Wake up church, and let the Holy Spirit renew your mind of all that they have taught you. Then you can let the Spirit teach** you what is true.
- ** Holy Spirit teach, see John 6:41-59 (45), 14:25-31 (26), and 16:5-15 (13-14); 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (10-13); 1 John 2:18-27 (20 and 27).
Wake Up Church, Let The Spirit Renew Your Mind
STM Bible Lesson
Lesson focus: Ephesians 4:21-24. Bible lesson background, Ephesians 4:17-24: Before we are born-again, we are ignorant about the things of God and his word. However, once we become children of God, we can know the truth (1 Corinthians 2:14). But we must study and apply God’s word so that it changes our behavior from within. The one thing most of us fail to do is study God’s word. We are open to being misled when we rely only on the pastor, preacher, or teacher.
- Ephesians 4:21-24 [read Ephesians 4:17-24 (21-24)]
- Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your [mind] thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (NLT)
- KJV: If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Wake Up Church
It’s time to “wake up church.” Your eternal status is at risk. This Bible lesson is unique since it presents a few disputed topics and links to STM articles addressing them. So much of what you hear is traditional or denominational teaching or preaching. I call it pass-it-down preaching. Please understand that I am not attempting to offend anyone; I am simply telling the truth, as I am led to do.
Let God Teach You
- John 6:44-45 [read John 6:41-59 (44-45)]
- “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me brings them. Then I will raise them up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘God will teach all of them.’ (Isaiah 54:13) Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. (NIRV)
- KJV: No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Actually, like many preachers, I was a pass-along or pass-it-down preacher. But the Lord opened my eyes. He helped me see that I had to rely on the Holy Spirit to teach me. He gave me this prayer:
“Wash my mind of everything that man has taught me and all I have practiced. I want you to teach me.”
Less About Your Salvation And More About Their Increase
The focus has shifted with many pastors. The sermons and lessons have less to do with saving you and more to do with their financial increase.
- For many, their primary purpose is to get more viewers, members, or “partners”, followers, $$$, and more $$$$$$$. So I ask, ‘Are they following the example of Christ?’
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 [read 1 Corinthians 11:1]
- Do as I do, for I am doing as Christ did. (WE)
- KJV: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Convict [Rebuke] People Of Their Sin: A Pastor’s Duty
They are afraid to teach or preach anything that might offend anyone. Wake up church, If your pastor or teacher never makes you feel convicted, i.e., tells you when you’re wrong, you are in the wrong place.
- 2 Timothy 4:2-3 [read 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (2-3)]
- Preach the Word of God. Preach it when it is easy and people want to listen and when it is hard and people do not want to listen. [The bottom line] Preach it all the time. Use the Word of God to show people they are wrong. Use the Word of God to help them do right. You must be willing to wait for people to understand what you teach as you teach them. 3 The time will come when people will not listen to the truth. They will look for teachers who will tell them only what they want to hear. (NLV)
- KJV: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
- Some show you a bible, but rarely preach or teach using it. That type of preacher is nothing more than a motivational speaker; beware.
Let the Holy Spirit wash your mind of all that people have taught you so he can teach you. What you’ll discover will amaze you.
It seems that few people want to accept what God wants or requires. To be continued later, “Pass-It-Down Preachers Are Better With Tradition Not Truth”.
Disputed Topics
So, let’s turn our attention to the disputed topics. Please pray first that God will open your eyes… But you must be willing to let go and begin to study the Bible!
Financial
- Tithes – you are not robbing God, if you stop paying tithes, you are taking from the pastor. That is one reason they don’t want you to stop.
- Tithing: God Did NOT Command Anyone To Tithe MONEY!
- Pay Your Tithes, God Wants You To Eat Them!
- Prospering
- Prosperity; 7 Simple Lessons On True Wealth God’s Way
Worship
- Hallelujah – this might embarrass some pastors as well as yourself. You must know the truth about hallelujah.
- 3 True Facts About Hallelujah That’ll Change Your Praise
- Stuck on Hallelujah? Learn How To Make Your Praise Real!
- That Devil – the truth is, he is not stealing from you! Nor is he MAKING you do bad things.
- Can the Devil Steal One Thing From God’s Children?
- Know Your Enemy; Warning, The Devil Isn’t Your Worst!
- Thief Part 2; Devil Steal From Child of God?
The Godhead
- Call him Jesus – that is the name of the Father and Holy Spirit, not just of the Son. Like that, I have just one name while being a father, a son, and a human.
- Father, Son, Holy Spirit Share One Name; The Name Jesus
Healing or Salvation
- “By his stripes, we are healed”. The truth is, Isaiah spoke of salvation and not physical healing.
- By His Stripes We Are Healed Spiritually Not Physically
So Give Your Lives to God As A Living Sacrifice
- Romans 12:1-2 [read Romans 12:1-2]
- So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way. 2 Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. (ERV)
- KJV: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
That’s it for now, but I will add items as they become available. It is time to “wake up church” and let the Spirit renew your mind. Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible lesson. Please take full advantage of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺
Other related studies, lessons, and snacks for further spiritual growth:
See the latest on the Sound Truth Ministry website.
I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing tim@stministry.com. Have a wonderful day!
