Transformed by Grace
Transformed • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 68 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction:
When we hear the word transformed in a Christian setting, we often think of what we need to add to our daily routine that will make the day more spiritual and pleasing to God.
We struggle with the concept of a new life that is totally different after salvation. We go into “fix it” mode wanting to turn over a new leaf or somehow make the old life become the new.
We struggle with the concept of a new life that is totally different after salvation. We go into “fix it” mode wanting to turn over a new leaf or somehow make the old life become the new.
There are so many passages that speak against this kind of religion in the Bible. God’s desire is not correcting the bad habits to make you a better person, but rather to transform you through the power and indwelling of His Spirit to have a new life.
There are so many passages that speak against this kind of religion in the Bible. God’s desire is not correcting the bad habits to make you a better person, but rather to transform you through the power and indwelling of His Spirit to have a new life.
Keith Haggard
Keith Haggard
Let me tell you a story about a good friend of mine named Kieth Haggard. I first met Keith in Borger, TX as me and some of the guys from the Church were flipping a house for our Spanish pastor that was coming on staff.
Some of the guys helping me on the house had come to Christ through our recovery ministry. Keith was looking to buy or sell some drugs and knew these guys from that world.
As he approached them asking for drugs they stopped what they were doing and took the time to share Jesus with Keith and he excepted Christ as his Lord and Savior that day.
I baptized Keith and watch his entire family come to Christ. Keith didn’t have a car at the time, so he would walk the streets, but not like before. Before he was peddling drugs as he walked now he would share Jesus with everyone he would meet. He literally would knock on a random door and ask people if they had heard the good news of Jesus.
As I mentored Keith in the faith he would say, “Well you know the old Keith would have done this, but the new Keith walks in righteousness.
There was a very distinct difference in the old Keith and the new Keith.
He ended up buying the house he was saved in and still lives there to this day.
How do you describe your new life in Christ?
Are you a sinner saved by grace just trying to do the best you can?
Or are you a new creature in Christ Jesus walking in the power of Holy Spirit of God?
Review:
Last week we began a short 4 week series entitled “Transformed.” We are in and looked at verses 1-2. In these verses we learned that through God’s mercy of salvation we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, for the battle of living a transformed life is always in the mind.
Last week we began a short series entitled “Transformed.” We are in and looked at verses 1-2. In these verses we learned that through God’s mercy of salvation we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, for the battle of living a transformed life is always in the mind.
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Mercy is God withholding judgement you deserve. And it’s through God’s mercy that we can be forgiven of sin and resurrected with Christ to walk in newness of life.
Today as we look at verses 3-8 we will see not only does God give us much needed mercy but he also grace.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Grace is God giving something you don’t deserve.
God is merciful to the sin cursed world when the Sun comes up every morning. For his mercies are new every morning.
God is gracious in giving us His only begotten Son, Jesus, to take the punishment of sinners by dying on the cross in our place.
God is gracious in giving us His Holy Spirit to empower us to live this new life.
So, how do we experience the mercy of God and live in the grace of God.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Humility is the key that unlocks the gracious Spirit of God to transform you.
Humility is the key that unlocks the gracious Spirit of God to transform you.
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
James 4:5
Pride is the door that keeps you from God.
Pride is the door that keeps you from God.
Selfish ambition (caring more about yourself than you do for others)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Resisting God as the Lord of your life.
Holding grudges over people.
Double-minded (Claiming the Spirit in your life and living after the flesh.)
Humility is the key that unlocks the grace of God.
Humility is the key that unlocks the grace of God.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:7-8
Willful submission to God.
Pride is the door that keeps you from God.
Pride is the door that keeps you from God.
Willful obedience to the Spirit of God.
Consider the group above yourself. (Family, Church, Work)
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
James
9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
James
What a person must decide is who you want to exalt you. If you are the exalter than you are left to your own power for the exaltation. If you want God to exalt you, you must humble yourself before the Lord.
The Spirit is the power to push through to God.
The Spirit is the power to push through to God.
Before we leave this passage I want to quickly revisit .
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
When we humble ourselves and ask God to save us we are reborn with the Spirit of God now living inside us.
God and the Spirit are like to magnates constantly trying to be together.
Rom 12:
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:6-
Power in the Spirit unlocks the purpose and meaning of the new life.
Power in the Spirit unlocks the purpose and meaning of the new life.
By grace the Spirit brings you into unity with the body of Christ.
By grace the Spirit brings you into unity with the body of Christ.
Rom 12:
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
You are never meant to be alone in this journey.
You can do so much more through the body of Spirit.
Power Rangers: They had to figure out that humility and unity was the key that would cause them them to transform and become a giant superhero.
According to grace the Spirit gifts you for new purpose in the Body.
According to grace the Spirit gifts you for new purpose in the Body.
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Closing Statements:
Don’t let pride keep you from the gracious transformation God wants to make in your life.
Don’t let pride keep you from the gracious transformation God wants to make in your life.
Yielding to the Spirit through humility and obis the key to unlock the power and unity of your transformation.
Humility and obedience unlocks the power of the Spirit to transform your life.
Humility and obedience unlocks the power of the Spirit to transform your life.
Your ability to transform will only come from graciousness of God never your own strength.
Your ability to transform will only come from graciousness of God never your own strength.
ADVERTISEMENT