2026: Year of Unrecognizable Transformation in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Stepping into a Year of Unrecognizable Transformation

There is a prophetic invitation for you to experience a radical shift in your life. This is not just a minor adjustment, but a transformation so deep that those around you may not even recognize the person you are becoming. God is moving in the dry and burdened places of your soul to bring forth something entirely new. You are invited to believe that the old cycles of bondage and limitation are being severed. This is your moment to embrace the new creation identity that Christ has purchased for you. [01:25:33]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: When you look at the "old cycles" or habits in your life, which one do you feel God is most specifically inviting you to leave behind as you step into this season of transformation?

Day 2: Living by the Spirit That Defeated Death

The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells within your very being. This means that no situation in your life is truly beyond hope, even those that seem dormant or dead. Whether it is a strained relationship, a difficult workplace, or a personal struggle, resurrection power is available to blow fresh life into those areas. You do not have to cower before the mountains in your path when the Spirit of the Almighty is your source. As you recognize who lives inside you, your perspective shifts from impossibility to divine potential. [01:31:43]

"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a dream or a situation you have "held a funeral for" because it felt too far gone? How might you begin to pray over it today using the language of resurrection?

Day 3: Choosing to Take Off the Grave Clothes

Many carry the heavy weight of long-term grief or disappointment, waiting for circumstances to change before they find joy. However, there is a call to take off the "grave clothes" even before the final victory is visible. This is not about denying your pain, but about refusing to let grief define your future or take you out. Transformation is found at the feet of Jesus, where His presence becomes enough to sustain you through the waiting. You are invited to move from a season of mourning into a season of beautiful adoration. [01:37:38]

"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness," (Psalm 30:11, ESV)

Reflection: In the areas where you are still waiting for an answered prayer, what would it look like to "take off the grave clothes" and choose joy in His presence today?

Day 4: Embracing the Daily Practice of Dying to Self

Unrecognizable transformation is not achieved through mere human discipline or willpower, but through daily union with Christ. To "die daily" is the secret to maintaining the fire of God in the midst of life's hardships and suffering. It involves surrendering your reactions, your assumptions, and your need for control in every ordinary moment. When you choose to pick up your cross, you make room for the life of Jesus to be clearly seen through you. This path leads you away from self-reliance and into the freedom of total dependence on Him. [02:16:30]

"I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." (1 Corinthians 15:31, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt irritation or impatience rising up; how might "dying to self" in that specific interaction have changed the atmosphere?

Day 5: Letting Go of Approval to Find True Calling

Before God sends you into your calling, He often leads you through a season of stripping away false identities. This may involve burying your need for human approval, your desire for visibility, or your reliance on personal success. True obedience becomes costly when it pulls you in the opposite direction of what people expect or applaud. Freedom begins when the opinions of others lose their power over your heart and mind. As these old attachments are buried, you are prepared to be a chosen vessel for His glory. [02:33:50]

"But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.'" (Acts 9:15, ESV)

Reflection: Which "burial"—approval, control, comfort, or success—feels like the most significant hurdle between you and the radical obedience God is calling you to right now?

Sermon Summary

A sustained invitation to encounter the living God unfolds as a call to return to first love and to expect radical, unrecognizable transformation in 2026. The assembly is urged to seek a fresh baptism of the Spirit—beyond good worship and comfortable routines—because genuine revival begins with renewed hunger and personal encounter. The text anchors this hope in Romans 8:11: resurrection power dwells in believers, so what feels dead can be raised by the same Spirit that raised Christ. Testimonies, long seasons of grief, and deferred promises are reframed: fruit of others’ breakthroughs becomes fuel for personal expectation rather than a cause for envy.

Using Saul’s Damascus-road encounter as the paradigmatic example, the narrative shows how one decisive encounter can obliterate an old identity and birth a commissioned life. Transformation requires more than information; it requires hidden formation, private surrender, and a daily cruciform practice. The call is not merely to occasional sacrifice but to a habitual “die daily” posture that replaces self-reliance with oneness in Christ. Concrete “burials” are named—of past identity, visibility, need for approval, control, comfort, and worldly success—each necessary to produce a Paul-like life that bears suffering without losing the fire.

There is practical tenderness for those in seasons of waiting, infertility, grief, depression, and addiction: remove the grave clothes and receive joy and freedom centered in Jesus, who is enough. The assembled are commissioned to be agents of rescue—Ananias-like presence to bring scales off persecutors—and to steward revival through intercession, benevolence, and strategic engagement with the city. Revival is framed as both personal and communal: private sanctification fuels public fruit, and hidden preparation precedes visible release. The concluding summons is decisive: count the cost, pick up the cross daily, and respond with a surrendered life so that the church will rise as a people whose transformed witness unleashes signs, wonders, and a harvest across the region.

Key Takeaways

1. Year of unrecognizable transformation A prophetic invitation calls believers to expect radical changes that make past patterns unrecognizable. Transformation will not simply tweak behaviors; it will reconstitute identity, appetite, and authority so that old labels no longer fit. This shift requires faith to receive what God declares is already available and persistence to steward prophetic promise until it manifests. [84:40]
2. Resurrection power dwells within The same Spirit that raised Jesus resides in every believer, which means seemingly dead circumstances are susceptible to resurrection life. This shifts prayer from wishful thinking to authoritative declarations that speak life over buried hopes, relationships, and callings. It reframes waiting: what looks irretrievable becomes a garden for God’s reanimation. [91:07]
3. Die daily; pick up the cross Daily crucifixion is the practical pathway to lasting transformation: surrender is not a one-time act but a continual posture that reshapes desires and reactions. When the old self is regularly put to death, fruit of the Spirit replaces impulse and entitlement, and suffering is given meaning rather than becoming a reason to deconstruct faith. This discipline produces resilience to remain faithful amid opposition. [136:16]
4. Hidden preparation precedes release True commissioning often follows seasons of obscurity and formation, not immediate public visibility. Private refinement—“Arabia” moments—rehomes theology and forms character so public influence will not be shallow or merely performative. Choosing depth over exposure protects a harvest from being compromised by an immature platform. [150:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[74:40] - Opening worship and encounter
[75:28] - Invitation for fresh encounter
[76:39] - First Love focus and revival call
[84:40] - Prophecy: unrecognizable transformation
[86:59] - Stand for breakthrough and healing
[91:07] - Romans 8:11: resurrection power
[107:48] - Saul to Paul: Acts 9 reading
[136:16] - Die daily: crucified life explained
[149:03] - The burials that remake life
[162:43] - Response: pick up the cross
[197:42] - Final prophetic word to leaders and city

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

Acts 9:1-19 (ESV)
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.

Romans 8:11 (ESV)
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

1 Corinthians 15:31 (ESV)
I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day.

Observation questions

In the account from Acts 9, what exactly happened to Saul on the road to Damascus? What were the immediate physical effects on him, and what instructions did Jesus give him?
What was Ananias’s initial reaction when the Lord told him to go to Saul? What reason did God give Ananias for why he had chosen Saul?
The promise of Romans 8:11 is that "the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells within you." [01:31:25] According to this verse, what is the direct result of that Spirit dwelling in us?
In 1 Corinthians 15:31, what daily practice does Paul claim for his own life?

Interpretation questions

Saul’s transformation was so extreme that it eventually required a name change. His encounter with Jesus was so powerful that "he could not even stay the same because who Saul was... became so dramatically opposing to the old man." [01:51:42] How does this story challenge our expectations for how quickly and radically a person can change?
Right after calling Saul his "chosen instrument," God tells Ananias, "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name" (Acts 9:16). Why do you think suffering was presented as a core part of Paul’s new calling from the very beginning? How does this reshape our idea of a "blessed" or "transformed" life?
After his conversion, Paul didn't immediately start a ministry tour; instead, he went into a hidden season in Arabia. This reflects the truth that "burials always come before commissioning." [02:30:27] Why is this private formation so crucial before public release? What are the dangers of skipping this hidden process?
The early church was afraid of Saul even after his conversion, which "exposed a limitation to who they understood our God is." [01:54:46] In what ways can our own fear expose the limits of our belief in God's power to transform people or situations we have deemed "impossible"?

Application questions

The key to sustaining transformation is the daily decision to "pick up your cross and follow me." [02:18:54] This means dying to our fleshly reactions, assumptions, and habits. Think about your interactions this past week. Can you identify a moment when your flesh (impatience, anger, self-pity, criticism) rose up? What would it have looked like in that specific moment to "die daily" and let Christ live through you instead?
We have resurrection power for the things in our lives that feel dead—a relationship, a dream, our finances, or our health. [01:32:09] What is one area of your life that currently feels buried or hopeless? How does believing that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you change the way you pray about and act toward that situation?
For a life to become unrecognizable, certain things must be buried: the need for approval, the desire for control, the idol of comfort, or an identity built on past success. [02:29:03] Which of these "burials" does the Holy Spirit seem to be inviting you into in this season? What is one practical step you can take this week to surrender that area to Him?
For those walking through long seasons of grief or waiting, there is an invitation to "take off the grave clothes" even before the answer comes. [01:35:03] This isn't denial, but a choice to find freedom because Jesus is enough. [01:37:55] What "grave clothes" (like hopelessness, resignation, or bitterness) might you be wearing? What would it look like for you to take them off this week and receive His joy?
God is looking for people to be an "Ananias," willing to go to the "Sauls" in our world—those who persecute the church or oppose God—and be an agent of their transformation. [02:02:18] Who is a "Saul" in your life or community that God might be asking you to approach with love and courage, trusting that He can remove the scales from their eyes?
The prophetic invitation for this year is one of "unrecognizable transformation." [01:24:40] This means old patterns feel foreign and old labels no longer fit. If you were to fully step into this, what is one specific area where you would look completely different by the end of the year? What old identity would be gone, and what new identity in Christ would be undeniable?

Sermon Clips

``So every dead thing in your life, you have resurrection power within you. The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead when the world said it was impossible. It had been three days. There was no life source, and the spirit of God went, and he was raised from the dead. Can the same spirit blow on the things in your life this morning? And what seems dead, what you've done a funeral for. Can you believe God's gonna actually dig it out of the grave and said, I never said it was dead. It was just sleeping. It was just dormant, but I was just waiting for my sons and daughters to tap into resurrection power. [01:32:05] (68 seconds) #ResurrectionPower

And as I begin to meditate on this statement, on this prophetic word, on this declaration, I felt like it wasn't just for me personally. Although in the moment he was speaking it to me personally, as I begin to pray and meditate on it, I believe it's for the church at large. I believe Jesus is saying, unrecognizable transformation is available to you, to me, and to the church in this hour. And I believe in that invitation of unrecognizable trans transformation. Things that you you've been contending for, things that you've been believing for. Come on, somebody. Stuff that has just felt delayed. Stuff that you feel like you've been waiting for. I just believe we're in that moment where you're gonna see that transformation and the breakthrough. I I believe that there's gonna be such radical transformation. Those around you aren't even gonna recognize you. [01:25:01] (57 seconds) #FreshEncounter

There's a lot of things pulling for time, tension. There's even your bed saying you deserve it. Stay here. You deserve it. But you deserve even more fresh encounter because your soul and your spirit has just been crying out for a fresh encounter with the holy spirit. If that's you this morning, just put your hands before you. Put your hands up. Lord, I thank you that all over this room, we didn't come here for just a nice service. We didn't just come here for amazing worship, and it was absolutely amazing. We didn't come here for me. We didn't come here for the pastors. We didn't come here for any guest speaker. We came here because we need. We don't just want. We need a fresh encounter of your presence. [01:15:23] (50 seconds) #BayAreaRevival

Right now, Lord, I pray that as I'm declaring, minds and spirits are getting renewed. I pray that in this moment, mindsets are being shifted. Hearts are being awakened, and hope is being manifested. Lord, I thank you for the increase of faith in the room right now. Because I heard the Lord say cycles of bondage of sin and addiction are coming off my sons and daughters in the room right now. The Lord says you've been living in the cycles, and you've been feeling the lids and the limitations. But in 2026, the transforming power of Christ is gonna come into your life. And every cycle and bondage of addiction, every generational curse that has tried to hold you back from the promises of God in your life are going to be severed and eradicated in Jesus' name. [01:28:46] (71 seconds) #TakeOffGraveClothes

And I heard the Lord say, take off the grave clothes. I said, but I don't have the child yet. He says, we're done mourning. It's a new season. So I want you to know I come to you today with the same promise as you have, unrecognizable transformation. Not because I have the victory, but because I have him. So many times we think the transformation isn't the answer. The transformation is at his feet. The transformation is simply because I'm not gonna let the grief take me out. Come on, somebody. I know I'm not the only one walking through ten years or five years years or fifteen or twenty years. Everyone's got their story in this room. [01:37:38] (55 seconds) #ShowUpForEncounter

I tell you what, God is gonna do something here. Pastor Sole, thank you so much for just the kind introduction. I I pray I live up to that in Jesus' name. By his grace, he's gonna do something this morning. I I said to my husband, I go, I'm gonna need some Kleenex, and it's not, out of emotion. It's actually out of when I feel the presence of God come in the room. And about twenty minutes ago, I literally felt the presence. He came in the room. And so God wants to encounter you, and I just wanna say well done for showing up. [01:14:45] (38 seconds) #StayClingingToGod

I had so many women come to me not even knowing my story, say, will you pray for me? I'm battling infertility, unable to get pregnant. I would pray with faith just like I'd want someone to pray for me. They'd come back to me, email me, DM me. You wouldn't believe it, Krista. God gave me my miracle, baby. Every time I receive that testimony, I would re receive it as what's available for me. Because every time someone gets a breakthrough, it's a reminder of what's God's able to do. Right? Ten years walking through this, still don't have the child. But I came in my sabbatical, and the grief was deep. It just hit me different this Christmas. And I went to the Lord. [01:36:07] (46 seconds) #SolelyDependentOnJesus

I speak to that spirit of depression that has tried to whisper to people in this room that this is as good as it gets or your best days are behind you. I break that lie from the pit of hell, and I declare your best days are ahead, and God's just getting started. God, I thank you for who you are in this room. [01:28:17] (28 seconds) #AnointedWorship

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2026: Year of Unrecognizable Transformation in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Stepping into a Year of Unrecognizable Transformation

Day 2: Living by the Spirit That Defeated Death

Day 3: Choosing to Take Off the Grave Clothes

Day 4: Embracing the Daily Practice of Dying to Self

Day 5: Letting Go of Approval to Find True Calling

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

2026: Year of Unrecognizable Transformation in Christ

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