”
    • 4 – Be HOSPITABLE to one another – without grumbling… vs. 9
      • HOSPITABLE [φιλόξενος] – we MUST [imperative] be friendly to strangers…
      • GRUMBLING [imperative] – to COMPLAIN under our breath!
      • There have been times when I am cleaning up the church – I start to COMPLAIN…
      • Why can the people not at LEAST pick up their garbage…
      • And the Lord taps me on the shoulder – who are you doing that for!
      • If we cannot SERVE without COMPLAINING – then we should NOT serve…
      • God does NOT need our help – and God will NOT make us do anything…
      • If we SERVE – we should SERVE out of LOVE – LOVE for God and LOVE for others…
      • Not just LOVING those who know – even more so STRANGERS!
  • 3^rd – Use the GIFT… vs. 10
    • As each one has received a gift!

• GIFT [χάρισμα]- where we get the name CHARISMATIC…
• Speaking of the supernatural GIFTS that God gives to believers in the church…
• A total of 23 gifts listed in the NT – Romans 12 / I Corinthians 12 / Ephesians 4
• It comes from the root word – [χάρις] meaning GIFT or GRACE…
• The GIFTS are not earned – they are GIVEN to us by the Holy Spirit!
• I Corinthians 12:11 – “The same Spirit works all these things – distributing to each one individually as He wills…”

• Minister it to one another!
  • We all have a GIFT [singular] – at least ONE – that we are to use to MINISTER [διακονέω]
  • We are to ALWAYS [present] use that GIFT to SERVE one another!
  • Not sure what our GIFT is – there is only one way to find out – step out and try…
  • If God has given us a desire to WORSHIP – then step out and SING…
  • If God has given us a desire to TEACH – then step out and SHARE…
  • We will never be sure of what our purpose is – until we step out to find out!
• As good stewards of the manifold grace of God!
  • STEWARDS [οἰκονόμος] – a servant in a great house…
  • We have been given our GIFT – as our part in the CHURCH [house] of God…
  • Our GIFT is one of MANY [manifold] the GRACE [χάρις] of God gives…
  • That allows us to work together as the BODY of CHRIST!
  • I Corinthians 12:12 – “The human body has many parts – but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” [NLT]
  • We ALL have our place within the CHURCH – a purpose God gave us by GRACE…
  • Each role is vital for the body of Christ to function properly…
  • If any part is MISSING – or NOT serving – the whole body SUFFERS…
  • We are many different parts – but we all come together as ONE family…
  • Helping each other GROW and MATURE in our walk in Jesus Christ!

Then our lives WILL bring GLORY to Jesus Christ as we shine for Him!

4^th – HOW we do it… vs. 11

[Since] anyone speaks – let him speak as the oracles of God!

ORACLES [λόγιον] – 4x in NT – always used to describe the WORD of God!

Women use an average of 20k words a day – men use around 7k words…

We are going to SPEAK – the key is to make sure WHEN we speak…

We SPEAK the ORACLES – the command or Word of God!

Our words have NO power – we cannot bring conviction – change hearts…

It is ONLY the Word of God that turns SINNERS into SAINTS…

If the BIBLE were just an ordinary book – there would be no reason to share it…

The last thing people need – is another OPINION…

But the Bible is NOT the OPINION of men – it is the ORACLE of God – so SPEAK it!

[Since] anyone ministers – let him do it as with the ability which God supplies!

ABILITY [ἰσχύς] – to serve in the STRENGTH that comes from God…

SUPPLIES [χορηγέω] – 2x in NT – to be the CHOIR director!

In a great orchestra there are many instruments – with different sounds…

If they all follow the conductor – then they blend together in beautiful harmony…

But if an instruments gets out of tune – does not follow the conductor – disaster!

We are ONLY effective in SERVING – when we do NOT do it in our own strength…

And When we SERVE each other by following the CONDUCTOR!

5^th – WHY we do it… vs. 11

In all things God may be glorified [subjunctive] through Jesus Christ…

To whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen!

If we ARM ourselves with the MIND of Christ – understand the call to SUFFER for others…

If we no longer waste our TIME on this world – but long for the WILL of God…

If we share the Gospel with a lost world on the verge of eternal judgement…

If we understand the time is short – and are serious – prayerful – loving to one another…

Using our GIFTS – and in everything we say and do dependent on Jesus…