THE NEED FOR CHANGE

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

If we will truly become more like Christ, then we must recognize that God’s work of Sanctification, which began in us at the moment of salvation, is an ongoing work. Last week many of you expressed a desire to start to change.

I. We Must Agree that We Need Change – verses 1-2

Note – Shall we continue in sin? God forbid!

Note – Grace is not a license to sin

If we will break the habits of sin we must know our glorious position in Christ. It is God’s desire that we would change.

A. Because of Our Sinful Nature

Note – God has provided a way of victory over the sin nature. Our “Old Man” or our “flesh” was conquered at the cross.

Romans 6:6 KJV 1900

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Ill –The natural man does not desire Spiritual Things.

A Sunday School Teacher asked her children, Why is it necessary to be quiet in church?. One little girl replied, “ Because people are sleeping.”

Galatians 5:16–21 KJV 1900

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Note – The natural man is an enemy with God.

Ephesians 4:22 KJV 1900

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

B. Because of Our Selfish Notions

Proverbs 14:12 KJV 1900

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.

Note – Our natural Tendency is to have it ‘Our Way.’

Isaiah 53:6 KJV 1900

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Note – Agreeing that we need change will require humility on our part. In any area of our lives when we see that we need change, it will require an amount of humility to accomplish the change....

Ex. change in your relationship with your spouse, with your children, with your boss, with your…, a change in your health. These types of changes will require us to admit that where we are is not the ideal and then we will seek the necessary change. This will require an understanding of our pride, and a humbling in order for the change to begin to take place.

1 Peter 5:5 KJV 1900

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Note – When we humble ourselves, He will give us the Grace we need for change.

Note – Our Potential lies not in our Ability, but in our Humility.

If we will become like Christ, we must admit that we have need for change.

I. We Must Agree that we Need Change

II. We Must Reckon That the Lord is Right

If we find ourselves in disagreement with the Word of God then we must realize that two opposing truths cannot co-exist. One MUST be right and one MUST be WRONG!!!

A. Consider God’s Word True For Us

Rom 6:6-11

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Note – To say that the old man is crucified is one thing, to reckon the old man dead is another thing!

Illustration – We Reckon things Every Day.(To set to ones account, to credit) When we see a speed limit sign we have a reckoning. When we see God’s word we have a reckoning.

Either we believe the victory is ours or we don’t.

Note – If we will reckon ourselves dead to sin, we will not allow sin to reign in our bodies. (verse 12)

B. Have Faith In the Word of God

Note – Have faith that the victory has already been purchased.

1 John 5:4

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Illustration – Bro. Lester Roloff- Had a man apologize to him. - “You can’t hurt a dead man”

I. We must Agree that we need change II. We must Reckon that the Lord is Right

III. We Must Yield to The Spirit of God

A. Being Yielded is a Choice

Note –If we are yielded to God there will be change into the image of Christ.

Rom 6:13

Quote – Just two choices on the shelf, serving God or serving self.

Note – It doesn’t require 12 steps!

Ill - Helping A Friend Get off drugs. He said that as long as I would meet him daily it would help him to have victory (It would help him to stay disciplined). One day as he was strengthening, I asked him, “ What if God would meet with you each day?”

Note - Often what we call a lack of discipline is a lack of devotion.

B. A Yielded Life Will Become Like Christ

Rom 6:15-17

Gal 6:7-8

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Note – If a life will remain yielded to God it cannot constantly feed the fleshly appetites.

Rom 8:13

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Note – Yielded ness to God will lead to a life which reflects His grace.

Ill – There are many today who believe that Grace allows a lifestyle against the Law. This position is called antinomianism. But in reality, God’s grace will always lead us to a more Holy Life.

Conclusion – This is a highly political season in America. Many are calling for change.

-Change in the war effort

-Change in the name of Christmas

-Change in the way our churches worship

Almost everyone wants some form of change as long as it does not affect them!!!

But a deeper form of change is that individual work of sanctification whereby we become more Christ-like in our daily lives.

This is a change toward greater spiritual vitality.

q We must Agree that we Need Change – We are not to continue in sin

q We must Reckon that God is Right

q We must Yield ourselves to God

Rom 8:13-14

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Note – Before there can be growth, there must be birth.

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