Transformed

Opening Line:

Introduction (Pain Point/Problem)

You like plants need soil, work and space, to grow into the fullness God has designed for the plant or you

In a Garden plants need space to grow in order to be producing like should. When you don’t have space to breathe because of pressures or problems around you. You will not be as productive or effective as God has designed you to be.

Luke 8:4–15 NIV

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “ ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

In this parable Jesus talks about 4 different types of soil in a garden

Jesus explains this parable with saying it is about hearing the word of God (The Seeds) and growing from what is planted into our hearts and minds.

During this time we have together we will look at the three different tools that you need to have at work in your life everyday in order to become more fertile in your personal life and in your church and community.

The Goal for all of us is to be leaders and pastors who are being as productive and fulfilling the purpose God has designed for each of us to do in our families and churches.

As Mark wrote

Mark 4:8 NIV

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

Soil type #1 - The Path

The path is that place along the garden that is hard and trampled and the birds steal the seeds before they are able to take root

This is when the Word of God is shared or read, but it simply bounces off.

The enemy of our souls is waiting and hoping to quickly steal away the truth of Gods word for you and your churches

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

One main reason that the devil is able to steal the truth of God from you is known from how a path is made.

The path is used by the farmer, animals, and passerbys to get around or past the path.

A path is made through Trampling

Trampling is Unavoidable, but Tilling is Intentional

John 10:10 NIV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The world has trampled you, but it is up to you for the sack of those who follow you to begin tilling and breaking up that trampled and hardness in your heart.

Gardening Tool #1 Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:26–27 NIV

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

When we allow un-forgiveness to linger in our lives we are welcoming the devil in to steal the Word of truth from Jesus Christ.

In order to break up that hardness in your heart you must let go of the hurts in your life

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 NIV

Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Who do you need to forgive today?

Matthew 6:12–15 NIV

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Make sure that you are living in forgiveness.

Then you will be able to teach others how to forgive.

Search your heart and begin the process of forgiveness today to begin to be Transformed from 30% growth to 35% growth in your life and church.

Soil Type #2 - The Stones

Luke 8:6 NIV

Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.

Luke 8:13 NIV

Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

Take Out the Stones to Transform your Life

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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.

2 Types of Stones in your life

1. Hidden

Hidden from everyone but you

Hidden from everyone including you

2. Exposed

Protection

Decoration

As Pastors you are called to lead people into the purpose and power of Jesus Christ.

But when there are stones hidden or exposed you will not be able to lead others well.

Stones are little pickets of compromise in your life.

Life of Samson

- Find His whole account of Comparimised leadership in Judges 13-16.

Called by God to be set apart for a Holy Calling

Nazerite Vow - Not allowed to

- Touch dead things

- Drink alcohol

- Cut His Hair

- Law of God - Lying, Cheating, Stealing, Murder, Fornication, and Marrying non Hebrew women.

When we allow pockets of compromise like Samson we still may see God moving in our lives and churches some, but our effectiveness will be very small and we will begin to shrink and shrink.

John 15:5–8 NIV

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Stones Limit Height and Depth

We and our church members may hear and respond in the moment of overwhelming emotions toward God’s word

We see growth in excitement, but there is not a foundation

The Stones in our lives will prevent depth

We become those branches that stop bearing fruit.

Samson become a judge that did some good for the people of Israel.

He brought the war back to attempt to bring freedom for them

But without depth he ended up doing more harm than good for the people.

John the Baptist said

Matthew 3:11 NIV

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Then we see Jesus begin His ministry with this central theme.

Matthew 4:17 NIV

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Gardening Tool #2 Repentance

3 Steps to Digging up Stones in Repentance

As pastors and leaders you have probably preached about repentance often in the past.

Repentance is a more than just asking for forgiveness

Repentance is to change direction or mindset.

1. Truth and Honesty

Once we have been breaking up the hard soil we all need to be honest about our need for Jesus to help and change us.

1 John 1:8 NIV

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

John 8:31–32 NIV

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2. Openness and Brokenness

1 John 1:9 NIV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Openness and brokenness are the hard work of digging out the stones in our lives.

often we can only see a small stone in the ground, but once we start to allow God to break us of that stone (sin/compramise) we will find it is deeper and bigger.

In your brokenness allow Jesus to be your everything and he will bring freedom from that thing that is holding you captive.

3. Surrender and Replacement

Acts 3:19 NIV

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

John 5:14 NIV

Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

When it comes to repentance we must give all the effort to Jesus to do the work.

Just like in a garden we must replace the empty space with something good.

Colossians 3:1–17 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

What Stones or Pockets of Compromise do you need to dig up today through Repentance?

Soil Type #3 - The Weeds

Luke 8:8 NIV

8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Luke 8:14 NIV

14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

Weeds are things in your life that pull you away from being kingdom focused.

You will Always have Weeds in Life

Mark 4:18–19 NIV

18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

You can grow when there are weeds in your life,

but you will not be able to grow into the mature follower of Jesus that He has called you too be

Do you want your church and members to grow in their faith in God and become mature believers in Jesus?

Then you must recognize the weeds and keep them at bay in your life and in your church.

What are the weeds Jesus was talking about?

The main one is

Money

1 Timothy 6:9–10 NIV

9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Matthew 6:19–24 NIV

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Gardening Tool #3 Generosity

2 Corinthians 9:6–15 NIV

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Generosity brings 2 main things in your life

1. Keeps Your Treasure in His Kingdom

Being generous is like medicine that keeps greed and jealousy at bay in your life and in your church.

If you want to see your church bringing heaven to earth and seeing God provide

It must start with your heart of generosity

2. Brings Maturity and Fruit

Psalm 37:25–26 NIV

25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

Be a cheerful giver without expecting anything in return and you will see more fruit growing in your life and in your church.

What do you need to give cheerfully today?

Sum up

As you seek to be transformed into the pastor and leader bearing more fruit you must take the time to allow the Holy Spirit lead you to clean up your garden to bear more fruit.

Four types of soil with three tools to work in your personal life and in your church.

Path Soil

Forgiveness to break up hardness

Rocky Soil

Repentance to remove sin and compromise from your heart

This will bring Godliness to your church

Weedy Soil

Generosity to sow into His Kingdom

Holy Spirit work in your life

If you are feeling like these tools are difficult it is because you were not ment to tend the garden of your heart and church alone.

A great place to start is asking Jesus Christ to baptize you in the Fire and power of the Holy Spirit.

I mentioned before

John the baptist said

Matthew 3:11 NIV

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

If you have never experienced the baptism into the Holy Spirit and would like to see more fruit grow in your ministry I want to pray for this powerful Transformation for you today.