Transformation of the Mind
Pastor Erickson preaches from Proverbs 23:7, as he thinketh in his heart so is he, that repeated thoughts wear deep paths in the mind and that believers must dig new ones by thinking on what is true, pure and of good report. Pointing to Joseph, Peter and John, and Paul, who all refused to live offended, he calls people to take every thought captive, pray in the Holy Ghost and let God transform their minds.
The message in 6 points
As a man thinketh
He reads Proverbs 23:7 and the call to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. His own personality makes him want to know every detail of the future, and he says our minds will either help us or hinder us, because if we do not control our thoughts they will control us.
34:12Thoughts wear grooves
Like deer that wear trails through the woods, and like the singing exercises that became second nature to him, repeated thoughts wear grooves in the mind. Negative thoughts can become deep ruts, and the only way out is to dig new grooves, because Proverbs 4:23 says the issues of life flow from the heart.
38:44Joseph refused to be offended
Offense is the devil's playground. Joseph was sold by his brothers, lied about and forgotten in prison, yet he stayed submitted, kept the dream God gave him alive, and God raised him to rule over Egypt.
51:19Peter and John would not stop
In Acts 4 Peter and John were beaten and jailed, but they refused to be offended or silenced and kept speaking in the name of Jesus, the only name by which we must be saved.
1:03:48The word of God is not chained
From Pentecost to Paul's last imprisonment in Rome, the enemy tried to stop the church. Chained to a guard, Paul wrote letters that still preach today, so he warns against getting discouraged when the door we expected stays closed, because in all things we are more than conquerors.
1:09:31Take every thought captive
He reads 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Philippians 4:8: cast down wrong imaginations and think on what is true, pure, lovely and of good report. He says praying in the Holy Ghost lifts us out of self pity, and he calls people to decide to be transformed and to let joy return.
1:21:41
In his words
“Those grooves are dug so deep the only way to fix it is you have to dig grooves another direction.”
“If we can get our thoughts under control, the sky is the limit. Every dream that you've ever been given, if we can have a transformation of the mind, offense will not rule over you.”
“You can try to shut it up, you can try to stone it, you can try to crucify it, you can try to kill it, you can try to imprison it, but you can't stop the church.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
Proverbs 23:7
7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
King James Version.
Proverbs 4:23
23Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
King James Version.
Genesis 41:38-44
38And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 44And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
King James Version.
Acts 4:1-4
1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
King James Version.
Acts 4:7-21
7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
King James Version.
Romans 8:35
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
King James Version.
Romans 8:37
37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
King James Version.
2 Corinthians 10:5
5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
King James Version.
Philippians 4:8
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
King James Version.
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