Transforming Hearts: A Call to God-Pleasing Living
Summary
In our journey of faith, we are called to be God-pleasers, individuals whose hearts are continually being renovated by the transformative power of Christ. Before encountering Christ, our hearts are shaped by past experiences and circumstances, often leaving us with burdens and fears that we may not even recognize. However, God desires to renew our hearts, to take those past experiences and reshape them, allowing us to see the world through His eyes and live in alignment with His will. This transformation is not just about changing our actions but about renewing our minds and hearts to reflect God's character.
Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This renewal allows us to discern God's perfect will and live lives that glorify Him. A renovated heart, as Dallas Willard suggests, can foresee and transform painful situations, allowing us to stand firm in faith rather than questioning "why me?" when challenges arise. Our greatest need is a heart that sees the world as God does, acts as He acts, and speaks as He speaks.
God-pleasers are characterized by obedience, repentance, gratitude, empathy, and service. Obedience to God's voice is crucial, as it leads us to act according to His wisdom rather than our own. Repentance involves a change of mind, turning away from sin and aligning our thoughts with God's truth. Gratitude should permeate every aspect of our lives, even when circumstances are not as we desire. Empathy and love for others are essential, as they reflect God's love and cultivate a community of support and encouragement. Lastly, God-pleasers are great servants, willing to serve others selflessly and faithfully.
As we strive to be God-pleasers, let us open our hearts to His transformative work, allowing Him to renew our minds and shape us into the people He created us to be. May we be obedient, quick to repent, grateful, empathetic, and eager to serve, reflecting God's love and grace in all we do.
Key Takeaways:
1. Renovated Hearts: Our hearts, shaped by past experiences, need God's renovation to align with His will. This transformation allows us to see the world through God's eyes and live in alignment with His character. A renewed heart can foresee and transform painful situations, standing firm in faith. [01:26:24]
2. Obedience to God: God-pleasers are obedient, listening to His voice and acting according to His wisdom. This obedience becomes a habit, leading us to live lives that reflect God's will rather than our own understanding. [01:38:46]
3. Repentance and Change: True repentance involves a change of mind, turning away from sin and aligning our thoughts with God's truth. As we think and act like Jesus, sin falls away, and we become the people God intended us to be. [01:41:30]
4. Gratitude in All Circumstances: Gratitude should permeate every aspect of our lives, even when things don't go as planned. Being grateful reflects our trust in God's goodness and His work in our lives. [01:43:05]
5. Empathy and Service: God-pleasers are empathetic and loving, seeing others through God's eyes. They serve selflessly, reflecting God's love and grace in their actions, and building a supportive community. [01:44:34]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:16:24] - The Coyote Story
[01:20:38] - Music and Memories
[01:23:37] - God-Pleasers: A Call to Action
[01:25:02] - Renovated Hearts
[01:26:24] - The Need for Heart Transformation
[01:27:48] - Personal Testimonies of Change
[01:33:09] - Overcoming Past Lies
[01:33:58] - Jesus' Mission and Our Call
[01:35:10] - Seeing Through God's Eyes
[01:36:53] - The Kingdom of God
[01:38:11] - Obedience and Wisdom
[01:39:57] - Developing Good Habits
[01:40:42] - Quick to Repent
[01:42:22] - Confidence in God
[01:43:05] - Gratefulness and Empathy
[01:44:34] - Servanthood and Community
[01:50:29] - Closing and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God."
2. Luke 4:17-21 - Jesus reads from Isaiah about His mission to preach the gospel, heal the brokenhearted, and set the oppressed free.
3. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 - "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds..."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 12:2 say about the transformation of our minds and its purpose?
2. How does the sermon describe the process of having a "renovated heart"? [01:25:02]
3. According to Luke 4:17-21, what are the key aspects of Jesus' mission on earth?
4. What role does obedience play in the life of a God-pleaser, as discussed in the sermon? [01:38:11]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the renewal of our minds, as mentioned in Romans 12:2, help us discern God's will in our daily lives?
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that past experiences can shape our hearts, and how does God intend to transform these experiences? [01:25:02]
3. How does the concept of taking every thought captive, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, relate to being a God-pleaser?
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between gratitude and trust in God's goodness? [01:43:05]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a past experience that has shaped your heart. How can you invite God to transform this experience to align with His will? [01:25:02]
2. Consider a situation where you struggle with obedience to God's voice. What steps can you take to cultivate a habit of obedience? [01:38:46]
3. Identify an area in your life where you need to practice gratitude despite challenging circumstances. How can you express gratitude in this situation? [01:43:05]
4. Think of a person in your life who needs empathy and love. How can you serve them selflessly this week? [01:44:34]
5. What is one practical way you can renew your mind daily to see the world through God's eyes?
6. How can you incorporate repentance into your daily routine to align your thoughts with God's truth? [01:41:30]
7. Reflect on a time when you acted out of self-sufficiency. How can you shift your confidence from yourself to God in similar situations? [01:42:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Renovation of the Heart
Our hearts, shaped by past experiences, often carry burdens and fears that we may not even recognize. However, God desires to renew our hearts, transforming them to align with His will. This transformation is not merely about changing our actions but involves a deep renewal of our minds and hearts to reflect God's character. Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. A renovated heart can foresee and transform painful situations, allowing us to stand firm in faith rather than questioning "why me?" when challenges arise. Our greatest need is a heart that sees the world as God does, acts as He acts, and speaks as He speaks. [01:26:24]
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
Reflection: What past experiences or burdens are you holding onto that need God's transformative touch? How can you invite Him to begin this renovation today?
Day 2: Obedience to God's Voice
God-pleasers are characterized by their obedience, listening to His voice and acting according to His wisdom. This obedience becomes a habit, leading us to live lives that reflect God's will rather than our own understanding. Obedience to God is crucial as it guides us to act according to His wisdom rather than our own. It involves a willingness to trust in God's plan and direction, even when it doesn't align with our desires or understanding. As we cultivate this habit of obedience, we begin to live lives that are in harmony with God's will, reflecting His character and purpose. [01:38:46]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: In what area of your life is God calling you to obedience today? How can you take a step of faith to follow His voice?
Day 3: Repentance and Change
True repentance involves a change of mind, turning away from sin and aligning our thoughts with God's truth. As we think and act like Jesus, sin falls away, and we become the people God intended us to be. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins but involves a genuine change of heart and mind. It requires us to turn away from sin and align our thoughts and actions with God's truth. As we embrace this change, we begin to reflect the character of Christ, allowing His love and grace to transform us from the inside out. [01:41:30]
Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
Reflection: What specific sin or mindset do you need to repent of today? How can you align your thoughts with God's truth in this area?
Day 4: Gratitude in All Circumstances
Gratitude should permeate every aspect of our lives, even when things don't go as planned. Being grateful reflects our trust in God's goodness and His work in our lives. Gratitude is a powerful expression of faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty and goodness in every situation. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering a spirit of contentment and joy. By cultivating gratitude, we demonstrate our trust in God's plan and His ability to work all things for our good, even when circumstances are challenging. [01:43:05]
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV): "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: What is one thing you can be grateful for today, even if it's not what you expected or desired? How can this gratitude shift your perspective?
Day 5: Empathy and Service
God-pleasers are empathetic and loving, seeing others through God's eyes. They serve selflessly, reflecting God's love and grace in their actions, and building a supportive community. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others, allowing us to connect with them on a deeper level. As we cultivate empathy, we begin to see others through God's eyes, recognizing their worth and value. This perspective compels us to serve others selflessly, reflecting God's love and grace in our actions. By building a supportive community, we create an environment where love and encouragement flourish. [01:44:34]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Who in your life needs your empathy and support today? How can you serve them in a way that reflects God's love and grace?
Quotes
"God-pleasers are obedient. We have entered into a relationship with Jesus and he knows what's best for us at all times. Do you believe that? Do you believe that God knows best for you? Sometimes we think we know better. Sometimes we have acted on our own knowledge or our great wisdom that we have. But really when it gets down to it, the only wisdom we need is from God." [01:38:11] (32 seconds)
"We must take every thought captive according to 2 Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 10, verses 4 through 6, it says, For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience." [01:39:57] (33 seconds)
"God-pleasers are empathetic, loving towards others because they see all things through God's eyes and they think the way God thinks. From the day we got saved to the day we died, God will be cultivating our heart to love more and to love better. Constantly changing, constantly teaching us, talking about loving one another." [01:44:34] (25 seconds)
"If you cannot love, you cannot be a God-pleaser. 4, verse 16. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. As a pastor, I choose to see the best in all of you guys. I choose to love you without judging." [01:44:34] (27 seconds)
"God-pleasers are great servants. We have a training center. In that training center, we're having classes all the time. And we have a couple in that training center, Christine and Craig, that have been teaching the Kenny Hagin Foundations of Faith books for 30 years. And we have a couple in that training center that have been teaching the three years now." [01:44:34] (21 seconds)
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