Transforming Through the Spirit: A Journey of Growth
Summary
In our journey of spiritual transformation, we must first acknowledge the infection of sin that resides within us. This sin nature, inherited from our ancestors, distorts our souls and manifests in our actions, leading us to rebel against God's standards. The infection is evident in our uncontrollable anger, inappropriate language, hidden addictions, and pervasive discouragement. Despite our attempts to mask these issues with external appearances, the infection persists. However, there is hope for transformation through the Spirit of the Lord, who is Jesus Christ within us. The Holy Spirit, as the agent of Jesus, resides in us to release us from the bondage of sin and transform us into the image of Christ.
To experience this transformation, we must approach God with an unveiled face, fully exposed and honest about our condition. This means coming to the Word of God, the mirror that reflects our true selves, without any pretense or cover-up. We must linger in the Word, allowing it to reveal our flaws and guide us toward change. Transformation is not about external reformation but about internal spiritual growth. It requires us to be doers of the Word, taking actionable steps in response to what is revealed to us.
The process of transformation is gradual, occurring in levels, much like progressing through school grades. Tests and trials serve as opportunities for growth, pushing us to the next level of spiritual maturity. As we embrace these challenges and allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, we begin to see changes in our attitudes, actions, and character, becoming more like Christ. This transformation is a testament to the life of the Spirit growing within us, much like a pregnancy that changes a woman's body as new life develops inside her.
Key Takeaways:
- The infection of sin is inherent in all of us, distorting our souls and manifesting in various negative behaviors. Acknowledging this infection is the first step toward spiritual transformation. [01:00]
- The Holy Spirit, as the presence of Jesus within us, is the key to our liberation from sin. By embracing the Spirit, we can experience true freedom and transformation. [05:28]
- Approaching God with an unveiled face, fully honest and exposed, is essential for transformation. The Word of God acts as a mirror, revealing our true selves and guiding us toward change. [11:37]
- Transformation is a gradual process, occurring in levels. Tests and trials are opportunities for growth, pushing us to the next level of spiritual maturity. [23:09]
- True transformation requires action. We must not only hear the Word but also act upon it, allowing it to change us from the inside out. [20:14]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - The Nature of Sin
[01:26] - The Infection of the Soul
[03:19] - The Spirit of the Lord
[05:09] - Liberty Through the Spirit
[06:08] - Transformation Process
[07:42] - The Veil of the Old Covenant
[08:49] - The New Covenant
[10:24] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[11:02] - Approaching with an Unveiled Face
[13:18] - The Mirror of the Word
[14:43] - The Implant of the Holy Spirit
[16:00] - Being Doers of the Word
[19:23] - Personal Reflection and Action
[22:36] - Embracing Tests for Growth
[25:18] - The Transformation Journey
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
2. James 1:19-25
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, what is the role of the Spirit in our transformation? How does this relate to the concept of liberty mentioned in the sermon? [05:09]
2. In James 1:19-25, what does it mean to be a "doer of the word" rather than just a "hearer"? How does this concept connect to the idea of looking into a mirror? [16:00]
3. How does 1 Thessalonians 5:23 describe the process of transformation from spirit to soul to body? What does this imply about the nature of spiritual growth? [07:09]
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of behaviors that manifest the infection of sin in our lives? [02:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the Holy Spirit and Jesus within us? What implications does this have for our daily lives? [04:41]
2. The sermon mentions approaching God with an "unveiled face." What does this mean in practical terms, and why is it essential for transformation? [11:37]
3. How does the sermon explain the gradual nature of spiritual transformation? What role do tests and trials play in this process? [23:09]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that external appearances can mask the internal infection of sin? How can this awareness change our approach to spiritual growth? [01:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt uncontrollable anger or discouragement. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform these areas of your life? [02:05]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being honest and exposed before God. What steps can you take this week to approach God with an unveiled face? [11:37]
3. Consider a specific trial or test you are currently facing. How can you view this as an opportunity for spiritual growth and transformation? [23:09]
4. Identify one area in your life where you have been a "hearer" but not a "doer" of the Word. What specific action can you take to change this? [16:00]
5. The sermon compares spiritual transformation to a pregnancy that changes a woman's body. What signs of spiritual growth can you identify in your life, and how can you nurture this growth further? [26:11]
6. Think about a time when you tried to hide your spiritual struggles with external appearances. How can you be more authentic in your spiritual journey moving forward? [01:47]
7. Choose one aspect of your character that you want to transform to be more like Christ. What practical steps will you take this week to work on this transformation? [21:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Acknowledging the Infection Within
The infection of sin is inherent in all of us, distorting our souls and manifesting in various negative behaviors. Acknowledging this infection is the first step toward spiritual transformation. Sin is not just an external act but a condition of the heart that affects our thoughts, emotions, and actions. It is a legacy passed down from our ancestors, and it distorts our relationship with God and others. Recognizing this infection is crucial because it allows us to understand the depth of our need for transformation and the power of the Holy Spirit to heal and restore us. [01:00]
"For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment." (Psalm 51:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: What specific behaviors or attitudes in your life reveal the infection of sin? How can you bring these before God in honest acknowledgment today?
Day 2: Embracing the Spirit for Liberation
The Holy Spirit, as the presence of Jesus within us, is the key to our liberation from sin. By embracing the Spirit, we can experience true freedom and transformation. The Spirit works within us to break the chains of sin, offering us a new way of living that aligns with God's will. This liberation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of surrendering to the Spirit's guidance and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. [05:28]
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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 3:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel bound by sin? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring freedom and transformation in those areas today?
Day 3: Approaching God with Honesty
Approaching God with an unveiled face, fully honest and exposed, is essential for transformation. The Word of God acts as a mirror, revealing our true selves and guiding us toward change. When we come to God without pretense, we allow His Word to penetrate our hearts and reveal areas that need transformation. This honesty is not about shame but about opening ourselves to God's healing and transformative power. [11:37]
"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." (James 1:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What masks or pretenses do you need to remove when approaching God? How can you practice honesty in your relationship with Him today?
Day 4: Embracing Growth Through Trials
Transformation is a gradual process, occurring in levels. Tests and trials are opportunities for growth, pushing us to the next level of spiritual maturity. These challenges are not meant to defeat us but to refine us, much like gold is refined in the fire. As we embrace these trials with faith, we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, developing our character and making us more like Christ. [23:09]
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What current trial or challenge are you facing? How can you view it as an opportunity for spiritual growth and maturity?
Day 5: Taking Action for True Transformation
True transformation requires action. We must not only hear the Word but also act upon it, allowing it to change us from the inside out. This means taking practical steps in response to what God reveals to us through His Word. Transformation is not passive but an active pursuit of aligning our lives with God's will and purpose. [20:14]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror." (James 1:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: What specific action can you take today in response to what God has revealed to you through His Word? How can you ensure that you are not just a hearer but a doer of the Word?
Quotes
you and I when we were born picked up from our parents not only our skin tone and type and racial identity and hair texture and the other things that are part of the physical DNA but they also transfer to us a sin nature a nature that is prone to rebel against the standard of God it's built in and it is known as indwelling Sin it is inside your human nature that has transferred it to your damaged soul that manifest Itself by the activity of our bodies so your body does what your soul says your souls does what your human Spirit has allowed and since the human spirit at Birth is affected and infected by the virus of indwelling sin the soul becomes distorted and the body winds up doing stuff is not supposed to do. [00:32:52]
we try to do external reforming of it but then most of us just try to hide it we try to camouflage it with the way we look the money we have the car we drive the place we live in we try to hide the fact that we have been infected but the infection just keeps showing up it shows up an anger we can't control language that we shouldn't be using that spurts out all the time addictions that take over that we keep hidden in secret discouragement and that rules our lives because of of this infection you may think you're okay but your soul has been distorted and it comes up with all kind of configurations that damage Our Lives. [01:42:47]
the Lord is the spirit and the spirit is the Lord he says that over and over so the name of the spirit we want to focus on is the name the Lord because he says the spirit is the Lord now the Lord refers to Jesus Christ the problem is as we said last time Jesus Christ physically is in heaven he's not physically on Earth but he is spiritually in you if you become a Christian so the spirit is the Lord who is physically in heaven but is spiritually in you so you don't have Jesus you have spiritual Jesus and spiritual Jesus Is In You by means of his agent the holy spirit so if you have the Holy Spirit you have Jesus operating in you okay because the Lord is the spirit. [00:27:23]
Liberty means release from anything or anyone who's holding you illegitimately hostage so if you are being illegitimately bound by something or someone by some habit or some circumstance by some attitude or some action the reason you have the spirit who is Jesus in inside of you is to release you so there is a release mechanism operating inside of you for where the spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty how does this Spirit begin to release you from the infection that we all have how does it begin to set us free by transforming us. [00:49:24]
God's goal is not external Reformation or infection management his goal is spiritual transformation the only way you know that you are growing in your Christian Life is that you are changing if you are not changing it means you are not growing even though you might be shouting until there is change what he calls transformation spiritual development is not occurring because the infection is still operating cuz you're not changing you're still sneezing he says in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 you are transformed from your spirit to your soul to your body. [00:57:37]
the beauty of the New Covenant of the holy spirit's work in the human spirit inside the soul inorder order to change the body is because now you have a built-in power source to kick in addressing the infection of the Soul because he now indwells you which is the anointing so you have now a new Arrangement this new Arrangement is designed to release you free you change you and heal the infection in order to transform you but we all verse 18 with unveiled face you must approach your need for Spiritual transformation with unveiled face. [01:44:48]
he says the reason in the old Covenant that even though they read the Bible they weren't changed is they had a covering over them but if you come to the Lord who is the spirit with an unveiled face what does that mean a willingness to be fully exposed to be fully exposed when you come to him he says you got to remove the veil off of your face cuz I know you playing if you talking to me with a veiled face that means you got a cover up going on and I won't change you if you're covered up. [01:57:20]
he says You must behold as in a mirror the glory of God there it is he says You must come before the mirror the mirror is his word because he says in the previous verse when they read Moses so he's talking about the reading he says You must come before the mirror with an unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord James chapter 1 James chapter 1 talks about the mirror he says in James chapter 1 beginning with verse 19 these words this you know my beloved brethren but everyone must be quick to hear quick to hear what what God's point of view is slow to speak slow to speak what what your point of view is and slow to get anger anger over what that what God says and what you say don't agree. [01:58:44]
prove yourselves to be doers of the word and not hearers who delude themselves for if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror okay here we go with the mirror and once he has looked at himself and gone away he immediately has forgotten the kind of person he was but the one who looks watch this intently because it's a brass mirror you got to work with it who looks intently at the perfect law the law of Liberty and abides in it not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer this man is blessed in what he does. [02:37:56]
if you want to be transformed have your soul saved have the infection dealt with you must come to God with an unveiled face and you must come to the mirror which is his word but don't come like a man who looks at his face and turns away the Greek word for man is the word male don't come like a male to put it another way if you want to be transformed come to the mirror like a female not like a male a male will look see and turn away females don't look see and turn away females hang out in the mirror stay in the mirror Meander in the mirror until they get it right. [02:49:33]
he says if the soul is going to be changed you must come to the word with an unveiled face and when you come there don't be like a man who wants to read it and go hang out there a little bit how long till you see your face in it till you see you yeah see people read the Bible but don't see them he say you hang out look intently James says abide in it until you see God is talking to you not just talking about David not just talking about Solomon but he's talking to you you hang out in that mirror until you get exposed. [02:55:39]
he says you are being transformed from glory to glory okay from one level to the next level in other words your growth is in levels kindergarten first grade second grade third grade fourth grade fifth grade it says that's how this happens it happens in levels the infections not going to disappear tomorrow but you should be getting better you should be going from one level of spirituality to the next level by means of the expansion in the soul so here's how you know that it's time to move to the next level to the next grade level. [03:51:39]
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