Sermon Central
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Transformational Power Of God
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Aug 12, 2016 (message contributor)
Summary: If we are to experience God, we need to allow Him to change us.
Transformational power of God
Introduction-
We have been in a series looking at practical ways of experiencing God.
During our time of prayer.
During our times of worship.
Knowing what we believe and why we believe it.
And this morning the transforming power of God -Acknowledging that we need to change and we do not have the power in ourselves to make that change. We can be good old boys and girls but we cannot change the way God intends without God doing it.
If we are to truly experience God, we need to change.
Transformation or change has to come from the Lord.
It is supernatural and is much needed if we are going to live the life that God calls the “abundant life”.
Go down and say hi to Ceci and Craig Thomas, thank them for coming. Go to Fred and Amanda Brungart and tell them that I am glad for their friendship. Go over to Karen and Lennard Knorr, 35 year friends that seem to follow me wherever I go. It is not that I am that good a preacher, it must be that they feel sorry for me and then tell them that they are precious to Becky and I.
My point for this is that you by choice decided that you were coming to church this morning. I could not have told you how I feel if you were not here today, and you would not have heard how I feel if you were not here. It would of got lost in should a could a would a of life.
You got up, put on church clothes instead of yard work clothes and came to church.
You came this morning, not because you had nothing else to do. We are all busy and we can always find something to do. You came because it was important and the rest could wait until later.
Some this morning, got up with good intentions, but decided that they would not be here this morning. They will miss what God intended to tell them through the Word and they will miss the fellowship with like-minded believers.
Take vacations, take time away but otherwise determine that you will be in the house of the Lord.
I am saying that we have to look at our lives and ask ourselves if we are becoming more like Christ or more like the world?
God changes us and we can change the world, not allowing the world changing us.
The text this morning is one verse 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, the new is here.”(NIV)
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”(KJV)
Like the KJV better here
Apostle Paul love the term “In Christ”, He uses it often and it means united with Christ through faith in Him.
Redemption is the restoration and fulfillment of God’s purpose for those things that He created.
In Christ, those things He wants to make new because of man’s fallen nature. Humanity fallen under Adam and in Christ resurrected because of Christ.
The words transform, transformation are thrown around carelessly.
Change is always a key word of a speech.
Every politician says that we need change and yet gets vague on how he/she is going to do it.
We get excited to hear about change, but we are not excited when it comes to changing.
3 thoughts for you to consider
1. What is the biblical definition of transformation?
2. What does a transformed person of God look like and do?
3. Do you want to be that transformed person?
Let’s begin with what does the Bible say about transformation?
Transformation means change or renewal.
From a biblical definition it would be a life that no longer conforms to the ways of the world and desires to please God instead of yourself and others.
The verse we looked at last week would fit here.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship.” Do not conform 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.”
A renewing of our mind-Thinking different, pleasing God instead of self. (That goes over well)
Empowered by the Holy Spirit instead of doing things in our own strength. (Pride)
We see that biblical transformation comes from one source- Holy Spirit of God.
“ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
