Change (Part 2) Series

Introduction

· Last week we discussed that one constant in our lives should be change.

· As a Christian, we should not fear change but embrace it. Change is a sign of growth. Change takes place by renewing our mind. We renew our mind on the Word of God.

· The battle of change is fought in the mind. We must set our mind on the thing of Christ Jesus. God have given you the power to change according to His Word. Just do it, don’t wait.

· Change is a process. One reason people don’t change is because they are afraid they can’t change; however, every person has the power to change.

· We must ask God to give you a strong desire to want to change, and He will.

· Let us look at a few scriptures this morning and continual to change by the Word of God.

A. Change is possible.

1. In order to change, we must change our mind, ideas & attitudes.

(NKJV) Romans 12 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

a. We must align our thinking with God’s Word.

2. Begin to make small changes to develop your confidence and trust in the Word of God.

3. Change needs to become a lifestyle for the Believer.

a. Change starts on the inside (our heart).

b. We have the power to change ourselves according to the Word.

4. Let the Holy Spirit direct and help you change.

5. We can’t change other people, but we can change our self.

B. You must want to change.

(NKJV) Mark 11 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

1. God can’t move until you really want change.

2. This morning, how bad do you want change?

3. We must desire to change like we desire to breathe.

4. Example of a man who had an infirmity for 38 years.

(NKJV) John 5 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

And that day was the Sabbath.

a. (KJV) say verse 4 … 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

b. The greatest change often occurs in the midst of trouble, unrest and turbulence; but if we’re going to have a better future, we must step into troubled water. (You are not alone!)

c. We need to change some things we’ve become accustomed to.

C. Some people don’t want to change.

1. Fear that they can’t change.

a. Fear paralyzes people from changing.

b. Know that we have the power to change.

(NKJV) 2 Timothy 1 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2. Change can be perceived as an admission of weakness.

a. People don’t want to admit their weaknesses, so they think they don’t need to change.

b. A person who wants to be like Jesus should look to change as a strength, not a weakness.

c. Change is a challenge that God helps us through.

3. People are lazy and like the status quo.

a. Sometimes, you have to stir things up in order to initiate change in your life.