THE PEOPLE WE BECOME: Transformed by our Thought Life
Sunday, October 5th, 2025
Muche Ukegbu
SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 12:29-31
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31
Loving God entirely
Loving our neighbors sincerely
Loving ourselves correctly
Formation Map:
Head, Heart, Hands, & Habits
Thoughtfulness that is transformative for good.
What it means:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
v7
And the God of peace will be with you.
v9
Lasting peace is possible & available.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
v8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
v8
Have your thoughts reflect Jesus, His thoughts, character, & actions.
Why it matters:
Our thought life shapes our entire life.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23
We will not grow beyond our thoughts about God.
When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.
Psalm 50:21
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
Romans 2:4
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
Isaiah 49:15-16
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:13-16
Our thought life is ground zero for spiritual warfare & a life of flourishing.
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:3-4
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8
How we do it:
—think about such things.
v8
Meditation:
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 119:11
“Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God… It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God.”
-J.I. Packer. Knowing God.
Alignment:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Practice your healthy thoughts.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
v9
Closing Consideration:
Identify an area in your life you want or need to grow in; begin addressing it with the Map.
Head:
What are some godly ideas for this area?
What is my current knowledge, where is the knowledge gap?
What healthy thoughts can I meditate on?
Mark 12:29-31
Loving God entirely
Loving our neighbors sincerely
Loving ourselves correctly
Formation Map:
Head, Heart, Hands, & Habits
Thoughtfulness that is transformative for good.
What it means:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
v7
And the God of peace will be with you.
v9
Lasting peace is possible & available.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
v8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
v8
Have your thoughts reflect Jesus, His thoughts, character, & actions.
Why it matters:
Our thought life shapes our entire life.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23
We will not grow beyond our thoughts about God.
When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.
Psalm 50:21
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
Romans 2:4
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
Isaiah 49:15-16
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:13-16
Our thought life is ground zero for spiritual warfare & a life of flourishing.
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:3-4
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8
How we do it:
—think about such things.
v8
Meditation:
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 119:11
“Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God… It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God.”
-J.I. Packer. Knowing God.
Alignment:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Practice your healthy thoughts.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
v9
Closing Consideration:
Identify an area in your life you want or need to grow in; begin addressing it with the Map.
Head:
What are some godly ideas for this area?
What is my current knowledge, where is the knowledge gap?
What healthy thoughts can I meditate on?