Transformative Repentance: Embracing Change Through Humility

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound journey of transformation and repentance, drawing inspiration from the story of Betty, a young girl who realized the difference between running towards sin and running away from it. This narrative serves as a reminder that accepting Christ doesn't mean we cease to be sinners; rather, it signifies a shift in direction and intention. We delved into the origins of the 12-step program, which was birthed from a Bible study and has helped countless individuals find hope and change. The focus was on steps six and seven, which emphasize the readiness to have God remove our character defects and the humility to ask Him to do so.

The essence of true repentance is a change of mind and heart, a decision to turn away from self-pleasing actions and towards God-pleasing ones. This process requires a willingness to let go of our defects and a humble request for God's intervention. We acknowledged that while we may be willing to change, the actual transformation is a divine process that requires God's help. The challenge lies in our natural inclination to hold onto certain sins, often masking them with good deeds or religious activities. However, true change demands that we confront these hidden areas and surrender them to God.

We also discussed the importance of humility in this journey. Humility is not just about acknowledging our shortcomings but actively seeking and doing God's will. This requires a shift from self-reliance to God-reliance, trusting in His timing and methods for our transformation. The promise is that as we humble ourselves, God will lift us up, offering a change that is profound and lasting.

Key Takeaways:

- Repentance as a Change of Direction: True repentance involves a conscious decision to turn away from sin and towards God. It's not just about feeling sorry but about a genuine change of heart and mind, leading to a life that seeks to please God rather than self. [05:27]

- The Role of Willingness in Transformation: Being entirely ready to have God remove our defects is crucial. This willingness is not about perfection but about striving towards it, acknowledging that we cannot do it alone and need God's help to even be willing. [11:18]

- Humility as the Key to Change: Humility is defined as the desire to seek and do God's will. It involves recognizing our limitations and relying on God's strength and wisdom to guide us through the process of transformation. [32:20]

- God's Promise to Lift Us Up: As we humble ourselves and submit to God's will, He promises to lift us up. This lifting is not just about removing sin but about experiencing a deeper relationship with God and finding true joy and satisfaction in His ways. [36:04]

- The Process of Spiritual Growth: Transformation is a process that requires patience and trust in God's timing. While we may desire instant change, God often works through gradual growth, teaching us valuable lessons along the way. [39:30]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - Betty's Story of Transformation
[02:00] - Understanding the 12 Steps
[04:31] - The Power of Repentance
[05:27] - True Repentance Explained
[08:38] - Willingness to Change
[11:18] - The Challenge of Step Six
[13:24] - The Reality of Our Defects
[15:31] - The Suit Jacket Analogy
[17:30] - The Sticking Point of Sin
[22:25] - Settling for Less
[26:58] - The Role of Humility
[32:20] - Seeking God's Will
[35:30] - God's Promise to Lift Us Up
[39:30] - The Process of Spiritual Growth
[43:20] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
2. James 4:7-10

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the key difference in Betty's understanding of sin before and after accepting Christ? [01:04]
2. How did the origins of the 12-step program relate to the Bible, and what was its initial purpose? [02:00]
3. According to the sermon, what does true repentance involve, and how is it different from merely feeling sorry? [05:27]
4. What role does humility play in the process of transformation, as discussed in the sermon? [32:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of being "entirely ready" to have God remove our defects challenge our understanding of repentance and transformation? [11:18]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that humility is essential for spiritual growth and change? [32:20]
3. How does the promise of God lifting us up relate to the process of humbling ourselves, as mentioned in James 4:10? [35:30]
4. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of masking our sins with good deeds or religious activities? [08:38]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt like Betty, realizing the difference between running towards sin and running away from it. How did that change your perspective on repentance? [01:04]
2. Are there any "character defects" in your life that you are hesitant to let go of? What steps can you take to become more willing to surrender these to God? [11:18]
3. How can you practice humility in your daily life to seek and do God's will more effectively? Consider specific actions you can take this week. [32:20]
4. Think about a situation where you relied on self-reliance rather than God-reliance. How can you shift your focus to trust in God's timing and methods for transformation? [32:20]
5. Identify an area in your life where you have been masking sin with good deeds. What practical steps can you take to confront and surrender this area to God? [08:38]
6. How can you actively seek a deeper relationship with God, trusting in His promise to lift you up as you humble yourself? [36:04]
7. Consider the process of spiritual growth as described in the sermon. What is one area of your life where you need to exercise more patience and trust in God's timing? [39:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Repentance as a New Path
True repentance is not merely about feeling remorseful for past actions but involves a conscious decision to change one's direction in life. It is a transformative process that requires a shift in both heart and mind, moving away from self-centered desires and towards a life that seeks to honor and please God. This change is not instantaneous but involves a continual commitment to turn away from sin and align one's actions with God's will. The story of Betty illustrates this journey, highlighting the importance of recognizing the difference between running towards sin and running away from it. True repentance is marked by a genuine desire to change and a commitment to pursue a life that reflects God's love and righteousness. [05:27]

"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus." (Acts 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you have been running towards sin. What steps can you take today to turn away from it and move towards a path that honors God?


Day 2: Willingness as the Foundation for Change
The journey of transformation begins with a willingness to change, acknowledging that we cannot do it alone and need God's help. This willingness is not about achieving perfection but about striving towards it, recognizing our limitations and the need for divine intervention. The 12-step program, which originated from a Bible study, emphasizes the importance of being ready to have God remove our character defects. This readiness involves a humble acknowledgment of our flaws and a sincere desire to let go of them, trusting in God's power to bring about change. It is a process that requires patience and perseverance, as we learn to rely on God's strength rather than our own. [11:18]

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me." (Psalm 51:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one character defect you are willing to let go of today? How can you invite God into this process and trust Him to help you change?


Day 3: Humility as the Path to Transformation
Humility is a crucial element in the journey of transformation, as it involves recognizing our limitations and relying on God's strength and wisdom. It is not just about acknowledging our shortcomings but actively seeking and doing God's will. This requires a shift from self-reliance to God-reliance, trusting in His timing and methods for our transformation. As we humble ourselves and submit to God's will, we open ourselves to His guidance and the profound changes He can bring about in our lives. The promise is that as we humble ourselves, God will lift us up, offering a change that is both profound and lasting. [32:20]

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to shift from self-reliance to God-reliance? How can you practice humility today by seeking God's will in this area?


Day 4: God's Promise of Elevation
As we humble ourselves and submit to God's will, He promises to lift us up. This lifting is not just about removing sin but about experiencing a deeper relationship with God and finding true joy and satisfaction in His ways. It involves a transformation that goes beyond external changes, reaching into the depths of our hearts and minds. God's promise is that as we seek Him and align our lives with His will, we will experience a profound and lasting change that brings true fulfillment and joy. This promise is a source of hope and encouragement, reminding us that our efforts to change are not in vain but are part of a divine process that leads to spiritual growth and maturity. [36:04]

"The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!" (Psalm 147:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you humble yourself today to allow God to lift you up? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him and experience His promise of elevation?


Day 5: Trusting in the Process of Spiritual Growth
Transformation is a process that requires patience and trust in God's timing. While we may desire instant change, God often works through gradual growth, teaching us valuable lessons along the way. This process involves a willingness to let go of our defects and a humble request for God's intervention. It is a journey that requires perseverance and faith, as we learn to trust in God's plan and His ability to bring about change in our lives. The promise is that as we submit to God's will and trust in His timing, we will experience a transformation that is both profound and lasting, leading to spiritual growth and maturity. [39:30]

"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: What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God's timing for transformation? How can you practice patience and faith in this process today?

Quotes

"There's a young gal, call her Betty, and she was excited. Her school was one and their homeroom on a certain day they had kind of an open kind of sharing what was happening and whatnot and she could not wait to share. So she got to school and it was homeroom time, it was a day to share and she raised her hand and she enthusiastically announced to everyone that on Wednesday night youth group she got saved. And the teacher was wondering, well what were you before? And she said, well I was a sinner. And the teacher went, okay, what are you now? She says, well I'm a sinner. And the teacher was a little perplexed and she says, what's the difference? And Betty said, well before I was a sinner running towards sin. Now I'm a sinner running away from sin." [00:23:54] (59 seconds)


"And to me that just encapsulizes. You know, I think. A lot of times, and it's our fault, those outside looking in think we see everybody else as sinners and that when we come to Jesus we no longer are sinners. And anyone who's ever sat here for any length of time knows that ain't true. Right? And a matter of fact, a lot of people come thinking that's true and then they look around and they go, wow, these people are just like me, they're a bunch of hypocrites. And there is some hypocrisy, won't say there's not. But a lot of times it's just that they misunderstand." [00:82:58] (39 seconds)


"Repentant people take a deep look inside and they face the truth about themselves, how they've been excusing their sins, and how they've been hurting others. And then they come to a decision point. It's a decision point in which they change their mind from pleasing self to pleasing God. That is what truth is. True repentance is. But it starts with a decision, a decision that I'm going to face this and a decision that I'm going to change. And in essence, that is what we're going to talk about today." [06:11:51] (28 seconds)


"Can he now take them all, every one? If we still cling to something, we will not let go. We ask God to help us be willing, right? So there's a, you need to be willing, but I'm not, so ask him to help you be willing, right? At the core of this, we cannot remove character defects without God. As a matter of fact, sometimes we can't even be willing to remove character defects without God. I think that's the thing that, quite frankly, those of us who grew up in the church, we miss. We miss this." [09:15:55] (34 seconds)


"We just think, okay, if I acknowledge in my head that this is true, that I'm a sinner, and that I'm supposed to be a sinner, I'm supposed to to live this way then I just do that and then what we do is we begin to play games with ourselves and here's the game we know we're just as bad as our neighbor deep down but we cover up that feeling we cover up the fact that we love our little sins just like the next guy by going I go to church I read my Bible I know these try to memorize verses I've we put all this I do good stuff biblical stuff but it still covers up the fact that there are parts of our lives we don't want God to mess with and we supposedly been following him a long time and part of it is is because we feel shame that I don't want to give it up and no one has ever stand in front of you so now I'm standing in front of you going okay guess what Christians sometimes don't want to give stuff up people who follow Jesus sometimes go I don't mind doing this and that but I ain't doing that one so you got it you you've got to give that you got to acknowledge that and give that over to him and let him do that in you what you cannot do yourself we must be willing to behave differently from the way we have in the past we must" [09:48:81]

"to say the 12 steps of 12 addition says this therefore it seems plain that a few of us can quickly or easily become ready to aim at spiritual immoral perfection we want to settle for only for only as much perfection as will get us by in life let me let me put this another way we want to settle for only earn as much of Jesus as will get us by in life you'll get us by in life" [21:43:91] (31 seconds)


"for god to bless you so you can bless others you're asking simply so you can have a nice comfortable american life i don't answer those kind of prayers and then it's in the in the midst of this he says then submit yourselves to god he says this is the decision i want you to make submit yourself to god flee from the devil and this and this is contextually means not only flee from the tempter but fleeing from those desires within you now now this is the key that i want you to see what he says the result will be come near to god and he will come near to you do you see that that the reason he wants them isn't so hey then god won't send you to hell it's not what he says he doesn't say and and and then you'll be able to take communion or then you'll be able to no he says he brings it back to when you do this you will end up having a close relationship with god because you know what that's the issue that's the issue is this separation from god and what separates you and god is you is your selfish desires as my selfish desires is the little things that we don't want to do with god we don't want to let go of it's us and when we do that god will come near to us and and also it says resist the devil in other words this isn't perfection it's a process it's a willingness and god will come near to you you may want to mark that because we're going to be back in james there shortly um 12 by 12 says this if we ask god if we ask god will certainly forgive our derelections but in no case does he render us white as snow and keep us that way without our cooperation" [24:48:16] (129 seconds)


"that's the promise he's promising a change and it's not just the lack of that thing in your life he's promising a change so that you don't even want to do those things anymore because you're finding so much joy and satisfaction out of his way you're like well this is what I was doing something for this is exciting stuff I always thought this would be scary but it's actually living you know why it's scary because the enemy doesn't want you to live that way so he whispers in our in in our ear he whispers in our ear that's too hard nobody else is doing that that's a good thing but wouldn't you rather do this right now or in my case wouldn't you rather just do nothing right now" [36:30:15] (47 seconds)


"but God he wants to lift us up again in this particular idea of lifting us up this is the experience of those who have been through these principles 12 by 12 says this during this process of learning more about humility the most profound result of all was a change in our attitude toward God and this was true whether we had been believers or unbelievers in the words when now when they wrote this right they're spiritual people believers in what in Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins that's what he means by believers or unbelievers whether we are believers or unbelievers he said we began to get over the idea that the higher power was sort of a bush league pinch hitter to be called upon only in an emergency for those of you are like that just went right over your head right so you have the the San Francisco Giants and they have their team somebody gets hurt they have a minor league team in order to fill that spot" [37:38:19] (65 seconds)


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Transcript
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