Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Dec. 31, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE – THE STEWARDSHIP OF THE MIND

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:1-13

Text: 1 Peter 1:13

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Introduction: Before we get to our text, I want to point out a few things in the scripture reading about God’s wonderful salvation:

1. 1 Pet. 1:2 – Election to salvation is always CONDITIONAL, conditioned on God’s foreknowledge.
2. 1 Pet. 1:2 – It is always done in TIME, not eternity, as we find it in verse 2, “through sanctification of the Spirit.” A person is elected through sanctification of the Spirit. That takes place in TIME, not eternity.
3. 1 Pet. 1:3 – The resurrection of Christ is not only a part of the gospel of 1 Cor. 15:1-4, but it is also instrumental in giving a person the new birth.
4. 1 Pet. 1:4 – Although there is a millennial inheritance for the believer on the earth, based on service, there is also a spiritual inheritance for the believer that is in HEAVEN, and it is RESERVED for him.
5. 1 Pet. 1:5 – The believer’s inheritance is REserved, and he himself is PREserved by the power of God.
6. 1 Pet. 1:6-7 – Salvation does not eliminate trials from the believer’s life.
7. 1 Pet. 1:8-9 – Those who are saved today are saved through FAITH, without SEEING the Lord.
8. 1 Pet. 1:10 – Salvation by grace had not come to people in the Old Testament. It came by Jesus Christ. The prophets inquired about it, they searched diligently for it, and they prophesied of it, but it was yet FUTURE.
9. 1 Pet. 1:11 – The Old Testament prophets did not understand the “what” or “what manner of time” the Holy Spirit meant when they prophesied by God’s Spirit of the cross and the crown of Christ.
10. 1 Pet. 1:12 – The things they prophesied about that were for US are now REPORTED to us by the GOSPEL. The gospel and our salvation are something that interests the angels, who have never experienced salvation by the grace of God.
11. 1 Pet. 1:13 – Jesus brought grace at His first coming. He brings grace when a person believes on Him. He will bring MORE grace at His SECOND coming.

Now, verse 13 is our text verse, and I want you to notice the first part of the verse:

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind …

I am titling today’s message, “A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste.” I suppose that since we have just experienced Thanksgiving and Christmas, with all of the feasting and the effects that the meals, desserts, and snacks have had on our diets and weight problems, that I might should preach a different sermon, “A Waist Is A Terrible Thing To Mind.” However, I do want us to think about our thinking today. I want us to be mindful of our minds. I want us to meditate on our meditations and cogitate on our cogitations. Let us contemplate our contemplations and reflect on our reflections. I hope we can be helped by pondering our ponderings today.

GOD GAVE YOU A MIND. I want to talk to you today about THE STEWARDSHIP OF THE MIND. A steward is someone who is in charge of that which belongs to another. Usually when we talk about stewardship, we are thinking about how that we should be faithful to the Lord in our tithes and offerings. However, God has given us much more than just money. God gave you a MIND. God gave you a mind for a purpose. He wants you to serve God with your mind.

1 Chronicles 28:9a And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind …

Romans 7:25s I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God …

I. WE SHOULD HAVE A RIGHT MIND

Mark 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

A. A right mind is a sound mind

1. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2. The man of the Gadarenes was a wild man. We would call him CRAZY. He is sometimes referred to as “the maniac of Gadara.
3. We realize that some people have mental problems because of things that are physically or chemically wrong with their brains. The Bible says
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
5. However, SOME people’s minds are messed up because of SIN and because of rebellion against God. The Bible speaks of the effects of sin upon the mind:
6. Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
7. 2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
8. Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

B. A right mind is a spiritual mind

1. Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
2. A spiritual mind is one that is following the teaching and leadership of the Holy Spirit, who indwells the believer.

C. A right mind is a sanctified mind

1. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting 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;
2. Some minds are corrupt:
3. 1 Timothy 6:5a Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth …
4. Our minds need to be clean, pure, and holy, set apart for our Master’s use.
5. Computer programmers used to have an expression, “Garbage In, Garbage Out,” which meant that a computer was no better than what was put into it. Your mind is no better than what you put into it.

II. WE SHOULD HAVE A REMEMBERING MIND

Mark 14:72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

2 Peter 3:1-2 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

A. Remember God’s salvation

B. Remember God’s scriptures

C. Remember God’s strength

D. Remember God’s supply

Take time to THINK and REMEMBER.

Psalms 126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

REMEMBER THEM!

III. WE SHOULD HAVE A READY MIND

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

2 Corinthians 8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

A. Ready to reject that which impairs godliness

1. Avoid certain talk, which means you will have to avoid spending much time listening to certain people.
2. Avoid music that will not help you be godly.
3. Avoid books and other literature that will hinder your Christian walk.

B. Ready to receive that which improves godliness

1. Be ready to LISTEN at church to the word of God.
2. That’s why we have nursery.
3. That’s why I “call down” children.

C. Ready to repent (change our minds) to believe and behave according to godliness

1. That is why we give an invitation at the end of the sermon. I want you to respond to what God is saying to you.

D. Ready to reach out to win others to Christ and to help them

1. We need to learn to be aware of the spiritual and physical needs of others.

IV. WE SHOULD HAVE A RENEWED MIND

Romans 12:2 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.

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

A. Renew your purity

1. Put away bad habits.
2. Take up good habits.

B. Renew your perception of truth

1. Read the Bible daily.
2. There is MUCH more in the Bible than you have discovered, no matter HOW long you have been reading it!

C. Renew your passion

1. Think about what God has done for you.
2. Think about how Satan and sin are ruining people.
3. Think about heaven and hell!

D. Renew your progress

1. Decide what your priorities are in life!
2. What does God want you to be and to do in your family, in your church, and in your community?
3. Step out on faith and do something for JESUS. Don’t make all of your goals for things in this life that will all — possessions, property, money — burn up some day!