During Week 1 of our current sermon series, “Jesus-Centered Family on Mission,” we discussed the importance of pressing into Jesus as individuals in order to become the family that Christ has invited us to be as His church.
Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. In order to accomplish this, we must remind ourselves of the gospel every day, over and over. One way to do this is to spend time identifying the lies we are tempted to believe, replacing those lies with the truth of the gospel, and then thinking through practically, what applying this truth to our lives could look like.
Several members of our staff took time last week to share how they are currently renewing their minds. Our hope is that these truths would both serve to encourage you and challenge you to think through the specific lies that you are believing as you take time this week to apply the beauty of the gospel to those lies, so that as a church, we can be transformed to look more like Christ.
Jon Ludovina: Teaching
Lie: Ever since the “Sloth” sermon during our “Proverbs” series this summer, I've been realizing how tempted I am to believe the lie that rest and replenishment are found in doing nothing, vegging out, and watching TV.
Truth: Sloth is a rejection of purpose and real rest is found in connecting with Jesus, not just getting away from my responsibilities. (Proverbs 13:4 and Isaiah 30:15)
Personal Application: Even though it's not my natural personality bent, I actually thrive when I diligently plan intentional rhythms for my rest and for my family. Getting away from all my responsibilities leads to cyclical patterns of just wanting to veg out more which causes things to pile up and become overwhelming and depressing. Diligently planning, executing those plans, and resting toward Jesus actually brings freedom and purpose to my soul.
Tim Olson: Church Planting Candidate
Lie: I'm only at peace if I am in control of my present, future, and have everything figured out.
Truth: God upholds me and directs my life. He offers me a better peace by resting in Him, and not in controlling all the outcomes of my life. (Psalm 119:165).
Personal Application: In the past, I've tried to figure out the solution to my stress, then pray towards the outcome I desire. God is teaching me to run to Him first with my anxiety and fear, trusting Him to provide all peace.
Laura Jones: Kidtown
Lie: God expects me to do "big flashy things" for Him in order for my life to be significant.
Truth: Jesus' life, death, and resurrection have made me righteous. Jesus set a clear pattern for us by taking the posture of a servant. God does not need me to do anything for Him. Instead, He graciously invites me to be part of His mission to rescue the world through small unflashy acts of faithfulness. (Philippians 2:2-8; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
Personal Application: This looks like daily faithfulness to abide in Him and obey Him in all of the small, seemingly insignificant duties of life. It helps me to remember the saying, “Everybody wants to change the world, but nobody wants to help mom with the dishes.” I must remind myself that I'm a perfect 10 in Christ. Jesus empowers me to serve in the small, repetitive, and mostly unnoticed ways. I'm transforming my mind to not despise the small things but enjoy them because Jesus is with me.
Jay Hendricks: Music and Production
Lie: I believe that more sleep, scrolling through social media, watching football, doing nothing, will be life-giving and refreshing.
Truth: Prayer, the Word, and resting in God's promises give me what I need.
Personal Application: When I feel the need to "retreat" from life for a moment, I remind myself that what I desire is available through journaling, praying, reading the Word, and surrendering my time, my work, and my failures to the Lord. One practical application for me has been deleting apps that have been mostly life-sucking. So now when I open my phone (when triggered by boredom), I have few things to run to before I am reminded that what I'm seeking is refreshment, not retreat. Then I try to pray, sit in silence and remind myself of scripture or journal.
Nick Johnston: Communications
Lie: The lie I often tend to believe is that my worth is tied to my performance. Fear of failure makes me want to escape from reality so that I don't have to deal with things.
Truth: My worth will never be tied to my performance. Instead, my worth is a result of Jesus' perfect performance, where he gave me his righteousness and took my sin and shame. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Personal Application: When I realize that my identity is firm in the finished work of Christ, I'm able to embrace reality. The truth is that at times I will fail, but Christ never will and so that frees me up. It's okay for me to not be perfect because I'm already credited Jesus' perfection.