One of the greatest failures of a child of God is a failure to understand God’s favor in our life. If we could understand that God’s attitude toward us is for our good, there is nothing that we could not face. Paul tells us to be transformed. The word used is the same one used to describe how Jesus was changed on the mount of transfiguration. The only way for us to be transformed is through the renewing of the mind. If we can learn to manage our thoughts, there will be a miraculous transformation. The key to a transformed life is a change in our mind. It is critical to understand that God has a part, and we have a part in this transformation. God will change us when we learn how to work on our own mind.

One of the greatest failures of a child of God is a failure to understand God’s favor in our life. If we could understand that God’s attitude toward us is for our good, there is nothing that we could not face. Paul tells us to be transformed. The word used is the same one used to describe how Jesus was changed on the mount of transfiguration. The only way for us to be transformed is through the renewing of the mind. If we can learn to manage our thoughts, there will be a miraculous transformation. The key to a transformed life is a change in our mind. It is critical to understand that God has a part, and we have a part in this transformation. God will change us when we learn how to work on our own mind.

Paul’s words convey a message of the things that we will encounter in life. Trouble, pressure, and struggle. But he also provides encouragement to help us deal with those things. God wants us to be reminded of something so simple and profound: What is on the inside of us, is greater than what is going on on the outside. God has placed something in us that will see us through all that life has to bring. What He has placed is divine, and He puts it into a flawed container. What is on the inside is worth more than the entire world. The essence of what Paul is saying is that it is not what life does to us that is the problem, it is what we do in response to life that causes us the most harm. Life’s journey perplexes us. There are things about life that we will never understand. If we are not careful we allow life to push us into a corner and we make decisions that are not in our best interest. We have to understand that when we are at the end of our rope, God is just beginning. The problem is that, often, we never get to the God part. We have to remember that God is the God of possibilities. Just on the other side of what we see as impossible, is a God that will step in and do the impossible. Distress happens in life. We get to places that we do not know what to do or to say. Instead of relying on God in when we get to that point, we try to solve the problem ourselves. If we would God do it, He would work it out to our blessing. It is not the things that life brings that are our downfall. Often our downfall is the things that we do to ourselves.

Paul’s words convey a message of the things that we will encounter in life. Trouble, pressure, and struggle. But he also provides encouragement to help us deal with those things. God wants us to be reminded of something so simple and profound: What is on the inside of us, is greater than what is going on on the outside. God has placed something in us that will see us through all that life has to bring. What He has placed is divine, and He puts it into a flawed container. What is on the inside is worth more than the entire world. The essence of what Paul is saying is that it is not what life does to us that is the problem, it is what we do in response to life that causes us the most harm. Life’s journey perplexes us. There are things about life that we will never understand. If we are not careful we allow life to push us into a corner and we make decisions that are not in our best interest. We have to understand that when we are at the end of our rope, God is just beginning. The problem is that, often, we never get to the God part. We have to remember that God is the God of possibilities. Just on the other side of what we see as impossible, is a God that will step in and do the impossible. Distress happens in life. We get to places that we do not know what to do or to say. Instead of relying on God in when we get to that point, we try to solve the problem ourselves. If we would God do it, He would work it out to our blessing. It is not the things that life brings that are our downfall. Often our downfall is the things that we do to ourselves.

Change is a constant in life. However, not all change is beneficial. So what changes are good and will bless our life and make it better? Change must be leading us to a better place. In our text, Paul identifies two kinds of change that can occur in a person’s life. Of those two changes, one will bring the best result. Paul says “be not conformed.” There are things going on in our life that are trying to influence us. This influence will either benefit us or it will not benefit us. There are two worlds that are fighting for our attention. The world’s way is in opposition to God’s Way. Paul tells us “be not conformed to this world.” He is not speaking of a world, but specifically THIS world. He means the present state of things; the things that are going on in OUR world right now. The reason God is getting us to focus on our world, because, our world is affecting how we respond to life. How are our present circumstances affecting us? What are our circumstances influencing our thoughts, emotions, morals, and standards? Is it fostering in us a better relationship with God, or is it pushing us away? Is our current state of life affecting our happiness and peace? If so, we are in trouble. Because change is going to happen. When we allow our current circumstances to have that kind of impact, we are conforming to the world, not God’s world. Paul is telling us not to let THIS world have influence over our lives, but let God’s world have the influence. The state of things in our life do not have to influence our happiness and peace. We need to stop letting our lives be affected by the world and let the word affect us. What we need is a total and complete change of our mind. When the mind becomes transformed, it changes our attitude about life. The renewing of our mind transforms our life. When there is a new us, there is a new outlook. Allowing our minds to be transformed is the secret to God’s best for us.

Change is a constant in life. However, not all change is beneficial. So what changes are good and will bless our life and make it better? Change must be leading us to a better place. In our text, Paul identifies two kinds of change that can occur in a person’s life. Of those two changes, one will bring the best result. Paul says “be not conformed.” There are things going on in our life that are trying to influence us. This influence will either benefit us or it will not benefit us. There are two worlds that are fighting for our attention. The world’s way is in opposition to God’s Way. Paul tells us “be not conformed to this world.” He is not speaking of a world, but specifically THIS world. He means the present state of things; the things that are going on in OUR world right now. The reason God is getting us to focus on our world, because, our world is affecting how we respond to life. How are our present circumstances affecting us? What are our circumstances influencing our thoughts, emotions, morals, and standards? Is it fostering in us a better relationship with God, or is it pushing us away? Is our current state of life affecting our happiness and peace? If so, we are in trouble. Because change is going to happen. When we allow our current circumstances to have that kind of impact, we are conforming to the world, not God’s world. Paul is telling us not to let THIS world have influence over our lives, but let God’s world have the influence. The state of things in our life do not have to influence our happiness and peace. We need to stop letting our lives be affected by the world and let the word affect us. What we need is a total and complete change of our mind. When the mind becomes transformed, it changes our attitude about life. The renewing of our mind transforms our life. When there is a new us, there is a new outlook. Allowing our minds to be transformed is the secret to God’s best for us.

There is one thing that is paramount in our lives. We must be saved. Our text tells us that the highway to hell is broad and the gate is wide. It seems that our world is paving the highway even wider with more lanes. If we took a poll and ask people if they wanted to go to Heaven or Hell, we would likely get a majority that says they want to go to Heaven. But those same people make choices every day that put them on that broad highway. Too many people have ignored signs and directions that would tell them that they are traveling the wrong way. For some, they can only see one road, so they take it. The highway may seem like a sensible way, but there is another road. In Matthew, we read the parable of the wealthy man who entrusts talents to three of his servants. Two of the servants invest wisely and double what they have been given, while the third holds onto his talent but does nothing with it. The servant returns and praises the first two, but tells the third that he is wicked and slothful. The third man is cast into darkness. It is not enough to hold onto what God has given us, but we must invest and grow His blessings to us. In our final text tonight, the writer in revelation has a vision of the book of life. Those whose names do not appear in the book of life are cast into the fire. It is not enough that we travel on the right road, and that we invest God’s talents wisely. There is nothing more important in life than being saved. In order to do that, we must travel on the right road, and maintain a relationship with God such that our name appears in the book of life.

There is one thing that is paramount in our lives. We must be saved. Our text tells us that the highway to hell is broad and the gate is wide. It seems that our world is paving the highway even wider with more lanes. If we took a poll and ask people if they wanted to go to Heaven or Hell, we would likely get a majority that says they want to go to Heaven. But those same people make choices every day that put them on that broad highway. Too many people have ignored signs and directions that would tell them that they are traveling the wrong way. For some, they can only see one road, so they take it. The highway may seem like a sensible way, but there is another road. In Matthew, we read the parable of the wealthy man who entrusts talents to three of his servants. Two of the servants invest wisely and double what they have been given, while the third holds onto his talent but does nothing with it. The servant returns and praises the first two, but tells the third that he is wicked and slothful. The third man is cast into darkness. It is not enough to hold onto what God has given us, but we must invest and grow His blessings to us. In our final text tonight, the writer in revelation has a vision of the book of life. Those whose names do not appear in the book of life are cast into the fire. It is not enough that we travel on the right road, and that we invest God’s talents wisely. There is nothing more important in life than being saved. In order to do that, we must travel on the right road, and maintain a relationship with God such that our name appears in the book of life.

God’s word is full of dichotomies. To live we must die. To lead we must serve. To gain all, we must give up all. There is a conflict in God’s work in us that is confusing to us. We come into the presence of God and enjoy his glory, but we are still surrounded by all the weaknesses, problems and challenges that are our human life. No matter how great the Glory of God may be that we enjoy, we are still a fragile, cracked earthen vessel. Our text highlights this concept. It points out the difference between what is us, and that which He has put in us. That which He has put in us is a treasure of immeasurable value. Our human body is not worthy of housing such a treasure, but He put it there anyway. Our mortal body is weak. Despite all the advances in modern science, we cannot prevent sickness and disease. We cannot stop life from happening. That is the earthen part of us. Being spirit filled does not exempt us from life. The presence of God in us is so that others can see Him in us despite our earthly circumstances. Our text highlights some of these circumstances. We do not get to choose these circumstances, but we get to choose how we respond to them. Paul says we are troubled on every side. We feel pressures from all angles. Life can press us, but it cannot pin us. Paul said We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed. That little word changes everything. Life may hinder us, but it cannot stop us. Life can crowd us, but it cannot trap us. No matter what life brings, we still have an option. Paul and Silas were beaten, bound and in the inner prison, but they still had an option. They used their mouth to praise God and that was all that was needed. That is all that we need. If we will just open our mouth, we can change our outcome. We may be limited right now. Limited in health issues, job issues, financial issues, or relationship issues. But none of us are without hope. What is inside of us is more important than what is happening to the outside of us. No matter what the circumstance, God has provided a way out. If all that we have is our mouth, that is enough. A praise on our lips is enough to see us through.

God’s word is full of dichotomies. To live we must die. To lead we must serve. To gain all, we must give up all. There is a conflict in God’s work in us that is confusing to us. We come into the presence of God and enjoy his glory, but we are still surrounded by all the weaknesses, problems and challenges that are our human life. No matter how great the Glory of God may be that we enjoy, we are still a fragile, cracked earthen vessel. Our text highlights this concept. It points out the difference between what is us, and that which He has put in us. That which He has put in us is a treasure of immeasurable value. Our human body is not worthy of housing such a treasure, but He put it there anyway. Our mortal body is weak. Despite all the advances in modern science, we cannot prevent sickness and disease. We cannot stop life from happening. That is the earthen part of us. Being spirit filled does not exempt us from life. The presence of God in us is so that others can see Him in us despite our earthly circumstances. Our text highlights some of these circumstances. We do not get to choose these circumstances, but we get to choose how we respond to them. Paul says we are troubled on every side. We feel pressures from all angles. Life can press us, but it cannot pin us. Paul said We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed. That little word changes everything. Life may hinder us, but it cannot stop us. Life can crowd us, but it cannot trap us. No matter what life brings, we still have an option. Paul and Silas were beaten, bound and in the inner prison, but they still had an option. They used their mouth to praise God and that was all that was needed. That is all that we need. If we will just open our mouth, we can change our outcome. We may be limited right now. Limited in health issues, job issues, financial issues, or relationship issues. But none of us are without hope. What is inside of us is more important than what is happening to the outside of us. No matter what the circumstance, God has provided a way out. If all that we have is our mouth, that is enough. A praise on our lips is enough to see us through.