About What Do You Think?

Introduction
   I.  "Don't even think about it!"  "I think I can."  "I don't think so."  "What are
        you thinking?"  "Think about it."
        A.  These statements let us know that thinking is important in our lives.
        B.  You and I probably make some such statement every day.
  II.  Have you thought how many times the idea of "think" or "thought(s)" is 
        found in Scripture?
III.   Success in life comes from proper thinking.  
 IV.  Let's think about thinking.

Body

  I.   We are taught to think.
       A.  Jesus asked the chief priests to think so that they would learn to make the
             correct applications in their own lives.  Matt. 21:23-32.
	 1.  The chief priests were questioning Jesus about His authority. 
	      Matt. 21:23-27.
	 2.  Jesus asked their thoughts about a father who had two sons.
	      Matt. 21:28-32.
	 3.  Jesus wanted them to learn that they were like the son who said he would
	      work, but failed to do so.
       B.  We are to think good thoughts.  Phil. 4:8.
	 1.  Thinking on these things will help us to be the kind of people God desires.
	 2.  We will not be filling our minds with evil thoughts if we learn to think of
	      those things which are right.  Phil. 2:1-8.

 II.  We are warned about wrong thinking.
       A.  Evil actions come from an evil heart.  Matt. 15:1-20.
	 1.  People do wrong things because they have wrong thoughts.  
	      Matt. 15:1-6.
	 2.  Having the wrong "heart" or thought makes ones worship wrong.
	      Matt. 15:7-15.
	 3.  That which defiles one comes from his heart or thoughts.  Matt. 15:16-20.
	      a.  All of the sins listed exist because of evil thoughts.
	      b.  Surely Jesus is teaching us to control our thoughts.
       B.  We do not treat others properly when we have evil thoughts. Jas. 2:1-9.   	  
       C.  We are to bring every thought under the control of Christ.  II Cor. 10:1-6.
       D.  We are even warned about anxious thoughts.  Matt. 6:19-34.

About What Do You Think?, page 2.

III.  The way we think will determine what we do.
        A.  If we think only of earthly things, we will spend all of our energies on
	  earthly things.
	  1.  It might be riches.  Matt. 6:19.
	  2.  It might be fun.  
	  3.  It might be immorality.  Heb. 11:24-26.
        B.  If we think of our citizenship as being in heaven rather than the earth,
              our actions will be different.  Phil. 3:20, 21.
	  1.  Our thinking determines whether we obey God, worship faithfully, 		       give liberally, teach the lost, restore the fallen, pray without ceasing, live 
	       morally, help the needy, encourage the faint-hearted, assist the sick or
 	       do whatever is right to do.  Gal. 6:9, 10; 5:22, 23. 

Conclusion
   I.  About what are you thinking?   
  II.  Are you thinking about the importance of doing the Lord's will, or are you 
        thinking about how to please yourself?
III.  If you are thinking correctly, you are putting God before the things of this
        life, and you may be ready to enter the Lord's kingdom.
 IV.  We encourage your obedience today.

Prepared by:
  David Arnold
  May 6, 1995