4 Motivations for Transformation
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Introduction:
The world is crying out for a radical transformation, but they have no idea what that is supposed to look like.
All they know is that the way people treat each other is not right.
The love they are longing for is know where to be found.
They search for peace and tranquility but can find none.
They so desperately want their lives to have purpose and meaning, while they question their own existence, their origin, their maker, and their future.
So they try everything: good, bad, crazy.
They believe anything that will get them closer to answers.
They have looked in the churches and found nothing but religion. We know that the answer lies in the power of the gospel. The good news that God so loved the world that he has given us Jesus to take away our sins and to transform our lives into the sons and daughters that we were originally intended to be.
But why can’t they see it? Why are people not flocking to the gospel? And why do they so quickly discard or even abhor the thought of being a Christian.
I believe one of the greatest hindrances to the transforming power of the gospel untransformed powerless Christians.
It’s like a fat man peddling diet products. Where’s the proof man!!!
If we are going to share the life-giving, life-changing power of the gospel we better be transformed by that gospel.
We have been looking at as Paul describes the transforming power of the gospel and I have been looking at us to see how we measure up. Not to bring judgement or condemnation but quality control.
Are we smoken’ what we’re selling or is this all a big sham.
There are 22 marks in this passage of what a transformed Christian looks like.
I have grouped them into 4 transformation categories for us this morning.
Because the battle is in the mind, If your motives change then your actions will naturally be different.
These motivations become radical to the world because of the depth to which they go.
4 Motivations for Transformation
Motivated with genuine love of God
Motivated with a positive outlook
Motivated to walk in harmony
Motivated to overcome evil with good.
Now think about these motivations. Is this not the very thing that motivates the world. They are searching for the right things just in the wrong places. They’ve got the right since, but without the right source.
Frist Motivation
Frist Motivation
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:
I am motivated with a genuine love of God.
I am motivated with a genuine love of God.
This motivation is radical because it starts with a focus on others rather than me.
Genuine love is not hypocritical (two-faced).
Genuine love is not hypocritical (two-faced).
Genuine love is not hypocritical (two-faced).
Genuine love is not hypocritical (two-faced).
The word hypocrite comes from a man playing a part on a stage.
John Phillips says, “Counterfeit love worthless coin in the kingdom of God.”
Genuine love hates evil and hold fast to the good.
Genuine love hates evil and hold fast to the good.
We must abhor evil. Evil is counterintuitive to genuine love.
Hatred
Bondage
Control
Fear
Lust
Selfishness
Pride
L
Removing evil from your life allows you to love with no hypocrisy.
Genuine love lives out loud.
Genuine love lives out loud.
We don’t just talk about loving we get busy loving.
1 John 3
18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Genuine love shows honor.
Genuine love shows honor.
Look for opportunities to honor each other.
“You da Man!!”
No, “You da Man!!”
People will never know how impressed you are with them unless you tell them.
Everyone has such a low self-esteem that we think the worst before we see the good in ourselves.
Romans 12:
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Second Motivation
Second Motivation
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
I am motivated with a positive outlook.
I am motivated with a positive outlook.
This motivation is radical because my circumstances don’t determine my joy. My hope determines my joy.
Positive outlook through purpose.
Positive outlook through purpose.
The Spirit motivates me to fervently serve the Lord.
Fervent is a term used to boil water. Make it hot.
When I serve the Lord in the Spirit, I am on fire for the kingdom.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Serving the Lord is where I find my greatest purpose. It fuels my tank and ignites my fire.
Positive outlook through perspective.
Positive outlook through perspective.
Rejoice in hope. We rejoice because we know God.
Patient in tribulation. We are patient because we know the end.
Constant in Prayer. We pray because we know God is powerful.
Positive outlook through contribution.
Positive outlook through contribution.
Generosity is a character of God.
Give to the needs of the saints.
Mal 3:
10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Your generosity invokes the generosity of God.
Third Motivation
Third Motivation
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
I am motivated to walk in harmony.
I am motivated to walk in harmony.
This motivation is radical because I am focused on community as a whole and not just my personal interest. You can’t walk in harmony by yourself.
Harmony through peace.
Harmony through peace.
Be an agent of blessing and not cursing.
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Bless others by sharing in their feelings. (empathy and sympathy).
Harmony through unity.
Harmony through unity.
Jessica and team will demonstrate unity vs. Harmony.
The Spirit unifies us into the body and harmonizes us through the gifts.
When the body is functioning properly we all compliment one one another through our gifting in the Sprit.
Harmony through humility.
Harmony through humility.
Don’t be haughty: Thinking your better. Blessed and gifted is not better.
If you are blessed or gifted that is too bless and gift others.
Fourth Motivation
Fourth Motivation
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 12:17
I am motivated to overcome evil with good.
I am motivated to overcome evil with good.
This motivation is radical because it frees me from vengeance so that I can love my enemies.
“Repay no one evil for evil.” (Take the high road)
“Repay no one evil for evil.” (Take the high road)
Hold no grudges and seek no revenge!
God is the only one worth to bring wrath and he will be faithful to do so in this life and in the next.
We are free from vengeance so we can show the love of Christ in every situation.
20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:
Overcome evil with good.
Overcome evil with good.
Kill them with kindness.
This is your greatest opportunity to show the love of Christ.
This is the love Jesus showed us on the cross as he paid for our sins.
You join in the sufferings of Christ when you bless those who curse you.
10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
This is the most radical motivation of all. We overcome a sin-cursed world through showing kindness to those who curse us.
Challenge
Are you radically transformed with the love, purpose, harmony, and forgiveness needed to transform others?
Only Radical transformation leads to the radical transformation of others.
Which one of these 4 motivations do you need to pray about today?
Do you need a more genuine love for people?
Do you need a more positive outlook on life?
Do you need to get into a greater harmony with the body?
Are you overcome with evil, or have you overcome evil with good?
Prayer Time