Chapter Five: The Eight Steps to a Renewed Mind.

As we begin, Chapter Five redirects us to remember that following God's divine order for man is essential--man's spirit must rule his mind and together they must rule the flesh. As man was created, he was spirit first, mind second and body, in that order. We might ask; is the body unimportant? Scripture will answer that but first think about this: The enemy of our souls will corrupt every good and perfect thing until it is diametrically opposed to God. In our worldly society all of the attention is placed on our physical being; is it attractive and acceptable?

1 Cor. 3:17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is Holy, and that is what you are.

• Our bodies are the temple of God. How much does God value their care and respect? _______________________.

1 Corinthians' 6:19 tells us why God values the body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

• Our bodies are the ________________ of the _________ ____________. How well should we respect that temple? I always found it ironic that people, who would never dream of lighting a cigarette in the church building, out of respect for God, would wait until they were outside on the sidewalk, then light up and draw smoke into the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Are you now confused? First we give such a submissive role to the body because of its negative influence on the mind and now declare it to be Holy and a temple. Consider this: Your spirit is now made alive if you are a Christian, your mind is in the process of being renewed, but your body is still housed in the same mortal tent given at conception. 1 Cor. 15:50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

• Your body, _________ and _____________ is not yet redeemed, nor will it ever go on into heaven.

Dr. Gottier believes that man was first created a spiritually immortal being, and scripture seems to bear this out. Notice what happens in a yet future event known as the rapture. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. [53] For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Cor. 15:52-54

• The perishable body will be transformed and become ___________________. The mortal body will become ________________. We will become like Jesus did after His resurrection, a spirit being.

Have you noticed the order in which we are redeemed? First the spirit must be born, the mind is in the process of renewal and finally the body is transformed. It is the process by which the mind is renewed that concerns us here. The mind is an amazing thing. How the mind wills, chooses, emotes, and is able to respond to the sense's, remains a mystery. Chapter eight will lay out for us eight steps on how to achieve a renewed mind. The Holy Spirit has revealed these to Dr. Gottier and he has recorded them for our consideration. As Dr. Gottier understands it, the sequence of these steps is crucial. Please take a few moments to review the charts.  

Charts #10 and #11

The First Step Toward a Renewed Mind: We Must have a Reborn Spirit.

Paul, in the clear calling for brethren to be renewed in their mind is addressing believers, for the precursor to the renewed mind is a spirit that is alive to God and His Holy Spirit. To see that in the gospels, we will go to John 3:3 and review Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

• Not only will a person not go into the kingdom unless he is _________ _______, but he cannot even _____ (comprehend -understand) it, kind of like describing the color of the blue sky, to a person blind from birth.

• The person not born from above _________ grasp spiritual truths.

Do you recall God's ominous warning to Adam in the garden, resulting in every one of his descendant’s need for a re-birth, for they are born spiritually dead? Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; [17] but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die."

• What did, God say would happen the very day that Adam ate of that fruit? They would surely _____________. Scripture records another nine hundred years of physical life for Adam, but it was physical life without the fellowship of the father, his spirit was dead to God. The ways of God and the kingdom of God were put beyond the veil of his understanding, until the resurrection of Christ made it possible for a man to be born again, made spiritually alive.

• From the day that Adam ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and ________ the door was opened for him to choose evil and wickedness without remorse, and there was no hope of receiving revealed knowledge. Think of it this way; if you had the only telephone on earth, is there any chance that anyone you called, would answer? It is not that the Holy Spirit of God wouldn't communicate, but the spiritual receiver of man was dead, not functioning.

We should follow the lead of our textbook at this point and remind you of your spiritual needs: have you humbled yourself before God and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If you haven't there is nothing in the rest of this chapter for you. We urge you to follow the counsel of the apostle Paul in this matter. 2 Cor. 13:5-6 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test? [6] But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Our hope is that you indeed know that the Spirit of God is alive and well in you, if not please Go back and re-read Dr. Gottier's passages of the Interlude.

1 Cor. 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

• The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God for two reasons: (1) they are _______________ to him and (2) he cannot ________________ them, even if he chose to, for they are __________________ examined. Unless a person is born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 14:16-18 "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; [17] that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, [Holy Spirit] but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. [18] 'I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.'"

• The _____________ (natural man) cannot receive or know spiritual ___________ because it does not know the ________ ___________. Those, who are born of the spirit, have the power of the Holy Spirit living ________ them, serving as teacher.

Our text illustrates this with a passage from Luke 18: Pentecost has not yet come in the lives of the disciples, so was not yet possible for the disciples to be filled with the Spirit. And He took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. [32] "For He will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, [33] and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again." [34] And they understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said. Luke 18:31-34

• Jesus explains to the disciples all that the prophets of the Old Testament had to say about Him. He tells them ahead of time about the mock trial, the scourging, the cross, and finally about the resurrection. And they _______________ none of these things! It was _________ from them and they did not ______________ these things.

• Why couldn't the disciples understand Jesus plain teachings? ______________

• Apparently not even the forces of hell and those under demonic influence understood this: 1 Cor. 2:8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

• Why would they have not crucified Jesus? ______________________________

Luke makes several observations that will confirm the inability of the natural mind to comprehend spiritual truths. The period is after the cross but the Holy Spirit has not yet come. The angels spoke to the women near the tomb: "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, [7] saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." [8] And they remembered His words,” Luke 24:6-8

• Jesus had plainly told them that He would rise again, yet when they found the empty tomb they did not __________ what Jesus had told them and they had to be reminded.

Luke 24:9-11. . . . And [the women] returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and too all the rest. (11) And these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.

• To be certain that we don't misconstrue this to be only faulty memory on the distraught women's side, Dr. Luke included this passage. After the women relayed the words of the angels, what was the conclusion that the disciples drew? The words were _____________ to them and they would not _______________ them.

Luke then tells us of two men, apparently from earlier verses, students along with the eleven other disciples, who were on the road to Emmaus, Luke 24:15-16 And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus Himself approached, and began traveling with them. [16] But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.

• We are told that their ___________ were prevented from recognizing Him. Because they were looking at Him through ______________ eyes, without the insight of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 24:31-32 And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. [32] And they said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?"

• How would you define the phrase "their eyes were opened," what does it mean? _________________________________________________.

As you mature and grow in the Lord, you will experience the "burning" or warming sensation in the center of your being, every time that the Holy Spirit reveals to you spiritual insight or truth’s hidden in the Word. Paul ostensibly portrays the hidden aspects of the Word to the natural mind in 1 Cor. 1:18 For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

• The resurrection and redemption of Christ are ____________ to the un-regenerate, but to those saved, consequently indwelt by the Holy Spirit, it reflects the _________ of God over sin and death.

2 Cor. 3:12-16 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, [13] and are not as Moses, who used to put a veil over his face that the sons of Israel might not look intently at the end of what was fading away. [14] But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. [15] But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; [16] but whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

• Although the Old Testament clearly portrays Christ, as we learned in Luke 24, in the passages about the men on the road to Emmaus, it is _________ed_ to those who have not received Jesus as Lord and Savior.

• That veil is ___________ when we come to Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Paul goes on further to define why the unsaved are blinded: 2 Cor. 4:1-4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, [2] but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. [3] And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, [4] in whose case the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

• The good news (the gospel) is veiled to those who are ____________, those who are not saved by the sacrifice of Jesus!

• They are not able to receive spiritual insight from the Holy Spirit, and so are limited to their five senses and satanic (the _______ of this _________) influence. Satan deceives them with lies and half-truths that they might not _________ or comprehend the _______ of the glory of ____________.
  The inevitable conclusion that we must draw is, that a person must be born again, the blindness removed, before they can begin their journey toward a renewed mind.

The Second Step Toward a Renewed Mind: We Must Sacrifice the Body.

The second step toward a renewed mind is unquestionably portrayed in Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and Holy sacrifice acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

• Christ, through Paul, expects the person who is born again to _________ their _________ as a sacrifice to God, as an act of ___________. As a natural man at worst, our minds were ruled by our bodies and our spirits were dead to the Lord.
• In our best condition, our minds rule the body of the natural person, at least a part of the time. Now with a spirit made alive, we can once again establish divine order, as our minds become reoriented toward the Spirit, and together they control the flesh. We can demand its __________________ now made acceptable to God.

A question might come to your mind on how to sacrifice a body that you still inhabit. Do I beat it, physically punish it, and deny it some essential need like food? To answer this we must first understand the flesh and its demands. Scripture contains several lists on the deeds of the flesh. One such list is found in Galatians 5:19-21a. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, [21] envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, . . .

• An old adage asks the question, "How do you eat an elephant?" The answer is, of course, one bite at a time! The same is true with offering and dominating the flesh. If, the Spirit brings to your mind your failure to conquer your anger, then that is what you need to concentrate upon and offer that to the Lord. Are there deeds of the flesh in this list that rule your mind? ________. The subjection of the flesh to the domination of the mind, is called the work of sanctification, it is the "Renewing of the Mind." It is an ongoing process in the life of a Christian, and the process of sanctification will continue until the physical death of that person.

1 Cor. 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,

• The person who comes to Jesus, who formally lived in one of these life styles' needs to offer or sacrifice _____________ _____________________________________________.

2 Cor. 12:21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

• In this passage Paul is disappointed that some, who have come to Christ, have not _______________ and taken control of the flesh. True repentance requires and action that moves you in a different direction from that which you have been going.

By far the most difficult yielding will by that possessed by the rational mind, pride. Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

• The proud heart is an _________________________ to the Lord.

Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate.

• God has a hate list. A lying tongue and a deceptive mouth, _____________ and ____________________ are tops on that list.

Psalm 10:4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. (Niv.)

• If I am ever to have hope of knowing God and hearing His voice I must _______________Him. Offer my pride and, my cleverness. I now recognize that all the knowledge that I have accumulated over the years was faulty because I was dead to revelation knowledge. In the thoughts of the proud person there is no ________ for _________.

Our Romans 12:1 passage clearly spells out New Covenant worship. We are to present our bodies a living and Holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

• True Worship is to present our ______________, our total beings as a Holy (set apart)_____________. In other words to die to ourselves and be alive to Christ, whose Spirit lives within us.

Paul confirms our understanding in Philip. 3:3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.

• If we are to worship God, we must worship in the _________ of God and the glory of ________ _______.

• Why can we put no confidence in the flesh? ______________

Romans 6:12-19 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, [13] and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. [14] For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. [15] What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! [16] Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? [17] But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, [18] and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. [19] I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

• Almost like review, Paul reminds us that we were spiritually dead to God but now are made spiritually alive, and so we are to present ourselves to God, ______, obedient from the ______.

• We are to present our ______________ (flesh) as instruments of ______________.

• In verse 17 the Word says that we were ______________ of sin, but when we put things in divine order, the spirit controlling the mind and together forcing the flesh into submission, we became slaves (willing or bond servants) of _____________________.

• Since we now dominate the flesh's desire to sin, we can sacrifice that desire and offer our bodies to righteousness, which results in __________________.

1 Cor. 6:15-20 Do you not know that your bodies are of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? May it never be! [16] Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a harlot is one body with her? For He says, "The two will become one flesh." [17] But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. [18] Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. [19] Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? [20] For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

• It is important to realize that our bodies are ______________ of Christ, therefore, what our bodies do effects our spiritual relationship with the Father.

• The one who joins himself to the lord is ________ ________ with Him.

• When we offered our bodies to Him, we became a _____________ of the Holy Spirit, who is in ______.

• Since the Holy Spirit is within and we are _____ our _______, perhaps the question that should always be on our lips when we are tempted is, would the Holy Spirit or Christ enjoy or want to do this.

• We have been bought for a price. Do you recall what that price was? __________________. [Hebrews 9:22b . . . and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.]

• The conclusion of this is the point of the second step we are to ____________ God in our ____________. To do this we must return to divine order, with our spirit and mind controlling the body.

To force our bodies into submission is not without effort. Paul uses the illustration of a marathon runner who toward the end must force his body to take every step.

1 Cor. 9:26-27 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; [27] but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

• The flesh wants to rebel. We must become like a boxer whose flesh is his opponent. We must pummel and beat our _______, as an opponent of Christ, into submission.

In Romans 8:12-14, Paul has these strong words to say: So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- [13] for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

• If we are ruled by our flesh, then we are headed toward ___________.

• If, on the other hand, we are taking control of our bodies by putting to _________ the ______ of the body (the process of sanctification), by the power of the _______ within us, we chose _________ for then we are truly ______ of ________.

Some will take Paul's words in the next passage to defend a program of rigorous physical discipline, but careful reading will reveal the true nature of the passage.

1 Tim. 4:7b-8 . . . On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; [8] for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.

• When we discipline ourselves if must be for the purpose of ____________, some discipline the body as a temple to be adorned and admired. Godliness is __________ for all things in this life and must certainly supersede bodily discipline.

Dr. Gottier asks us, rather bluntly, to compare the time spent caring for our bodies to the time spent caring for the feeding of our spirits. How did this compare to Paul's admonition to bring our bodies into submission and offer them as living sacrifices to the Lord? This would include all of the desires of the flesh, its lust and passions, and our trust in the sense knowledge that we have accumulated over the years. Until we will make that offer of sacrifice we cannot move onto a renewed mind.

The Third Step Toward a Renewed Mind: To Come to a Humbleness of Mind.  We will find the third step toward the renewed mind in our now familiar passage, Romans 12:1-3:

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and Holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect. [3] For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of him than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Our focus now needs to be on verse 3. In verses one and two we have been born again, sacrificed our bodies and their worldly desires, and made Jesus Lord of our Lives. We have been given spiritual insight into the kingdom of God, and are now indwelt by the presence of His Spirit giving us revelation knowledge that we may know the will of God.

• Why would Paul feel the need to remind us not to let pride take hold? ________ _____________________________________________.

• Other than to choose to submit, did we play a part in the new birth? ______________.

• Is knowing God's will the result of anything we do? ______

• If our salvation and spiritual insight are not of our own doing, and we are pursuing the mind of Christ, then what part can we possible take pride in? ________________

1 Cor. 12:27 Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.

1 Cor. 12:13-15 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. [14] For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 1 Cor. 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.

• If you are born again then you are a part of the ___________ of Christ.

• Is any part of the body of Christ more important than another? ______________

• Since God has placed us into the body of Christ, and equipped us to function in that position, and has given us the resources and talents to perform that function, what part can pride play in this? _____

If pride cannot find a foothold, why does Paul caution us so strongly in verse 3: I say to every man among you not to think more highly of him than he ought to think? Dr. Gottier aids us in this area; before the spirit was reborn, the mind had the run of the place, and if you think back you will remember what the old mind was like. Its natural characteristic is that of arrogance, confident that the five senses provide all of the information necessary for it to have complete knowledge.

The mind must now come to a place where it will humble its self and allow God's Spirit to retrain it. Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

• Do not be ______________ in mind. Your position in the body of Christ is not of your own making.

• Do not allow your mind to think it _______ of its own accord, rather, it must accept guidance from the Spirit.

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

• Being a Christian requires an active role, yes the Holy Spirit, guides and convicts, develops in us the fruit of the Spirit and cleanses us from all unrighteous, but we are not mere puppets. It is our responsibility to abide (remain) in Him, to set our minds upon the things of the spirit, to ______________ ourselves before him, offering ourselves as a ____________.

Our text points out two stumbling blocks in the road toward the humility of the mind. I must admit that I have been wrong for so many years about these maters, and accept that my friends and acquaintances will think that I have become a fanatic for Jesus.

Jesus emphasized the importance of such humility on many occasions. Once when he was pronouncing judgment on Capernaum in Matthew 11:23-25, He said in verse 25 . . . "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes."

• His Word is __________den_ from those who are naturally wise and intelligent, and yet ____________ed__ to those who are as humble in mind as little babies.

Jesus speaks to the preservation of self image in Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. [25] "For whoever wishes to save his life [psuche, psoo-khay - psuche; breath, the soul mind, person] shall lose it; but whoever loses his life [psuche] for My sake shall find it. [26] "For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul [psuche]? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

• What is a Roman cross for, or what function does it serve in this passage? A cross is to ________ upon.

• On this cross that we must take up, what are we to die to? To our old __________ of self- pride, arrogance, inflated self-image, literally the natural mind.

• If we die to the natural man, our old nature, then what is left is the new spiritual nature, whose characteristics resemble the naturally born spiritual man that we know as ________.

Paul reinforces this concept in 1 Cor. 3:18-19 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness";

• Our natural minds' think great things, they are impressed with their own wisdom, God sees worldly wisdom as ____________.

2 Cor. 11:2-3 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. [3] But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

• The phrase our "_______________________________" indicates that this is an ongoing struggle throughout our Christian lives.

• Simply put, every cult and 'ism begins with some new, special, secret knowledge, never before available, and not available to any who are not adherents to the new group or leaders. Such pride in salacious, rational knowledge, is often used by demonic forces to lead Christians away from the ___________________ and ____________ of devotion to _______________.

It is well to remember that we have or can have access to the "Mind of Christ." Philip. 2:1-11 If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, [2] make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. [3] Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; [4] do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. [5] Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• Paul defines the attributes of the mind of Christ, available to those who make up the body of Christ, as love, fellowship in the Spirit, having affection and compassion on each other. We should be of the _______ _________, having the same ___________, ____________ in spirit, with the same intent and purpose as Jesus, to carry out the will of the Father.
• What is the will of the Father? [John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. [17] "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.] ____________________________________________

• Our ______________ should resemble that of Jesus.

• Not self-centered but looking out for the ___________of others.

Col. 3:9-12 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, [10] and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him [11] a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. [12] And so, as those who have been chosen of God, Holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

There is a trap set forth by our enemy, Satan, that encourages a Christian simply to abide, put forth no effort and God will form them like a puppet.

• The Christian walk is one of the choices. We must first choose Christ over the prince of this world. To do that is to choose to put on the _______ ________.

• When we offer our old self on the altar of sacrifice, the Lord begins a life long process of remaking us into the _________ of the creator, Jesus. Neither race, social status, nor gender, play a part in this.

• When we "set our minds on the things of the Spirit," the Lord begins to impart to us ___________, ___________, _____________, ____________, and ____________.

James 4:6-10 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." [7] Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

• The subject of this passage is about __________ing_ ourselves before the presence of the Lord.

• If we are double-minded, fixed on the things of the rational world and the things of the spirit at the same time, we must _________________ our hearts (home of attitudes). You purify your heart, by setting your mind on the spiritual (a choice that you make) even when your five senses disagree.

• Least we pass over it too lightly, to _____________ yourself before the Lord, is to decisively offer the accumulation of the natural mind for retraining and correction. For some, this is a most difficult hurdle. Remember this is the point at which Satan fell.

The Fourth Step Toward a Renewed Mind: Be determined to be Transformed.

Again we return to the now familiar passage Romans 12:1-2 as a starting point for the fourth step. I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and Holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove [dokimazo, dok-im-ad'-zo; to analyze and examine] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

• And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Can you see that we have a choice here? What will result if we chose to be renewed in our minds? We will be ____________ a process called sanctification that will result in our resembling our creator, Christ. We will again, become like Adam, made in the image of God.

• What is the result if we chose to remain focused upon the things of this world? _______________________________. We will bear the image of the prince of this world, who came to steal, kill and destroy.

The mind has been forced, since your physical birth, to gather its information from the five senses, gaining no information from our dead spirits; suddenly, when your spirit is made alive, its world seems upside down. The Spirit is alive and sweetly whispering to it, the flesh and its colleague, the human spirit of rebellion, have been placed on the altar of sacrifice, the information that it has gathered all of these years, now seems inadequate, inaccurate, and unsustainable. Its arrogance gone it now must humble itself. There is a new beckoning from within to conform itself to new attitudes and a new will. Col. 3:1-2. If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

• To___________ seeking the things above, implies an ongoing effort.
• To __________ your mind on the things above indicates a choice.

Dr. Gottier points out that this is a very decisive moment, one that in many persons, must be made more than once, as we often slip back into double-mindedness. The choice is clearly portrayed in Romans 8:4-8 in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. [5] For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. [6] For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, [7] because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; [8] and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

• Those who chose the flesh have their __________ set on the things of the flesh.
• Those who are according to the Spirit, their minds are _______ on the things of the ___________.
• The mind set on the flesh is __________ toward God.
• The mind _______ on the Spirit is ____________ and ______________.

Peter will illustrate for us this vacillation between the flesh and the spirit in Mark 8:29 And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "Thou art the Christ." We are then told that the Father revealed this to Peter, who at that moment had his eyes fixed on the Spirit. Now maybe ten minutes later listen to Jesus' rebuke. Mark 8:31-33 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. [32] And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. [33] But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."

• At this juncture, what was Peters mind set upon? __________
• Would Jesus have rebuked Peter if Peter had no choice on where his mind was set? ____.

John 7:13-18 Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for fear of the Jews. [14] But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. [15] The Jews therefore were marveling, saying, "How has this man become learned, having never been educated?" [16] Jesus therefore answered them, and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. [17] "If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself. [18] "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."

• We shall shortly deal with the importance of the revealed Word, for now let's concentrate on the highlighted phrase "If any man is willing to do His Will" indicates a mind set on the things' _________________.
• What is the alternative? When a person seeks his ____________ glory then his mind is set on the___________.

Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, [2] of instruction about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. [3] And this we shall do, if God permits.

• The phrase "let us press on" and "we shall do" indicates ____________, determination or self will.
• Would our focus be on internal or external things if we were concerned with the elementary truths of our faith? _________.
• Therefore, as we mature, our focus will be on the ___________ work of the Holy Spirit, His teaching and revelation knowledge.

1 Peter 1:13-15 Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [14] As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, [15] but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;

There are five imperatives listed here. To understand the first we must understand something of the culture. Men wore robes in those days and girded their waist with a long belt. When they needed to run, they would put the belt between their legs and draw or gird up the robe to form pantaloons, giving freedom to movement.

• The first imperative is to ____________ up our minds, get them ready for action.
• The second is to _________ sober or awake in spirit. Compilers note: There is a movement today that calls for people to be drunk in the Spirit.
• The third is to ___________ our hope completely on grace.
• The forth: do not be ____________ to the desires of the flesh.
• The fifth: be _________ in our behavior.

The forth step toward a renewed mind, is that we must choose to be transformed. Dr. Gottier points out that the steps are absolutely sequential. First we must be born again, second we must offer the flesh on the altar of divine worship, third we must humble our minds before the Lord, then we can choose to be transformed in our minds.

The Fifth Step Toward a Renewed Mind: To be Filled with the Holy Spirit.

This passage from 1 Cor. 2:6-9 will help us to quickly determine the fifth step toward a renewed mine. Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; [7] but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; [8] the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; [9] but just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him."

• Paul, Speaking through the Holy Spirit, declares his speech to be other than that of the wisdom of this _______; speech limited to the five senses, without spiritual impute from the Holy Spirit.
• Rather he speaks God's _______________, he calls it _______________ wisdom.
• This wisdom is wisdom prepared for those who ___________ God. It is hidden, and must be understood by the help of the Holy Spirit, available only to those who are born of the Spirit.

1 Cor. 2:10-13 "For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. [11] For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, [13] which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words."

• Paul speaks of revelation knowledge. How does God reveal His wisdom to those who are mature in Him? Through spiritual __________ combined with spiritual _________. The Holy Spirit speaks to us, using the "word of God, the Bible."
• We have received the Spirit who is from ______ that we might know the things _____________ _____________ to us by God.
• Paul says the Godly things that he speaks are things' _________ by the _________.

Compilers Note: If you do not spend time studying the word of God, how can the Spirit speak to you? He speaks not of His own, but He takes from the things of Christ, the "living Word." If, for example, the Holy Spirit spoke only Japanese, how would you be able to communicate with Him if you did not become a student of that language. The Holy Spirit of God speaks the Word of God!

John 14:25-26 "These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you. [26] "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."

• Just prior to His death, when Jesus spoke to the disciples telling them of events yet to take place, He chose to focus on the role of the Holy Spirit. In particular He emphasized two ministries of the Holy Spirit: First, it is the Spirit's responsibility to ___________ us all things
• Second: it is the Holy Spirit who brings to our ___________________ all that Jesus said. To the disciples it was Jesus word, to us it is the written, Living Word.
• This certainly answers the oft quoted discrediting statement, the Bible is just some persons view, some man's understanding about God. The writers of the New Testament received the words and understanding of events from the inspiration of the ____________ ___________.

John 15:26-27 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me, [27] and you will bear witness also, because you have been with Me from the beginning."

• A second name for the Holy Spirit would be the _________ of ______________.
• His ___________ of Jesus enables us to bear ____________ also because of the revealed truth now within us. Real truth about spiritual things comes only from the _________, the Holy Spirit of God.

John 16:7-15 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. [8] "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; [9] concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; [10] and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me; [11] and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. [12] "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. [14] "He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you. [15] "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said, that He takes of Mine, and will disclose it to you."

• The passage in verse 13 confirms a central theme of this book; that you cannot know the truths of the kingdom except they are revealed to you. It states that when the "Spirit of truth comes," He will _____________ you into all the ________________.
• The more that we worship Jesus, the more evident is the power of the Holy Spirit in and through our lives, for the Holy Spirit shall take the things of __________ and ____________ them to us.
• As our text points out, the Holy Spirit is the communication link between us and the Father. He will reveal not only kingdom _______________ to us, but also the Father's love, His concern, care and correction, as we need it.

Romans 8:6-9 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, [7] because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; [8] and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

• The mind set on the flesh is __________ and is __________ toward God and cannot ______ God. We are not in the flesh. Rather, we are in the Spirit, when the Spirit of God _________ in us. If the Spirit of [Christ] God does not dwell in us then we do not ____________ to God.
• Please be reminded that there is a choice here, we can choose to _________ our minds on the ___________ or on the _____________. We must choose to focus our minds on the Spirit and not the flesh.

Titus 3:4-6 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, [5] He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

• We are saved, not by our good __________ but by God's ____________.
• This passage plainly spells out our salvation in two basic steps, one: the _____________ of __________________, [made spiritually alive again] and two: ______________ [of our minds] by the Holy Spirit.
• It is this in filling or pouring out of the ________ ________ upon us, which is the critical fifth step in the renewing of our minds.

1 John 2:27-29 And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. [28] And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. [29] If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.

• Who is the anointing that we have received from God? The ___ ______ ____________
• If a man cannot know real truth apart from God's revelation, should we trust the teaching of a person not filled with His Holy Spirit? _____. But if the Holy Spirit resides within us we can trust His teaching because it is _______ and not a ____________.
• In essence, we should submit ourselves to being taught and instructed by the __________ _____________. We should set our minds on the ____________, that we may _________ righteousness.

Do the instruction and teaching of the Holy Spirit just happen, without any effort on our part, when we receive Jesus death on our behalf? Dr. Luke answers that question in chapter 11:11-13: "Now suppose one of you fathers' is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? [12] "Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? [13] "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

• God will not force you, you must ________ Him and set your mind to receive revelation knowledge [truth that cannot be known by the five senses] and instruction from the Holy Spirit.

Dr. Gottier places the in filling of the Holy Spirit here as step five, simply because you cannot go on to a deeper understanding of the word of God, or the miraculous, apart from the power of the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence, which you receive by submitting to the authority of God, and asking Him for that gift.

The Sixth Step Toward a Renewed Mind: Feed on the Word of God.

Our text reminds us that the carnal mind is distinguished from the natural mind, simply by the window that has been opened to it through the rebirth of the spirit. It is a view into heavenly things.

Both the natural and carnal mind consist of the accumulated, taught wisdom of this world provided by the five senses. The born again person is not limited by the spiritual ignorance of the five senses. "With your spirit reborn and your fellowship with the heavenly Father restored, you now have a clear channel to receive His course-correcting revelation knowledge." Having followed the five steps toward a renewed mind, He is ready to open the word and teach us spiritual truths. The Word is God's text book, disclosing His ways, thoughts and principles and the laws of the kingdom of God.

Deut. 6:1-9 "Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, [2] so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. [3] "O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. [4] "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! [5] "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. [6] "And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; [7] and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. [8] "And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. [9] "And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

• We now understand that we play an active role in our Christian walk. We must make a choice to receive the gift of God, His son Jesus, killed for our sin debt. We must choose to offer ourselves upon the altar, to be made into the image of Jesus. We must choose to set our minds upon the things of the Spirit, and now according to the above passage we must choose to focus on His __________________ and ______________, the very _______ of God.
• Although the passage was written specifically to Israel, the application is for the Christian as well. The reason that we must study the statutes and commandments of the Lord is that we may properly ____________ the ______________ our God, that it might be ________ with us and many more come to Christ as the Christian community is _____________ied_.
• The Word of God is to be the central focus of our lives. It shall be in our _________, the very center of our beings, our spirit and home of our attitudes.
• We shall ____________ them to our children, and we shall __________ of them wherever we are, from morning until night.

Not many days hence God gave these words to Joshua:

Joshua 1:5-8 "No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. [6] "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. [7] "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. [8] so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make you "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

• This _________ of the __________ shall not __________ from your mouth, but you shall _________________ on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it;
• Joshua was given a mighty task, to take millions of people into the promise land and possess it. The task that Christ left for the church, you and I, is just as awesome, we are to take the gospel of Jesus Christ into all of the world. What will we have to do if we want to prosper and have success in this venture? Be careful ___ ___ according to all that is written in it.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against Thee.

• The word is stored in the _____________ where it is accessible to the Spirit not in the mind like bits in a computer module

Col. 3:15-16 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

• Where should the peace of Christ rule? In our ___________
• Having the peace of Christ is synonymous with letting the __________ of Christ dwell within, or bring order to your life.
• The result of having the peace and word of Christ rule in your heart is that you will be able to radiate the ______________ of Christ, and His word internalized in you will come forth.
• This will be demonstrated in ______________ and praise, all with a ____________ heart. Gram

Hebrews 5:11-14 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. [12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. [13] For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. [14] But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

• Paul is referring to the ________ of righteousness when he says that it is for the ____________________.
• Here is the matter of re-orienting the mind to focus on the spirit. Knowing the word of __________, discerning __________, through the _____________ of adding too sense knowledge, revelation knowledge.

Peter says it this way in 1 Peter 2:2 " like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation."

• As we hunger for the pure word of God we can expect to _____________ in respect to our salvation, becoming more like Jesus each day.

Out text points out that it is the heart or spirit where the Word of God should be stored. The mind of created man was trapped between the spirit [ revelation knowledge] and the body through the five senses. The mind could receive information, be taught, by either source. The mind was designed only to receive information, store it, bring it forth, process it and act upon that information. Because man is born spiritually dead and the mind has had to rely on sensory information for so long, it wants to force the Word of God through the filter of rational thinking. If the Word doesn't conform it will be changed or rejected. The Word stored deep in one's spirit can be called forth by God's Holy Spirit in it's pure form, unaltered by the mind.

God, referring to the new covenant promises this: Ezekiel 11:19 "And I shall give them one heart, and shall put a new spirit within them. And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh."

• God will change the heart of man, he will be made spiritually alive. God will take our stone _________ spirits and replace them with one that is alive, indwelt by His Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah 31:33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

• Because of the cross of Christ, it is now possible for God to speak to, and store His Word, in the human _________. In that manner it won't be subject to the filtering process of our minds, before it is brought to our consciousness, to be acted upon.

Hebrews 8:10 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

• God will put His laws ________ their minds as His Spirit and ours, address the mind, however, He will write them __________ ______ __________________.Compilers note: This is the work of the Holy Spirit of God, and since Pentecost, is already being done in the heart of the Christian.

As we study the Word of God daily, let us pray and ask the Lord to internalize it.

The Seventh Step Toward a Renewed Mind: Accept Revelation as the Lord Gives It.

After we accept the gift of God, Christ, as the propitiation for our sin debt, we set our minds on the things of the Spirit, becoming students of God's word, meditating on it, we will begin to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit revealing truth to our spirits. The voice is faint at first and you must train your mind to listen intently, accept the revelation knowledge and act upon it. A word of caution here: there are other voices, for so many years the only spiritual influence came from the demonic side. God has made a provision for us that will enable us to know for sure, His voice.

Found within one of Paul's list of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of discernment. 1 Cor. 12:10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Paul then goes on to say in 1 Cor. 14:1 that we should "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts." . . .

• If we eagerly desire the gift of discernment [____________of spirits] we must ask God for it.

John 7:17 "If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself.

• Jesus taught us that if any man is willing to do the will of the Father, he shall know _________ it is of God. He will have discernment.

Because God realizes our plight of being born into the kingdom of darkness, where our minds were captive to the five senses and limited to satanic influence, He has given us protection, to cover us until we leave this earth. Through Paul the Spirit cautions us in Ephes. 6:11-16 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. [14] Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.

• We are to put on the _____ _________ of God.
• The armor enables us to ______ _________ against the _________ of the ___________.
• Against the world forces of this ______________, against _________ ___________ of wickedness in heavenly places.
• Notice especially the last piece of armor found in verse 16: the shield of faith to protect ourselves against the dis-information, the lies and deception of the enemy. This is discernment, knowing the Word of truth from the influence of the _______ _____.

Ephes. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

• One of the best tools, that the Lord has provided to aid in discernment is the sword of the Spirit, which is the _______ of God. Revelation truth must always align itself with the Bible, the _______ of God.

Dr. Gottier points out that so many go astray, are vulnerable to every passing deception, because they will not pay the price of time, discipline, submission and effort to know the voice of God. Compilers note: Spending time in the word is essential for protection and productivity in the Kingdom of God. Notice that the armor of God is all about the Word of God. We are saved by hearing the Word, our righteousness comes from Christ, who is the living Word. We gird ourselves with the truth, about which Jesus said, "Thy Word is Truth, We pick up the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and the shield of faith; "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."

Galatians 1:11-12 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. [12] For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

• The Gospel that Paul taught was received through __________________. It was spiritually discerned. Paul stood alone, apart from the other eleven apostles, even from his priestly colleagues, for the gospel he preached was not according to ____________, nor was he ________ it by scholars.
• Ephes. 1:15-18 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, [16] do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. [18] I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
• Paul's prayer for the Ephesians was that Father would send His ________ of _______ and the Spirit of ______________ in the knowledge of Him, that the eyes of their _________ may be enlightened. In other words that they may see into the kingdom of Christ.

In 1 Cor. 2:7-10 Paul speaks of the hidden mysteries of the kingdom which can only be understood through spiritual eyes (the eyes of the heart). But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; [8] the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; [9] but just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, al that God has prepared for those who love Him." [10] For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

• These hidden truths cannot be discerned through the flesh for the _____ cannot see them, nor can the ______ hear them. They are not in the human spirit of rebellion, found in the ________ of the natural man.
• They must be _________ through the _____________.

Dr. Gottier points out that a critical part of our Christian growth can be understood at this confluence. We can chose to separate the revealed knowledge from the rational knowledge and access them separately or we can act in the realm of revealed knowledge in spite of rational objection. The journey toward a renewed mind can be curtailed at this juncture. Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. [9] "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

• Isaiah , speaking for God, contrast two different entities: "My ______________ are not like your thoughts. My ___________ are not ___________ ways. God's ways are _______________ than our ways, and His ______________ are higher than our thoughts. Through our regenerated spirits, the Holy Spirit is constantly revealing new truths about His ways and His thoughts.

We must be willing to accept revealed knowledge as it comes from the Holy Spirit. Eventually your mind will accept revealed knowledge willingly if not expectantly.

Galatians 5:16-18 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. [17] For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

• The _____________ is in direct opposition to the _________.
• We, in our minds must choose; we can choose to set our minds on the things of the ________ or the ________.

The seventh step toward a renewed mind requires that we choose: choose, not only to set our minds on the spirit but to accept revealed knowledge as well.

The Eight Step Toward a Renewed Mind: Come to Grips with the Miraculous.

The rational mind was born into, and has received all, if not most of it's information, by living in the rational physical world, as seen through the five senses. The rational mind will revolt when confronted with the supernatural or miraculous. We can define the miraculous as every event that operates on the principles of God's kingdom and by His laws. The rational mind ignores the divine intervention of God and passes most of these events off as coincident, luck or serendipitous fortuity. If you are a child of God, you came face to face with the miraculous when you receive Jesus as Lord and King of your life.

John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, [13] who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

• The first miracle in the life of any Christian is to be _______ into the family of _______. The Word of God calls them His ________________.

Another way to define a miracle is that God breaks through from His kingdom, into the realm of the kingdom of this world, reveals Himself and fulfills His principles here and now. Because this does not conform to natural law, our minds tend to be skeptical if not fearful. How many half-hearted explanations, of Moses and the drying up of the Red Sea, have you heard?

Exodus 14:16 "And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the seas on dry land.

• This is God speaking: He __________s_ the waters and the children of Israel crossed on ____________ land in the midst of the __________.

The explanation that the rational mind likes best is that, at that time of the year the Red Sea was only 12" deep and so it comparatively seemed like they crossed over on dry land. That ignores an even greater miracle then: how did Pharaoh's entire army drown in only 12 inches of water?

Dr. Gottier lays out a more magnificent thought: God created Adam, perfect every way with a healthy body designed to live forever, as long as he lived by the rules of God's kingdom. Adam forfeited this by wilful sin and rebellion. His entire being, and his descendants as well, became subjects to the law of destruction in the kingdom of Satan..

John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.

• Since the time of Adam we are all born into the kingdom of this world, whose ruler is Satan. The constitution of which is to ____________, _________ and ____________.
• Jesus made it possible for us on the cross at calvary, to chose to live once again, in His kingdom, by the laws and principles of that kingdom. He came to bring ___________ abundantly.

Our text is quick to point out that because this is still Satan's kingdom, and most of the inhabitants of earth chose to follow Satan, that the once-intended ideal of God, cannot be realized until our Lord returns and Satan is in perdition. Until that time the miraculous remains simply the Father releasing the principles of His kingdom into this world. Jesus attested to this, miracles followed Him throughout his respite on this earth, as He operated in the realm of heavenly principles.

Note the casual mention of the miraculous, as Jesus functioned and operated by the laws of His kingdom. Luke 7:21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He granted sight to many who were blind.

• He cured ___________ people of __________ and ________________. He dispatched many ___________ ____________ and granted sight to ___________ who were blind.

Listen to John as he describes God's principles in action during the earthly sojourn of Jesus.

John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books which were written.

• Would it be possible to write down every divine intervention of God into this realm during Jesus' tenancy? _____________.

As Christians we can live and operate under the principles of God's kingdom or Satan's. God's kingdom is accessible only through the Holy Spirit, as we choose to set our minds upon the spirit. If we come to a renewed mind, we begin to see into that kingdom as clearly as we used to see into the kingdom around us. The miraculous, God's principles in action, should become everyday occurrences. For Jesus [fully man] was so supremely conscious of His presence in the kingdom of God that He would often stop in mid-sentence to address the Father.

As He did on this occasion at the tomb of Lazarus in John 11:40-43 Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" [41] So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." [43] When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

• Jesus spoke aloud to the Father for the ____________ of the people surrounding Him that could not see into the kingdom of heaven, nor yet perceive that He, Jesus, was the conduit into the heavenly realm.

At one point Jesus addressed the skeptical religious leaders, who accused Him of blaspheming because He said that He was the son of God. in John 10:36-38. He warned them in 38b, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father."

• Look around, check out the miracles that I have performed, believe the _________. In today's vernacular we would say "wake up and smell the coffee".

The Church of Jesus Christ is a miracle: Titus 3:5 defines members of the body of Christ. [He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit] Paul details that in Ephes. 1:22-23 And He [God] put all things in subjection under His [Jesus] feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

• The church represents the __________ of Christ.

1 Cor. 12:12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

• The church, as Holy Scripture defines it, is made up of ________ members. All of the members, though they are many, form one ____________, the body of Christ. It is plain to see the that church, is only the church, (body of Christ) if it is made up of born again members, [Titus 3:5] those who have been saved according to His mercy, by the washing of ____________, and ____________ by the Holy Spirit.

The Bible is a miracle: written by forty or more authors over a period of four thousand years, from many occupations. It is without doctrinal conflict or error. Despite rumor to the contrary, the archeologist spade has always been a friend to scriptural verification. This was possible because of the work of the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

• According to Peter, a disciple of Jesus, who actually authored the bible? The _______________ _______________

The result of the work of the Holy Spirit is that "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;" 2 Tim. 3:16

• The Holy Bible is one book, penned by many different people from many walks of life. It is clear, cogent, without conflict and relevant in today's high tech society. Because it is ___________ by _________ it is therefore profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and for training in righteousness, and that is a miracle.

The miraculous validates the Word of revelation received in us, through the presence of the Holy Spirit, just as they validated Jesus as the Messiah, who represents God's presence among men. Mark 16:17 records Jesus' last words to His disciples, "And these signs [attesting miracles] will accompany those who have believed."

• Attesting miracles or _________ will validate the ministry of those who are His.

Dr. Gottier makes two valid points here: those who say that they want a renewed mind but don't want to be involved with the miraculous are speaking through a rational mind. They want all of the fruit of revelation knowledge but want it through rational means."

Our author wants us to grasp the whole meaning of having a renewed mind. It means to embrace the truth of the word of God, submit to the principles of the Kingdom of God that we may begin to see into that kingdom. That we may conform to His kingdom and not the kingdom of this world. Romans 12:1-2 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

• The miraculous here is that we will be able to attest to the _______ of God.

Charts on pg. 121 10-11

Dr. Gottier leaves us with 10 expectations as we pursue the eight steps toward a renewed mind

1. The power of the flesh will lose its hold on our lives

2. The driving ego, pride and self-centeredness will fade

3. Circumstances will lose their power to control us

4. The fear of men's opinions will diminish

5. The reality of His ways will increase.

6. The power of His Word will saturate our every thought.

7. The voice of the Holy Spirit will become clearer than ever before.

8. The miraculous will become commonplace.

9. Knowing His Will and His leading will be easier every day.

10.Our mind will become renewed.

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