Romans 12:2
Romans 12:2….
“Do not conform any longer
to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and
approve what God's will is – his
good, pleasing and perfect will.”
(NIV)
“The Christian gospel insists that
transformation … really is
possible. Never easy. Rarely quick.
But possible… It begins to happen
anytime people become intensely
serious about learning from Jesus
how to arrange their lives.”
John Ortberg,
‘The Life You’ve Always Wanted’
“The desire for transformation
lies deep in
every human heart…”
(John Ortberg)
reflects the heart of God,
and His desire for our lives
to be transformed.
Galatians 4:19….
“My dear children, for whom
I am again in the pains of
childbirth until Christ
is formed in you.” (NIV)
“My little children, for whom
I am again suffering birth pangs
until Christ is completely and
permanently formed (molded)
within you!” (Amplified Bible)
How do we experience this
transformation?
How do we grow?
“Any activity that can help me
gain power to live life as Jesus
taught and modeled it.”
(John Ortberg)
God’s desire is that we would
BE TRANSFORMED into the image
of Jesus, bearing the fruit
of the Spirit in our lives.
How could this happen?
This happens as we
ENGAGE in the
A) Spiritual Disciplines Help Us
Become More Like Jesus
Galatians 5:19-21a
Galatians 5:22a
This is
If you lack the
fruit of the Spirit,
you’re in need of
CHANGE and GROWTH.
B) Spiritual Disciplines
Aren’t A Measure Of Your
Spirituality
Luke 18:9-12
Praying or reading your Bible
doesn’t automatically
make you more spiritual.
And it doesn’t affect
how much God loves you!
C) Spiritual Disciplines
Are Tools To Help Us
Change And Grow
Romans 12:2….
“Do not conform any longer
to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind….” (NIV)
As we read our Bible, pray, worship,
serve God, etc.
– we are being
TRANSFORMED
– inside out.
…. As we cooperate with the
working and leading
of the Holy Spirit within us.
Philippians 1:6….
“Being confident of this,
that he who began a good work
in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of
Christ Jesus.”
(NIV)
• John 14:23-26
require ENGAGEMENT.
ENGAGEMENT means to
“intentionally doing things.”
What are the
things that
we can
intentionally
do?
Why are they helpful for
“transformation”
and growth in our life?
John 15:4,5….
“(v.4) Remain in
me, and I will
remain in you.
No branch can
bear fruit by
itself; it must
remain in the
vine. ….
John 15:4,5….
…. Neither can you bear fruit
unless you remain in me.
(v.5) ‘I am the vine; you are
the branches. If a man remains
in me and I in him, he will bear
much fruit; apart from me
you can do nothing.” (NIV)
1 Peter 2:2,3….
“(v.2) Like newborn babies, crave
pure spiritual milk, so that by it
you may grow up in
your salvation, (v.3)
now that you have
tasted that the
Lord is good.” (NIV)
1 Chronicles 16:29….
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory
due his name. Bring an offering
and come before him; worship
the LORD in the splendor of his
holiness.” (NIV)
Ephesians 2:10….
“For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God
prepared in advance
for us to do.” (NIV)
Exodus 20:24….
“Make an altar of earth for me
and sacrifice on it your burnt
offerings and fellowship
offerings, your sheep and goats
and your cattle. Wherever I cause
my name to be honored, I will
come to you and bless you.”
(NIV; cf. Exodus 29:28;
Leviticus 19:5; Numbers 6:17)
What is
“Fellowship Offering?”
This sacrifice celebrated
covering of sin,
forgiveness by God, and the
restoration of a right and
meaningful relationship
with God and with life itself
(Judges 20:26; 21:4).
“koinonia”
The sharing of things
in common with another.
…. has a distinctly spiritual
meaning – believers have
FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
(Father, Son, and Holy Spirit –
John 17:21-26; Phil.2:1; 1 John 1:3),
WITH OTHER BELIEVERS
(Acts 2:42; 1 John 1:3,7).
A FELLOWSHIP with one another
that ought to illustrate the
very nature of God Himself
(John 13:35; Ephesians 5:1,2;
1 John 1:5-10) ….
• to ENCOURAGE
• to BUILD UP
• to EDIFY
Matthew 28:19,20….
“(v.19) Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, (v.20) and
teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded
you. And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the
age.” (NIV)
means MORE THAN
bringing people
to a decision for Christ!
It means CONTINUING
to deal with them,
teach them, and inspire them
until they become so filled
with delight in studying
God’s Word that they will
continue to be
disciples (learners)
for the rest of their lives.
Philippians 3:10….
“I want to know Christ and the
power of his resurrection and
the fellowship of sharing in his
sufferings, becoming like him...”
Charles Swindoll, “Intimacy
With The Almighty” says….
“Tragically, very little in this
hurried and hassled age promotes
such intimacy. We have become a
body of people who look more like
a herd of cattle on a stampede
than a flock of God beside green
pastures and still waters.”
Let us make a conscious
decision to cultivate
in our lives in 2012.