Choosing Transformation: The Path to Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of a Single Choice

Reflecting on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr., we see the profound impact of a single choice. Abagnale's transformation from a notorious con artist to a protector against fraud illustrates the power of decision-making in our lives. Similarly, the Magi in Matthew 2 faced a pivotal choice after encountering Jesus. They could return to Herod, representing worldly power and fear, or choose a different path, symbolizing a life transformed by Christ. This choice, though challenging, leads to true fulfillment and purpose. As we navigate our own lives, we are continually presented with choices that can lead us toward transformation in Christ. [07:55]

Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. How did it align with your values and priorities in Christ, and what might you choose differently next time?

Day 2: The Contrast of Kingdoms

The story of Herod and Jesus presents a stark contrast between two kingdoms. Herod, consumed by fear and control, represents worldly power, while Jesus embodies a kingdom of love, grace, and truth. The Magi's decision to take an alternative route home after meeting Jesus illustrates the transformative power of choosing Christ over the world. This choice reflects our values and priorities, challenging us to examine what or whom we bow down to in our lives. Are we surrendering to the Herods of our world, or are we fully committed to Christ's kingdom? [10:55]

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are tempted to seek worldly power or approval. How can you intentionally choose to prioritize Christ's kingdom values instead?

Day 3: Worship as Surrender

True worship involves complete surrender to Jesus, leading us to take the alternative route that reflects His kingdom values. The Magi's journey after meeting Jesus signifies a life transformed by worship and surrender. This path requires intentional decisions, reflecting the priorities and purposes of Jesus in our daily lives. It is a journey of continual choice, where each step is an opportunity to choose Jesus over the allure of worldly power and security. [13:23]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 4: Transformation into New Creations

Meeting Jesus transforms us into new creations, changing our priorities and perspectives. This transformation is like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, a complete renewal. The Magi's decision to take a different path after encountering Jesus illustrates this transformation. As we walk this path, we are reminded that we are not alone. The journey is one of community, where we support and uplift one another, reflecting the love and grace of Christ. [15:40]

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

Reflection: Reflect on a recent change in your life that has brought you closer to Christ. How has this transformation affected your relationships and daily interactions?

Day 5: Intentional Community and Support

Our journey with Christ involves intentional choices and walking together as a community, supporting and encouraging one another in faith. The Magi's journey after meeting Jesus signifies a life transformed by community and support. As we walk this path, we are reminded that we are not alone. The journey is one of community, where we support and uplift one another, reflecting the love and grace of Christ. Let us be like the Magi, who, after meeting Jesus, could not return the same way they came. [19:00]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think of someone in your faith community who may need encouragement or support. How can you reach out to them this week to offer your support and love in a tangible way?

Sermon Summary

Reflecting on the story of Frank Abagnale Jr., who transformed his life from a notorious con artist to a protector against fraud, we are reminded of the power of choice and transformation. Abagnale's life changed with one pivotal decision, and similarly, we are faced with choices that can lead us toward transformation in Christ. As we revisit the story of the Magi from Matthew 2, we see a parallel in their journey. After meeting Jesus, they had a choice: return to Herod, representing worldly power and fear, or take a different path, symbolizing a life transformed by encountering Christ.

Herod, a symbol of worldly power, was consumed by fear and control, willing to go to any lengths to maintain his authority. In contrast, Jesus, even as a child, represented a kingdom of love, grace, and truth. The Magi's decision to take an alternative route home after meeting Jesus illustrates the transformative power of choosing Christ over the world. This choice is not always easy; it often involves a more challenging, less traveled path, but it leads to true fulfillment and purpose.

The alternative route signifies a life transformed by Jesus, where we are called to live out our faith in tangible ways. It challenges us to examine what or whom we bow down to in our lives. Are we bowing to the Herods of our world, or are we fully surrendered to Christ? This path requires intentional decisions, reflecting the priorities and purposes of Jesus in our daily lives. It is a journey of continual choice, where each step is an opportunity to choose Jesus over the allure of worldly power and security.

As we walk this path, we are reminded that we are not alone. The journey is one of community, where we support and uplift one another, reflecting the love and grace of Christ. It is a path of transformation, where we become new creations in Christ, leaving behind the old and embracing the new. Let us be like the Magi, who, after meeting Jesus, could not return the same way they came. May we have the courage to take the different path when God calls us, walking together in faith, love, and grace.

Key Takeaways

1. zOl34I&t=475s'>[07:55]
2. The Contrast Between Herod and Jesus: Herod represents fear and control, while Jesus embodies love and grace. Our choice between these paths reflects our values and priorities.

3. The Significance of Worship and Surrender: True worship involves complete surrender to Jesus, leading us to take the alternative route that reflects His kingdom values.

4. Transformation Through Christ: Meeting Jesus transforms us into new creations, changing our priorities and perspectives. This transformation is like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, a complete renewal.

5. Intentional Decisions and Community: Our journey with Christ involves intentional choices and walking together as a community, supporting and encouraging one another in faith.

** [07:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Introduction and Reflection on Frank Abagnale Jr.
[05:00] - The Story of the Magi
[07:55] - Herod vs. Jesus: A Contrast
[10:55] - The Choice of the Magi
[13:23] - The Meaning of True Worship
[15:40] - Transformation in Christ
[19:00] - The Importance of Intentional Decisions
[20:59] - Joshua's Call to Choose
[23:36] - The Journey of Faith
[24:41] - Embracing the Alternative Path
[26:55] - Community and Support in Christ
[28:00] - Closing Reflections and Prayer

Sermon Clips

Frank Abagnale Jr. from the age of 16 to 21 he posed as a pilot he faked his way as a doctor he pretended to be a lawyer and in the process defrauded lots and lots of people out of millions and millions of dollars through a variety of different schemes that he devised and carried out and lots of people lost a lot of money because of the things he did. [00:00:09]

Herod was an edomite which means nothing to us probably but what that means is about 150 years previous to this his people had been conquered and they had been forced to convert to judaism and so herod was a jew yes but you know it really wasn't a heart thing for him he and his ancestors had been forced into it and and so you know he he knew how to talk the talk probably but walking the walk was a whole different issue never reached his heart he was a political opportunist. [00:05:42]

Herod represents to us all that the world has to offer. All the things that our world tempts us to grab onto and take hold of, to trust on and depend on for our well-being and our hope and our future. But then there's King Jesus. Again, at this point, just a two-year-old boy or so, born in the manger. [00:06:06]

Jesus willingly surrendered his life, gave his life so that others could find life, including you and me. And all of our loved ones, and the people around us. Those who live in fear will die by fear. Those who live by power will die by power. But I think Jesus shows us that those who live by grace, those who live in God's grace and share that with others, those are the people that change the world. [00:08:41]

When we choose Jesus, when, you know, if we're like the Magi, and we, we meet Jesus, and we bow before him, we have a choice to make. We can either go back the same way we came, back to Herod, and the Herod's in our life. You know, all those things that, that the world says we need, or we can take a different route home. [00:09:03]

The proper response to worshiping the Lord is to take the alternative route. The word that's used in Matthew for the bowing down is proskuneo. And it's not just, you know, it's not just a quick bow. It's not even, you know, down on your knee like we do at the altar. I mean, it's full on, face to the ground. You get back up with mud on your forehead, kind of bowing. [00:12:55]

When we meet Jesus, we're not the same. You know, when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, it's an amazing process. I don't know if there's any more amazing example in nature. You got this caterpillar, and you know what a caterpillar looks like, and then you got a butterfly, and you know what a butterfly looks like, and how can those two things be the same? [00:14:56]

When we're in Christ, we are new kinds of people, a whole different kind of human being with different priorities, with different perspectives. It's like a butterfly and a caterpillar. You can't even compare the two. It's like trading in that old rotary phone that was nailed to the wall, and you could only go so far with the cord, you know. [00:15:55]

We come in here, and this is important, but then we go out, and we walk with Christ. We walk the alternative route through our workplaces, and through our schools, and in the church. In our neighborhoods, and wherever we find ourselves. Because the proper response to being transformed by Jesus Christ is to take one of those alternative routes. [00:18:15]

God has given us the ability to make choices. We are not just robots that God, you know, has a remote control, and is, you know, remotely forcing us to go this way or that way. We are humans. We make choices. And, uh, the Magi had a choice. Take the familiar way, or take the unfamiliar way. [00:19:06]

Joshua's telling them, you know what? You can't have both. You either choose God, or you choose those other things. You choose Yahweh, or you, you cling on to the other gods. And in, in verse 15, here's what he says. If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, you know, if it's just too much trouble to, to, to worry about Yahweh, just, just go to your other gods then. [00:20:27]

If you take the alternative path, if you walk with Jesus, whatever the road might be like, you never have to worry about falling and not being able to get up again. There is no falling without the hand of the Father, without the hand of Jesus reaching down and saying, hey, get back up, let's keep walking. We're not done yet. Keep going. [00:26:19]

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