Transformation

Pastor Allan Kircher Associate Pastor Shell Point Baptist Church

“Be Transformed”

INTRODUCTION

1. In Ro 12:1-2, Paul makes the following plea regarding transforming our lives:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve of God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2. As we consider this text, several questions come to mind...

a. What does it mean to be transformed?

b. What is the goal of transformation?

c. What should motivate us to undergo transformation?

d. What does one do in order to experience transformation?

Starting with the first question ("What does it mean to be transformed?") let’s consider . . .

I. THE DEFINITION OF TRANSFORMATION

A. THE WORD...

1. The Greek word is metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo’-o)

to change into another form"

a. From which comes the word "metamorphosis"

b. Used to describe a change of form (e.g., when a caterpillar

becomes a butterfly)

2. In the NT, this word is used to describe:

What happened to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration -Mt 17:1-2

What happened to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration? Jesus took Peter, James and John the brother of James and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. They were transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. What an amazing sight!

b. this is what is to happen to Christians in their service to God Ro12:1-2

B. THE CONCEPT...

1. The idea being commanded by Paul is this:

a. Christians are "to undergo a complete change, which under

the power of God, will find expression in character and

conduct"

b. we who are "caterpillars" are to become "butterflies"

2. Note that Paul uses the passive voice

a. Indicating that "transformation" is something we allow to be

done to us

b. Not something we do by our own power alone

c. Rather, we submit to God’s power and by His grace...

1) We are "changed into another form"

2) We become a "new creation" - cf. 2Co 5:17

But this leads us to our second question "What is the goal of

transformation?"

II. THE GOAL OF TRANSFORMATION

A. TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST...

1. As expressed by Paul - 2Co 3:18

2. As predestined by God - Ro 8:29 God has already chosen us.

3. The purpose of being a disciple (to become like his teacher)

- Lk 6:40

4. The goal of Christian living - Col 3:9-10 Our new self now strives and renews to be in the image of our Creator.

B. TO LIVE LIKE CHRIST...

1. To present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable to

God

a. Is this not what Jesus did on earth? - He 10:5

b. So we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices - Ro 12:1

2. To prove that God’s will is good, acceptable, and perfect

a. Was this not Jesus sought to do on earth? - cf. Jn 6:38

b. So we are to demonstrate that God’s will is right - Ro 12:2

Such is the goal of being transformed; indeed, it is the goal of being

a Christian! Yet why do many never experience the transformation God

offers? Why do they remain "caterpillars"? Perhaps they lack the

proper motivation.

III. THE MOTIVATION FOR TRANSFORMATION

A. THE MERCIES OF GOD...

1. In our text, Paul appealed to transformation based on God’s

mercies - Ro 12:1

2. What mercies of God had Paul discussed earlier in his epistle?

a. Freedom from sin - Ro 6:16-18 Don’t be slaves to sin!!!!

b. Gift of eternal life - Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death!!!

c. Peace with God - Ro 5:1 Since we have been justified through faith!!!

d. Access to the grace of God - Ro 5:2 We have gained access into His grace!

Titus 2:11-14 for the grace of God brings…………..

e. Saved from the wrath of God Ro 5:9How much more should we be saved?

-- Should not God’s mercy move us to repent and seek

transformation? - cf. Ro 2:4-5

B. THE LOVE OF CHRIST...

1. Elsewhere, Paul revealed the motivating power of the love of

Christ - 2Co 5:15

2. Such love compelled Paul to live for Jesus Ga 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

-- Does not the love of Christ move us to live FOR Him and LIKE