Embracing Transformation: From Indecision to Divine Change

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the theme of transformation and the power of change through the lens of Acts chapter 3 and the crucifixion of Jesus. We began by acknowledging a common struggle: the tendency to change plans at the last minute, which some might see as indecisiveness but can also be viewed as a sign of growth and adaptability. This led us to consider the story of the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful, who was close enough to see transformation but unable to experience it himself. This man's condition symbolizes how many of us feel—close to blessings but unable to fully partake in them due to our perceived inadequacies.

We then delved into the encounter between the lame man and the apostles Peter and John. The man asked for money, a temporary fix, but Peter offered him something far greater: healing in the name of Jesus Christ. This story illustrates the importance of not settling for superficial changes when God offers profound transformation. It challenges us to reset our expectations and seek deeper, more meaningful change in our lives.

The crucifixion of Jesus, as recounted in Matthew 27, was highlighted as the pivotal moment that tore the veil separating humanity from God, symbolizing the removal of barriers to divine intimacy. Jesus' sacrifice was not just about behavior modification but about life transformation, offering us a new identity and purpose.

As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded that Jesus did not die to make bad people good but to make dead people live. This is a call to examine the areas in our lives where we have settled for less and to embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers. We are encouraged to believe in the transformative power of Jesus' name and to walk into the fullness of life He has prepared for us.

Key Takeaways:

- Embrace Change as Growth: Changing plans or directions is not a flaw but a sign of growth and adaptability. Like the lame man at the temple gate, we must recognize that being close to transformation is not enough; we must seek and embrace the deeper change that God offers. [06:12]

- Seek the Right Change: The lame man asked for money, a temporary fix, but Peter offered healing. This teaches us not to settle for superficial changes when God offers profound transformation. We must seek the right change that aligns with God's purpose for us. [14:00]

- Reset Your Expectations: We often lower our expectations to avoid disappointment, but God calls us to reset and elevate our expectations. We should expect God to work powerfully in our lives and not settle for less than His best. [15:59]

- The Power of Jesus' Sacrifice: Jesus' crucifixion tore the veil separating us from God, symbolizing the removal of barriers to divine intimacy. His sacrifice was not about behavior modification but about life transformation, offering us a new identity and purpose. [21:54]

- Embrace Life Transformation: Jesus did not die to make bad people good but to make dead people live. We are called to examine areas where we have settled for less and to embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers, walking into the fullness of life He has prepared for us. [29:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:03] - Embracing Change
- [06:12] - Growth and Adaptability
- [07:31] - The Lame Man's Struggle
- [10:17] - Encounter with Peter and John
- [13:22] - Asking for the Right Change
- [15:24] - Resetting Expectations
- [18:09] - The Significance of Jesus' Sacrifice
- [20:45] - The Tearing of the Veil
- [23:06] - The Power of Resurrection
- [25:00] - Walking into God's Presence
- [27:11] - Seeking True Life
- [29:28] - Life Transformation Over Behavior Modification

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 3:1-10
2. Matthew 27:45-54

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Observation Questions:

1. In Acts 3, what was the lame man's initial request from Peter and John, and how did their response differ from his expectations? [11:14]

2. How does the sermon describe the significance of the veil being torn in Matthew 27, and what does this symbolize in terms of our relationship with God? [21:54]

3. What was the reaction of the people when they saw the lame man walking and praising God, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about transformation? [23:46]

4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between asking for a temporary fix and seeking profound transformation? [14:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of the lame man at the temple gate illustrate the concept of being close to transformation but not experiencing it? What might this look like in a modern context? [08:11]

2. The sermon suggests resetting our expectations of God. What might it mean to have expectations that align with God's purpose rather than our own desires? [15:59]

3. How does the crucifixion of Jesus, as described in Matthew 27, redefine the concept of transformation from behavior modification to life transformation? [21:54]

4. In what ways does the sermon challenge the idea of settling for superficial changes in our lives? How can this be applied to personal growth and spiritual development? [14:00]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you settled for a temporary fix in your life. How might seeking a deeper transformation have changed the outcome? [14:00]

2. The sermon encourages us to reset our expectations of God. What is one area in your life where you need to elevate your expectations and trust God for more? [15:59]

3. Consider the barriers that might be preventing you from experiencing the fullness of life that Jesus offers. What steps can you take to remove these barriers? [21:54]

4. How can you apply the lesson of not settling for superficial changes in your personal or spiritual life this week? Identify one specific area where you can seek deeper transformation. [14:00]

5. The sermon mentions the power of Jesus' name in bringing about transformation. How can you incorporate this belief into your daily life and decision-making? [29:28]

6. Think about a situation where you felt close to a blessing but unable to fully partake in it. What might God be calling you to change in order to fully experience His blessings? [08:11]

7. Reflect on the statement, "Jesus did not die to make bad people good but to make dead people live." How does this perspective shift your understanding of Easter and its significance in your life? [29:28]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Change as a Path to Growth
Change is often perceived as a sign of indecisiveness, but it can also be a powerful indicator of growth and adaptability. The story of the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful illustrates this concept. He was close to transformation but unable to experience it due to his perceived inadequacies. This reflects how many of us feel—on the brink of blessings yet unable to fully partake in them. Embracing change means recognizing that being close to transformation is not enough; we must actively seek and embrace the deeper change that God offers. [06:12]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you have resisted change? How can you invite God to help you embrace this change as a path to growth today?


Day 2: Seek the Right Change
The lame man at the temple gate asked for money, a temporary fix, but Peter offered him something far greater: healing in the name of Jesus Christ. This story teaches us not to settle for superficial changes when God offers profound transformation. We often seek temporary solutions to our problems, but God calls us to seek the right change that aligns with His purpose for us. By resetting our expectations and seeking deeper, more meaningful change, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. [14:00]

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen."

Reflection: What temporary fixes have you been seeking in your life? How can you shift your focus to seek the deeper transformation that God offers?


Day 3: Reset Your Expectations
We often lower our expectations to avoid disappointment, but God calls us to reset and elevate our expectations. The encounter between the lame man and the apostles Peter and John challenges us to expect God to work powerfully in our lives. By resetting our expectations, we open ourselves to the possibility of experiencing God's best for us. This requires faith and a willingness to trust in God's plan, even when it seems beyond our understanding. [15:59]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you lowered your expectations? How can you begin to elevate your expectations and trust God for His best?


Day 4: The Power of Jesus' Sacrifice
The crucifixion of Jesus tore the veil separating humanity from God, symbolizing the removal of barriers to divine intimacy. Jesus' sacrifice was not about behavior modification but about life transformation, offering us a new identity and purpose. This profound act of love invites us to live in the freedom and intimacy with God that Jesus made possible. By embracing this transformation, we can walk into the fullness of life that God has prepared for us. [21:54]

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Reflection: How does understanding the significance of Jesus' sacrifice change the way you approach your relationship with God? What barriers do you need to let go of to experience divine intimacy?


Day 5: Embrace Life Transformation
Jesus did not die to make bad people good but to make dead people live. This powerful truth calls us to examine the areas in our lives where we have settled for less and to embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers. By walking into the fullness of life He has prepared for us, we can experience true transformation and live out our new identity and purpose in Christ. This requires a willingness to let go of old patterns and embrace the new life that Jesus offers. [29:28]

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What areas of your life have you settled for less than God's best? How can you begin to embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers today?

Quotes


I consider myself an amazing starter who just happens to change directions once the journey begins. I'm not against the 25,000 planning meetings we had about Easter before Easter came up. I don't think those were a waste of time the way some of my staff may feel. I consider that time invested in flushing out the bad ideas so that at the last minute God can give me the best idea. [00:04:47]

We are continually constantly and continually growing, you know, and normal people can't relate to growing people. And so we do not have to apologize. All we need to do is quote the quote of today when someone says, "Why are you changing all these things after we already agreed on the plan last month?" You can say confidently, "Don't get used to who I used to be." [00:05:49]

I was thinking about the man in Acts chapter 3 who he just could not relate to normal people. And I'm sure if he could have changed his condition he would have. If he could have found a way to walk himself to the temple he would have. But I was thinking about him from the aspect of the agony he must have dealt with every single day of being close enough to see what everyone else was able to experience but not good enough to experience it himself. [00:07:39]

Have you ever felt like that, like man I just can't relate to the people that I see experiencing things because for whatever reason I am just not good enough or I'm not normal enough or I don't plan well enough to actually experience what everybody else gets to experience? Oh, you know what I'm talking about. You don't have to look at me like that. [00:08:16]

I'm good enough to get the interview but not good enough to get the job. I'm close enough to see what a happy family looks like on Instagram but I'm not good enough as a parent or spouse to live that reality in my family. I'm close enough to see Christians that are going into the temple and they're praising God and they seem like God's blessing their lives so much. [00:08:48]

He's lame because he's broken. He's lame because he cannot actually carry himself into the place of transformation where everyone else is going into. And so what happens is fortunately he has some people that care about him enough to bring him right to the temple doors or to the temple gate called beautiful. How ironic it's called beautiful to everyone else but it's a burden to him. [00:09:24]

Has the beautiful life of everyone else felt like a curse to you? That yeah, that looks beautiful because they get to have it, but it feels more like a burden because it's just a reminder of what I don't have. And so this lame man doesn't even get a name, just a description. It says he's dropped off at the gate called beautiful to beg every day from those going into the temple courts. [00:10:00]

You bring me to the right to the edge of transformation, right to the edge of blessings, right to the edge of God, but I can't actually get in. I have to beg from those that are getting in. And the Bible says that every single day he would beg from those going into the temple. And then verse three says when he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. [00:10:34]

Peter and John were not just two random dudes going to church. These are two dudes who walked with the dude who invented the church. Peter and John were the disciples of Jesus Christ. Peter is the only man in the history of humanity outside of Jesus Christ himself to ever walk on water. John, the disciple that Jesus loved, like you know any parents in here, multiple kids, who's your favorite? [00:11:37]

Peter says, "Silver and gold I do not have." And I bet you the lame man had a lame response. Bummer. What happens when the prayer you asking God for is too small? What happens when the thing that you're expecting from God is beneath his expectations for you? What happens when the relationship you're asking for God to give you is beneath the standard he has for you? [00:16:19]

The fact is that God himself was splitting the veil. Why is that significant? Because God is saying because of the sacrifice of my son there is no longer a barrier between me and my people. He's already paid the price so the thing that used to block them, the thing where they only could get to a certain degree of intimacy or spirituality before their sin was too much for them to really experience God, God says there's no more barrier. [00:21:42]

The brutal death of Jesus opened the door to a beautiful life for humanity. It's the fact that Jesus took on what we couldn't handle that allows us to walk into communion and righteousness and relationship with God even though on our own we do not deserve it because we're not good enough. But we no longer have to be good enough because he is good enough. [00:22:42]

Peter recognized what happened in Matthew 27. He understood the significance of the crucifixion, the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus. He understood that because of the crucifixion there was now resurrection. He understood because of the brokenness of Jesus there was now wholeness for humanity. So he took that mindset when he encountered someone who was begging and broken. [00:24:04]

Because of what Jesus just did you no longer have to beg from the outside. You get to worship from the inside and it is not what your label or your deformity or your defect or your past or your issue that defines you anymore. It is what you believe. He said, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I need you to get up and walk." Walk where? Walk into the presence of God. [00:24:40]

There is nothing that you've done or has been done to you that can separate you from the love of God. I need you to know this. I hope you believe this. I don't care what text you sent last night. I don't care what you said to your spouse on the car ride to church that was ratchet. It does not matter. There is nothing that can separate you from the love of God. [00:25:05]

Many of us think that because of what our bank account says, because of what our follower count says, because of what our body count says, because of what our resume says, we think we're whole. We think we're living life. And the saddest thing is to be broken and thinking you're healed. The saddest thing is to be lame and thinking you're living just because you found some other lame people. [00:26:20]

The saddest thing is to be sitting at the gate of beautiful begging for affirmation, validation, and identity from dead places and dead things not recognizing that because of Easter you have access to life and life more abundantly. Now here's what a lot of us are thinking right now. I don't beg for to nobody. I know publicly you don't but privately. [00:27:09]

Here's what Easter is really about. Easter is about acknowledging what was dead so that you can celebrate what God brings to life. I need you to know that God cannot resurrect something that will not die. God cannot resurrect something that is dead walking but will not admit that it's dead. And here is the beauty of Easter. [00:28:10]

Because of what was done 2,25 years ago I no longer have to settle for a life of temporary change. I no longer have to settle for being close enough but not good enough. I no longer have to settle for finding life in dead places. I no longer have to settle for an identity that was placed upon me that is not the name that God has given me. [00:29:13]

Jesus did not die to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live. And the question that you have to ask yourself today is there any lame area in my life where I have settled for surface and temporary change that the world is offering me? Is my soul begging for security and for safety and for to be seen? [00:30:28]

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Transcript
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