The Christian and Self-Renewal Renewing the Mind (3) “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” {Romans 12:2} Title Slide: The Christian and Self-Renewal (4)—Renewing the Mind (3)

Introduction Changes will not take place in our lives until our MINDS are in tune with God’s will. The Bible has much to say about the mind… We have looked at several things about which we OUGHT to be thinking. Learn the importance of optimism so you won’t have to deal with the consequences of pessimistic thinking. Introduction…(fifth lesson in this special series)…

The Need for Optimism Optimism is associated with the one who is right as he stands before God. God’s word calls for optimism. “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil… I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” {Deuteronomy 30:15,19} The Need for Optimism. Optimism is associated with the one who is right as he stands before God. God’s word calls on us to have optimism. (Deut.30:15,19) What makes these verses interesting is the fact that they list the options between good and bad. We are told to choose the GOOD options. Last week, we discussed the danger of FALSE OPTISMISM. {Examples: Ignorance (Matt.7:21); Self-righteousness (1 Cor.10:12); Pharisee praying in the temple (Lk.18:9-14) Bible example: (Josh.7:3,4) Israel had no basis for their optimism when they determined to go and fight the little city of Ai. They had a false sense of optimism because there was “sin in the camp” concerning the events that occurred at Jericho. And now God was no longer with them! There are times we need to feel bad because of the way we have acted. There are times when we need to mourn and repent because of sin. Yet, true spiritual growth will make such actions less and less necessary!

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Assurance = “full assurance, most certain confidence.” (Thayer) Usually used in regard to anticipation of the reward the faithful will receive when this life is over. “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” {2 Thessalonians 2:16,17} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Assurance = ”full assurance, most certain confidence.” (Thayer) Usually used in regard to anticipation of the reward the faithful will receive when this life is over. (2 Thess.2:16,17)

The Bible Speaks of Optimism An optimistic prayer—Paul knew God was listening. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” {Philippians 1:3-6} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. An optimistic prayer—Paul knew God was there. (Phil.1:3-6) God’s ears are open to His children’s prayers (1 Pet.3:12).

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Hearts full of assurance of our faith. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” {Hebrews 10:22} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Having our hearts full of assurance…(Heb.10:22) Making our faith work for us; having full confidence in what God has promised.

The Bible Speaks of Optimism As Christians, can we know we’re saved? “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” {1 John 5:13} “And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” {1 John 3:19} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. As Christians, can we know we’re saved? (1 Jno.5:13; 3:19) As Christians, we KNOW that God is with us and that He knows what is best. We have all kinds of assurances. They give us TRUE HOPE so that no matter what others do, we will not waver. Isa.32:17— ”The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” Note that Isaiah attributed true assurance to righteousness, which is obedience to the law.

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Confidence—Christians need to be confident. “Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” {John 4:35} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Confidence—Christians need to be confident. Confidence implies a present and abiding trust. Not only does this text remind us that we do have opportunities. It tells us TO DO SOMETHING—OPEN OUR EYES and search them out. We need to believe there are people who are looking for God. Are we LOOKING for those folks?

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Confidence—Applying the term. Give an answer for your hope. {1 Peter 3:15} We ought to be able to go to our brethren during times of need. {1 John 3:17,18} We ought to be able to trust our brethren to do what they promise to do. {Colossians 3:9} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Confidence—Applying the term. Give an answer for your hope. (1 Peter 3:15) We ought to be able to go to our brethren during times of need. (1 John 3:17,18) We ought to be able to trust our brethren to do what they promise to do. (Colossians 3:9) ALL OF THESE THINGS require optimism to reach their full potential. If you don’t confidently believe, you will not be as strong with God’s word, OR you will not go to your brethren as often as you can or should, OR believe your brethren when you turn to them in time of need.

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Faith—The very idea of true faith is optimism. It gives assurance and confidence. How seriously have we considered faith? Defined, it is “conviction of truth of anything; belief.” (Thayer) The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Faith—The very idea of true faith is optimism. It gives assurance and confidence. How seriously have we considered faith? Defined, it is“conviction of truth of anything, belief.” (Thayer)

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Faith—The foundation of our faith. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” {Romans 10:17} “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith…” {2 Peter 1:5} “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” {Hebrews 11:1} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Faith—The foundation of our faith—Rom.10:17; 2 Pet.1:5. A child has defined faith as “Forsaking All I Trust Him. Heb.11:1 described faith as the ”substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The ASV used the words “assurance” for substance and “conviction” for evidence. The word means our foundation or the confidence of the mind.

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Faith—We all need more faith. Question—Faith in what? If we believe God, then we have reason to hope. Can you see how optimism and faith are related? The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Faith— We all need more faith… Question—Faith in what? If we believe God, then we have reason to hope. Can you see how optimism and faith are related?

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Where is your faith? “And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!’” {Luke 8:24,25} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Where is your faith? (Lk.8:24,25) While crossing the sea, the disciples became fearful about the wind and water, so they awakened Jesus. He calmed the storm and rebuked the winds, then looked at them and asked, “WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?” He was pointing out that they should have believed the best, knowing Jesus was there and the power He had previously demonstrated before them. Another word that comes to mind is TRUST! Why did they lack trust in Jesus? They lacked personal faith…

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Faith demonstrated. “So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’” {Matthew 17:20} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Faith demonstrated. Numerous Bible passages show faith and how it relates to optimism. (Matt.17:20) Jesus’ time on earth was a period of miracles. Jesus said, “If you have faith as a MUSTARD SEED…” Consider the text ahead of this statement (vs.14-21). The disciples had failed in their efforts to cast out a demon. In vs.17, Jesus rebuked them, calling them a “faithless generation.” Then they asked why they COULD NOT cast out the demon. The answer is in our passage (17:20). In this example, we learn that another element was necessary for the performance of the miracle—optimistic belief (not just on the part of the receiver but also the giver). If they had such faith, they would have the power to perform the miracles.

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Faith demonstrated. “When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, ‘Son of David, have mercy on us!’ And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’” {Matthew 9:27,28} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Faith demonstrated. On some occasions, even the receiver needed to have faith. Two blind were following Jesus in pursuit of a miracle to cure their blindness. (Matt.9:27-31) Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can do this.” They replied in the affirmative. According to their FAITH, their sight was returned (vs.29). This example gives us a good understanding of what FAITH is. We have to believe when we place our trust in Him and go to Him in prayer. All these examples (and many others) show that TRUE BIBLE FAITH involves trust and optimism.

The Bible Speaks of Optimism Consider David’s faith. “Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.” {Psalm 6:8,9} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. Consider David’s faith... In many of the Psalms, David was seeking God’s help for some present problem. In these Psalms, he writes as if God has already answered his prayer and solved his problems—Psa.6:8,9. David knew his enemies had departed—why—because the Lord had heard his voice!

The Bible Speaks of Optimism The importance of faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” {Hebrews 11:6} “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” {James 1:6-8} The Bible Speaks of Optimism. The vital importance of faith...(Heb.11:6; Jam.1:6-8) If we have no faith, we are not pleasing to God. When we pray, we should BELIEVE (have optimism) that God will hear and answer our prayers. Those who doubt will receive nothing from God. If we have real Bible faith, we will also be optimistic. We can see the importance of “renewing our minds” if we hope to thrive in our service to God. These lessons have been designed to focus our minds in the right direction toward DOING what we need to do to grow in Him. Next week, we will examine some things NOT TO THINK if we hope to grow. In others lessons, we will discuss things that will promote self-renewal and spiritual maturity. If our thoughts determine who we become, then we must control how we use our minds and what we place in them.