https://youtu.be/I_kB66ehvEI




Sermon notes:



WE ALL NEED OUR OWN PERSONAL CALL AND ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS.



21ST MAY 2023



The last few times I have spoken about the need for each one of us to be,



“Transformed by the renewing of our minds”. Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.



I highlighted some of the hindrances to that happening – Our Fears; Not listening to God; and the way we can come with ‘Confirmation Bias’, only wanting to hear what we have decided we want to hear.  



I would like to look briefly, at what I think can be another problem area, and that is:-   NEAGATIVE THINKING



Most of us have used the phrase ‘what is the worst that can happen’ in relation to something we might be trying for the first time. Verity mentioned a few weeks ago at one of our Leadership Meetings, ‘what’s the best that can happen’.



I remember growing up after the war in Manchester - Going to church on a Sunday morning - seeing groups of men gathered on bombed sites where houses had stood.



They were stood in a circle all flipping coins in the air – gambling – heads or tails.



Imagine a coin; on one side it reads, ‘what is the worst that can happen’ and on the other side, ‘what is the best that can happen’ Why does it always seem to come down on the, ‘what is the worst that can happen’ side. (The coin seems biased that way. Maybe that is reflective of our ‘natural thinking’.



WHAT IS THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN – WHAT IS THE BEST THAT CAN HAPPEN



Has anyone ever played bowls? Bowling Ball – not a perfect sphere - has an inbuilt bias, which always turns away – our thoughts seem to turn to worry and negativity.



A well known Christian leader who had seen an amazing move of the Holy Spirit in his life and in the church did one of these ‘negative thinking tests’ and found that 80% of his thinking was negative.



I believe Negative Thinking is as much a part of renewing our minds as dealing with fear is.  WHAT WE FEED GROWS – that is why Philippians 4:8 shows us the antidote to Negative Thinking.   –  POSITIVE THINKING – OR FOCUSSING ON THE POSITIVE. -  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.



HOW OFTEN OUR THINKING  - POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE AFFECT OUR ACTIONS AND BEHAVIOUR.



Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus Walks on Water – After the feeding of the 5,000 –(Mark 6:45–52; John 6:16–21) 22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, 24but the boat was already fara from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25During the fourth watch of the night, (3am to 6am) Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” 28“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.” 29“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.  30But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” 32And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”



PETER WALKED ON WATER – THE CALL OF JESUS ‘PERSUADED HIM TO HAVE THE FAITH (BE PERSUADED TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT) – WHY DID YOU DOUBT – WHICH CAU...

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