Transformative Change: Becoming God's Masterpiece
Summary
### Summary
Today, we began a new series by exploring the concept of transformation through the metaphor of God as an artist painting our lives. Just as you can recognize a Monet or a Picasso by their unique brush strokes, God’s work in our lives is distinct and transformative. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus to do the good things He planned for us long ago. This transformation is not about improving our old selves but becoming entirely new creations.
We discussed three transformational truths. First, God doesn’t improve us; He changes us. This change is not about conforming to religious practices but about developing a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. Religion focuses on external behaviors, while a relationship with Jesus transforms us from the inside out. Second, God loves us as we are but loves us too much to leave us that way. This involves a balance of grace and truth, where grace invites us to be free, and truth sets us free. Lastly, God changes those who truly know Him. It’s not about going through religious motions but genuinely knowing and walking with Jesus.
We also looked at the story of Nicodemus, a religious leader who sought Jesus under the cover of night, symbolizing his desire for true transformation despite his fear of judgment. Nicodemus knew the law but realized he needed something more—a relationship with Jesus. This story illustrates that transformation begins with a relationship, not religion.
To experience this transformation, we must let go of who we were and focus on who we are becoming. We need to give God permission to change every part of our lives and allow that change to begin today. Transformation is a process, not an instant event, and it requires us to continually place ourselves in environments where God can work on us.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Doesn’t Improve Us; He Changes Us: Transformation in Christ is not about minor improvements or covering up flaws. It’s about becoming a completely new creation. This change is internal and profound, moving beyond mere religious practices to a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. [05:05]
2. Grace and Truth Work Together: Grace invites us to be free, while truth sets us free. These two elements are inseparable in the process of transformation. Grace without truth leads to complacency, and truth without grace leads to legalism. Together, they guide us toward genuine change. [20:27]
3. Transformation Requires a Relationship, Not Religion: Religion focuses on external conformity, but true transformation comes from an internal relationship with Jesus. Nicodemus’s story shows that knowing the law isn’t enough; we need a personal encounter with Christ to experience real change. [09:06]
4. Let Go of the Past and Focus on Becoming: To experience transformation, we must release our past and focus on who we are becoming in Christ. This involves a mindset shift and a willingness to allow God to work in every area of our lives, trusting that He is creating something beautiful. [25:29]
5. Transformation is a Process: Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a progressive journey where we continually place ourselves in environments where God can work on us. This requires patience, commitment, and a willingness to be molded by God’s hand. [30:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - Introduction to the Series
[01:59] - Ephesians 2:10: We Are God’s Masterpiece
[03:08] - God Gives Us a New Canvas
[03:53] - Week One Brush Stroke: Transformation
[04:32] - Three Transformational Truths
[05:05] - Truth 1: God Changes Us, Not Improves Us
[06:49] - Religion vs. Relationship
[09:06] - Internal vs. External Transformation
[13:26] - The Church as an Easel
[13:53] - The Story of Nicodemus
[18:57] - Truth 2: God Loves Us Too Much to Leave Us the Same
[20:27] - Grace and Truth Together
[21:22] - Truth 3: God Changes Those Who Truly Know Him
[24:29] - The Gospel is Heart Transformation
[25:29] - Let Go of the Past
[29:04] - Give God Permission to Change Everything
[30:58] - Transformation is a Process
[32:47] - The Mirror Moment
[37:08] - Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) - "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
3. John 3:1-2 (NIV) - "Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:10, what are we described as in relation to God, and what purpose does this serve? [01:59]
2. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, what happens to someone who is in Christ? How does this verse describe the change? [11:48]
3. What was Nicodemus's position, and why did he come to Jesus at night according to John 3:1-2? [13:53]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of God as an artist painting our lives help us understand the concept of transformation in Ephesians 2:10? [01:59]
2. What does it mean to be a "new creation" in Christ as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17? How does this differ from merely improving oneself? [11:48]
3. Why is Nicodemus's story significant in illustrating the difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus? [13:53]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. In what ways have you experienced God’s transformative work? Are there areas where you still feel like an unfinished masterpiece? [01:59]
2. How can you shift your focus from trying to improve yourself to allowing God to change you from the inside out? What practical steps can you take this week to foster this transformation? [05:05]
3. Grace and truth are both essential in the process of transformation. How can you balance these two in your daily life, especially in your interactions with others? [20:27]
4. Think about a time when you were more focused on religious practices than on a relationship with Jesus. How did that impact your spiritual growth? What changes can you make to prioritize your relationship with Jesus? [09:06]
5. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, possibly out of fear of judgment. Are there areas in your life where fear is holding you back from seeking true transformation? How can you overcome this fear? [13:53]
6. Transformation is a process that requires patience and commitment. What are some environments or practices you can incorporate into your life to allow God to work on you continually? [30:58]
7. Letting go of the past is crucial for transformation. Is there something from your past that you need to release to fully embrace who you are becoming in Christ? How can you start this process today? [25:29]
Devotional
Day 1: God Transforms Us Completely
Transformation in Christ is not about minor improvements or covering up flaws. It’s about becoming a completely new creation. This change is internal and profound, moving beyond mere religious practices to a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. When we come to Christ, we are not just given a fresh coat of paint over our old selves; we are given a new canvas altogether. This means that our old ways, habits, and sins are not just hidden but are completely removed, and we are made new in Him. This transformation is a testament to God’s power and love, showing that He is not interested in merely making us better versions of ourselves but in making us entirely new creations.
This profound change is a process that begins with a personal encounter with Jesus. It’s not about adhering to a set of religious rules or practices but about allowing Jesus to transform us from the inside out. This transformation is evident in our thoughts, actions, and the way we live our lives. It’s a journey that requires us to continually seek a deeper relationship with Jesus, allowing Him to mold and shape us into His image. [05:05]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What old habits or ways of thinking do you need to let go of to fully embrace the new creation God wants you to be? How can you start this process today?
Day 2: Grace and Truth in Harmony
Grace invites us to be free, while truth sets us free. These two elements are inseparable in the process of transformation. Grace without truth leads to complacency, and truth without grace leads to legalism. Together, they guide us toward genuine change. Grace is God’s unmerited favor that allows us to come to Him as we are, without fear of condemnation. It’s the open door that welcomes us into His presence. However, grace alone is not enough to transform us. We also need truth, which reveals the areas of our lives that need change and sets us on the path to freedom.
Truth, on the other hand, can be hard to accept because it often confronts us with our shortcomings and sins. But it is through this confrontation that we are set free. When grace and truth work together, we experience a balanced transformation that is both loving and liberating. Grace gives us the courage to face the truth, and truth gives us the direction to change. This harmonious relationship between grace and truth is essential for our spiritual growth and transformation. [20:27]
John 1:14 (ESV): "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to balance grace and truth? How can you invite both into your daily walk with Jesus?
Day 3: Relationship Over Religion
Religion focuses on external conformity, but true transformation comes from an internal relationship with Jesus. Nicodemus’s story shows that knowing the law isn’t enough; we need a personal encounter with Christ to experience real change. Nicodemus was a religious leader who knew the law inside and out, yet he realized that something was missing. He sought out Jesus under the cover of night, symbolizing his desire for true transformation despite his fear of judgment. This encounter with Jesus revealed to Nicodemus that transformation begins with a relationship, not religion.
A relationship with Jesus goes beyond mere knowledge of the scriptures or adherence to religious practices. It’s about knowing Him personally, walking with Him daily, and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. This relationship is characterized by love, trust, and intimacy with Jesus. It’s through this relationship that we experience true transformation, as Jesus works in our hearts and lives to make us more like Him. [09:06]
John 3:1-3 (ESV): "Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.' Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'"
Reflection: How can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus today? What steps can you take to move beyond religious practices to a genuine encounter with Christ?
Day 4: Embrace the New You
To experience transformation, we must release our past and focus on who we are becoming in Christ. This involves a mindset shift and a willingness to allow God to work in every area of our lives, trusting that He is creating something beautiful. Holding on to our past can hinder our growth and keep us from fully embracing the new creation that God wants us to be. It’s important to let go of past mistakes, failures, and even successes, and focus on the new identity we have in Christ.
This process requires us to trust God and His plan for our lives. It means surrendering our own desires and allowing God to shape us into the people He wants us to be. This can be challenging, but it’s essential for our spiritual growth and transformation. By focusing on who we are becoming in Christ, we can experience the fullness of life that God has for us and become the masterpiece He created us to be. [25:29]
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 aspects of your past are you holding on to that may be hindering your transformation? How can you shift your focus to who you are becoming in Christ?
Day 5: Transformation is a Journey
Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a progressive journey where we continually place ourselves in environments where God can work on us. This requires patience, commitment, and a willingness to be molded by God’s hand. Transformation is not an instant event but a lifelong process. It involves daily surrender to God and a commitment to allow Him to work in our lives. This journey requires us to be patient with ourselves and trust that God is working even when we don’t see immediate results.
Being in environments where God can work on us is crucial for our transformation. This includes spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, being part of a faith community, and seeking opportunities for spiritual growth. It’s through these practices that we open ourselves up to God’s transformative work in our lives. As we continue on this journey, we can trust that God is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us. [30:58]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to place yourself in environments where God can work on you? How can you commit to the ongoing journey of transformation in your life?
Quotes
1. "Can I just tell you today that we're the same way? Come on, that if you've said yes to Jesus, you've raised your hand, and you've accepted him into your life, God picks up the paintbrush, and he's like, okay. Here we go, and he starts to paint a beautiful picture that, by the way, he already sees, the Bible tells us, that he wants to see in you. But he's a gentleman. He's not going to force himself on you." [01:11] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He's not done with you yet. So listen, don't discount what God might do. That word masterpiece, if you look in the Greek translation, it basically means a work of art. There's this implications of artwork. And I love that because he created you and he sees who you can become. When we see that word anew, a lot of people think God is just saying, oh, you know what? I hope that I can just cover up some of these cracks over here. Oh, my goodness, this blemish, we've got to get rid of that. Oh, no, no, no, no. That's not who God is. God gives us a brand-new canvas, a brand-new start, a do-over, a clean slate, so to speak. He's not here to improve you." [03:08] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God doesn't improve someone. He changes them. He changes them. He's not here to improve you. He's here to change your life. Okay. And sometimes people get confused by this. Okay. I think people watch this. I think people have a good intention. They're like, you know what? I'm going to go on a spiritual journey. And then somewhere along the way, unfortunately, guess what they get into religion. Well, wait a minute, Pastor Shane, isn't that what we're supposed to be doing? Oh no, no, no, no, no. We are not here so that you can have a religion. We're here so that you can have a relationship with Jesus Christ. That's why we're here." [05:05] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Religion is all about conforming, but relationship is all about transforming. Totally different concept, everybody. So where are you today? Are you more of a, in this for religion? Are you in this because you really want to change? Because I've just noticed over the years, following Jesus now over 31 years and being in ministry 25 of those 31 years, I've just noticed that religion never works. Religion never works everybody, but, but people try it all the time. It's just so unfortunate, unfortunate because religion is all based on external and relationship is all about. It's internal." [06:07] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God loves us as we are, but too much to leave us that way. Come on. Anybody thankful for that? You're like, Jesus, I need you to love me right now, but man, I am not where I need to be. Well, he sees that. He sees you. He knows that you're going through it. He knows that's where your heart is. Okay. Now let me just pause for a moment and be very clear about something that is a little bit concerning in our world, especially in the world of church, big C church. And that is for some reason along the way, we've separated two words that were never meant to be separated. Here's the two words, grace and truth." [18:57] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Grace invites us to be free. Truth sets us free. That's the way that we need to see it. It's we, you can't have one with the out, you know, well, I'm free so I can do whatever I want. We, we, there's all kinds of scripture that talks about, do not use your freedom. Your, your, your, the, the fact that you're set free to, to sin thinking grace is just going to keep covering me. No, it's no, no, no, that's not true. We shouldn't live that way. Okay. I'm just trying to help you. Help us think about this brushstroke of transformation. What it really means. It means not improvement, everybody, but it means change." [20:27] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "God changes those who truly know him, who truly know him. In other words, you're not just here to go through the motions. Well, I did my church thing. Let's check my list. I I'm all about, you know, rules and religion. Okay. No, no, no, no, no. It's all about knowing him. Jesus even makes a point of this talks about the very end of days and how one day we're going to, he kind of gives this illustration of what's going to happen when we have to stand before him. Notice this in Matthew seven 22, many will say to me on that day, the word that scares me in that is many, many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?" [22:00] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The gospel, the gospel isn't about behavior modification. It is about a heart transformation. Please get that today. That's the big idea of our first week here in this series. Okay. So let me give you these three things and then we'll pray. All right, here it is. Here it is. How do I experience transformation? Because hopefully that's where you're at. You're like, okay, pastor, I get it. I got the three transformational truths. How do I do this? Number one, I must let go of who I was and focus on who I'm becoming. I must let go of who I was and focus, man, my eyes got to be on who I'm becoming." [24:29] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "A church service can't change you, but it can make you want to change. A church service can't change you, but it can, it can put you in an environment to make you want to change. And that's why we work hard every single week. It's why your pastor prays and studies and thinks about exactly what's happening in his people and brings you the word of God that he places on his heart and a series, not, not because there's nothing else better to do. It's because we're living in perilous times. Everybody. And we need direction. We need to know that that change can begin today." [30:14] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We can walk into this room unashamed. We can remove the veil and we say, God, you know what I did this week, but man, I'm so glad you still love me. My heart breaks because I send, I dropped the ball. You know that God, I'm not, I'm not hiding anything from you. I'm, I'm walking in here because I need you. I need you to make me new. Would you pick up the brush and just, just change me. And then what's beautiful about this idea of a mirror is, is when you look in a mirror, basically you're looking at grace and truth. And that's what God's word does for us. It shows us, wait a minute. You know what? That's right. You know what? That's God's plan for me. Not what my friends think, not what my parents think. Not what this world thinks. No, no, I'm gonna follow this." [32:11] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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