United Church of God

Think Differently: Focus on the Reality

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Think Differently

Focus on THE Reality

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Think Differently: Focus on the Reality

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• Think Differently About Your Life Purpose • Think Differently Desiring To BE Like Him • Think Differently …Seeking The Attitudes of Sharing In God’s REALITY and Purpose

Sermon Notes

INTRO: With all that this world offers …how much is that REALLY? Can this world make you immortal, or solve your problems, or MAKE you eternally happy and fulfilled? We know through living and observing the history of the human race. NO.

BENEFIT STATEMENT: There is SO much waiting for each of God’s human Creations. There is SO much they actually want, but do not know how to join with Him to realize their Purpose. That all is revealed in God’s Living Word, which may be opened to all who desire to have REAL Life, rather than the fake existence of this world.

SPS: The Savior and the Creator of all mankind told us how this works. He came telling us that we need to put the coming Kingdom of God FIRST above this world and …Think Differently

BODY: We are looking now at what God is doing and desires to DO in YOUR life.

  1. Think Differently About Your Life Purpose

We are to be “thinking” primarily of What Christ told us to believe and seek first. The Kingdom, rather than THIS world and THIS life.

Mark 1:14-15 (NKJV) 14  Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15  and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent [think differently], and believe in the gospel."

Of ourselves, we can do nothing any more than Jesus Christ said He could not do. So, we are enabled by God through Christ do change our thinking. It is “unnatural”.

Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV) 31  Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

The ability to think differently about what IS real and of primary Value …that ability is granted by God.

Acts 11:16-18 (NKJV) 16  Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17  If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" 18  When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

What is put into the hearts and minds of those granted the ability to think differently? (Creator/Created)

The “Light” …what is it? Look at the context. HE is introduced as THE Superior Creator!

John 1:1-5 (NKJV) 1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  He was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

This “Light” shining in the darkness of men’s lives causes remarkable God-enabled different thinking about THE Superior of All things including US!

Philippians 3:13-15 (NKJV) 13  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15  Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

The motivation is granted to think this way, and the result is well beyond this world’s experience.

Philippians 2:13-16 (NKJV) 13  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14  Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15  that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16  holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

(John 9:5 (NKJV) 5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.")

Those who are the Light of the world and NOT OF the world. Their FIRST Priority is DIFFERENT.

1 John 4:17-19 (NKJV) 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.

1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV) 15  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16  For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

What did Christ tell them to DO in order to accept God’s Granting of “thinking differently?”

Matthew 16:24-25 (NKJV) 24  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

(Mark 8:34 (NKJV) 34  When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

(Luke 9:23 (NKJV) 23  Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.)  

Is there MORE for us in this life as we work toward God’s Given Purpose for us?

John 15:1-8 (NKJV) 1  "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3  You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5  I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Notice that this “Fruit” is about multiplying God’s Righteous Creation. He is Creating HIS expanding Family WITH us!

John 17:1-2 (NKJV) 1  Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2  as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

John 17:20 (NKJV) 20  "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

(Genesis 9:1 (NKJV) 1  So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth

Genesis 17:1-2 (NKJV) 1  When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2  And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.")

Now that Creation exists and is functioning with us part of it, humanity thinks they can handle it better.

But God’s People have been awakened by “thinking differently” about their ability to be righteous and actually create anything from nothing.

We know we are created, sustained, and have a God-Designed Purpose, which we did not, nor COULD bring about.

As we are enabled to Think as Christ and the Father think, we are empowered to desire to BE like Christ. To “BE” like Him.

(Point 1 has been “Think Differently About Your Life Purpose”)

  1. Think Differently DESIRING To “BE” Like Him

Since some very few chosen humans through history have lived while thinking differently, they have also been guided to BE as Christ by FIRST knowing they are NOT like God of themselves, nor ever would be by their own devices. That is THE lesson of history through our Creator!

Ephesians 4:15-24 (NKJV) 15  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. 17  This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18  having their understanding darkened …, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19  who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20  But you have not so learned Christ, 21  if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 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.

Colossians 3:10-11 (NKJV) 10  and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11  where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

(1 Corinthians 15:28 (NKJV) 28  Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. )

We are Promised that we will BE like Him as we endure to the end and Overcome the diversions of THIS world …by God’s Spirit IN us continually revealing HOW the Reality of “Thinking Differently” must be maintained and LIVED by yielding to God’s Superior Guidance through His Spirit!

1 John 3:1-3 (NKJV) 1  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore, …the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

BUT …there’s MORE to this …Living as we Think and act differently all the way through this life.

1 John 3:16-24 (NKJV) 16  By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17  But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18  My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19  And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20  For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22  And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23  And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name [“I AM”] of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24  Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

HOW did Christ do this? God’s Designed Purpose vs. personal purpose was ALWAYS Christ’s TOP Priority of ALL.

Matthew 4:1-11 (NKJV) 1  Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2  And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4  But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'[Deut 8.3] " [LIFE comes from Truth ] (The words He spoke are Spirit and Life)

         John 6:63 (NKJV) 63  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to              you are spirit, and they are life).  

5  Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6  and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " 7  Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt [“test” to check His faithfulness against our observations] the LORD your God.' (Deut 6.16) " 8  Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9  And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." 10  Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'(Ex 20.3; Deut 6.13) " 11  Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Christ thought as God does. Humans are to be LIKE God and be WITH God. Starting NOW. Here.

Matthew 4:17 (NKJV) 17  From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Phillip Yancy – “There is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and nothing we can do to make God love us less. God IS Love.”

His Love for His Children is exhibited in the realization of the enabling of His Purpose for you personally and the Family of God collectively. ALWAYS for the MOST empowering of His Purpose for you and all.

THIS is what God desires and will have in the incorruptible coming Creation.

So, HOW to does this all start? With “thinking differently” about giving rather than prioritizing self. In other words, sharing our lives for the Purpose God Designed us to “BE”.

Sharing God’s “very Good” Creation and the expansion of it …by bearing God’s Spirit Life-Growing Righteousness.

What would that look like?

  • 1 Think Differently About Your Life Purpose
  • 2 Think Differently Desiring To BE Like Him
  1. Think Differently - Seeking The Attitudes of God …Sharing In God’s REALITY and Purpose.

What we are about to examine is understood and experienced ONLY by accepting and supporting God’s Way of Giving “very good” (Gen 1.27,31) Life-Bearing-Multiplying …which is been put INTO us …and then revealed ..to emulate Christ.

Matthew 5:1-16 (NKJV) 1  And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2  Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3  "Blessed are the poor in [their] spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven [denying self is sharing with all]. 4  Blessed are those who mourn [empathy with all], For they shall be comforted. 5  Blessed are the meek, [teachable] For they shall inherit the earth. 6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst [NEED] for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7  Blessed are the merciful, [extending hopeful future – not correcting crucifiers (as a human)] For they shall obtain mercy. 8  Blessed are the pure in heart, [by God - Ps 51.10] For they shall see God. 9  Blessed are the peacemakers, [giving self up for all] For they shall be called sons of God. 10  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, [exampling witnesses] For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11  "Blessed are you [God valuers] when they [God rejectors] (Mt 6.24; Rom 6.16 …“slaves to whom you obey – hate despise one, or love and loyal to one”) revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward [inclusion] in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13  "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

CONCLUSION:

The process of thinking differently focuses us (as led by God’s Mind and Heart) …to the REALITY of what is actually going on and has been going on.

NOT the world of men and their self-will and woefully incomplete power to accomplish anything without God’s Grace and Mercy while actually Creating of their very lives.

Psalm 103:11-22 (NKJV) 11  For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12  As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13  As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. 14  For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. 15  As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16  For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. 17  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, 18  To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. 19  The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. 20  Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. 21  Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22  Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

          

  • Think Differently About Your Life Purpose
  • Think Differently Desiring To BE Like Him
  • Think Differently …Seeking The Attitudes of Sharing In God’s REALITY and Purpose

CLOSE:

ALL we are is due to God. We ARE because God IS. We are OF and FOR Him.

That REALITY is FAR above every concern or trial or endeavor of men.

Supporting this TRUTH by giving up our self-leadership and trusting that God has our MOST excellent Design in His Work …THAT’S “thinking differently”.  That’s repentance from this world and what it is.

          Colossians 1:13-18 (NKJV) 13  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14  in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV) 5  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Therefore – BELIEVE with ALL you are given to “BE” …the Good NEWS of God’s Kingdom …
“Think Differently”