Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2….

“Do not conform any longerto 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 transformationlies 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 whomI 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 megain power to live life as Jesus

taught and modeled it.”(John Ortberg)

God’s desire is that we wouldBE TRANSFORMED into the

image of Jesus, bearing the fruitof 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 thefruit of the Spirit,

you’re in need ofCHANGE and GROWTH.

B) Spiritual Disciplines Aren’t A Measure Of Your

Spirituality

Luke 18:9-12 Praying or reading your Bible

doesn’t automaticallymake you more spiritual.

And it doesn’t affecthow much God loves you!

C) Spiritual Disciplines Are Tools To Help Us

Change And Grow

Romans 12:2…. “Do not conform any longerto 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 beingTRANSFORMED

– inside out.

…. As we cooperate with theworking 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?

“(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….

John 15:4,5….

…. Neither can you bear fruitunless you remain in me.

(v.5) ‘I am the vine; you arethe branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear

much fruit; apart from meyou can do nothing.” (NIV)

“(v.2) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up inyour salvation, (v.3)now that you havetasted that theLord is good.” (NIV)

1 Peter 2:2,3….

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory

due his name. Bring an offering

and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of

hisholiness.” (NIV)

1 Chronicles 16:29….

“For we are God's workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God

prepared in advancefor us to do.” (NIV)

Ephesians 2:10….

“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)

Exodus 20:24….

What is“Fellowship Offering?”

This sacrifice celebratedcovering 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 thingsin 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

“(v.19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name ofthe Father and of the Son andof the Holy Spirit, (v.20) and

teaching them to obeyeverything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the

age.” (NIV)

Matthew 28:19,20….

means MORE THANbringing people

to a decision for Christ!

It means CONTINUINGto deal with them,

teach them, and inspire them until they become so filled

with delight in studyingGod’s Word that they will

continue to bedisciples (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, “IntimacyWith 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

likea herd of cattle on a stampede

than a flock of God beside greenpastures and still waters.”

Let us make a consciousdecision to cultivate

in our lives in 2012.