Embracing Transformation Through God's Faithfulness and Grace
Summary
In his sermon titled "God with Me," Pastor Ken DeChant reflects on the importance of recognizing God's faithfulness throughout the past year and the role of the Holy Spirit in personal transformation and change. He begins by encouraging the congregation to focus on God's goodness despite the challenges faced in 2023. He then transitions to the topic of baptism, celebrating the baptism of Kurt Harrison and others, and emphasizing the significance of this public declaration of faith.
Pastor DeChant relates to the apostle Paul's struggle with sin and the desire to do what is right, acknowledging that many people resonate with this frustration. He suggests that true transformation requires a different strategy, one that involves allowing God to change us from the inside out, with Jesus at the center of any desired change. He uses Jerry Bridges' discussion of three mindsets and a beach ball illustration to explain the correct mindset for change.
The sermon also delves into Paul's humility and transformation, highlighting his acknowledgment of being the least of the apostles due to his past persecution of the church. Despite his hard work, Paul attributes his accomplishments to the grace of God. Pastor DeChant emphasizes the need for the Holy Spirit's guidance in daily life, assuring the congregation that God provides a way out of temptation.
Celebrating the success of a recent church event, Pastor DeChant introduces a new series titled "The Power to Change," based on Craig Groeschel's book. He discusses the combination of God's grace and personal effort in transformation, urging the congregation to consider the "why" behind their desire for change and to understand "how" God works with individuals.
The sermon includes a call to action for those who have not yet been baptized and an invitation to engage with the Bible to deepen their understanding of God's word. Pastor DeChant concludes by emphasizing the importance of having a "God with me" mindset, relying on the Holy Spirit for change, and recognizing the opportunities to escape temptation and obey God's leading.
Key Takeaways:
- Recognizing God's faithfulness in the midst of difficulties is crucial for maintaining a positive outlook and spiritual growth. Pastor Ken DeChant encourages believers to reflect on God's goodness and to use praise as a means to affirm His presence and work in their lives, even when facing challenges. [29:10]
- True transformation is not about self-effort but about allowing God to work within us. Pastor DeChant emphasizes that change should not be pursued through sheer willpower but through a reliance on Jesus, who provides the strength and direction needed for genuine life changes. [49:21]
- The apostle Paul's life exemplifies the transformative power of God's grace. Despite his past as a persecutor of Christians, Paul's encounter with Jesus led to a radical change, demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and that humility is key to recognizing the source of our accomplishments. [58:01]
- Daily surrender to the Holy Spirit is essential for overcoming temptations and struggles. Pastor DeChant assures believers that God provides ways to endure and overcome challenges, and that reliance on the Holy Spirit grows stronger with each act of resistance and obedience. [01:12:53]
- A balanced mindset towards change involves a partnership between personal responsibility and divine assistance. Pastor DeChant warns against the extremes of self-reliance and passivity, advocating for a cooperative approach where believers actively participate in the process of change while recognizing their dependence on God's power. [53:49]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 7:15-25
2. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10
3. 1 Corinthians 10:13
#### Observation Questions
1. In Romans 7:15-25, what struggle does Paul describe regarding his actions and desires?
2. How does Paul describe his transformation and accomplishments in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10?
3. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, what promise does God make about temptation and how we can handle it?
4. What illustration did Pastor DeChant use to explain the correct mindset for change? [52:40]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul feel like a "miserable person" in Romans 7:24, and how does he find hope in verse 25? [49:49]
2. How does Paul balance his hard work with the grace of God in 1 Corinthians 15:10? What does this teach us about the partnership between human effort and divine assistance?
3. What does Pastor DeChant mean by a "God with me" mindset, and how does it differ from the "only me" and "only God" mindsets? [56:32]
4. How does the promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 provide assurance and encouragement in facing daily temptations and struggles?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on 2023: Can you identify specific instances where you saw God's faithfulness in your life? How can you use these reflections to maintain a positive outlook in 2024? [29:04]
2. Pastor DeChant emphasized the importance of relying on Jesus for true transformation rather than sheer willpower. What areas of your life are you trying to change through self-effort, and how can you shift to a reliance on Jesus? [49:21]
3. Paul attributes his accomplishments to the grace of God despite his past. How can you practice humility in your own life and recognize the source of your achievements? [58:01]
4. Daily surrender to the Holy Spirit is essential for overcoming temptations. What practical steps can you take to be more aware of the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life? [01:12:53]
5. Pastor DeChant introduced the idea of a balanced mindset towards change. How can you actively participate in the process of change while recognizing your dependence on God's power? [53:49]
6. Pastor DeChant mentioned the importance of engaging with the Bible to deepen understanding. What specific plan can you implement in 2024 to read and study the Bible more consistently? [01:20:18]
7. Considering the call to action for baptism, have you publicly declared your faith through baptism? If not, what steps can you take to explore this important aspect of your faith journey? [30:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Unfailing Faithfulness
God's unwavering faithfulness is a beacon of hope amidst life's storms, guiding believers to find solace and strength in His enduring presence. Recognizing His faithfulness encourages a heart of gratitude and trust, even when circumstances seem bleak. It is in the reflection of God's past goodness that one can find the courage to face the present and the future with confidence. [29:10]
Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: Can you recall a moment from the past year where you experienced God's faithfulness? How can that memory help you trust Him with your current challenges?
Day 2: Transformation Through Divine Intervention
True change comes not from self-will but from surrendering to the transformative work of God within. It is through inviting Jesus into every aspect of life that one can experience the profound shifts that align with God's will. This divine intervention is the catalyst for lasting change, offering a path away from frustration and towards spiritual renewal. [49:21]
Philippians 2:13 - "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you've tried to change through self-effort? How can you invite God into that area to work His transformative power?
Day 3: The Power of Grace in Transformation
No one is beyond the transformative power of God's grace, as evidenced by the apostle Paul's radical change from persecutor to proclaimer of the Gospel. This grace is a reminder that accomplishments are not born of personal merit but are gifts from God, and humility is the key to recognizing and accepting this truth. [58:01]
1 Timothy 1:15-16 - "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."
Reflection: How can you practice humility in acknowledging God's grace in your achievements and personal growth?
Day 4: Surrendering Daily to the Holy Spirit
Overcoming life's temptations and struggles requires a daily surrender to the Holy Spirit. It is through this surrender that believers find the strength to resist temptation and the wisdom to follow God's leading. Each act of obedience strengthens the bond with the Holy Spirit, fostering a life that is increasingly aligned with God's will. [01:12:53]
Galatians 5:16-17 - "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."
Reflection: What temptation are you currently facing, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit to find a way out?
Day 5: Balancing Effort with Divine Assistance
The journey of transformation is a partnership between personal effort and divine assistance. Avoiding the extremes of self-reliance and passivity, believers are called to actively engage in their spiritual growth while recognizing their need for God's empowering grace. This balanced approach allows for a cooperative effort in the transformative process. [53:49]
2 Peter 1:5-7 - "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."
Reflection: What is one change you feel called to make, and how can you balance your efforts with seeking God's assistance in this process?
Quotes
"And now who knows the trajectory of lives that are being changed because of you taking a risk, you taking that step of faith and just asking somebody." [45:17] (Download)
"It's so easy to be disillusioned, especially the older that you get. And it's so easy to just go, you know, change, like, yeah, that's not gonna happen. That's not gonna happen in my life." [47:55] (Download)
"The how for God with us change is the Holy Spirit. But the partnership is I've got to obey him. The partnership is I've got to have courageous obedience when he speaks to me." [01:18:52] (Download)
"He loves you and he has a purpose. He doesn't want to just change you because he likes manipulating like an engineer with a robot. No, he knows your best design. He created you." [01:18:52] (Download)
"The Bible app is great... but the verse of the day is like a handful of almonds. A handful of almonds is good, but a handful of almonds will not nourish you throughout the whole day." [01:20:24] (Download)
"One of the lies of the enemy is that whatever you're going through, whatever temptation you're facing, that you're the only one. That if anybody else knew what you're being tempted with, they won't love you anymore." [01:12:53] (Download)
"The Holy Spirit will provide a doorway for you, an outlet for you, an exit, when you are tempted." [01:16:02] (Download)
"We have the right intentions, but so many of us have the wrong strategy. So many of us are just trying to do this on our own and we're so fixated with our decisions and our choices and our outward behavior." [50:52] (Download)
"The answer is in Jesus. Jesus, that change you want to make, man, you've got it. Jesus has got to be central to that change that you want to make in your life." [52:23] (Download)
"If we're going to get to know the voice of the Holy Spirit, we've got to get to know God's word, right?" [01:21:37] (Download)
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