Get Lit, Light It Up

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14

This week’s message, “Get Lit, Light It Up,” was a reminder that the life of a believer is not meant to blend into the darkness but to shine brightly with the light of Christ. In a culture that often celebrates shadows and confusion, God has called His people to radiate His truth, His love, and His hope everywhere we go.

1. The Source of the Light

We began with the truth that we are not the source of the light—Jesus is. John 8:12 declares, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” When we come into relationship with Him, His light begins to shine in us and through us.

Our role is not to manufacture light, but to reflect it. Just as the moon reflects the sun, we are called to reflect the Son.

2. Getting Lit: Receiving the Flame

Before we can shine, we must first be lit by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 describes the moment when tongues of fire rested on the believers in the upper room, filling them with boldness and power.

To “get lit” is to be filled with His presence—through prayer, worship, and surrender. Without that daily filling, we risk letting our flame flicker. With it, we become vessels carrying the fire of God into every dark place we encounter.

3. Lighting It Up: Shining in a Dark World

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

This means that our light isn’t for show—it’s for impact. Every word of kindness, every act of love, every stand for truth becomes a spark that points others to Christ.

Lighting it up looks like:

• Choosing grace when the world expects anger.

• Offering hope when people are overwhelmed by despair.

• Walking in integrity when compromise is easier.

• Boldly sharing the Gospel when silence would be more comfortable.

4. Don’t Hide the Light

One of the greatest temptations we face is to hide our light—to keep quiet about our faith, to stay comfortable instead of being bold. But Jesus said, “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Matthew 5:15).

The world doesn’t need dimmed-down Christians. It needs Spirit-filled believers who will let the fire of God shine unhindered.

Closing Thoughts: Carry the Flame

The call from this week’s message is simple but powerful:

• Get lit by spending time in God’s presence.

• Light it up by living boldly in your faith.

• Shine in such a way that others are drawn, not to you, but to Christ.

You may not realize it, but someone in your family, your workplace, or your community is looking for a light. Don’t hide it—shine it. Get lit, light it up, and watch how God uses you to transform the darkness around you.

With His light,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

“Standing in Grace: Our Firm Foundation”

This past Sunday, we stepped into Part 4 of our God’s Amazing Grace series, and in the first half of the message, we focused on what it truly means to stand in grace.

We’ve talked about how grace saves us, transforms us, and empowers us, but it’s just as important to understand that grace is our secure footing—our foundation in the Christian life. Without it, we can be tossed back into striving, insecurity, and condemnation. With it, we can live with confidence, stability, and peace.

1. Standing in Grace Means Knowing Where You Stand

Romans 5:1–2 says:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Notice Paul says, “this grace in which we stand.” Grace is not just something we receive once—it’s where we live.

When you stand in grace:

• You know you are fully accepted by God.

• You don’t question whether you belong in His presence.

• You approach life with the confidence that His love and favor are constant.

2. Grace Gives Us Peace With God

Before Christ, we were at odds with God—not because He hated us, but because sin separated us from Him. Grace changed everything.

When we are standing in grace, there is no more striving to earn God’s approval. There’s no spiritual performance review hanging over our heads. Jesus has already secured our place with the Father.

Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Our salvation began with grace, and it continues in grace every single day.

3. Grace Keeps Us From Falling Back Into Works

One of the enemy’s tactics is to push believers back into self-reliance—making us feel like we have to earn God’s blessing or prove our worthiness. But the moment we start measuring ourselves by our own works, we step away from the firm ground of grace and onto the unstable ground of performance-based living.

Galatians 5:4 warns,
“You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

This doesn’t mean losing salvation—it means stepping away from grace as your source and going back to relying on yourself. And when you do, peace leaves, joy fades, and condemnation creeps in.

4. Standing in Grace Produces Stability and Joy

When you truly understand your position in grace, you stop riding the spiritual roller coaster of “I’m close to God when I’m good” and “I’m far from God when I’m struggling.”

Grace anchors you in the truth that:

• God’s love is not based on your performance.

• His acceptance doesn’t fluctuate with your good days and bad days.

• Your identity as His child is secure because of Christ’s work, not yours.

And from that place of stability, joy begins to overflow. You no longer serve God out of fear—you serve Him out of love.

Closing Thoughts: Stand Firm in What Christ Has Done

The first half of Part 4 reminded us that grace is not just the starting point of our faith—it is the standing point of our faith.

This week, I want you to ask yourself:

• Am I living on the firm ground of grace or the shifting sand of self-effort?

• Do I approach God with confidence, knowing I am fully accepted in Christ?

• Have I allowed condemnation or performance to steal my peace?

Beloved, you are standing in grace. Don’t be moved from it. Don’t let guilt or fear pull you away from the freedom Christ purchased for you. Rest in it. Live in it. Rejoice in it.

Next week, we’ll continue into the second half of Part 4 as we talk about grace as the fuel for endurance and hope. Until then, keep standing—confident, secure, and unshakable—in God’s amazing grace.

In His grace,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

God's Amazing Grace

“Grace That Empowers: Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh”

This Sunday, we continued our journey through the God’s Amazing Grace series with Part 3, and the focus was both liberating and challenging: grace doesn’t just save you—it empowers you to live differently.

Many people think of grace as a one-time experience—the moment they gave their life to Christ. But God’s grace is not just the doorway into salvation; it is the power source for the entire Christian life. It empowers us to live victoriously, walk in freedom, and overcome the pull of the flesh.

1. Grace Isn’t Permission to Sin—It’s Power to Overcome It

Titus 2:11–12 says,
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”

This is a key truth we often miss: Grace teaches. Grace leads. Grace empowers.

If grace isn’t producing change, it’s likely not being fully received or understood.
God’s grace doesn’t ignore sin—it gives us the power to walk away from it.

2. The Flesh and Spirit Are at War—Grace Tips the Scale

Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

The old man—the flesh—is still present in our earthly bodies. But grace, working through the Holy Spirit, gives us the power to crucify the flesh and live from our new nature in Christ.

In other words:

• You don’t fight sin with willpower—you overcome it by walking in the Spirit.

• You don’t try harder to be holy—you trust more deeply in the One who is.

• You don’t earn freedom—you receive it and walk it out by grace.

This is not about perfection—it’s about progress through the power of God.

3. Grace Empowers You to Bear Fruit, Not Just Avoid Sin

So often, we view the Christian life as a list of things to avoid. But grace doesn’t just keep us from sin—it leads us into fruitfulness.

Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities aren’t achieved by self-effort; they are produced as a result of abiding in grace and staying in step with the Spirit.

The grace-empowered life is marked not by fear or failure, but by freedom and fruit.

4. You’re Not Just Forgiven—You’re Transformed

One of the biggest revelations from Sunday’s message was this:

Grace doesn’t leave you where it found you.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says,
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image… by the Spirit of the Lord.”

God’s grace sees you in your brokenness—but it doesn’t stop there. It lifts you, heals you, and transforms you day by day into the image of Jesus. That’s the amazing part of God’s amazing grace—it makes you new, and then teaches you how to live as the new creation you are.

Closing Thoughts: Lean on Grace, Walk in Power

Grace isn’t soft—it’s strong.
Grace isn’t passive—it’s powerful.
Grace isn’t just pardon—it’s partnership with the Holy Spirit.

This week, stop trying to “do better” in your own strength and start leaning on the grace of God that empowers you to live free, walk holy, and bear fruit.

Ask yourself:

• Am I relying on grace daily, or on my own ability?

• Am I walking in the Spirit, or battling the flesh on my own?

• Am I experiencing grace as a transforming force in my life?

Grace didn’t just save you. It sustains you. It changes you. It empowers you.
That’s the power of God’s Amazing Grace.

With renewed strength,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

Kingdom Seekers

“When you seek the Kingdom first, everything else finds its place.”

This past Sunday, we explored a foundational principle of the Christian life in a message titled “Kingdom Seekers.” In a world filled with distractions, ambitions, and constant noise, Jesus’ call to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) remains both radically simple and deeply challenging.

This message isn’t just about priority—it’s about pursuit. It’s not a call to sprinkle God into our plans, but to align our entire lives around His will, His reign, and His purpose.

1. The King and His Kingdom

We began by recognizing that the Kingdom of God is not just a distant future reality—it is a present and active reign of Jesus in the hearts and lives of His people.

Jesus preached in Matthew 4:17, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” In other words, the Kingdom is now, and it’s accessible to those who will turn from their way and embrace God’s way.

Seeking the Kingdom means we:

• Submit to Jesus as King

• Prioritize His righteousness over self-righteousness

• Pursue His agenda over our own ambitions

2. The Reward of the Seeker

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus promises:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

What “things”?
Everything we worry about—provision, protection, peace, purpose. Jesus is saying:

“If you make My Kingdom your priority, I will take care of everything else.”

This is not prosperity preaching. It’s Kingdom principle.
When we seek the King, we don’t chase after things—blessings begin to chase us.

Psalm 34:10 echoes this truth:
“Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.”

3. Seeking Requires Surrender

To be a Kingdom seeker, you must lay down your kingdom.
Too often, we want God to bless our plans rather than surrender to His. But Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.”

That’s not a poetic phrase. It’s a radical act of surrender.

True Kingdom seekers:

• Give up control

• Embrace obedience

• Let go of what’s comfortable to pursue what’s eternal

Luke 12:31 puts it plainly:
“But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”
It’s the same message from a different Gospel—because it’s a principle God wants written on our hearts.

4. The Kingdom Is Not in Words Alone

In 1 Corinthians 4:20, Paul reminds us:
“For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”

Kingdom seekers don’t just talk differently—they live differently.
They walk in:

• Boldness, because they know who their King is

• Peace, because their hope isn’t in this world

• Purpose, because they’re living for something greater than themselves

Kingdom seekers are revival carriers, culture changers, and Spirit-filled sons and daughters who reflect the King they serve.

5. Are You Seeking or Settling?

We ended the message with a heart check:

Are we truly seeking the Kingdom, or just trying to fit God into our schedules?

Seeking requires pursuit. It demands hunger. It involves pressing in when it's easier to pull back.

Jeremiah 29:13 says,
“You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Half-hearted Christianity won’t release Kingdom power.
Casual faith won’t produce eternal fruit.
If we want more of God, we must become Kingdom Seekers—those who chase His presence, live by His Word, and trust His rule.

Closing Thoughts: Make the Kingdom Your First Pursuit

This week, let’s be intentional.
Before we seek success, comfort, approval, or even answers—let’s seek the King.

• Start your day in prayer and worship.

• Search the Scriptures for His truth.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas where you’ve prioritized lesser things.

You were created for the Kingdom.
Let’s stop settling for crumbs when God is offering a feast.
Let’s be a people who seek first the Kingdom—and watch how everything else falls into place.

With Kingdom vision,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

Strong Shoulders, Lasting Legacy

“The strength to carry, the heart to lead, the legacy to leave.”

This past Sunday, we gathered not only to celebrate Father’s Day but to reflect on the powerful responsibility and influence that godly men carry. The sermon titled “Strong Shoulder, Lasting Legacy” reminded us that spiritual strength is not about physical power—it’s about character, consistency, and calling.

In a world that often overlooks or misunderstands the role of fathers and spiritual leaders, God’s Word elevates it. He calls men to be more than providers or protectors. He calls them to carry weight, walk in righteousness, and pass on a legacy that lasts beyond their lifetime.

1. Shoulders Built to Carry

We began in Joshua 4:1–7, where God commanded twelve men—one from each tribe—to carry stones from the Jordan River to build a memorial. These stones represented what God had done for Israel: delivering them, guiding them, and establishing them as His people.

The men didn’t carry these stones for themselves. They carried them for future generations. Joshua said, “When your children ask… ‘What do these stones mean?’ you will tell them how the Lord made a way.”

This is a picture of what godly men are called to do:

• Carry weight that builds others up.

• Bear responsibility with humility and strength.

• Establish a testimony that speaks to the faithfulness of God.

The shoulders of a man of God aren’t just strong for work—they’re strong for worship, strong for prayer, strong for burden-bearing. They carry the spiritual weight of their family and community with grace.

2. A Legacy of Faith, Not Just a Name

Legacy isn’t what we leave to people. It’s what we leave in them.

Psalm 112:1–2 says,
“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.”

That kind of legacy doesn’t happen by accident. It’s formed:

• In moments of prayer your children may never hear.

• In choices made when no one is watching.

• In forgiveness offered when it’s undeserved.

• In truth spoken when it would be easier to stay silent.

A lasting legacy is built when men choose to live with integrity, humility, and unwavering faith.

3. Your Strength is Not Your Own

Ephesians 6:10 says, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

The strength to carry your assignment, to lead your family, to live with godly conviction—that strength comes from the Lord.

This means we don’t have to pretend we’ve got it all together.
We don’t have to carry everything alone.
We can lean on the One whose strength is perfect in our weakness.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you.”

God doesn’t just give men strength—He becomes their strength.

4. What Are You Leaving Behind?

The question we left with Sunday was this:
What kind of legacy are you building right now?

Whether you’re a father, grandfather, mentor, or spiritual leader—your influence matters.

• Will your children remember your faith more than your failures?

• Will your coworkers remember your integrity more than your title?

• Will your community remember your impact more than your income?

We are all leaving something behind. Let it be a testimony that points people to Jesus.

Closing Thoughts: Shoulders That Serve, Hearts That Lead

A man of God doesn’t need to be perfect. He needs to be present. He needs to be faithful. He needs to be willing to carry the weight God has entrusted to him—not in his own strength, but with the help of the Holy Spirit.

May we be men (and raise men) who carry the stone of testimony, walk in the strength of the Lord, and build a legacy that speaks long after we’re gone.

To every father, mentor, and spiritual leader—thank you for carrying what others may never see and standing firm in the quiet strength God has given you.

The shoulder may carry the stone, but the heart carries the legacy.

With honor and blessing,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

The Fire Within: Pentecost and the New Nature

Yesterday, we closed out our ReMade sermon series with a powerful and Spirit-filled message titled “The Fire Within: Pentecost and the New Nature.” On Pentecost Sunday, we don’t just commemorate a historical event—we celebrate the moment the Church was born, the Spirit was poured out, and believers were empowered to live as the new creation God designed them to be.

Pentecost is not just about speaking in tongues or spiritual gifts—though those are important. It’s about transformation. It’s about living daily with the fire of the Holy Spirit burning within, enabling us to walk in the power, identity, and nature of the new man in Christ.

1. The Promise Fulfilled

Acts 2:1–4 (NKJV) says:

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven... and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

This was the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8:

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

What was poured out in that Upper Room wasn’t just a moment—it was a movement. The Holy Spirit didn’t come to make believers feel good for a few hours. He came to indwell them, empower them, and transform them—forever.

2. The Spirit Fuels the New Nature

Over the past few weeks, we’ve learned that in Christ, we have been ReMade—given a new identity, a new mindset, and a new nature. But we must understand this: the new nature cannot be lived out in human strength.

Titus 3:5–6 tells us:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

Without the Spirit, we revert to striving. But with the Spirit, we walk in freedom, speak with boldness, and live in righteousness.

The fire within isn’t emotionalism—it’s empowerment. It’s the Spirit enabling us to live in the fullness of our new identity as sons and daughters of God.

3. Power to Live Boldly

The early Church went from hiding in fear to preaching with boldness. Why? Because of the Holy Spirit. Peter, the same man who denied Jesus three times, stood up after being filled with the Spirit and boldly proclaimed the Gospel to thousands.

When the fire of the Holy Spirit fills your life:

Fear is replaced with courage

Timidity becomes testimony

Weakness is exchanged for power

Romans 8:11 reminds us:

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ... will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

This is the fire within—the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave now empowers you to live victoriously.

4. Living Spirit-Led Every Day

Pentecost is not just an event—it’s a lifestyle. The fire that filled the upper room is the same fire that should guide our lives today.

To live by the Spirit daily means:

Yielding to His voice, even when it challenges our comfort.

Walking in step with His direction, not our own impulses.

Allowing the fruit of the Spirit to shape our character.

Galatians 5:25 says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

You’ve been ReMade, but that new nature must be nurtured by the fire of the Spirit daily.

Closing Thoughts: Keep the Fire Burning

The same fire that fell on Pentecost now burns within every Spirit-filled believer. This fire isn’t just to stir our emotions—it’s to awaken our purpose, ignite our faith, and empower us to live in the fullness of our redemption.

Let me encourage you:

Don’t let the fire grow cold.

Don’t live like you’re powerless.

Don’t settle for a form of godliness without the fire of transformation.

You have the fire within.

You have the Spirit of the living God.

You’ve been ReMade for a purpose—and empowered to walk it out.

Let’s be a church that doesn’t just remember Pentecost…

Let’s be a church that lives Pentecost.

With fire and boldness,

Pastor Chris Tullis

Grace Christian Center

"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

Putting On the New Man

This past Sunday, we continued our ReMade series by diving into one of the most practical and powerful truths for every believer: Putting On the New Man.

As we’ve explored over the last two weeks, we are no longer who we used to be. In Christ, we’ve been reborn—remade from the inside out. But while our spirit has been made new, we must daily choose to walk in that new nature.

Paul gives us clear instruction in Ephesians 4:22–24 (NKJV):
“That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

1. Putting Off the Old Man

Before we can put on the new man, we have to take off the old one. That means intentionally choosing to lay aside the thoughts, habits, and behaviors that no longer belong to the new creation we’ve become.

The “old man” is:

• Bound by sin

• Driven by selfish desires

• Shaped by shame and insecurity

• Reactive, fearful, and flesh-led

Paul describes this old nature as corrupt and deceitful. It promises satisfaction but always leads to brokenness. Even though we’ve been made new in Christ, we can still fall into old patterns if we don’t actively resist and remove them.

Putting off the old man means repenting of old attitudes, forgiving past hurts, silencing lies from the enemy, and choosing not to live according to who you were, but who you are in Christ.

2. Be Renewed in the Spirit of Your Mind

In between putting off the old and putting on the new is a critical process—renewal. This happens in the mind, and it’s where transformation truly takes root.

Romans 12:2 tells us,
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Renewal is a daily decision. It means we:

• Reject carnal thinking and replace it with kingdom truth

• Meditate on God’s Word until it shapes our thoughts

• Let go of limiting beliefs about ourselves and God

• Allow the Holy Spirit to challenge and change our perspective

You can’t walk in the new man while thinking like the old one. Your mind must catch up with what your spirit already knows: you’ve been made new.

3. Putting On the New Man

Paul says the new man is “created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

When we put on the new man, we are embracing who we really are in Christ:

• Righteous – not because of our works, but because of Jesus’ finished work

• Holy – set apart, empowered by the Spirit to live a life that pleases God

• Loved – fully accepted and secure in our identity as sons and daughters

• Empowered – filled with the Spirit to walk in victory, not defeat

Putting on the new man is a spiritual practice that impacts every part of life. It’s not just about morality—it’s about identity, posture, and purpose.

It’s choosing grace over guilt, peace over panic, purpose over passivity.
It’s waking up each day and saying, “Today, I choose to live like the new creation God says I am.”

4. Walking It Out Daily

How do we practically put on the new man each day?

• Start with the Word – Let Scripture shape your identity before the world does.

• Speak Life – Declare who you are in Christ. Remind your soul that you are new, not old.

• Respond by the Spirit – Choose love, patience, and righteousness even when the old man wants to rise.

• Stay in community – Surround yourself with believers who call you higher and hold you accountable.

Putting on the new man is not a one-time act—it’s a lifestyle of transformation.

Closing Thoughts: Don’t Just Believe You’re New—Live Like It

Beloved, you’ve been ReMade. You’re not who you were. But now the call is to walk it out—to live daily clothed in the righteousness, peace, and power of Christ.

Let go of the labels, regrets, and patterns of the past.
Let your mind be renewed and your heart awakened.
Put on the new man. Walk in your new nature. Live like the child of God you were born again to be.

Next week, we’ll conclude this transformative series on Pentecost Sunday with a powerful message titled “The Fire Within: Pentecost and the New Nature.” We’ll discover how the Holy Spirit empowers us to fully live out the identity we've received in Christ. But until then, continue walking in the reality of who you are in Him—clothed in righteousness, rooted in grace, and filled with purpose.

You are ReMade—live boldly in the new nature God has given you.

In His righteousness,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

The Mindset of the Spirit Filled Believer

In Week 2 of our ReMade series, we focused on an essential element of walking in the nature of the new man—The Mindset of the Spirit-Filled Believer. Once we come to Christ, we don’t just receive a new identity—we begin a transformation that starts in our minds.

Romans 8:5–9 (NKJV) lays the foundation for this week’s message:
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

The mindset we choose determines the life we live. You can be saved, filled with the Spirit, and still be held back if your thinking is stuck in the patterns of the old man. But when your mind is set on the Spirit, you begin to walk in the freedom, peace, and power that God intended.

1. Set Your Mind: The Power of Focus

Paul uses the phrase “set their minds,” which implies intentionality. A Spirit-filled life doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of what we feed our thoughts and focus our attention on.

The flesh says, “Live for self.”
The Spirit says, “Live for Christ.”
The flesh says, “Fear, doubt, and guilt.”
The Spirit says, “Faith, peace, and grace.”

When your mind is set on the things of the Spirit—God’s truth, His presence, His purpose—you start to see life differently.

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” This doesn’t mean we ignore daily responsibilities, but it means our worldview is shaped by heaven, not by culture, emotion, or circumstance.

2. Carnal Thinking Leads to Spiritual Stagnation

Paul makes a sobering distinction: “To be carnally minded is death.”
That doesn’t just refer to physical death—it includes spiritual deadness, emotional instability, and fruitless living.

When we operate with a carnal mindset, we’re constantly:

• Striving for approval

• Battling anxiety

• Reacting out of fear

• Drifting from God’s presence

Even Spirit-filled believers can fall into carnal thinking when they let the voices of this world become louder than the voice of the Spirit. That’s why we must daily renew our minds with the truth of God's Word.

Romans 12:2 reminds us:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Transformation begins when we stop thinking like the world and start thinking like redeemed sons and daughters of God.

3. The Spirit-Filled Mind Produces Life and Peace

Paul continues in Romans 8:6 by saying, “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

What a promise!

• Life – Not just existence, but fullness, purpose, and power.

• Peace – A deep, abiding rest that transcends circumstance.

A Spirit-filled mind is:

• Anchored in the Word

• Tuned to the voice of the Holy Spirit

• Responsive to God’s leading

• Marked by faith, not fear

This is what it means to be truly awake in Christ—not just spiritually alive, but mentally aligned with the Spirit of God.

4. Living from a Heavenly Perspective

Romans 8:9 says, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.”

Paul reminds us who we are: We are not who we used to be.
We are not just forgiven sinners—we are Spirit-filled believers with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).

That means we:

• Speak life when others speak defeat

• Walk in peace when others are panicking

• Choose forgiveness when the world says to hold a grudge

• Trust God when the flesh says to worry

A Spirit-filled mindset brings heaven into every earthly situation.

Closing Thoughts: A Mind Transformed by the Spirit

This week, I want to challenge you:
What have you been setting your mind on?
Are you thinking like someone still bound by the past? Or are you thinking like someone who has been ReMade by the Spirit of God?

To live in the nature of the new man, we must think with the mind of the new man. That’s how we move from surviving to thriving, from striving to abiding, and from chaos to peace.

Let’s be people who don’t just carry the name of Christ—but who reflect His mindset, His peace, and His power in every area of our lives.

Stay awake. Stay transformed.
You’ve been ReMade—think like it.

With grace and expectation,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"