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March 28, 2022 4:00 am
How do you get that mind that inner part of me strong were 16 he prays to the father that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power by his wife. Spirit is the sprinkler. It doesn't simply mean the muscle that pumps blood means the mind the will really your whole spiritual being. And indeed, you need to protect it, strengthen it and keep it free from error keeping your heart free from error was one of the apostle Paul's chief concerns and he laid out concrete steps for doing just that. Were those steps. John MacArthur considers that today on grace to you as he continues his series titled complete in Christ.
Now here's John Wiley.
The reduction let me say this, people might argue and they have over the primary requisite for an effective minister of Jesus Christ, they might debate about what if there was one quality that a minister would have what would it be what would the one thing be that would make the shepherd the true shepherd of the sheep. The pastor, the true pastor of the flock. I think the most basic, the most effective. The most necessary ingredient in the life of any minister is the love of the church, the love of the church because that becomes the catalyst that motivates him and every other dimension. All of the church and you have to say. I think that his entire life was a love affair with the church the people believing community and the reason he loved the church so much is because you love the Lord so much now in his love for the church as he comes to chapter 2.
He's looking at the Colossian assembly and as I said, Paul's emotion is not simple personal love isn't just that he's concerned about some people he likes a lot. He has this agony over people you never even met because he loves the church.
The church anywhere so out of this love comes the deepest desires for the church and let's look at the number one the first the first thing that he wants for the church is that it be strong in heart strong in heart say what what is the heart symbolic of Revelation 223 show you something very interesting Revelation to try and we could look at an old stacks and stacks of Bible verses related to the heart to show this, but just give you couple and you can study on your own. I want to show you the point. Revelation 223 middle of the verse. I am he, the Lord stalking I am he who searches the minds and hearts. Know what you have here is judgment because he just talked about the fact that is going to cast this particular sinful situation into great tribulation. If they don't repent and kill the children with death, and etc. etc. and he says I will search the minds and the heart. What is the heart assuming first of all we see from that passage, the heart is the place of responsibility. It's the place of responsibility. The heart is that which is wicked in Jeremiah 17.
The heart of man is what deceitful above all things and what desperately wicked. It is the seat of responsibility. It is that much God is going to judge and he will try men's what hearts is that which is righteous or wicked. When God redeems Israel. He will take away their stony heart and give them a new one heart is the seat of responsibility is that which is judged that you step further can't be emotion, it can't be emotion what is it, let's look at Revelation 18 verse seven and here is talking about Babylon the great destruction of the final world system in the tribulation how much she has glorified Revelation 18, seven glorified herself and live luxuriously so much torment and sorrow give her was, for she Seth in her heart. I sit a queen and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow I noticed to say in her heart is a metaphor for doing what thinking she said in her heart was at me. She thought in her mind.
What then does the heart picture, not the emotions but the mind the intellect and the mind is made up of two things. The intellect and the will.
That's the heart biblical terminology in ancient times that you'll find in referring to the brain was in this.
The fool hath said in his brain. Oh fool has said in his what heart. Why, because the heart was the seed of thought it was the seat of thinking so that the heart represents the mind that sets the pace and the bowels represent the responding emotion to get to this discovery well. It's easy to know how they got to the bowels be connected with emotion. Because when I got emotional, they began to have what we have today upset stomachs colitis and all the symptoms that we get ulcers right all right here, but how they get the heart out of the brain will somehow surmise that because when the brain is really functioning. The heart is really working and he could feel it throbbing and pulse. That's the way they did it real serious thinking says the Hebrew can be felt in the beat of the heart so the heart thinks in the bowels respond with emotion. That's what you are.
Remember this in the mind of the Hebrew and the revelation of God.
Emotions never initiate. They always respond heart thinks emotions respond. That is the divine pattern on something meets high can't control my emotions, all your bowels are running. While that is Hebrew terminology that a real problem. I can't control how should you know why because your emotions will only be controlled by your mind, because emotion is a responder. The key to controlling your emotions is filling your mind with divine truth.
That's the key to controlling your emotions. You see them. Emotions respond to what the mind perceives as true get that your emotions will respond to what your mind perceives is true even if it is right. If you ever been lying in bed all the sudden you woke up with a jewel when you landed after falling off that 40 story building you are falling what your mind perceives it and your emotions responded to you what that teaches me about emotions though ever what trust them, or trust because you can make your emotions do anything if you can just make your mind thinking perceives that in the only way to control your emotions is to make sure that your mind is filled with divine truth emotions are like bad little children will run amok. If you don't control and said you control you control them indirectly by feeding the mind.
When people start putting emotion first and they really get into problems you see. Emotion should always respond to the truth.
The key then to behavior and the key to the control of emotion is the heart heart as soon as the mind, we need to plant the truth in the mind and it will control the emotional responses so we ought to be and that's why Proverbs 423 says and this is good.
Guard your heart was a mean guard your mind, your brain with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.
See you on the control life guard your mind and don't let anybody short-circuit it in Proverbs 423 Proverbs 22 five further says thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse but he that death guard.
His soul shall be far from them. The same basic terminology regarding of the mind.
The Hebrew you find it in Proverbs 2319 here, thou, my son, and be wise and guide your heart in the way guide your heart guarded and guided it might here and perceive the truth, and that your emotion might respond to the truth.
Beautiful passage. Deuteronomy 49 can't resist reading it to take heed to yourself. Keep your soul diligently lest you forget the things which are eyes of senior lest they depart from your lesson heart beat again. Listen to this.
Take heed to yourself.
Guard your soul diligently lest you forget the things which you have seen, and they depart from out of your hearts, don't forget the truth. Guard your heart.
Psalm 139 beautiful portion of Scripture in verses 23 and 24 search me oh God, and know my what my heart try me know my thoughts. You see the heart equated with thinking and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting guard the heart guide the heart. Ask God to protect the heart that's your brain, your mind a good man said Jesus in Matthew 1235 out of the good treasure of the what heart brings forth good things all the goodness will come out of the mind mind must guide the pattern of behavior. One of the passage.
Matthew 1519 for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication staffed false witness, blasphemy, Jesus said in Matthew 12, all the good things come out of the thinking process.
Jesus said in Matthew 15, all the bad things come out of the thinking processes so the Bible says God guard my thinking processes. Now it's go back to Colossians and watch what this means to you know I wish you knew how great a conflict I have for you and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh that there was arts might be strengthened. What hearts mean mines pulses number one thing I want. I used to be strong in heart was the word comfort you say it's comforting my Bible sure Hara color Hara color very beautiful word word used repeatedly in the New Testament and the word that always contains the idea of strengthening in Ephesians 622 it says that he might strengthen your hearts in second Thessalonians chapter 2. Strengthen your hearts, the word partner collateral includes it. The idea of comfort includes it at the idea of courage includes it at the idea of being strengthened and it always carries all those aspects of that would look backwards into etymology we can find a use of this word to mean specifically strengthen it means to strengthen it means to provide a strong, courageous inter-man an intellect and a will that will act heroically for God a strong heart means a firm mind, a mind that has courage. A mind that has conviction mind that believes a mind that has principal say but how you do that job. How you get a strong mind. And Paul is really saying I want you people to fall prey to the false teaching of the early terrorists. I don't want you to fall to these people are teaching lies I want to be strong in your mind, you hold the truth you say but how you get strong like that.
I'll show you. Ephesians chapter 3 verse 16 tells you one verse how you get that mind that inner part of me strong. Verse 16 he prays to the father that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power by here's what spirits who is the strengthener of the heart was the Holy Spirit.
We needed we live in a world with a weak heart he will have convictions, you will believe in things people don't know the truth, he will learn the truth they don't pursue the truth. They don't mind the truth nieces I want you to be strong in. I want you to be courageous. I want you to be comforted, encouraged and strengthened by all that's in the word Parco in the Holy Spirit is one they can do it say how does it happen. John, I believe, as you yield to the power of the spirit of God as you walk in the spirit he strengthens the inner man. I think that's what he saying here you give the spirit of God control of your life on a day-to-day moment by moment basis in the spirit of God will feed that inner man.
The spirit of God by the revelation of God will feed your mind and strength in your mind as we yield moment by moment, to the presence of the Spirit of God was strength. Paul is a perfect illustration of in acts nine tells us that he was converted and immediately one of the things begin to happen after he was converted was to begin to be strengthened.
Acts 922 but Saul increase the more in the strength he became stronger and stronger. It wasn't really was lifting weights. It wasn't that he was eating a lot of food.
It was that he was being equipped by the spirit of God, and he became so strong in his heart. He became so solid in his confidence, he became so unflinching in his ministry that in chapter 20 verse 22. He said I go bound into the spirit to the spirit to Jerusalem.
I don't know what's going to happen except I hear the bonds and afflictions await me, but none of these things. What movie strong strong in his heart he had convictions about God. He had convictions about God's will for his life. He had convictions about the acts of obedience to God was asking of him and he was strong enough to carry them out.
He was strong. Some men discourage people. Second Corinthians chapter 4 verse nine he says were persecuted, but not forsaken were cast down, but not destroyed. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our body. He says in verse they were troubled on every side, yet not distressed, perplexed, but not in despair as we go through a lot whenever flinch Bible as were strong as you get strong by walking in the spirit of the spirit pouring divine strength.
After all the listen if the word partner Colorado means to strengthen is the very same word that is used in John 1415 and 60 as the name of the Holy Spirit you member the Holy Spirit being called correctly toss the Paraclete. That's the identical word you could just as well translate those verses. This way, John 1416. This would be accurate. According to the meaning of the word. John 1416 Jesus said, and I will pray the father and he shall give you another strengthener verse 26, but the strengthener who is the Holy Spirit whom the father will send in my name, he will teach you all things. John 1526 but when the strengthener is, John 16, seven if I go not away, the strengthener will not come. The same word if you're going to be strong in our then you're going to be strengthened by the strengthener that's the Holy Spirit. And I'll tell you what makes a weak Christian that's a Christian who walks all the time in the flesh right every step you take. Walking in the spirit is a step like spiritual weightlifting just that much stronger in your mind and your convictions in the things you know and believe about God. Now I will go step further, although the Holy Spirit is the strengthener uses human instruments uses people like me strengthen you. People like you strengthen each other. Listen to acts 1823 and after he had spent some time there. That's probably departed and went over the country of Galatia and Phrygia.
Now listen, strengthening all the disciples was he doing was Paul doing what did he do. He went there importing their minds divine truth and that strengthen them. God uses human instruments empowered by his spirit strengthen, listen, people don't get strong by exercising their emotions. You understand that you must understand what it says I want you to have strong hearts. It doesn't mean I want you to have over exercise emotion what it means is I want you to have the input of the spirit of God and the truth of God in your mind and soul come from the Holy Spirit was strengthen and will come from other instruments such as Paul touches me, such as anybody know some will come from you because of your strong you'll be able to pass the truth on. Also, as I pray for you Colossian pray to be strong in heart we mean Paul, I don't mean that you have over exercise emotion. What I mean is that you take your heart, which is the mind, the source of intellect and will and strengthen it so that it knows the truth and has the will to act on the truth and then the emotions will flow alone you little toys with a flywheel in butterfly will be heavy and you give it a little pushing, but across the four of the first day. Second, it is very educated broke Ellis emotions are like that flywheel truth is like your hand truth is that the initial impetus and drives then the emotion will take over.
She you where we can't just sit there and say whom she go go. Your emotions are responder. They are the appreciator of your soul, and when the truth of God is poured into your mind and you understand it and you act on it, it spins the flywheel of emotion and it will carry you.
Paul's prayer for you is prayer for me is prayer for all of us so we have strong hearts as if we have strong hearts were knocking to be sucked into. No were knocking to be sucked into emotionalism were knocking to be sucked into disobedience because a strong heart has a will to obey and I'll taste it when you have a strong heart man. The results are so exciting. I'll close with this Ephesians 317 to 21 gives you the results when you have a strong heart when you are strengthened with might by the spirit is what happens in verse 17 verse 16 says strengthened by the spirit. When that happens in your heart is strong, Christ will dwell in your heart by faith, that is, he will settle down and be home and you you will be rooted and grounded in love, you will find a new dimension of understanding verse 18, you will begin to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, you will be filled with all the fullness of God. You will be able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think, according to the power that works in you and on to him will be glory in the church. See the results strong hearts pauses.
I love you people I care about you.
What I want to see in your life. First of all was strong in father, thank you. Things we've shared and learned.
We do not desire that this should be the end of our pursuit of these truths that it just be the beginning. We thank you Lord that you have provided for us the food to feed the mind that you provided for us the flywheel of the emotions to respondent carry us out side through happy less fulfill your will and response to truth, help us to control emotions by filling the mind activating the will to respond. Thank you for Paul and his love of the church. Give us say Jesus sees Grace to you with John MacArthur. Thanks for being with us.
John's current study from Colossians 1 and two is titled complete in Christ John this idea of having strength of heart, strength of mind as you said today that sort of strength comes almost paradoxically, when you yield to the power of the spirit of God. It's a clear statement but for some listeners the actual yielding to the spirit might not be so clear. So in practical terms, what does this look like to yield to the Spirit. How should that play out on a daily basis for the Christian.
That's a very insightful question because there are plenty of people in the Christian world who think yielding to the spirit means sitting somewhere in the corner and waiting for the Holy Spirit to talk.
I just saw this morning when I was browsing through some of the current Christian literature, an article on how to hear the voice of the spirit and the suggestion is that you sort of you quiet and empty your brain and you sit there and some meditative kind of for posture and wait to hear the voice of the spirit. Nothing could be more ridiculous than that when we yield to the power of the spirit.
It is that we are walking in obedience to the spirit and the commands of the spirit are found in the Scripture in the word of God. If you want to hear the voice of the Spirit read the Bible you want to hear the voice of God. Read the Bible.
If you want to hear the voice of Christ. If you want Christ to speak to you read the Bible so yielding to the spirit is really just another word for obedience and I think that makes sense if if the if obedience is anything, it is yielding to the will of someone else and that someone else is God, and based on our current series in Colossians 1 and two, you have some you have some understanding. I think of this very important aspect of Christian living, yielding to the power the Holy Spirit would like to give you a tool that we've been talking about. If you haven't already ordered one, and I want to say a word about it again. Today is the study guide titled complete in Christ. I would venture to say that if you have this no matter what other study guide. You may have or not have you find yourself going back to this again and again and again because the realities that are bound up in being complete in Christ are the treasure house for all believers as they live in the world and follow the path of obedience and sanctification. You need to get a copy of complete in Christ study guide 250 pages long available today. Order the complete in Christ study guide and do it today. Yes, friend, understanding how to yield to the spirit and to be strengthened by him is foundational to living a life that glorifies our Lord and overcome sin and fights off discouragement. So I encourage you to pick up the complete in Christ study guide when you contact us today. Call 855 Grace or go to GT Y.org. This book could be especially beneficial to go through with the new Christian the questions at the end of each chapter will reinforce what you are learning and will encourage practical discussion. Again, the title of the new study guide complete in Christ, ask for it when you call 855 Grace or order online@gty.org also friend if you are benefiting from John's current study noted that's happening across the globe. People are benefiting because men and women like you support us financially, we are able to reach pastors Sunday school teachers people on the job stay at home mom students and many others, and you helped make that ministry possible. When you stand with us to express your financial support. Right to Grace to you. Box 4000 panorama city, CA 91412 or you can call us at 855 Grace or go to our website. GT Y.org now for John MacArthur and the entire Grace to you staff on Phil Johnson encouraging you to be here tomorrow when John looks at Christ's intense love for you and how you can passionately love his church. It's another half hour of unleashing God's truth one verse at a time on Grace to you