Becoming: Embracing Growth and God's Purpose in Life
Summary
### Summary
Yesterday was a joyous occasion at Southeastern Christian Academy as we celebrated the graduation of both our seniors and kindergartners. This event marked the beginning and end of significant educational journeys, and it was a time to reflect on the concept of "becoming." In life, especially in our walk with God, we are always in a state of becoming—growing, changing, and transforming. Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. This transformation is crucial because the world is set against our Christian beliefs, and we must be vigilant in becoming who God has called us to be.
The process of becoming is more important than merely doing. God gives us time to grow into what He has planned for us. This is evident in the lives of our graduates, who have spent years accumulating knowledge and skills. However, the real challenge lies in applying this knowledge when faced with life's adversities. It's not enough to have degrees or titles; we must be able to manifest what we have learned in practical, impactful ways.
God's command to Adam in Genesis 1:28 to be fruitful, multiply, subdue the earth, and have dominion is a call to productivity and growth. This command extends to us today. We must not only be fruitful but also learn to multiply and have dominion over our circumstances. This requires a deep relationship with God, where our identity and abilities are rooted in His anointing. Jesus emphasized the importance of knowing who He is, as our identity and purpose are intertwined with His anointing.
The enemy is always trying to disrupt God's plan for our lives. He uses various tactics to distract and discourage us, but we must remain steadfast. The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable, and they are always growing within us. Our ability (gifting) and identity (calling) are given by God, and they are meant to be developed and used for His glory. The enemy perceives the potential God has placed in us and tries to thwart it, but we must rely on God's revelation to navigate these challenges.
In Exodus, we see how the Israelites were oppressed by Pharaoh, yet they continued to multiply and grow. This is a testament to God's power and purpose prevailing despite opposition. Similarly, our graduates and all of us are called to rise above challenges and fulfill God's plan for our lives. We must be productive and learn to multiply what God has given us, ensuring that we become who we are meant to be.
In conclusion, becoming who God has called us to be requires listening to His voice and receiving His revelation. We must be like trees planted by rivers of water, unmovable and steadfast. The enemy will try to get us off track, but our identity and purpose in God will keep us grounded. As we continue to grow and transform, we will fulfill the destiny God has for us, becoming fruitful and multiplying in every area of our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Becoming: In our walk with God, we are always in a state of becoming—growing, changing, and transforming. Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. This transformation is crucial because the world is set against our Christian beliefs, and we must be vigilant in becoming who God has called us to be. [00:45]
2. God's Timing and Growth: God gives us time to grow into what He has planned for us. This is evident in the lives of our graduates, who have spent years accumulating knowledge and skills. However, the real challenge lies in applying this knowledge when faced with life's adversities. It's not enough to have degrees or titles; we must be able to manifest what we have learned in practical, impactful ways. [02:32]
3. Productivity and Multiplication: God's command to Adam in Genesis 1:28 to be fruitful, multiply, subdue the earth, and have dominion is a call to productivity and growth. This command extends to us today. We must not only be fruitful but also learn to multiply and have dominion over our circumstances. This requires a deep relationship with God, where our identity and abilities are rooted in His anointing. [27:19]
4. Overcoming the Enemy's Disruptions: The enemy is always trying to disrupt God's plan for our lives. He uses various tactics to distract and discourage us, but we must remain steadfast. The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable, and they are always growing within us. Our ability (gifting) and identity (calling) are given by God, and they are meant to be developed and used for His glory. [10:41]
5. Receiving God's Revelation: Becoming who God has called us to be requires listening to His voice and receiving His revelation. We must be like trees planted by rivers of water, unmovable and steadfast. The enemy will try to get us off track, but our identity and purpose in God will keep us grounded. As we continue to grow and transform, we will fulfill the destiny God has for us, becoming fruitful and multiplying in every area of our lives. [37:59]
### Youtube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [00:45] - The Importance of Becoming
3. [02:32] - God's Timing and Growth
4. [10:41] - Overcoming the Enemy's Disruptions
5. [27:19] - Productivity and Multiplication
6. [37:59] - Receiving God's Revelation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:2 (ESV) - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
2. Genesis 1:28 (ESV) - "And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"
3. Exodus 1:12 (ESV) - "But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:2, what are we instructed not to do, and what should we do instead?
2. In Genesis 1:28, what four commands does God give to Adam and Eve?
3. How did the Israelites respond to oppression in Exodus 1:12, and what was the result? [08:07]
4. What does the pastor mean by "becoming" in the context of our Christian walk? [00:45]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the transformation of our minds crucial according to Romans 12:2, especially in the context of the sermon? [01:27]
2. How does the command in Genesis 1:28 to be fruitful and multiply apply to our spiritual lives today? [27:19]
3. What can we learn from the Israelites' response to oppression in Exodus 1:12 about facing challenges in our own lives? [08:07]
4. The pastor mentioned that the enemy tries to disrupt God's plan for our lives. How can we remain steadfast in our identity and calling despite these disruptions? [10:41]
#### Application Questions
1. Romans 12:2 talks about the renewal of our minds. What specific steps can you take this week to renew your mind and avoid conforming to the world? [01:27]
2. Reflect on a time when you felt you were "becoming" who God called you to be. What were the key factors that helped you in that process, and how can you apply them now? [00:45]
3. God's command to be fruitful and multiply extends beyond physical growth. How can you be more productive and multiply your spiritual gifts in your current circumstances? [27:19]
4. The Israelites grew stronger under oppression. Can you identify a current challenge in your life that God might be using to help you grow? How can you change your perspective to see it as an opportunity for growth? [08:07]
5. The pastor emphasized the importance of knowing who Jesus is to understand our own identity. How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus to better understand your purpose and calling? [16:02]
6. The enemy uses various tactics to distract and discourage us. What are some specific distractions in your life that you need to address to stay focused on God's plan for you? [10:41]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of receiving God's revelation. What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure you are hearing from God and receiving His guidance? [37:59]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of transformation, productivity, and overcoming challenges as discussed in the sermon. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal application.
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of Becoming
In our walk with God, we are always in a state of becoming—growing, changing, and transforming. Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. This transformation is crucial because the world is set against our Christian beliefs, and we must be vigilant in becoming who God has called us to be. The process of becoming is more important than merely doing. God gives us time to grow into what He has planned for us. This is evident in the lives of our graduates, who have spent years accumulating knowledge and skills. However, the real challenge lies in applying this knowledge when faced with life's adversities. It's not enough to have degrees or titles; we must be able to manifest what we have learned in practical, impactful ways. [00:45]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel the pressure to conform to the world? How can you actively seek transformation through the renewal of your mind today?
Day 2: God's Timing and Growth
God gives us time to grow into what He has planned for us. This is evident in the lives of our graduates, who have spent years accumulating knowledge and skills. However, the real challenge lies in applying this knowledge when faced with life's adversities. It's not enough to have degrees or titles; we must be able to manifest what we have learned in practical, impactful ways. The process of becoming who God has called us to be is ongoing and requires patience and perseverance. We must trust in God's timing and allow ourselves to grow and develop according to His plan. [02:32]
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt impatient with your personal growth. How can you trust in God's timing and allow yourself to grow according to His plan?
Day 3: Productivity and Multiplication
God's command to Adam in Genesis 1:28 to be fruitful, multiply, subdue the earth, and have dominion is a call to productivity and growth. This command extends to us today. We must not only be fruitful but also learn to multiply and have dominion over our circumstances. This requires a deep relationship with God, where our identity and abilities are rooted in His anointing. Jesus emphasized the importance of knowing who He is, as our identity and purpose are intertwined with His anointing. We are called to be productive and to multiply what God has given us, ensuring that we become who we are meant to be. [27:19]
John 15:5 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: In what ways can you be more productive and multiply the gifts God has given you? How can you deepen your relationship with God to ensure your productivity is rooted in His anointing?
Day 4: Overcoming the Enemy's Disruptions
The enemy is always trying to disrupt God's plan for our lives. He uses various tactics to distract and discourage us, but we must remain steadfast. The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable, and they are always growing within us. Our ability (gifting) and identity (calling) are given by God, and they are meant to be developed and used for His glory. The enemy perceives the potential God has placed in us and tries to thwart it, but we must rely on God's revelation to navigate these challenges. [10:41]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Reflection: Identify a recent challenge or distraction that you believe was an attempt by the enemy to disrupt God's plan for your life. How can you remain steadfast and rely on God's revelation to overcome it?
Day 5: Receiving God's Revelation
Becoming who God has called us to be requires listening to His voice and receiving His revelation. We must be like trees planted by rivers of water, unmovable and steadfast. The enemy will try to get us off track, but our identity and purpose in God will keep us grounded. As we continue to grow and transform, we will fulfill the destiny God has for us, becoming fruitful and multiplying in every area of our lives. [37:59]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: How can you position yourself to better hear God's voice and receive His revelation? What steps can you take to ensure you remain unmovable and steadfast in your faith?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If you become what you're meant to be, then you will do what you're meant to do. The reason why you can't do what you're meant to do is because you haven't become who God has called you to become. How do I become who God's called me to become? I got to listen. I got to have revelation knowledge. God, I'm going to lock myself in a room. I'm going to take my Bible to my worship tape and I'm not coming out of here until I hear from you." [37:00]
2. "We can come in here and be Christians and know how to shout and praise and worship God and delight ourselves. And the Lord and all this kind of stuff. But when the enemy comes in like a flood, do we know how to get what's on the inside of us, on the outside of us, or do we allow the enemy to suppress it?" [26:25]
3. "Be productive in whatever area in your life that produces. Learn how to multiply it. Whatever you have become, whatever you become. And let me focus this in the Christian walk right now, whoever we are as Christians, make sure we know how to multiply it." [28:01]
4. "I messed up. God can still use you and you can do great and mighty things. I don't care if you 18, 38, or 88. It doesn't matter. God's not finished with you yet. And as long as you know who He is, He reminds you who you are. You're still becoming." [18:22]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The gifts and callings are of God, and they're irrevocable. The gifts and callings. There actually can be, it actually can be like baby. Baby gift and baby calling. That's how I always translate this scripture. Baby gifting and baby calling. They're twins. So everybody in here is always pregnant with twins. Male, female, spiritually speaking, you always have this baby gifting and baby calling. Why do you call it baby gifting and baby calling? Because they're always growing. It's always growing. It's always growing." [03:44]
2. "The enemy has perception and the enemy, just like, just like with us always, we, we, we receive people how we perceive people. We perceive them. The woman at the well, she says, whenever he told her everything about her, that, that otherwise he couldn't have known. She says, I perceive you to be a prophet. And that's how she treated him was like a prophet because we received him. We perceive people how we perceive them." [05:46]
3. "The enemy will always attack you in the very beginning. These kids I'm going to have up here in the second service, I'm going to remind them that God has a calling upon their life. God has a gifting upon their life. God has an anointing upon their life if they serve him. But there is a devil loose. We don't want to talk about it, but there is a devil loose. And the Bible says he comes but to kill, steal, and destroy. And he won't attack you. He won't wait around. He'll attack you at the very beginning." [09:12]
4. "We have to be careful because that's what the enemy is doing. And so now I got your attention on that and realize we got to understand that that God is not promote by longevity, but God promotes by. Revelation, if the enemy is perceiving, then we got to make sure we're perceiving what God is saying. Amen. Well, there's ever been a time we got to receive revelation knowledge just right now, if there's ever been a time that we got to hear from God, that's right now." [14:09]
5. "You become is your identity. If you ever put on something that that looks good and and and and and walk around with it and they look at you and say, well, that's very becoming of you. What does that mean? I mean, that looks like you. It looks like you know what that fits you. That's very becoming of you. And our problem is, is we're not very becoming in a spiritual realm. The enemy got us walk around unbecoming to the things of God. And that's why things are confused." [17:35]
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