The Kingdom of Power; NV 3/24/02 AM

When Ole quit farming and moved, he discovered he was the only Lutheran in his new town of all Catholics. That was okay, but the neighbors had a problem with his barbecuing beef every Friday. They were not allowed to eat red meat on Fridays, but the tempting aroma was getting the best of them. Beside themselves, they got together and confronted Ole.

"Ole," they said, "since you are the only Lutheran in this whole town and there's not a Lutheran church for many miles, we think you should join our church and become a Catholic." Ole thought about it for a minute and decided they were right. Ole talked to the priest, and they arranged it.

The big day came, and the priest had Ole kneel. He put his hand on Ole's head and said, "Ole, you were born a Lutheran, you were raised a Lutheran, and now," he said as he sprinkled some incense over Ole's head, "you are a Catholic!"

Both Ole and the neighbors were happy. But the following Friday evening, the aroma of grilled beef still wafted from Ole's yard. The neighbors went to talk to him about this, and as they approached the fence they heard Ole saying something strangely familiar to the steak: "You were born a beef, you were raised a beef, and now" he said as he sprinkled salt over the meat, "you are a fish!"

TS] Real authentic change takes a little more than just a ceremony. Going to Macdonald’s no more makes you a hamburger than going to church makes you a Christian. We are supposed to glow in this dark world! Brighter and brighter.

I.      God’s purpose for those in His Kingdom is transformation!

A.   Romans 8 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

II.   Have you ever tried to change, yet failed?

A.   “I’m going to start exercising and eating right…tomorrow.”

B.    1 Timothy 4 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

C.   What does the bible have to say about change, or transformation?

III.           Transformation Bible events…

A.   Jesus (the mount of transfiguration) Mark 9

1.        8 – Jesus had begun to speak of His death and suffering and resurrection to come. He also spoke of the commitment needed to be His disciple.

2.        9 And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

3.        The Transfiguration

B.    Moses on the Mountain with God – Exodus 34 29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.  30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.

1.        Are you beginning to notice a little pattern here? The presence of God brings about transformation.

C.   What about us?

1.        2 Corinthians 3 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2.        Romans 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  2 Do not conform any longer 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.

D.   The same thing God had in mind for Moses, and the same thing God did with Jesus He offers to us.

TS] There is a pattern of renewal, a pattern of transformation for your life.

I.      It begins with your mind! (Romans 12)

A.   Colossians 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

                    1.          You can change your mind right?

B.    I remember that first time in school when Mrs. Dirksen, my first grade teacher, asked me what my name was. I knew that. And then she asked me what my mother's name was. I said to her, "Momma." She said, "No, that is not her name." I said, "Yes it is. We all call her that." "No," she said, "it's not 'Momma,' it's something else." I said, "No, it's not." She said, "Look, momma is what she is, momma is what she does, but Momma's not her name." And I said, "Well, I'm sure you're wrong, but I'll ask her tonight." So when I got home from school that night, I was layin' for my momma to walk in the room. I said, "Momma, do you have another name besides 'Momma'?" She said, "Well, yes, Son. My name is Ethel." It sounded obscene, like she should have a twin sister named Regular or Unleaded. Then she said, "And not only that, but I have a middle name, too. It's Faye." And then she said, which was the most astounding revelation of all, "Miller is my last name." It was the same name as I had! I have never forgotten that sense of growing awareness that dawned on me. That's how the mind is. It is in the process of becoming.

C.   Romans 8 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

                    1.          “Trash in Trash out”

D.   Moses had his mind set on God, Jesus (of coarse), and Remember 2 Cor. 3:18? “Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord…”

TS] Step two is very much akin to step one – What was Moses doing on the Mountain? What was Jesus doing on the mountain?

II.    If you want to change then pray.

A.    It is not that prayer changes God, or awakens in him purposes of love and compassion that he has not already felt. No, it changes us, and therein lies its glory and its purpose.

B.    Our greatest deterrent to prayer is not a lack of time to devote to it, I believe it is a fear of change!

                    1.          It is that contact, fellowship, communion, time with God that will change your life!

                    2.          “Prayer, the Great Adventure” – because of the adventure involved in the way your life is radically changed.

                    3.          God’s presence – no longer “I want to” but “I have to!”

C.   Prayer will revolutionize your life!

                    1.          Want to change your marriage – pray together.

                    2.          Want to change your parenting – pray with you children.

                    3.          Want to get rid of that bitterness, anger, and hatred of that person who harmed you – pray for them!

TS] What will make your life glow? We live in a dark world!

Setting your mind on things above, and getting serious about prayer.

That is why God’s kingdom is a kingdom of power.

Mark 9

In a sense, those standing by, saw the Kingdom of God come with power into the life of this father and child

When you experience the power of God’s kingdom in your life you experience transformation.

When you add the power of God with a willing heart you have transformation for the good.

Maybe we need to ask, “Lord, help my unbelief”