From Good Intentions to True Transformation in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: True Freedom Comes from the Spirit, Not Self-Effort

Transformation and freedom are not achieved by our own striving, self-help, or willpower, but by the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we look to Jesus and allow His Spirit to work in us, we are changed from the inside out, moving from glory to glory, becoming more like Him. This freedom is not something we can manufacture; it is a gift that comes as we make ourselves available to God’s Spirit, trusting Him to do what we cannot do on our own. [07:40]

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NASB 2020)
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."

Reflection: Where in your life have you been relying on your own strength to change, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring true freedom and transformation today?

Day 2: Godly Commitment Requires Counting the Cost

Following Jesus is not a casual or shallow decision; it requires us to honestly consider the cost and our willingness to surrender everything to Him. Good intentions alone are not enough—Jesus calls us to weigh what it truly means to follow Him, to recognize that the journey will involve sacrifice, perseverance, and a deep commitment that goes beyond fleeting feelings or easy choices. When we count the cost and still choose Him, we step into a life of purpose and lasting change. [56:02]

Luke 14:28-33 (ESV)
"For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to honestly count the cost of following Jesus, and what step can you take today to surrender that area to Him?

Day 3: Availability to God Unlocks True Ability

Our own ability will always fall short, but when we make ourselves available to God, He empowers us to do what we could never do on our own. Like a nail that only fulfills its purpose when used by a skilled carpenter, we are created with capacity, but it is only when we surrender and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us that we experience real change, forgiveness, love, and peace. Availability, not just ability, is the key to living out God’s calling and overcoming the limitations of our flesh. [13:37]

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: In what specific way can you make yourself more available to God today, allowing Him to use your life for His purpose?

Day 4: Repentance Restores Us to God’s Plan

No matter how many times we have failed or fallen short, Jesus pursues us and offers restoration through repentance. Like Peter, who denied Jesus but was lovingly restored and recommissioned, we are not disqualified by our past mistakes. When we turn back to God with a humble and contrite heart, He brings us back into His plan, redeems our story, and entrusts us again with meaningful purpose in His kingdom. [19:59]

1 John 1:9 (ESV)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Reflection: Is there an area where you need to repent and receive God’s restoration today? What would it look like to step back into His plan for your life?

Day 5: God’s Power Transforms Good Intentions into Godly Commitments

We all struggle with the gap between our good intentions and our actual follow-through, but God’s power is able to bridge that gap when we surrender to Him. The transformation from being a person of “almost” to a person of godly commitment happens when we stop relying on our own strength and instead invite the Holy Spirit to fill us, guide us, and empower us to live out what we could never accomplish alone. As we remain humble and available, God’s work in us becomes unshakeable and lasting. [39:54]

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflection: What is one good intention you’ve struggled to follow through on, and how can you invite God’s power to turn it into a godly commitment starting today?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate the transforming power of Jesus Christ—a power that sets us free, not by our own efforts, but by His blood and His Spirit. We reflected on the difference between good intentions and true transformation, recognizing that while we often desire to change, our own ability is never enough to bring about lasting change. The story of Peter in John 21 reminded us that even the most passionate followers can falter when the tension of life meets the best of intentions. Peter, who boldly declared he would never deny Jesus, found himself broken by his own failure. Yet, Jesus pursued him, not to condemn, but to restore.

We explored how our lives are often filled with “intention tension”—the gap between what we want to do and what we actually do. Whether it’s in relationships, commitments, or our walk with God, we all know what it’s like to start with excitement and end up discouraged by our inability to follow through. The key is not to rely on our own strength, but to make ourselves available to God. Like a nail that can do nothing on its own until it is used by a carpenter, our abilities only become effective when we surrender them to the Master.

Jesus’ conversation with Peter after the resurrection is a powerful picture of restoration. Jesus didn’t just forgive Peter; He recommissioned him, entrusting him with the care of His flock. This shows us that failure is not the end when we repent and make ourselves available to God. Repentance is the bridge from good intentions to godly commitment. No matter how far we’ve strayed or how many times we’ve failed, Jesus pursues us, ready to restore us to His purpose.

We are called to move beyond the cycle of “almost”—almost forgiving, almost loving, almost changing. The Spirit of God is the only one who can empower us to do what we cannot do on our own. When we humble ourselves, repent, and make ourselves available, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Today is the day to step out of the prison of good intentions and into the freedom and transformation that only Jesus can bring.

Key Takeaways

1. Good intentions are not enough; transformation requires surrender. We often excuse our lack of follow-through by pointing to our good intentions, but true change only comes when we move beyond intention and make ourselves available to God’s work in us. Our own ability will always fall short, but surrendering to God’s Spirit brings real freedom and growth. [50:03]
2. Count the cost of following Jesus. Discipleship is not a casual decision; it demands honest self-examination and a willingness to let go of self-reliance. Like Peter, we may be caught up in the excitement of faith, but unless we consider what it truly means to follow Christ, we risk faltering when challenges arise. [56:02]
3. Availability is greater than ability. Our talents and strengths are insufficient without God’s empowerment. When we make ourselves available—yielded and open to the Holy Spirit—God can accomplish through us what we could never do alone. The difference between striving and thriving is found in our willingness to be used by God, not just in our capacity to act. [66:48]
4. Repentance restores us to God’s purpose. Failure is not the end of our story. When we repent, God not only forgives but also restores us to the path He intended. Like Peter, we may have wasted years or missed opportunities, but God redeems our failures and brings us back into His plan when we humble ourselves before Him. [79:59]
5. The Spirit’s power transforms our capacity to love, forgive, and endure. On our own, we cannot consistently love those who hurt us, forgive deep wounds, or find peace in chaos. But when we make ourselves available to the Spirit, God’s attributes become active in us, producing lasting change that cannot be uprooted by life’s pressures. [74:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Praise and Worship: Entering God’s Presence
[03:30] - Expecting God to Move
[05:10] - Theme Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
[07:00] - Reading John 21:15-17
[09:20] - Prayer for Transformation
[10:30] - Intention Tension: Breaking Free from Almost
[13:40] - The Double Nature of Good Intentions
[16:30] - Counting the Cost of Discipleship
[19:00] - Peter’s Story: From Boldness to Denial
[23:00] - Everyday Examples of Intention vs. Tension
[28:00] - Ability vs. Availability
[32:00] - The Nail Illustration: Surrendering to the Master
[37:00] - Jesus Pursues and Restores Peter
[41:00] - Repentance: The Bridge to Godly Commitment
[45:00] - Restoration and New Beginnings
[49:00] - Invitation to Respond and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 21:15-17 — When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

- 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Observation Questions

In John 21:15-17, how many times does Jesus ask Peter if he loves Him, and what does Jesus command Peter to do each time?
According to 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, what happens to us as we contemplate the Lord’s glory?
The sermon described Peter as someone who had good intentions but failed to follow through when tested. What specific event from Peter’s life was highlighted as an example of this? [59:04]
What illustration did the pastor use to show the difference between ability and availability? [01:13:00]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, and how does this relate to Peter’s earlier denial? What does this repetition accomplish in Peter’s heart? [01:19:59]
The sermon talked about “intention tension”—the gap between what we want to do and what we actually do. Why is it so hard for people to move from good intentions to real change? [01:04:22]
According to the sermon, what is the difference between relying on our own ability and making ourselves available to God? How does this change the outcome of our efforts? [01:06:48]
How does repentance serve as a bridge from good intentions to godly commitment, based on Peter’s story and the sermon’s teaching? [01:19:59]

Application Questions

The pastor said, “Good intentions are not enough; transformation requires surrender.” Can you think of an area in your life where you have had good intentions but haven’t seen real change? What would it look like to surrender that area to God this week? [50:03]
The sermon challenged us to “count the cost” of following Jesus. Are there areas where you have been casual in your commitment to Christ? What specific step could you take to move from casual to committed? [56:02]
The nail illustration showed that our abilities are only effective when we make ourselves available to God. Is there a talent, resource, or relationship in your life that you have been holding back from God? What would it look like to make it available to Him? [01:13:00]
Peter’s story shows that failure is not the end when we repent. Is there a past failure or regret that you need to bring to Jesus for restoration? What is stopping you from doing that? [01:19:59]
The pastor said, “The Spirit’s power transforms our capacity to love, forgive, and endure.” Is there a person or situation right now where you need God’s help to love or forgive? What is one practical way you can invite the Holy Spirit into that situation this week? [01:14:11]
The sermon talked about moving beyond the cycle of “almost”—almost forgiving, almost loving, almost changing. Where in your life do you feel stuck in “almost,” and what is one step you can take to move forward? [01:04:22]
The pastor invited people to make themselves available to God for new beginnings. What is one area where you want to see a new beginning, and how can the group pray for you as you take that step? [01:39:54]

Sermon Clips

You lose credibility when your word is mud. You lose credibility when you say it over and over again, but you never do it. It becomes, you're just stuck in a cycle of almost. You're stuck in a cycle of good intentions. [00:54:57] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

Failure is guaranteed when I choose ability over availability. But you just said the strength of good attentions is an ability. Yes, I did. But I'm telling you that failure is guaranteed when you choose ability over availability. [01:06:42] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

That's where good intentions end and godly commitment begins, is when you get that concept that you're just a nail that's able, but you're not able apart from being available to what the master carpenter wants to do when he has a hammer in his hand to drive your life and give it focus and give it meaning and give it purpose. [01:18:44] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

Repentance is what changes a person of good intentions to a person of godly commitments is repentance is repentance that lord I've been trying to do this in my own ability and I failed but god I want to make myself available to you so that I'll stop doing that. [01:24:19] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

I have the ability church but it won't come without being available to the Lord it won't come unless I'm available and allow what he has to be transferred transferred into me and transform my life and transform my outlook and transform my being that's the only way is making yourself available to him. [01:28:40] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

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