How God Changes Us

TRANSFORMED

HOW GOD CHANGES US

Pastor Jerry Jackson

12.28.12

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 RSV

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

GOD’S NUMBER ONE GOAL IS IN YOUR LIFE IS TO TRANSFORM YOU AND MAKE YOU MORE LIKE CHRIST

2 Corinthians 3:18

“As God’s Spirit works within us, we are being transformed to become more like Christ. This change, from one degree of glory to another, comes from the Lord.”

GOD WANTS TO TRANSFORM THE 7 AREAS OF MY LIFE: spiritual health physical health emotional health mental health relational health financial health vocational health

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GET RID OF A BAD HABIT?

• Because I HAVE LEARNED THEM OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME

• Because I IDENTIFY WITH THE BAD HABITS

• Because NEGATIVITY HAS A PAYOFF

• Because THE ENEMY LIES TO ME AND WANTS ME TO BELIEVE I AM IN CHAINS AND I CAN’T BE TRANSFORMED

6 TRANSFORMATIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME THE PERSON GOD WANTS ME TO BE

EPHESIANS 4:11-32 HOW GOD CHANGES US

1. I NEED A COACH TO MAXIMIZE MY STRENGTHS AND MINIMIZE MY WEAKNESSES.

5 types of spiritual coaches in the church

Ephesians 4:11-13 (CEV)

“Christ gifted some of us to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, so that his people would learn to serve and his Body would grow strong. This will continue until we’re united by our faith and understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.”

2. I MUST LEARN AND APPLY THE TRUTH

John 17:17

“Use the truth to make them complete. Your Word is truth.” – Jesus

Ephesians 4:14-15 (NLT)

“Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or made a lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more like Christ, who is the head of his Body, the church.”

Ephesians 4:21

“Since you have heard all about Him, you have learned the truth that is in Jesus.”

3. I MUST CHANGE MY OLD WAY OF THINKING AND THINK IN A BRAND NEW WAY

Ephesians 4:17-19

“Don’t keep living as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused in their thinking. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they’re far away from the LIFE God gives because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they’ve indulged themselves in all kinds of immorality, evil thinking, and the constant desire for more.”

Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

“Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.”

Ephesians 4:23 (CEV)

“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.”

4. I MUST CLEAN HOUSE AND GET RID OF CLUTTER

Ephesians 4:22 (TEV)

“So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to — the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires.”

Hebrews 12:1 (GW)

“We must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially any sin that distracts us, so we can run the race that lies ahead of us!”

5. I NEED HONEST COMMUNITY

Ephesians 4:25 (MSG)

“No more pretense! Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s Body we’re all connected to each other. So if you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.”

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and loving to each other, forgiving each other just as God forgave you in Christ.”

Ephesians 4:29

“Never use harmful words but speak only what’s helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

6. I NEED TO HAVE FAITH GOD CAN HELP ME CHANGE

Ephesians 3:20 (LB)

“Now, by his mighty power at work within us, God is ABLE to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of ̶ infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.”

Philippians 4:13 (Amp)

“I CAN DO all things through Christ who empowers me. I am ready for anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me!”

Matthew 9:29

“According to your faith will it be done to you.” - Jesus