Sound Mind - Week 1 "Naming the Inner Wound"

Sound Mind - Week 4 "Living With a Sound Mind"

WEEK 4 — “LIVING WITH A SOUND MIND”          Reflect – “How do I become a witness of healing?” Series Core Text: 2 Timothy 1:7       Primary Text: Philippians 4:4–9        4 Questions of a Sound Mind Big Idea: A sound mind becomes visible through a transformed presence. TENSION QUESTION: What does a healed life actually look like? 1. Rejoice (v4) [present imperative, not momentary but a posture of life] -       Joy comes from the Lord -       The Lord’s joy is a double share (rejoice…again I say rejoice) 2. Gentleness (v5) [Possessing power, but possessing more restraint] -       Grace, mercy and kindness has been given to us, we are to likewise extend it 3. X-Anxiety (v6) [Putting an X in anxiety] -       Anxieties(worries) will come and go, do not be consumed by anxiousness -       Prayer and Petition -       Thanksgiving -       Turn all our worries over to God 4. Guard (v7) [Military metaphor, in a Roman Military Colony] -       God’s peace transcends human understanding -       Guard your heart – affections and desires -       Guard your mind – thoughts and reasoning -       The Lord is protector and provider for the whole man 5. Virtuous (v8) [Characteristics of Christ-likeness] -       True - Aligned with reality as God defines it. -       Noble - Worthy of respect and dignity. -       Right - Morally upright according to God's standards. -       Pure - Free from corruption and impurity. -       Lovely - That which awakens affection for goodness. -       Admirable - That which deserves commendation. -       Excellent - Moral excellence. -       Praiseworthy - Worthy of celebration before God. 6. Practice (v9)  [Paul’s Quadrilateral of Discipleship] -       Learned – Learned from experience (formal teaching) -       Received – Lived out in community (Apostolic tradition) -       Heard – Sought out by listening (verbal instruction) -       Seen – Watched in real-time (embodied example) o   I do, you watch. We do it together. You do, I watch. You do, I support (we train others.) Full Circle Moment - The God of Peace (v7) – The Peace of God (v9) FINAL CONCLUSION: A sound mind is not the absence of storms. It is the presence of Christ in the storm.

Sound Mind - Week 3 "The Small Things Change Everything"

Sound Mind Week 3 – “The Small Things Change Everything“ Theme: Reorder – “What Practices Reshape My Life”   7 [http://biblehub.com/2_timothy/1-7.htm]For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV   Big Idea: A sound mind is not built by winning tomorrow's battles. It is built by faithfully surrendering today's moments to God. (If you don’t win today, there is no tomorrow.)   The Space Race It began in 1957 when the Soviet Union shocked the world by launching Sputnik 1, the first satellite in space. The Soviets followed with several early victories, including sending Yuri Gagarin into orbit in 1961. In response, President John F. Kennedy challenged America to land a man on the Moon before the decade ended.  Many years ago, the great British explorer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked why did he want to climb it? He said, “Because it is there.”  Well, space is there, and we’re going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. And, therefore, as we set sail we ask God’s blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.  -       JFK (on going to the Moon) “We choose to go to the Moon” Rice University 9/12/1962 The race culminated in 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon during the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. July 20, 1969 4:17pm EST “The Eagle has landed!” Why was it significant? Because it wasn't really about space. It was a global demonstration of which system—communism or democracy—could win out. The same rocket technology that launched astronauts could also launch nuclear weapons, so success in space was seen as evidence of national power and security. When the United States reached the Moon first, many viewed it as a symbolic victory in the broader Cold War struggle.   Transition: It's only your greatest battle, until you hand it over to God.   Teaching Point 1: A Sound Mind Begins With Rest 30 [http://biblehub.com/mark/6-30.htm]The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 [http://biblehub.com/mark/6-31.htm]Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:30-31 NIV “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” When life feels out of control: * Stop. * Rest. * Sit with Jesus. If you don't come apart and rest, eventually you'll come apart from stress.   Teaching Point 2: A Sound Mind Focuses On God’s Assignment 33 [http://biblehub.com/matthew/6-33.htm]But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 [http://biblehub.com/matthew/6-34.htm]Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34 NIV “Seek First His Kingdom” God gives grace for today, not previews for tomorrow.   How a Janitor helped land a man on the moon. 1962, JFK is visiting the NASA Space Center. He happens to take a few wrong turns and get himself lost in a service corridor. Here he sees a janitor mopping. Seeming so out of place in the spaces JFK has found himself, he stops.   He walked over to him and said “Hi, I’m Jack Kennedy. What are you doing?” The janitor responded, “Well Mr. President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.”   Conclusion: Sometimes it is the unexpected, seemingly mundane, moments that when lived in surrender; change our entire lives.   3 [http://biblehub.com/revelation/21-3.htm]And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 [http://biblehub.com/revelation/21-4.htm]‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4 NIV   Honest Reflections: Asbury and my first EV VBS   Takeaway: A sound mind is built when we stop carrying tomorrow and start surrendering today.

Sound Mind - Week 2 "Renewing the Mind"

WEEK 2 — “RENEWING THE MIND”             Reframe – What is true in Christ? 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV Theme: Examination - Reframe              Primary Text: Romans 12:1–2  BIG IDEA: Your thoughts shape your life. MAIN QUESTION:       What if the loudest voice in your head is not God’s voice?   TEACHING POINT 1 — WRONG THOUGHTS CAN TAKE OVER 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 TEACHING POINT 2 — JESUS CHANGES THE WAY WE THINK Philippians 4:4–8 TEACHING POINT 3 — TRUTH MUST MOVE FROM THE HEAD TO THE HEART John 17:16–17 PRACTICAL EXERCISE — THE LIE / TRUTH PRACTICE Lie:            “I am abandoned.” Truth:        “God will never leave me.” (Hebrews 13:5)   Lie:            “I can never be forgiven.” Truth:        “There is no condemnation in Christ.” (Romans 8:1)   Lie:            “Nothing will ever change.” Truth:        “God makes all things new.” (Revelation 21:5) SIMPLE NEXT STEPS 1. Replace lies with Scripture Write down promises from God’s Word. 2. Step away from toxic thoughts Go outside. Take a walk. Breathe. Pray. 3. Spend less time doom scrolling Too much noise hurts the mind. 4. Think about God’s truth every day Pray through the Psalms. 5. Start your day with Jesus Before phones. Before social media. Before stress. Spend time with God first.

Sound Mind - Week 1 "Naming the Inner Wound"

WEEK 1 — “NAMING THE INNER WOUND” Theme: Understanding                      Primary Text: Psalm 42:5–11   Big Idea: You cannot heal what you continue to hide. We live in the most mentally exhausted culture in human history. We have never been: More connected. More informed. More (over)stimulated. Yet anxiety, depression, loneliness, addiction, panic and despair continue rising. What if the problem is not simply that our minds are sick… but that our souls are starving? TENSION QUESTION: Why do I know God loves me; yet still feel overwhelmed, numb, anxious, angry, exhausted, or hopeless? TEACHING POINT I: YOU CANNOT HEAL A LIFE YOU REFUSE TO NAME Psalm 32:3–5(v5) 1 Kings 19(v3-5) Elijah: defeated false prophets, called down fire, witnessed revival …and immediately collapsed emotionally afterward. TEACHING POINT II: WHAT YOU BURY CONTROLS YOU Unprocessed pain never stays buried. It leaks. John 8:32: “The truth shall make you free.” Freedom begins when honesty begins. TEACHING POINT III: JESUS ENTERS THE WOUND, NOT JUST THE SIN Hebrews 4:15–16 Christ is not detached from suffering. The Gospel is not: “Jesus helping healthy people.” (Mark 2:17) It is not the healthy who need a doctor The Gospel is: “God entering human ruin.” (Mark 2:17) but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” TIE IT TOGETHER A sound mind begins with truth. Not polished truth. Not curated truth. Actual truth. Healing starts where hiding ends. CONCLUSION: God will not heal the version of you that you pretend to be. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This week: 1. Name what hurts. 2. Stop pretending. 3. Tell someone trustworthy. 4. Pray honestly instead of religiously. 5. Begin journaling recurring thought patterns.

Live It

Alive Week 6                                    Live It (Joy Sustained)                   Teaching Text: Luke 24:50-53 Opening Reading:  Acts 1:6-11                            Teaching Title: Luke 24:50-53   Big Idea: The risen Jesus did not merely save us from sin. He ascended as reigning King, empowering His people to live as joyful witnesses until He returns. Tension: How can followers of Jesus live with lasting joy and confidence in a world still filled with: suffering, waiting, uncertainty and opposition? Transition Statement: The resurrection proved Jesus is alive. The ascension declared Jesus is Lord. And because He reigns; His people can live with joy, purpose, power and hope. Teaching Movements: 1. Jesus Ascended as Our Reigning King (v50-51) The Ascension Introduces: Jesus is reigning now, Jesus is interceding now, Jesus is victorious now and Jesus is still working now 2. The Ascension Turned Fearful Followers into Joyful Worshipers (v52) The same followers who once ran away now bow in worship because resurrection and ascension transformed their understanding of Jesus. 3. The Ascension Launches the Mission of the Church (Acts 1:8) The Ascension Means: Christ reigns from heaven, The Spirit empowers the church, The Gospel advances to the nations and Witness becomes the calling of every believer 4. Baptism Is a Public Witness to the Reigning Jesus (Romans 6:3-4) Baptism declares: Jesus died, Jesus rose, Jesus reigns, Jesus saves and Jesus is worth following publicly 5. The Church Lives Between Ascension and Return (Acts 1:11, Luke 24:53) The church lives in the tension between: Christ’s enthronement and Christ’s return Bring It All Together: The resurrection tells us: Jesus is alive. The ascension tells us: Jesus is reigning. Pentecost tells us: Jesus is empowering. And the Church exists: to witness to all three. Conclusion: The Ascended and Reigning Jesus: intercedes for all believers, sends the Holy Spirit, reigns over all things, builds His’ Church and prepares eternity (already/not yet) for His people.  The ascension is not Christ’s absence. It is Christ’s universal reign. Invitation: The ascended Christ still saves. The same Jesus who: died for sin, rose from the grave, ascended in victory and reigns in glory. Now calls people everywhere to repent, believe and follow Him. And one day, the King who ascended will return again.