Embracing Change: Faith in Action for Transformation
Summary
### Summary
Today, we are reminded that God is present among us, ready to perform a great work if we open ourselves to Him. Trust in God, who sacrificed His life for us, and allow His Spirit to lead. Reflecting on Psalm 34, we see that David's transformation came when he changed his behavior before Abimelech. Similarly, we must change our behaviors to see different results in our lives. Faith without action is dead; it must produce good deeds to be alive and effective.
We often find ourselves in a state of stagnation, desiring change but resisting the necessary steps to achieve it. Like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness, we are stuck in old mindsets and behaviors that prevent us from entering our promised land. Romans 12:2 urges us to let God transform us by changing the way we think. Stagnation is not God's will for us; we must embrace change to see transformation.
Change is a lifelong process, and it often requires us to step out of our comfort zones. Whether it's enduring physical pain or making significant life decisions, change is necessary for growth. Embrace the process, even when it involves discomfort or challenges. Just as a plant needs to go through various stages to bear fruit, we too must undergo changes to produce spiritual fruit.
Our habits either push us towards our goals or keep us from them. We must be willing to change our habits and behaviors to align with God's will. This involves taking actionable steps, even if they seem small. The ripple effect of these changes can lead to significant transformations in our lives and the lives of those around us.
In conclusion, faith requires action. We must be willing to change to see God's promises fulfilled in our lives. Whether it's changing our mindset, behaviors, or habits, the journey of faith is a daily walk that requires constant adjustment and growth. Embrace the change, and watch how God transforms your life and the lives of those around you.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trust in God's Presence and Power: God is present among us, ready to perform great works if we open ourselves to Him. Trust in the one who sacrificed His life for us and allow His Spirit to lead. This trust is foundational for experiencing God's transformative power in our lives. [43:10]
2. Behavioral Change Precedes Transformation: Reflecting on Psalm 34, David's transformation came when he changed his behavior before Abimelech. Similarly, we must change our behaviors to see different results in our lives. Expecting different outcomes without changing our actions is a form of insanity. [43:57]
3. Stagnation is Not God's Will: Like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness, we often find ourselves stuck in old mindsets and behaviors. Romans 12:2 urges us to let God transform us by changing the way we think. Stagnation is not God's will for us; we must embrace change to see transformation. [59:09]
4. Embrace the Process of Change: Change is a lifelong process that often requires stepping out of our comfort zones. Whether it's enduring physical pain or making significant life decisions, change is necessary for growth. Embrace the process, even when it involves discomfort or challenges. [01:05:15]
5. Faith Requires Action: Faith without action is dead. We must be willing to change our habits and behaviors to align with God's will. This involves taking actionable steps, even if they seem small. The ripple effect of these changes can lead to significant transformations in our lives and the lives of those around us. [01:24:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[43:10] - Trust in God's Presence
[43:57] - Behavioral Change and Transformation
[45:13] - David's Example
[49:26] - Welcome to Guests
[50:29] - Faith Requires Action
[55:16] - Stagnation and Change
[56:52] - Israelites' Stagnation
[59:09] - Romans 12:2 and Transformation
[01:00:24] - Embrace the Process
[01:05:15] - Change and Growth
[01:08:25] - Walking by Faith
[01:11:05] - New Creation in Christ
[01:16:21] - Paul's Transformation
[01:24:02] - Faith and Accountability
[01:32:08] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 34:1-3 - "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together."
2. Romans 12:2 - "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."
3. James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
#### Observation Questions
1. What transformation did David experience when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, as mentioned in Psalm 34? [43:57]
2. According to Romans 12:2, what is required for us to understand God's will for our lives? [59:09]
3. How does James 2:17 describe faith that is not accompanied by action? [51:42]
4. What analogy did the pastor use to describe the necessity of change in our lives, similar to a plant's growth process? [01:05:15]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to change our behaviors to see different results in our lives, as illustrated by David's example in Psalm 34? [43:57]
2. How does the concept of renewing our minds in Romans 12:2 relate to overcoming stagnation in our spiritual lives? [59:09]
3. What does James 2:17 imply about the relationship between faith and works in the life of a believer? [51:42]
4. How can embracing the process of change, even when it involves discomfort, lead to spiritual growth and bearing fruit? [01:05:15]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt stagnant in your spiritual life. What old mindsets or behaviors were you holding onto that prevented you from moving forward? [56:52]
2. Romans 12:2 urges us to be transformed by renewing our minds. What specific steps can you take this week to change the way you think and align more closely with God's will? [59:09]
3. The pastor mentioned that faith without action is dead. Identify one small, actionable step you can take this week to put your faith into practice. [51:42]
4. Change often requires stepping out of our comfort zones. What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to embrace change, even if it involves discomfort? [01:05:15]
5. Our habits either push us towards our goals or keep us from them. What is one habit you need to change to align more closely with God's will, and what practical steps will you take to change it? [01:01:01]
6. The pastor used the analogy of a plant needing to go through various stages to bear fruit. What "stages" do you think you need to go through to produce spiritual fruit in your life? [01:05:15]
7. How can you encourage and support someone else in your small group who is also seeking to embrace change and grow spiritually? [01:24:02]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of transformation, faith, and action as discussed in the sermon. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
#### Day 1: Trust in God's Ever-Present Power
Description: God is always present among us, ready to perform great works if we open ourselves to Him. Trusting in God, who sacrificed His life for us, is foundational for experiencing His transformative power in our lives. This trust allows His Spirit to lead us, guiding us through life's challenges and changes. When we fully trust in God's presence and power, we open ourselves to the miracles and transformations He has in store for us. [43:10]
Bible Passage: "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you need to trust in God's presence and power. How can you actively open yourself to His guidance and transformative work today?
#### Day 2: Behavioral Change Precedes Transformation
Description: Reflecting on Psalm 34, we see that David's transformation came when he changed his behavior before Abimelech. Similarly, we must change our behaviors to see different results in our lives. Expecting different outcomes without changing our actions is a form of insanity. True transformation requires us to take actionable steps to align our behaviors with God's will. By doing so, we open the door to the changes we seek and allow God to work in our lives. [43:57]
Bible Passage: "Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one behavior in your life that needs to change for you to align more closely with God's will. What specific steps can you take today to start making that change?
#### Day 3: Stagnation is Not God's Will
Description: Like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness, we often find ourselves stuck in old mindsets and behaviors. Romans 12:2 urges us to let God transform us by changing the way we think. Stagnation is not God's will for us; we must embrace change to see transformation. God desires for us to grow and move forward, leaving behind the old ways that keep us from experiencing His promises. Embracing change and allowing God to renew our minds is essential for breaking free from stagnation. [59:09]
Bible Passage: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel stagnant. How can you invite God to transform your thinking and help you move forward?
#### Day 4: Embrace the Process of Change
Description: Change is a lifelong process that often requires stepping out of our comfort zones. Whether it's enduring physical pain or making significant life decisions, change is necessary for growth. Embrace the process, even when it involves discomfort or challenges. Just as a plant needs to go through various stages to bear fruit, we too must undergo changes to produce spiritual fruit. Embracing the process of change allows us to grow and mature in our faith, becoming more like Christ. [01:05:15]
Bible Passage: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a current challenge or discomfort you are facing. How can you embrace this as part of God's process for your growth and transformation?
#### Day 5: Faith Requires Action
Description: Faith without action is dead. We must be willing to change our habits and behaviors to align with God's will. This involves taking actionable steps, even if they seem small. The ripple effect of these changes can lead to significant transformations in our lives and the lives of those around us. True faith is demonstrated through our actions, showing that we trust God and are committed to following His guidance. [01:24:02]
Bible Passage: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror." (James 1:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one small, actionable step you can take today to align your habits with God's will. How can this step demonstrate your faith in action?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You might not trust me and you might not trust the one next to you, but you can trust God. You can trust the one that died on the cross for you. You can trust the one that took your sins for you. You can trust the one that rose from the dead. He's alive and well. He's in the room right now. He's walked into this place to do a great work. He's among us today." [43:10] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "To every first time guest that's in the house we welcome you to Pentecostals of the Woodlands you came for a show you're in the wrong place if you came to be have your ears tickled I'm sorry I'm not that preacher but if you came to hear the word of God and to get something from that God that's still alive and well you're in the right place right now the stage has been set his presence is in the house and where his presence is there's fullness of joy where his spirit is there is liberty come on there is joy and liberty in this house right now and if you would just tap into that if you would just tap into what God wants to do" [49:26] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Some of you forgot that your future's a much better place than your past is. Some of you got to remember there's a promise for you that's bigger than what your past ever gave you. Some of you got to remember that God placed something big and grand for you. But you've got to trust that it comes through change." [01:00:24] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You want a better church, then change it. You want better praise, then change it. You want your family better, then change it. You want something to happen in your personal life, change it. But you've got to learn to change. Clap your hands if you believe that." [01:00:24] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you change, others will notice. When you change, your family will feel it. When you change. Your future will be fulfilling. When you change, God can get the glory. And you can get the promise. Some of you already know what God has asked you to change. Some of you already know that there are some changes that need to take place. Some of you already know that changes have to happen because nothing's happening." [01:22:25] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "You're wanting God to help change something, but you won't change your behavior. I'm just going to let that sit for a moment. Okay. Okay. Because so many times we wrestle with insanity. Expecting a result when we do nothing different." [43:57] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We want God to do the miraculous and give the incredible and turn over the keys to the kingdom. But we won't do what is necessary to engage God's hand in ours. That's God's hand. Good preaching right there. That's true. We want to feel the Holy Ghost around us all the time. We want to see personal and spiritual growth in our lives. And we desire to know that God is doing things with us. But we are just like the children of Israel as they were coming out of Egypt. We're stuck walking in the same wilderness, straddling the borders of our promises, looking on the horizon at what we believe to be our promised land, and mad because nothing's happening." [56:13] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul addresses this very well in the Word of God according to Romans chapter 12 and verse 2. He says, don't copy the, this is New Living Translation, don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will look. you get that point? You've got to change the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Let me tell you, church, right now, if we're not going to change the way we think, we can't expect something new to come. If we're not going to let God transform us, if we're not going to let God change the way we think, if we're not going to let God change our behaviors, we're going to get the same thing every time." [59:09] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Your willingness to change, to let your faith be active and passionate, determines the level and timeline of your change. I remember when they told Sister Mindy she got into the church first. And one of the ladies, sweet lady, came to her and said, my husband, you know, he's not in church, but he's been trying for 25 years. That will not be my husband." [01:13:44] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I believe that we stand in the presence of Almighty God with promises so powerful and full of potential that this place cannot contain. stand before people who have been blessed and who have blessings on the horizon that are so abundant. And so incredible that no one would believe them if you voiced it. But in order to run to get to those places and receive those promises, we've got to first change. We've got to step out of stagnation into active faith." [01:20:32] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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