Living the Altered Life: Embracing Divine Transformation

In our journey through life, we are called to an existence that is far beyond the mundane and the ordinary. We are beckoned to live an altered life, a life that is transformed and reshaped by the hands of the Almighty. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, does not desire for us to remain stagnant in our spiritual walk. He loves us as we are, yet He loves us too much to leave us unchanged. It is through this divine transformation that we become a beacon of His glory, a testament to His grace.

Our exploration of the altered life takes us through the profound words of the Apostle Peter, who spoke to a group of believers enduring severe persecution. These early Christians faced trials that tested the very fabric of their faith. Yet, Peter reminded them of their identity in Christ, their chosen status as a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own possession. Once not a people, they were now the people of God, called out of darkness into His marvelous light.

This transformation is not merely a change in status; it is a call to live differently, to resist the toxic desires of this world that wage war against our souls. We are reminded that our true citizenship is in heaven, and as such, we must not succumb to the fleeting pleasures of this world. The battle between our old nature, which craves what is wrong, and our new nature, which desires what is right, is ongoing. The victor in this struggle is determined by which nature we choose to feed and nurture.

At the heart of many of our struggles lies the pervasive issue of self-centeredness. It is the root of conflict, the source of relational strain, and the antithesis of the life to which we are called. To combat this, we must be willing to let our selfishness die at the altar, to renounce the self-centered desires that so easily entangle us. This requires a level of honesty and introspection that can only be achieved through the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit.

Our journey towards selflessness is not one we embark on alone. It is God who works within us, giving us both the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. We must lean on His grace, for it is by grace that we are empowered to live beyond ourselves. As we follow the Spirit's leading, we begin to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities reflect a life that is truly altered, a life that mirrors the selfless example set by Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:9-11 (NIV) — > "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul."

2. Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV)
> "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."

3. James 4:1-2 (NIV)
> "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God."

#

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 2:9-11, what are the key aspects of our identity in Christ?
2. What does Galatians 5:16-17 say about the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit?
3. In James 4:1-2, what is identified as the root cause of fights and quarrels among people?
4. How does the sermon describe the role of self-centeredness in our daily struggles? ([07:46])

Interpretation Questions

1. How does understanding our identity as a "chosen people" and "royal priesthood" in 1 Peter 2:9-11 impact the way we live our daily lives?
2. What practical steps can we take to "walk by the Spirit" as instructed in Galatians 5:16-17, especially when faced with conflicting desires?
3. How does the concept of self-centeredness as described in James 4:1-2 relate to the conflicts we experience in our relationships? ([08:26])
4. The sermon mentions that true transformation requires honesty about our selfish tendencies. How can we cultivate this honesty in our spiritual walk? ([09:55])

Application Questions

1. Reflect on your daily life: In what areas do you see the battle between your old nature and new nature? How can you nurture your new nature this week? ([07:04])
2. Think of a recent conflict you had. How did self-centeredness play a role in that conflict? What could you have done differently to address it in a more Christ-like manner? ([08:26])
3. The sermon emphasizes the need to let our selfishness die at the altar. What specific self-centered desires do you need to renounce, and how can you practically do this? ([05:08])
4. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that you struggle with. What specific action can you take this week to cultivate this fruit in your interactions with others? ([38:49])
5. How can you lean more on God's grace in your daily life, especially when dealing with disappointments and unmet expectations? ([34:34])
6. The sermon suggests that we need to be led by the Spirit to live an unselfish life. What are some practical ways you can be more attentive to the Spirit's leading in your daily decisions? ([38:49])
7. Reflect on a time when you did something good with a selfish motive. How can you shift your focus to serve others selflessly in the future? ([09:55])