September Theme – The Mind of Christ:                                                                                                      Breaking Free From Earthly Thinking to Embrace Christ’s Mind

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY  

When God came to earth, He did not arrive with thunder, armies, or thrones. Instead, He came in humility—born in a manger, walking dirt roads, kneeling to wash feet, and finally dying on a cross. The eternal Son of God stooped so low that His disciples could hardly grasp it. He who commanded angel armies declared, “I am among you as He that serveth” (Luke 22:27). From Eden to Babel, pride has always been man’s downfall, but in Christ we see a better way: He humbled Himself, and God exalted Him. The crown always follows the cross, and the way up in the Kingdom is always down. This truth silences our pride and calls us to marvel at His love. It is not just a doctrine to study—it is a life to imitate. Christ shows us that true greatness is not measured by how high we climb, but by how far we are willing to descend in service.

This is the paradox of the Gospel: pride destroys, but humility saves. Pride says, “My needs first, my will, my rights,” while humility bows and prays, “Not my will, but Thine.” The mind of Christ calls us to surrender everything—our rights, our recognition, even our reputations—so His life may shine through us. In marriage, humility breaks bitterness; in church life, humility silences division; in daily walk, humility releases grace. James 4:6 promises, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” The question is not whether pride lives in us—it does—but whether we will crucify it. Humility is not weakness—it is strength under the control of the Spirit. To bow low is not to lose dignity but to gain heaven’s favor. When we humble ourselves, we step into the very mind of Christ and discover the power of His resurrection at work within us.

GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

The Danger of a Lingering Thought

“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 Corinthians 10:5

The Seed of Sin

Every sin begins as a thought that was allowed to stay too long. The enemy seldom starts with full-grown rebellion; he plants a whisper, a suggestion, a passing imagination. James 1:15 reminds us, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” A sinful thought entertained is like a seed buried in fertile soil—it may seem small, but given time, it grows roots. To keep your heart pure, you must recognize sin while it is still a seed in the mind, not after it has taken root in your actions.

From Thought to Stronghold

A thought entertained becomes a desire, a desire becomes an action, and an action repeated becomes a stronghold. That is why Paul urged believers to be “renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23). What starts in the mind does not stay in the mind—it shapes your character and directs your destiny. David’s lingering look at Bathsheba was not just a moment of weakness; it was a thought that became a desire, a desire that became sin, and sin that brought devastating consequences (2 Samuel 11). The lesson is clear: unchecked thoughts have the power to enslave.

The Authority of the Believer

God has not left us defenseless. He gives us authority to seize every thought and make it bow to Christ. Philippians 4:8 calls us to deliberately redirect our minds: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure…think on these things.” Taking thoughts captive is not passive—it requires a conscious act of surrender and resistance. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, empowering you to crush sinful imaginations before they ever become strongholds.

Like a spark in dry grass, one small thought can ignite a wildfire. If you crush the spark early, the fire never spreads. But if you leave it unattended, destruction is inevitable. Guarding your thought life is like stamping out sparks before they destroy your home.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to guard my mind diligently. When wrong thoughts come, give me discernment to recognize them and strength to take them captive. Replace every lie of the enemy with the truth of Your Word. Help me to think on things that are pure, holy, and pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Challenge: Identify one recurring negative or sinful thought that tempts you today. Do not entertain it—capture it. When it comes, stop and speak a verse of truth out loud to replace it. For example, declare 2 Corinthians 10:5 or Philippians 4:8 until peace returns to your heart.

MONDDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Amy Garner’s Dad

Annette Ford

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s

Angela Bryan’s Sister

Ann Stanley  

Carol Lawhead – Park Place Rehab in Monroe

Danny Jarrard – Knee Surgery Soon

Darlene Wiggins

Debbie Foskey 

Doris Loyd

Dr. and Mrs. Davis

Eric Magnusson’s Mother

Eric Ward

Friend of Linda Hodge

Gayle Sparks

George & Linda Alexander 

James Burnette

Jessica Headrick  

John McClain’s Mother

June Cronan’s Sister

June Davis

Kailey Bateman

Kathryn Raines

Kim McClain’s Mother 

Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda 

Lee Cronan

Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom

Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah 

Linda Mays      

Lonzo Christian 

Lori Blount’s Mother

Mary Williams

Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom

Mrs. Franklin 

Nora Allison

Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman

Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA

Scott Lanier 

Scotty Nix

Sheila Simmons  

Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts

Steve Michaels

Tom Witcher