Sunday Sermon
CONFRONTING ISSUES OF LIFE WITH THE HEART AND MIND
OF GOD
Date: July 29, 2007
Speaker: Pastor Gerry Gregoire
Scriptural Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 & Philippians 2:5
Listen to Audio Sermon

1) RELATIONSHIPS: GOD'S HEART AND MIND IN RELATIONSHIPS
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (Amplified Bible)
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),
4Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.

Philippians 2:5 (Amplified Bible)
5Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]

IN TODAY'S WORLD WE ARE CONTINUALLY CONFRONTING ISSUES IN OUR LIVES. EVERY PERSON HERE TODAY IS CONFRONTING SOME SORT OF ISSUE IN THEIR LIFE. IT MAY BE A FINANCIAL, PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, RELATIONSHIP ISSUE, YET MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT SURE HOW TO GET AN ANSWER OR SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
FOR SOME IT MAY BE AN OVERWHELMING ISSUE THAT STEALS THE JOY FROM THEIR LIVES WITH NO HOPE AND EXTREMELY BLEAK. IT WAS NEVER GOD'S INTENTION TO LET YOU STRUGGLE THROUGH LIFE. GOD HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO BLESS YOU IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. WHEN WE KNOW THIS, THE BIBLE SAYS THAT THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH.

LOOK WHAT GOD DID TO HELP HIS PEOPLE:
Ezra 6:22 (Amplified Bible)
22They kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria [referring to Darius king of Persia] to them, so that he strengthened their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

YOU SEE THERE IS NOTHING IN YOUR LIFE THAT GOD CANNOT TURN AROUND AND BRING JOY INTO YOUR LIFE. HE IS CONTINUALLY LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WITH HIS MIND AND HEART IN RELATIONSHIPS.
AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE SCRIPTURE, HE WANTS TO BRING COMFORT TO YOU SO THAT YOU MAY BRING COMFORT TO OTHERS BUT, MANY ARE CAUGHT UP IN THEIR OWN LITTLE WORLDS
LOOK AT WHAT GOD SAYS IN THE FOLLOWING PSALMS:

Psalm 119:156 (Amplified Bible)
156Great are Your tender mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord; give me life according to Your ordinances.

Psalm 145:8-9 (Amplified Bible)
8The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness.
9The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created].

THE QUESTION IS, ARE YOU A MERCIFUL PERSON?
GOD IS ASKING US TO BE JUST LIKE HIM THAT IS WHY PAUL SAYS IN PHILIPPIANS 2:5

Philippians 2:5 (Amplified Bible)
5Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]

I BELIEVE THAT ALL TRUE CHRISTIANS HAVE A GOOD MEASURE OF MERCY FOR THE LOST AND HURTING. BUT, THE TRUTH IN GOD'S WORD EXPOSES IN US DEEP ROOTS OF BIAS AND VERY LIMITED CONCEPTS OF MERCY.

YOU SEE, GOD'S HEART AND MIND IS ONE OF MERCY AND COMPASSION, WHICH MANY OF US LACK IN THOSE AREAS. IF THAT WASN'T TRUE, YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE DOING BEFORE SALVATION CAME ON THE SCENE OF YOUR LIFE. YOU WERE ON YOUR WAY TO HELL IN A BASKET. BUT BECAUSE OF THE MERCY AND COMPASSION OF GOD, YOU SIT HERE TODAY SAVED.

BUT JUST BECAUSE WE ARE SAVED DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE ARE FULL OF MERCY AND COMPASSION. THAT WHAT GOD WANTS TO DEVELOP IN US TODAY AND EVERY DAY.

WE GET SO CAUGHT UP IN WORLDLY THINGS, THE SUBJECTS OF MERCY AND COMPASSION NEVER REGISTER IN OUR MINDS AND HEARTS. THIS LACK OF MERCY AND COMPASSION IS NOT JUST AN INDIVIDUAL THING, IT EVEN SHOW UP IN MAJOR DENOMINATIONS AND CERTAIN ETHNIC CHURCHES. SOME WHITE CHURCHES DON'T TAKE TO COLOR TOO WELL AND THE SAME IS TRUE IN SOME ETHNIC CHURCHES, THEY CAN MAKE YOU FEEL THAT YOU DON'T BELONG IF YOU'RE NOT THEIR COLOR.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HAVING MERCY ON CERTAIN TYPE OF SINNERS. I.E.( PROSTITUTES, HOMOSEXUALS, DRUG ADDICTS, ALCOHOLICS)

CHRIST WOULD NEVER TURN THESE SINNERS AWAY, BUT THERE ARE CHURCHES TODAY THAT DO JUST THAT. I SAY TODAY THAT TYPE OF ATTITUDE WILL NOT EXIST IN THIS CHURCH. WE ARE HERE TO MINISTER TO EVERYONE.

NOW, HERE IS THE BIG ONE PEOPLE THAT HAVE HURT US !!! WE CAN'T SEEM TO FIND MERCY AND COMPASSION ON THEM. WHY I ASK? WE ARE TO HAVE THE MIND AND HEART OF GOD AND IF WE DO, THAT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM.
JUST THINK, IS THERE SOMEONE EVEN IN THIS CHURCH YOU HAVE NOT SHOWN MERCY AND COMPASSION TO.

ON THIS ONE THINK REALLY HARD, BECAUSE IT MEANS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND FAILURE OF THE CHURCH. GOD'S HEART IS ONE OF MERCY AND COMPASSION IF YOU CONFESS YOUR SIN TO HIM, AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS, THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL HELP YOU GET VICTORY IN THIS AREA OF YOUR LIFE. PEOPLE WHO COME INTO THE CHURCH YOU MIGHT NOT AGREE WITH AND YOU MAY HAVE A HARD TIME SHOWING MERCY AND COMPASSION FOR.

2) FINANCIAL: THE BIBLE SAYS IN THIS AREA THAT HIS HEARTS AND MIND IS TO PROVIDE FOR US ALL THAT WE NEED. LETS LOOK AT ----LUKE 6:38

Luke 6:38 (Amplified Bible)
38Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour [a]into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.

THE ANSWER TO YOUR FINANCIAL PROBLEM IS GIVING TO GOD WITH HIS HEART AND MIND AND NOT WITH SELFISH MOTIVES OF THE HUMAN HEART AND MIND. THE HUMAN MIND SAYS THAT IF I GIVE ANYTHING, I WILL HAVE LESS. IF I GIVE ALL THAN I WILL HAVE NOTHING LEFT.

GOD'S MIND WAS TO ALWAYS GIVE HIS BEST AND BECAUSE WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST, THAT SAME ATTITUDE SHOULD PREVAIL ALL THE TIME.
GOD'S MIND SAYS IF YOU WILL GIVE, HE WILL ORCHESTRATE IT SO THAT IT IS GIVEN BACK TO YOU PRESSED DOWN AND SHAKEN TOGETHER AND RUNNING OVER. ARE YOU GETTING THIS? YOU CAN NEVER OUT GIVE GOD IN ANYTHING.

YOU WANT LOVE? GIVE LOVE. YOU WANT RESPECT? GIVE RESPECT. IF YOU HAVE THE HEART AND MIND OF GOD, YOU ARE A GIVER OF YOUR BEST.

3) PHYSICAL ISSUES: WITHOUT A DOUBT, PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM GETTING THE MIND AND HEART OF GOD IN THIS. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT. ALMOST AS HARD AS GIVING. BUT LET'S LOOK AT WHAT GOD'S MIND AND HEART FOR YOUR PHYSICAL WELL BEING IS. GO TO ISAIAH 53:3-5 ----

Isaiah 53:3-5 (Amplified Bible)
3He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.
4Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].(A)
5But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

THE HEBREW WORD FOR HEALED MEANS A PHYSICAL HEALING. IT'S NOT JUST A SPIRITUAL THING.(MENDING)
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IN MARK 16:16-18

Mark 16:16-18 (Amplified Bible)
16He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [[a]from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.
17And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;
18They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.

ARE YOU GETTING THIS? GOD'S HEART AND MIND FOR YOUR PHYSICAL HEALING IS YEA AND AMEN. NOT ONLY THESE SCRIPTURES BUT YOU CAN CALL ON THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH AND WHEN THEY ANOINT YOU WITH OIL, GOD NOT ONLY FORGIVES YOUR SINS BUT ALSO RAISES YOU UP. JAMES 5:14-15

James 5:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
14Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord's name.
15And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

AND IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, HE INCORPORATES IT IN THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12.

CAN YOU NOW SEE WHAT GOD'S MIND AND HEART ARE FOR YOUR PHYSICAL HEALING?

PEOPLE WILL WALK IN HERE SICK AND HURTING AND WHEN YOU PRAY FOR THEM, GOD WILL HEAL THEM. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PASTOR, ITS BELIEVERS. BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HIS MIND AND HEART SAY AND YOUR HEART AND MIND MUST BE LIKE GOD'S.

4) MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL ISSUES: THE WRONG MIND SET IN THIS AREA MAKES THE CHURCH WALKING ZOMBIES.

ISA 53:3-5 APPLIES HERE AS WELL AS IN PHYSICAL HEALING. MOST IMPORTANT FACT TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND IS THE PROMISE AND STATEMENT OF FACT IN ROMANS 8:14-16

Romans 8:14-16 (New International Version)
14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.[a] And by him we cry, "Abba,[b] Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

2 Timothy 1:7 (Amplified Bible)
7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
GOD'S MIND AND HEART FOR YOU IN THE AREA OF EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL ISSUES IS WELLNESS AND WHOLENESS. YOU HAVE A SPIRIT OF POWER AND SOUND MIND. THE DEVIL CANNOT DEFEAT YOU IN THIS AREA.

CAN YOU SEE WHY ITS NECESSARY TO HAVE THE HEART AND MIND OF GOD IN YOUR WALK AND HOW NECESSARY IT WILL BE TO BE GIRDED UP IN THIS CHURCH. WHAT IS IT THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT GOD'S MIND AND HEART? HOLY SPIRIT SHOW US WHAT WE NEED TO LEARN ABOUT OUR MASTER. LET ME SHOW YOU A FEW THINGS MORE AND LOOK AT HOW WE CAN GET THAT MIND AND HEART OF GOD. GO TO 1 TIM 4:1 ----

1 Timothy 4:1 (Amplified Bible)
1BUT THE [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach,

KNOWING AND HAVING THE HEART AND MIND OF GOD WILL KEEP YOU FROM FALLING AWAY. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WILL TRY TO TEACH YOU THINGS THAT ARE CONTRARY TO THE HEART AND MIND OF GOD AND YOU MUST KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

AND ALSO 2Timothy 3:1 ----
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Amplified Bible)
1BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].
2For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.
3[They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.
4[They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.
5For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].

THE HEART OF THE ISSUE IS THAT WE MUST BE READY. WE MUST ENTER INTO THESE TIMES WELL AWARE OF WHAT GOD'S MIND AND HEART ARE SAYING.

HOW DO WE GET THERE PASTOR? GOOD QUESTION, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED.

A) BE A STUDENT OF THE WORD. BIBLE STUDIES AT CHURCH AND YOUR OWN PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE TEACHER IN ALL THINGS, LEARN TO DEPEND ON HIM.

B) BECOME A PERSON OF CONTINUAL PRAYER WHO STAYS IN GOD'S PRESENCE BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT PAUL GIVES IN 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11-24

1 Thessalonians 5:11-24 (Amplified Bible)
11Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.
12Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.
13And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].(A)
15See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.
16Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);
17Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];
18Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
19Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;
20Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].
21But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.
22Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.
23And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
24Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].

GOOD ADVICE FROM ONE WHO REALLY KNEW THE HEART AND MIND OF GOD. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE COVERED TODAY SO THAT NOTHING WILL HINDER US IN THE MISSION THAT GOD HAS CALLED US TO DO.

WHAT IS IN GOD'S HEART AND MIND?