Transformative Change: Embracing God's Will in Our Lives
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the concept of change and how it impacts our spiritual journey. We often desire significant transformations in our lives, but it's the small, consistent actions—like the hinges on a door—that facilitate these changes. Using the analogy of making coffee, we explored how even minor adjustments can lead to substantial differences. Just as adding creamer to coffee changes its flavor, our lives change when we actively engage with God's Word and His will for us.
We examined the book of Ephesians, where Paul emphasizes the importance of change in the life of a believer. Paul’s message to the Ephesians was clear: the gospel of Jesus Christ is transformative, and this transformation should be evident in our lives. He divided his letter into two parts: the first three chapters focus on the gospel and its implications, while the latter three chapters discuss how believers should live in response to the gospel.
Paul's teachings highlight that change is not just about external actions but about internal transformation. He encourages us to "put off" our old selves and "put on" the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. This involves practical steps like speaking truth, managing anger, practicing generosity, and living in purity. Paul also warns against being swayed by false doctrines and emphasizes the importance of unity and maturity in the body of Christ.
Ultimately, the message is that change is proof of our desire to grow closer to God. It requires effort and sometimes involves pain, but it is essential for spiritual growth. We are called to live lives that reflect the transformative power of the gospel, making a difference in our communities and beyond.
### Key Takeaways
1. Change Requires Action: Just as adding creamer to coffee changes its flavor, our lives change when we actively engage with God's Word and His will. We can't expect different results if we don't take different actions. This means opening the Bible, praying, and seeking God's guidance daily. [37:26]
2. Transformation Through the Gospel: Paul’s message in Ephesians emphasizes that the gospel of Jesus Christ is transformative. This transformation should be evident in our lives, not just in our words but in our actions and attitudes. The gospel calls us to a higher standard of living, reflecting God's love and grace. [45:40]
3. Putting Off the Old Self: Paul instructs us to "put off" our old selves and "put on" the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. This involves practical steps like speaking truth, managing anger, practicing generosity, and living in purity. It's a daily decision to live according to God's standards. [58:04]
4. Unity and Maturity in Christ: Paul emphasizes the importance of unity and maturity in the body of Christ. We are all different, with unique gifts and talents, but we are called to work together to build up the church and expand the impact of God's kingdom. This requires us to stop fighting about things that don't matter and start fighting for things that do. [56:29]
5. Change as Proof of Desire: Change is the proof of our desire to grow closer to God. If we truly want to change, we will put forth the effort. This involves making sacrifices and sometimes experiencing pain, but it is essential for spiritual growth. Our relationship with change reflects our commitment to God and His transformative power in our lives. [44:22]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:19] - Introduction and Announcements
[30:56] - Tacos with the Team
[32:19] - Connecting Through Text
[32:51] - Series Introduction: Small Hinges
[33:15] - Coffee Analogy: Small Changes Matter
[36:08] - The Need for Change
[37:26] - Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes
[39:28] - Guilt vs. Conviction
[41:23] - Relationship with Change
[45:03] - Ephesians: The Gospel and Transformation
[48:50] - Paul's Message in Ephesians
[51:21] - Therefore: The Call to Action
[52:57] - Living Out the Gospel
[56:29] - Unity in the Body of Christ
[58:04] - Putting Off the Old Self
[01:09:58] - Conclusion and Prayer
[01:14:27] - Baptism Sunday Announcement
[01:14:58] - Outreach Opportunity
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV): "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
2. Ephesians 2:4-9 (NIV): "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "put off" their old selves and "put on" the new self in Ephesians 4:22-24?
2. According to Ephesians 2:4-9, what is the basis of our salvation and new life in Christ?
3. In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe the process of change in our lives? ([33:15])
4. What are some practical steps Paul mentions in Ephesians for living out the new self? ([58:04])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "putting off" the old self and "putting on" the new self relate to the idea of internal transformation versus external actions? ([58:04])
2. Why is it important to understand that our salvation is a gift from God and not something we can earn through our works? ([49:50])
3. How does the analogy of adding creamer to coffee help us understand the small, consistent actions needed for spiritual growth? ([33:15])
4. What does Paul mean by emphasizing unity and maturity in the body of Christ, and how does this relate to our individual spiritual growth? ([56:29])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily habits. What small, consistent actions can you take to engage more deeply with God's Word and His will for your life? ([37:26])
2. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to "put off" the old self and "put on" the new self. What practical steps can you take this week to make that change? ([58:04])
3. How can you contribute to unity and maturity within your church community? Are there specific actions you can take to build up the body of Christ? ([56:29])
4. Change often involves effort and sometimes pain. Identify a change you have been avoiding because it seems too difficult. What steps can you take to start making that change today? ([44:22])
5. How does understanding that change is proof of our desire to grow closer to God impact your motivation to pursue spiritual growth? ([44:22])
6. In what ways can you practice generosity and live in purity as part of your new self in Christ? ([58:04])
7. How can you ensure that your actions and attitudes reflect the transformative power of the gospel in your daily life? ([45:40])
Devotional
Day 1: Small Actions Lead to Big Changes
Description: Change requires action, and often it's the small, consistent actions that lead to significant transformations in our lives. Just as adding creamer to coffee changes its flavor, our lives change when we actively engage with God's Word and His will. We can't expect different results if we don't take different actions. This means opening the Bible, praying, and seeking God's guidance daily. These small steps, like the hinges on a door, facilitate the larger changes we desire in our spiritual journey. [37:26]
Bible Passage: "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand." (Zechariah 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: What small, consistent action can you start today to engage more deeply with God's Word and His will for your life?
Day 2: The Gospel's Transformative Power
Description: Paul’s message in Ephesians emphasizes that the gospel of Jesus Christ is transformative. This transformation should be evident in our lives, not just in our words but in our actions and attitudes. The gospel calls us to a higher standard of living, reflecting God's love and grace. When we truly understand and embrace the gospel, it changes us from the inside out, leading to a life that mirrors the character of Christ. This transformation is a testament to the power of the gospel and its ability to change hearts and lives. [45:40]
Bible Passage: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: How has the gospel transformed your actions and attitudes recently? What is one area where you can allow the gospel to bring further transformation?
Day 3: Shedding the Old Self
Description: Paul instructs us to "put off" our old selves and "put on" the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. This involves practical steps like speaking truth, managing anger, practicing generosity, and living in purity. It's a daily decision to live according to God's standards, and it requires intentional effort to shed old habits and embrace new, godly behaviors. This internal transformation is crucial for living a life that honors God and reflects His righteousness and holiness. [58:04]
Bible Passage: "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." (Colossians 3:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific habit or behavior from your old self that you need to "put off" today? How can you replace it with a godly practice?
Day 4: Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
Description: Paul emphasizes the importance of unity and maturity in the body of Christ. We are all different, with unique gifts and talents, but we are called to work together to build up the church and expand the impact of God's kingdom. This requires us to stop fighting about things that don't matter and start fighting for things that do. Unity and maturity in Christ mean valuing each other's contributions and striving together for the common goal of glorifying God and spreading His love. [56:29]
Bible Passage: "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity and maturity of your church community? What is one practical step you can take to build up the body of Christ?
Day 5: Change as Proof of Desire
Description: Change is the proof of our desire to grow closer to God. If we truly want to change, we will put forth the effort. This involves making sacrifices and sometimes experiencing pain, but it is essential for spiritual growth. Our relationship with change reflects our commitment to God and His transformative power in our lives. Embracing change, even when it's difficult, shows our dedication to becoming more like Christ and living out His will for us. [44:22]
Bible Passage: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to embrace change to grow closer to God? What steps can you take today to start this transformation?
Quotes
1. "Many of us wake up every day and stare at our same old lives and hope something changes. But am I willing to pick up what I need to pick up? Open it. Pour it in there. Stir it. Am I willing to open up the word of God and see what needs to change? Am I willing to open up God's voice and see what needs to change? Am I willing to open up? This is where I've been in my life and it's time to change because here's a truth about you and about me today and it's a universal truth no matter if you're in Florence or Columbia, the Blake, online, no matter where you are today, here's what I know. Nothing changes if nothing changes." [37:26] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Nothing changes if nothing changes and change only really happens when something creates the need for something different. So it's a silly illustration, but when we wake up and we have our cup of coffee, the need for change with that cup of coffee is indicated by what we want, by what we want it to taste like, look like, smell like, feel like, right? You know how my wife told me, does she like her coffee because I asked her, I was like, how do I know? When I got it right and she looked at me, she was like, it needs to be a little bit lighter than peanut butter. And I was like, oh, I can figure that out. Right?" [38:05] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "A lot of us wake up, go to bed. Whatever. Every single day we live our lives and we go, man, I need to stop going to Starbucks so much. I need to save more money. I need to read the Bible more. I need to worship more. I need, here's what we're saying. Whenever we say those words, do you know what you're saying? There's a change that needs to take place in my life. There's something in my life that needs to change. Now if it's drawing me closer to God, can I tell you that's the Holy Spirit and it's not called guilt, it's called conviction and the difference is guilt brings shame. Conviction brings change." [39:28] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Guilt makes us walk around and go, I'm not enough. I'm not ever going to do this and if we're not careful, the enemy throws guilt on us to make us feel like in our spiritual journey, in our personal lives, in our personal journeys of life, I'll never be enough. I can never make that, I'll never do that. I can never accomplish that. I'll just have to live where I am. I am in the state that I've always been because after all, I'm not enough. Can I tell you that's not God speaking. That's called shame and condemnation and the Bible very clearly tells us that there is now no condemnation under Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior and so when God speaks through the Holy Spirit to us, it's not shame and condemnation, it is inspiration and change." [40:22] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Most of us don't have a problem like dreaming up what change could be. Talking about change is actually very easy. It's the whole need to, I need to do this, I want to do that. This should happen, this could happen in my life. Most of us have no problem talking about what could change but we do have a problem talking about and implementing what should change. Are you with me? Anybody in the room today? And the truth is, is as we're sitting there. And we're looking at these differences. We have two choices. You only have two choices. When you come to the place in your life where change is something you're looking at. You only have two choices. Number one, you can change and move forward." [41:23] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Change is loss. So here's what happens. Let's say that you make this concerted effort and this idea. I'm going to get in shape and so my gym routine is going to change and this is going to change and I'm going to do this and I'm going to do that. All this stuff is going to change. Here's what happens. Let's say at one season in my life, I'm not here now because of different things. But at one season in my life, my schedule allowed me to get up at about 5 or 5.30 every morning and go straight to the gym. I got up, put on my gym clothes, went straight to work out. It was great but I lost something. I lost sleep." [42:46] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If you want all that God has for you in your life, the big doors, the big blessings, all the things in your life for God that God has for you, can I tell you, it's going to hinge on a healthy relationship with change. It's going to hinge on that. Here's why. Change is the proof of desire. Change is the proof of desire. And so here's what I mean by that. If I want it bad enough, I will change something. If I want it bad enough, I'm going to change something. If I want to, if I want to get better at something. If I want to get better at something, I will go practice. If I want to get in shape, I will eat better and go to the gym." [44:22] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The local church, the Radiate Church of our community, the local church of our community is there so believers can gather and strengthen their faith together, and then go out and change the community for the kingdom of God. That is the purpose of the church. That is why we exist. It's why we've always existed, and it's why the church will always, the Big C Church will always exist. Well, Paul took that very personally. So he planted churches, raised up leaders. He'd leave them. He'd leave the pastors. He'd leave the leaders in charge, check up on them as we go. So he's in this place called Ephesus. When he gets to Ephesus, he's preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ." [46:33] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The gospel is the good news of our sinful lives being sacrificed so that our new lives in Christ can shine. He's like, man, who you were is not who you are. That's chapters one, two, and three of Ephesians. Then four, five, and six is actually part two of Ephesians. And he writes and he's talking about what life past the gospel, what life past the prayer, past the salvation looks like. And there's one word in Ephesians chapter four in verse one, just one word that ties it all together. And it's this word, it's the word therefore. He says therefore. Therefore. Therefore. Therefore. You're now a prisoner of the Lord. Therefore." [51:21] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If the kingdom of God means something to you, therefore it should look like something to you and it should be seen and it should change the way that we act. It should change the way that we pray. It should change the way that we worship because if nothing changes, nothing changes. And in fact, in verses 22 through 24 of Ephesians chapter four, it says it like this. It says that in reference to your former manner of life, in other words, who we were is not who we are. Come on. I need to encourage some people in the room. You think that just coming to sit in church, eventually the old you is going to wear off. That's not true." [58:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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