Go! And Be Transformed, Trust, And Surrender: A Call To Live Fully For Christ Series

Go! and Be Transformed, Trust, and Surrender:

A Call to Live Fully for Christ

LENT is meant to be a period of reflection, repentance and preparation.

Christians around the world use Lent as a time to remember the journey of Jesus toward the cross, and as an opportunity to examine their own walk with Jesus.

So, this morning, I want to speak to you about three crucial aspects of our faith journey — transformation, trust, and surrender.

These are not just Lenten themes or theological concepts; they are the foundation of what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The message today is simple but challenging: Go! and Be Transformed, Trust, and Surrender.

• We are called to be transformed—not conformed to the world, but renewed by the power of God.

• We are called to trust—not to rely on our own understanding, but to depend on the Lord in every area of life.

• We are called to surrender—not to cling to our own ways, but to take up our cross and follow Jesus.

Let’s turn to God’s Word and allow His truth to shape us today.

1. Go! and Be Transformed

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT): "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome, a city filled with idolatry, immorality, and persecution of Christians.

In the first eleven chapters of Romans, Paul lays out the foundation of the Gospel — the sinfulness of humanity, the saving grace of Jesus, and the righteousness that comes through faith.

Then, in chapter 12, he shifts to application.

Paul pleads with believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices. The Greek word for "plead" here is "pa?a?a??" (parakaló), meaning to urge, to call alongside.

This is not just a suggestion—it is a deep, heartfelt appeal.

In the Old Testament, sacrifices were dead offerings laid on an altar. But here, Paul calls us to be living sacrifices—fully surrendered, fully devoted, fully committed to God.

We need to live the Transformed Life

Paul gives two commands:

1. Do not conform – The world is constantly pressuring us to adopt its values, priorities, and desires. But we are called to stand apart.

2. Be transformed – The Greek word for "transformed" is "µetaµ??f??" (metamorphoó), where we get the word metamorphosis.

Just as a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly, we are called to radically change into the image of Christ.

Imagine a lump of clay in the hands of a potter. If the clay resists, it cannot be shaped. But if it is soft and yielded, the potter can form it into something beautiful.

Are you resisting God's transformation in your life?

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT): "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

When we are in Christ, we are not just improved versions of ourselves—we are new creations!

Pastor & Author John Piper said, "The key to transformation is the renewal of your mind. If you want to be transformed, you must fill your mind with the truth of God’s Word and allow it to shape you."

The renewal of the mind is not a passive process; it is an intentional pursuit of truth.

Too often, we seek transformation through external change—by modifying behaviour, adopting religious habits, or trying harder in our own strength.

But true, lasting transformation begins internally—it starts in the mind and the heart.

Just like the caterpillar being transformed into a butterfly – we are meant to be radically changed - not just a surface-level adjustment but a deep, radical transformation that reshapes us into the image of Christ.

How does this transformation happen? How is the mind renewed?

By filling it with the truth of God’s Word.

When we read the Word of God, when we read the Bible, when we take the time to think and ponder on Scripture, our minds are aligned with God’s wisdom rather than the world’s deception.

When we dwell on the promises of God, fear and doubt are replaced with faith and confidence.

When we focus on the character of Christ, we begin to reflect His love, grace, and holiness.

Psalm 1:2-3 (NLT) affirms this truth: "But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do."