Transforming Lives to Know and Follow Christ

Transforming lives to know and follow Christ. Part 1: Transforming

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. 2 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.

1. Transforming is a way of worship.

living sacrifice - Gk writings of the day used this phrase to talk of a way of life. Paul uses this language as well to share this truth.

All of our lives are worship.

This is a weekday worship not just a weekend experience.

Thomas A’ Kempis - The imitation of Christ. Kitchen worker turned into 24/7 worship.

It affects your relationship with God.

This kind of worship pleases God. Just look at how proud parents are of their kids at Prom!

God smiles when he watches us change into maturing believers!

Erin and Alex - engagement!

It affects how you live with others.

vs 2 talks about the pattern of the world and how our transformation allows us to create new patterns of how we interact with others.

Want to know God’s will?

It is found in how we treat others.

Character matters more than career

2. Transforming is a way of life.

a renewal of the mind.

The NIV Application Commentary: Romans Original Meaning

All theology is practical, and all practice, if it is truly Christian, is theological. Paul’s gospel is deeply theological, but it is also eminently practical. The good news of Jesus Christ is intended to transform a person’s life. Until individual Christians own and live out the theology, the gospel has not accomplished its purpose

It begins with the mind.

What do you fill your mind with?

I’ve been changing my diet. What I eat makes a difference in my body. Similarly, what I feed my mind affects my behavior.

a change of the heart.

One of the 12 Facets of transformation relates to our affections.

We worship what we love.

One way to please God is to discover new ways to love him!

read poetry

take a walk

listen to music

attend a worship service

write a journal

a revolution of the will.

A thought creates an action

An action creates a habit

A habit creates a lifetime

IL: hand in cast - relearning. This is hard.

3. Transforming is a process

It is somewhat unique to you

although there are patterns, you are unique.

trying on someone else’s process is like trying to wear someone else’s prom dress. It’s simply not going to fit and it won’t coordinate with your date.

Naturalists

Sensates

Traditionalists

Traditionalists

Ascetics

Activists

Caregivers

Enthusiasts

Contemplatives

intellectuals

We can’t do it on our own

This is not a solo sport.

You need the Holy Spirit

You need your brothers and sisters in Christ

Conclusion:

Understand that this is why we are here as a church.

Understand that you have a role in that.

We aren’t looking for more attenders - we are looking for more participants.

Serve

Pray

Give

Lead - submit

Invest in your own plan of Spiritual Transformation.

If you are stuck, maybe adjust your plan.

If it’s working, share it with others.