New Can’t Fix You: Week 3

Announcements

Men’s Breakfast — this Saturday at 9:00 am

Night of Worship — this Saturday night at 6:00 pm

Doctrine of Sin Class — this Sunday morning at 8:00 am in the Discipleship Room — lasts for four weeks

Family Meeting — Wednesday, March 12th at 6:00 pm in place of Truth & Grace — childcare provided

PRAY

Message

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So I’m going to say something that is not a shock to anybody who looks at me… but I don’t like to work out. I know — it’s hard to believe, right? I don’t want the commitment — and the consistency — and the drive that it takes to be in great shape. Now, don’t get me wrong — I DO want all the benefits.

I WANT to be fit.

I WANT to have all the energy.

I WANT to be one of those people who just naturally wakes up at 5 A-M — goes for a run (because it’s fun) — drinks a protein shake — and is just crushing it at life.

But you know what I don’t want to do? Any of the things it actually takes to get there!

I don’t want to get up early and go to the gym.

I don’t want to work out.

I don’t even want to break a sweat!

And that, my friends, is why I’m not in shape. I WANT all the results without putting in ANY of the effort.

And unfortunately, for a lot of us — that’s exactly how we approach God, isn’t it?

We WANT transformation in our life.

We WANT to experience freedom from the things we’re struggling with.

And we WANT to hear from Him.

But when it comes down to actually engaging with Him — in prayer — we go radio silent, right? Or what about spending time in the Word? —Actually spending time with God? If I’m being transparent with you, there are plenty of times that I’m as motivated to do that, as I am to hit the treadmill — which happens rarely.

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Tonight we’re continuing in our Wednesday night series called “New Can’t Fix You”. This month we’re examining the lie we have believed — that we can just “white-knuckle” our way through life and if we hope enough — and try the right things — at the right time — in the right order — that we’ll somehow suddenly find that “new” thing that gets us the result we’re looking for. And through this time together, we’re exploring what the Word of God actually says about that lie — that our transformation comes from God — and we experience that through our relationship with Him.

We started off a couple weeks ago discovering how God calls us to experience a transformed mind, you remember? We looked at the way we’re called to experience the transforming of our mind so we can experience the perfect and pleasing will of God.

And last week — Pastor Dan looked at how we experience that transformation in our Spirit — and how God does the transformative work within us.

And tonight — we’re going to look at how real transformation — the kind that changes your life — comes from actively engaging with God’s truth — not just from passively wanting it.

And, look, I get it. Life is busy. We’re all exhausted. If it’s not work — then it’s the kids — or it’s the car breaking down — or some unexpected bill — or trying to get our families to stop acting crazy — the list goes on and on. And honestly — sitting down to study the Bible can feel like just one-more thing on the to-do list.

But here’s the problem: if we neglect God’s Word — then we are forfeiting the transformation that He wants to bring into our lives.

Think about it like this: What if I walked into a gym — looked around — nodded approvingly at the equipment — and then turned around and walked out?

That’s not going to a thing for my health, right?

I saw the gym.

I appreciated the gym.

But I never actually engaged with it.

A lot of us do that with the Word of God.

We hear the sermons.

We own the Bibles.

We know of God’s truth.

But a lot of times, we’re guilty of not engaging with it in a way that actually transforms us, right?

Here’s what we’ve got to remember: Transformation isn’t a wish—it’s a commitment. God’s Word is the only lasting foundation for real change.

Right now, if you’re watching this at home — take a second and ask yourself — “when’s the last time I opened my Bible outside of church?”

Be honest. If it’s been a while, this isn’t meant to make you feel guilty — but it’s an opportunity that we have in this moment to re-align our priorities with what God is calling us to.

The good news for you is that if this IS you — you’re not alone.

Take a look at what the Psalmist said in Psalm 119:5 —

Psalm 119:5 CSB

5 If only my ways were committed to keeping your statutes!

And look at how it’s written in the NLT:

Psalm 119:5 NLT

5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!

The desire is there, right? But it’s the consistency that’s the struggle, isn’t it? Sound familiar?

And I don’t know about you — but I find it kind of funny — maybe a little ironic — that right here, included in the Word of God — is somebody admitting their struggle to God that they have a hard time committing to their relationship with Him.

The reality is that this is — sadly — a part of our broken, human condition. We’re all born with this longing for transformation — it’s this longing for something we don’t have.

Even though we WANT to grow closer to God, our sin nature tries to push us farther and farther away.

In addition to the Psalmist — the Apostle Paul also admitted to his struggle with this:

Romans 7:18–19 NLT

18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.

But the beauty of God’s grace is that even though we fall short — He never does. No matter how many times we come to Him — admitting our struggle in following Him — and serving Him — and growing in Him — He is always faithful.

Because no matter how many times we move away from Him — He’s still right there — ready for us to come back. He doesn’t turn away from us because we’re not following through. He is consistent — despite our inconsistency.

And the Psalmist recognizes this a little later on in Psalm 119. Look at verses 9 through 11.

Psalm 119:9–11 CSB

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. 10 I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.

We keep our way pure and follow His commands by treasuring His Word in our hearts. And that happens by committing to studying and growing in His Word.

Later in this chapter, in verse 105, the Psalmist says:

Psalm 119:105 CSB

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

God’s Word doesn’t just inform us — it guides us. But a guide is only useful if you actually follow it, right? The Bible is the compass for our life. It’s not enough to just own one — we have to read it — to seek to grow in what God is speaking to us — and follow its direction if we want to find our way — if we want to follow God’s instruction.

Listen, this is a common struggle in my house. So, I’m directionally challenged, okay? I couldn’t find my way out of a paper sack if my life depended on it.

And so outside of Owensboro, I use the GPS to get me everywhere.

And here’s where the struggle comes in — I just blindly follow that thing wherever it says to go. I don’t look at the route — I don’t see if we’re going on the Interstate or back roads — I just type in the address — or the destination — and it tells me how long it’s going to take to get there and I just click the button that says “Start”.

Like, I don’t need the details — just tell me how to get there.

My wife does not operate in this way. She wants to look at the route — and all of the different travel options — and then wants to argue with the GPS that she thinks she can get there faster.

…how she knows what’s going on with real-time traffic and road construction and other driving situations happening in a city that is four hours away is beyond me, but somehow she claims to have this divine knowledge.

And so there’s nothing quite like getting into an argument about directions, as you are getting in the car with the love of your life and hitting the road to some romantic destination, right? This has happened… more than once for the Gammon’s.

And every time, the argument is the same —

“Do you know where you’re going?”

“Yes, I’m going the way this GPS is telling me.”

“Yeah, but do you know the route you’re taking.”

“I am taking the one that this thing is telling me to. I’m following the blue line. See that arrow? That’s where I’m going.”

“But which way are we getting there?”

“I don’t know — I typed in this address and this is the way it says to go.”

“Well why didn’t it tell you to go this other way?”

“I don’t know — maybe there’s traffic — or an accident — or construction or something.”

“Well didn’t you look?”

“No — I’m following this little blue line here. That’s all I’ve got for you. I have nothing else. I’m not holding anything back here.”

And then sometimes — when I’m following the GPS — she wants to disagree with it and tells me to go a different way. And I’m like “Woman you have literally never been to this city. This thing says turn right, so we should turn right!”

***Are you coming to realize maybe we have some control issues in our marriage?

But the thing is — no matter how much she and I argue — no matter whether we just follow the thing — as we should — or if Blaire gets her way and we get to analyze and out-smart the GPS — if we take a wrong turn — or we totally get lost because I wasn’t paying attention — it always recalculates us. And somehow — we always end up at our destination.

God’s Word is the same, isn’t it? It provides us direction for everything in our life, but if we ignore it, we’re gonna get lost. Just like trusting the GPS to get to where we need to be — we have to actually follow the guidance of God’s Word, if we want to experience that transformative work within us.

But just to get ahead of this before she comments on Facebook makes it a scandal on the Internet — I would like to say that when we were in Indy a couple weeks ago the GPS actually did get the directions wrong — it hadn’t updated based on some construction that was going on.

But I would also like to point out that if she hadn’t told me to ignore one of the turns earlier we wouldn’t have gotten there in the first place — so my point still stands.

The point I’m trying to make here is not that I’m right and Blaire’s wrong — even though she is wrong — but it’s that the Bible guides our journey. God’s Word is a light for our path. But it’s only going to be useful to us if we actually use it.

And here’s why this is important — Jesus promises freedom to those of us in relationship with Him through living out His commandments — and growing in our relationship with Him.

Jesus Himself says this in John 8:31-32:

John 8:31–32 CSB

31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Jesus makes it clear: Freedom — transformation — and growth all come from being faithful to His teaching. It’s not about just knowing the truth — it’s about living it. When He says “If you continue in my Word…” — that means to abide — or to dwell… to stay connected.

In the original language — it’s the same word He uses in John 15:4 when He says:

John 15:4 CSB

4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.

The idea here isn’t just an occasional interaction — it’s not just leaving your Bible in your car and then bringing it in to church with you on a Sunday or a Wednesday to make you look good. It’s about dwelling in His Word. It’s about ordering your life around spending time in the Word, not just adding it in whenever you think you might have a few minutes for it.

When we do that, Jesus tells us — we will know the truth — and His truth will set us free.

So here’s the question: If you’re not experiencing freedom in an area of your life — is it possible that you’re not fully engaging with God’s truth? Now hear me — I am NOT saying that this is up to you to do more work. The whole point of this Wednesday series is to help us see and understand that we can’t do enough — or be enough — or serve enough — or get enough things done to fix ourselves.

BUT — we can grow in our relationship with God by following His commandments. Because a life that is truly being transformed by God — and a relationship that is thriving in Him — doesn’t see spending time in His Word as just another thing to “do”, but instead — it’s a state of “being”. It’s living in constant communion with Him — and desiring to constantly grow closer to Him by understanding the truth He is teaching us.

For those of you who have actually stuck with a workout or healthy eating plan — you know that you only see the results when you commit — and if you’re truly committed — then that is the thing that takes priority in your life, right? If it is the thing you have decided you’re going to make happen — then you’re going to count the macros — and follow the exercise plan — you’re going to be able to consistently lift more — and have greater endurance.

The same is true in our relationship with God. We grow in Him — and He works in us — as we commit to making Him the priority in our lives. Church this isn’t just another thing on the to-do list — it’s recognizing what we’re choosing to make a priority in our lives.

So what’s this actually look like in our lives? If we want to truly grow in our relationship with God — if we want to experience true, lasting transformation — and if we want to get to that place of freedom — we have to make some commitments:

First, we have to make Scripture a daily priority. Not just hearing it at church once or twice a week, but actively spending time in the Word. No shame intended here because I’m guilty of it myself — but if we’ve got time to scroll on social media, we’ve got time to read a Psalm, amen?

Second, we have to move from information to application: It’s not enough to just know what the Bible says. We have to apply it. When Jesus says we should forgive others — He isn’t just trying to hit a word count in the Scripture here — He means it. How can we start doing that — this week?

And third, we have to recognize that transformation is a journey. It’s the daily process of letting God’s Word illuminate our path — guide our steps — and shape our heart. Just like New Years’ Resolutions, we can’t expect to walk into the gym on day one and walk out with a six pack. This transformation doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a gradual process, and it happens through Him working in us — as we grow closer to Him.

Real, lasting change — an authentic transformation — doesn’t come from our own willpower. It comes from a real relationship with God.

And because of that real relationship — we’re able to discover our true identity in Christ. When we discover the truth of who we are in relationship to Christ — we’re able to walk through these challenges and struggles that we face in life, right? God’s Holy Word is the light that shines on our path — and Jesus Christ is the manifestation of that light in our lives — helping us to experience that light despite the darkness of the world around us.

The question we have to ask ourselves is — are we gonna keep doing the same things over and over again — wishing — and wanting — and hoping for things to be different, or are we going recognize that the real source of truth — the transformative truth of Jesus Christ — is what’s going make the real change in our lives?

Let’s be honest — a lot of us have wished we were closer to God, right? But wishing won’t get us there, just like wishing won’t get me a six-pack. (And trust me… I’ve tried.) If we want to see real change in our lives, it starts with a commitment to actually engage with God’s word. Not just acknowledge it — not just appreciate it — but to actually live in it.

And He promises us hope when we live in His Word:

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

And look at what God promises us through His prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 55:11 CSB

11 so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

The people who are truly transformed in their health don’t just want to be fit — they change their habits and build a lifestyle around it. And those who are truly transformed in Christ don’t just want to be close to God — they build their life around His Word.

Church, we don’t get fit by accident. And we don’t grow spiritually by accident, either. We don’t stumble into a deeper relationship with God — it takes intentionality in growing in Him. Not because God NEEDS US to do the work, but because He wants to grow us in this relationship Him — through trusting Him — and connecting with Him — through His Word.

So what’s one step you can take this week to engage more in God’s truth? Because that, my friends, is where real transformation begins. New Can’t Fix You, but a new commitment to the truth of God’s Word does bring the change you’re looking for.

Transformation isn’t a wish—it’s a commitment. And God’s Word is the only lasting foundation for real change.

PRAY