Transformative Change: Relying on God's Power
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today, we are kicking off a new teaching series called "The Power to Change," inspired by Craig Groeschel's book of the same name. This series is for anyone who has ever struggled with making lasting changes in their life. Whether it's breaking a bad habit, overcoming an addiction, or simply trying to stick to a new routine, many of us have experienced the frustration of wanting to change but not being able to follow through.
We often approach change with good intentions but the wrong strategies. We set goals, make resolutions, and even take initial steps, but we often find ourselves back where we started. The problem is that we focus on behavior modification rather than spiritual transformation. Real change is not about just altering our actions; it's about allowing God to transform us from the inside out.
The Apostle Paul, who wrote over half of the New Testament, struggled with this too. In Romans 7, he talks about wanting to do what is right but ending up doing what he hates. He realized that true change comes not from his own efforts but through Jesus Christ. This is a powerful reminder that we need to rely on God's grace and not just our willpower.
There are three common but flawed approaches to change among Christians: "God then me," "God not me," and "God through me." The first two are problematic because they either place all the responsibility on us or none at all. The correct approach is "God through me," which acknowledges that while we must put in effort, it is ultimately God's power working through us that brings about real change.
To see real transformation, we need to start with a spiritual foundation. This involves identifying a spiritual "why" and a spiritual "how." The "why" is God's purpose for us, and the "how" is God's power working through us. For example, if you want to reduce screen time, your spiritual "why" could be to engage more with the people around you, fulfilling God's command to love one another. Your spiritual "how" would then be relying on God's strength to make that change.
As we go through this series, I encourage you to identify what you want to change and seek God's purpose and power in that area. Remember, it's not by our might or strength but by God's Spirit that real change happens.
### Key Takeaways
1. Behavior Modification vs. Spiritual Transformation: Real change is not about merely altering our actions but allowing God to transform us from the inside out. Behavior modification is often unsustainable, but spiritual transformation brings lasting change. [21:39]
2. Flawed Approaches to Change: The "God then me" and "God not me" mindsets are flawed. The former places all the responsibility on us, while the latter absolves us of any responsibility. The correct approach is "God through me," which acknowledges that while we must put in effort, it is ultimately God's power working through us that brings about real change. [24:28]
3. The Apostle Paul's Struggle: Even the Apostle Paul struggled with doing what he knew was right. He realized that true change comes not from his own efforts but through Jesus Christ. This is a powerful reminder that we need to rely on God's grace and not just our willpower. [18:39]
4. Spiritual Why and How: For real transformation, we need a spiritual "why" and a spiritual "how." The "why" is God's purpose for us, and the "how" is God's power working through us. Identifying these can help us align our efforts with God's will and see lasting change. [37:24]
5. God's Grace in Our Weakness: God's grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. When we acknowledge our inability to change on our own and lean into God's strength, we open the door for true transformation. [47:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[12:06] - Introduction to "The Power to Change"
[13:15] - The Struggle to Change
[15:13] - Survey on Failed Attempts to Change
[17:22] - Feeling Overwhelmed and Exhausted
[18:39] - Apostle Paul's Struggle with Change
[20:05] - Good Intentions, Wrong Strategy
[21:39] - Behavior Modification vs. Spiritual Transformation
[23:00] - Real Change Through Jesus Christ
[24:28] - Flawed Approaches to Change
[28:56] - God Through Me
[30:21] - Apostle Paul's Hard Work and God's Grace
[31:45] - The Same Grace That Saves Us Changes Us
[33:22] - Spiritual Transformation Starts with Spiritual
[34:47] - Identifying Your Spiritual Why
[37:24] - Examples of Spiritual Why
[41:13] - Zechariah 4:6 - By My Spirit
[42:40] - Your First Assignment: Find Your Spiritual Why
[44:01] - Focus on What God is Convicting You About
[45:39] - Real Change Through God's Spirit
[47:11] - God's Grace in Our Weakness
[48:26] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 7:15-24 - "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ... What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?"
2. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 - "For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."
3. Zechariah 4:6 - "So he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 7:15-24, what struggle does the Apostle Paul describe regarding his actions and desires?
2. In 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, how does Paul describe his efforts and the role of God's grace in his life?
3. What does Zechariah 4:6 emphasize about the source of true power and change?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul's struggle in Romans 7:15-24 reflect the common human experience with change and sin? [18:39]
2. What does Paul mean when he says, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10? How does this relate to the concept of "God through me"? [28:56]
3. How does Zechariah 4:6 challenge the idea of relying solely on human effort for change? [41:13]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Romans 7:15-24, can you identify an area in your life where you struggle to do what you know is right? How can you invite God's grace into that struggle? [18:39]
2. Paul acknowledges his hard work but credits God's grace for his transformation in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10. How can you balance your efforts with reliance on God's grace in your own life? [30:21]
3. Zechariah 4:6 states that change comes "not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit." What practical steps can you take to depend more on the Holy Spirit for transformation rather than your own strength? [41:13]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of identifying a spiritual "why" and "how" for change. What is one area you want to change, and what could be your spiritual "why" and "how" for that change? [37:24]
5. The sermon discussed flawed approaches to change, such as "God then me" and "God not me." Have you ever found yourself relying on one of these flawed approaches? How can you shift to a "God through me" mindset? [24:28]
6. The pastor mentioned that most of our problems are spiritual problems. Can you identify a problem in your life that might have a spiritual root? How can you address it spiritually? [48:26]
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of seeking God's purpose in our changes. Spend some time in prayer this week asking God to reveal His purpose for an area you want to change. What did you sense God saying to you? [42:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation from the Inside Out
Real change is not about merely altering our actions but allowing God to transform us from the inside out. Many people focus on behavior modification, setting goals, and making resolutions, but these efforts often fall short because they don't address the root of the issue. True transformation begins with a spiritual foundation, where God works within us to change our hearts and minds. This kind of change is sustainable and brings lasting results because it is rooted in God's power rather than our own efforts. [21:39]
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 is one area of your life where you have been focusing on behavior modification rather than seeking spiritual transformation? How can you invite God to work in that area today?
Day 2: The Right Approach to Change
The "God then me" and "God not me" mindsets are flawed. The former places all the responsibility on us, while the latter absolves us of any responsibility. The correct approach is "God through me," which acknowledges that while we must put in effort, it is ultimately God's power working through us that brings about real change. This approach balances our responsibility with reliance on God's strength, leading to true and lasting transformation. [24:28]
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: In what ways have you been trying to change on your own strength? How can you shift your mindset to "God through me" and rely on His power for transformation?
Day 3: Paul's Struggle and Our Reliance on Grace
Even the Apostle Paul struggled with doing what he knew was right. He realized that true change comes not from his own efforts but through Jesus Christ. This is a powerful reminder that we need to rely on God's grace and not just our willpower. Paul's struggle is a testament to the fact that even the most devoted followers of Christ need God's grace to overcome their weaknesses and make lasting changes. [18:39]
Romans 7:18-19 (ESV): "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you struggled to do what you knew was right. How can you rely more on God's grace and less on your own willpower in that area?
Day 4: Identifying Your Spiritual Why and How
For real transformation, we need a spiritual "why" and a spiritual "how." The "why" is God's purpose for us, and the "how" is God's power working through us. Identifying these can help us align our efforts with God's will and see lasting change. For example, if you want to reduce screen time, your spiritual "why" could be to engage more with the people around you, fulfilling God's command to love one another. Your spiritual "how" would then be relying on God's strength to make that change. [37:24]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you want to see change? Identify your spiritual "why" and "how" for that area and write them down.
Day 5: God's Grace in Our Weakness
God's grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. When we acknowledge our inability to change on our own and lean into God's strength, we open the door for true transformation. This means embracing our weaknesses and allowing God's grace to work through them, turning our vulnerabilities into opportunities for His power to be displayed. [47:11]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: What is one weakness you have been trying to overcome on your own? How can you invite God's grace to work through that weakness today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So I mean, how many guys have had something you've wanted to change in your life, you've been working on it, but it's just not changing? Is anybody willing to humble themselves and go, I got stuff in my life I've been trying to change, but it's not changing? Okay, all right, good. So 30% of us have things that need to change, the rest of us are perfect, that's great. I love a church like that, I do. I love a church that doesn't need to change at all. It's fantastic." [12:41] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Real change isn't a behavior modification. Real change is a spiritual transformation. And what we've tried to do in our lives over the years is we've tried to just modify behavior and if you just try to modify behavior like I'm going to double down on this I don't like this about myself I'm doubling down on it like I'm gonna I'm gonna get that out of my life that's what happens like you start that journey and then less than two weeks down the road you're no longer doing it." [21:39] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So real change happens through spiritual change, spiritual transformation. So if I just would have left you with the apostle Paul and what he says like I I hate what I do I do the things I hate I don't do the things I want to do what a what a miserable person I am if I left you right there you would think to yourself like why did God have this guy write half of the new testament well because that's not where he left off and that's not where God left him." [23:00] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Therefore, the best solution, the way a Christian ought to see change, is God through me. Come on, turn to two people and tell them that. God through me. It's God through me. It's not God, then me. It's not God, not me. It's God through me. There's something spiritual that has to take place. It's God through me. And this is what the Apostle Paul came to understand." [28:56] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So real change can happen in your life, but it's all going to happen through the grace of God that's at work. So let me read one last scripture to you that the apostle Paul leaves us in second Corinthians chapter 12, verse nine. God says, my grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I'm glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of God will be through me." [45:39] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I'm bringing this message for you I'm bringing this message for people that feel frustrated with change that's who you are this series is for you I'm bringing this series for those who feel exhausted by trying to change does anybody feel exhausted you don't have to raise your hand right it's just kind of one of those head nods with me like yes I know that feeling I'm exhausted I'm trying to change and it's not happened some of you you feel embarrassed or even ashamed from trying to change and it's not happening embarrassed and ashamed I mean that's a horrific place to be when you feel embarrassed and ashamed by change because now basically you have to walk around with a lie like how are you doing I'm doing fine I'm doing fine I'm doing fine I'm doing fine I'm doing fine I'm doing fine I'm doing fine." [17:22] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So you have a God, then me, and you have a God, not me. Those are both incredibly messed up theologies. Real change, guys, isn't behavior modification. Real change is spiritual transformation. Transformation. Therefore, the best solution, the way a Christian ought to see change, is God through me. Come on, turn to two people and tell them that. God through me. It's God through me. It's not God, then me. It's not God, not me. It's God through me. There's something spiritual that has to take place. It's God through me. And this is what the Apostle Paul came to understand." [28:56] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So when you have a spiritual why, real change can happen. I love this passage of Scripture, Zechariah 4, 6. It says this, that it's not by force and it's not by strength, but by my spirit, says the Lord. It's not by behavior modification. It's not by I just hate that thing enough that I'm going to change. It's not by I'm strong enough. Look at all the things that I've done. I've worked harder than everyone else. I can do this. It's not by those things. It's not by might. It's not by strength. It's not by human willpower, but it's by my spirit, says the Lord. It's by his spirit." [41:13] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So today, here's what we've learned. This is what we discovered, that change doesn't happen, God, then me. That's bad theology. Change doesn't happen, God, not me. Again, bad theology. Real change happens, God, through me. It becomes spiritual. So maybe if you're sick of being stuck, I just want you to know today, you can change. But the change is going to happen by a force and a source that's greater than you. It's not going to be by your might or your strength. It's going to be by God's spirit and says the Lord, meaning God's spirit so that all glory and honor go to God instead of people just looking at you and going, oh, I'm going to change." [44:01] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So what is your very first assignment in this series, The Power to Change? Here's your first assignment. What is it that you really want to see change in your life? You got to come up with that. Okay. The next thing that you got to come up with is you have to, you have to, this is your big assignment, is to come up with your spiritual why. And I'm going to suggest to you, the spiritual why isn't going to be something that you just like, you just creatively come up with, that you just flippantly come up with. Nope. I don't think that's what happens. I don't think we just flippantly go, oh, okay, well, this is a human why. I'm just going to change it to this. No, unless it's something that's driven from your spirit, it's not a spiritual why." [42:40] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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