Our guest speakers and artists during the Youth Sunday
TRANSORMED AND CONFORMED
Conforming …. to be like someone or something
Transforming … changing the condition of something. We are being transformed to be Christ-like.
Romans 12 : 1-2 ” I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of GOD, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to GOD, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Ephesians 4:23-24 ….and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of GOD in true righteousness and holiness.
ABOUT TRANSFORMATION
Our hearts and our behaviours experiences internal and external transformation.
There is an ignorance or willful suppresion of the truth of GOD (Romans 1:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:5 and Ephesians 4:22) and a hardness of heart (Ephesians 4:17-18 and John 7:17).
In order to be transformed and not conformed, our minds need to be renewed.
Transformation is the triumphant power of the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ working in our hearts.
It is worthy, blood bought and Spirit Convicted from the inside out. It has to start from inside to out.
10 THINGS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US TO BE TRANSFORMED TO CHRIST-LIKENESS
- GOD gives us HIS Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:7 ” For GOD gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.”
GOD gives us 3 parts of HIMSELF to transform us- power to live for HIM
-a love that motivates us to choose his ways - self-control over our selfish impulses.
Often the wrong kind of fear rules us because its a fear that drives to please men rather GOD. Fear that prevents us from trusting GOD when HE calls us to step into something new.
We become transformed when we know that GOD’s power resides within us, HIS love for us and HIS self control a gift of the Holy Spirit guides us.
- power to live for HIM
- GOD guides us into Truth.
John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but He hears He will speak and He will declare to you the things that are to come.
GOD’s Spirit helps us understand GOD’s truth in order for us to live righteous lives. HIS heart is written on ours as we read the Bible and meditate on the truths within the pages. GOD will guide us into right living because we are righteous in GOD’s eyes.
Let HIM guide us, one step, one experience, one momentat a time.
Let your days be marked by tiny moments of transformation as you follow HIM forward into HIS principles. - GOD brings us from darkness into Light.
John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
In order to be a light in the world, we must be transformed. If we attempt to stay in the dark while living for Christ, we will end up conforming to the world rather being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. Transformation brings us from darkness to light and in turn causes us to be lights in the darkness around us. It enables us to choose love and kindness over hatred and slander. - GOD gives us wisdom
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask GOD, who gives generously to all without reproach and it will be given to him.
What does wisdom look like, and how does it affect whether we are transformed or conformed??????????
GOD’s wisdom looks different from the world’s. If you follow the world’s wisdom in trying to live like Christ, frustration and futility will be your result.
James 3:17 ” GOD’s wisdom is pure, peacable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
This type of wisdom-GOD’s wisdom- will transform us from inside out. - Accept responsibility for renewing your mind in order to be transformed and not conformed.
Psalm 119: 59-60 ” When I think on my own ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commands.”
Let us get rid of selfish attitudes, negative ways of thinking and self-exalting thoughts. Guard your mind;what you put in is what you think about. What are you watching, reading or listening to??????
Its not about rules and restrictions, but about whats going to help you be transformed. Read your Bible so you know what GOD thinks so that your mind can be renewed. - Filter your thoughts
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
A renewed mind leads to transformed actionsfdg. The 8 things in this verse help up filter what we are thinking about. Is it true??? If you say yes, then ask yourself is it honorable???
For an example, imagine a difficult brethren, and you think, ” That person is so rude.” This might be true, but what does that thought the brethren ??? If not, then that thought needs transformation. - Capture your thoughts.
2 Corinthians 10:5 “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of GOD, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
A RENEWED MIND = TRANSFORMATION.
Capture those thoughts and turn it unto a thought that obeys Christ. Refering to our fellow rude brethren, if we pray that GOD would touch his heart and give us compassion for them…….we just capture our thoughts to obey Christ. - Fix our eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are sorrounded by so great a cloud of witness, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of GOD.
If we want to be transformed and not conformed and stay in the transformation, then we must fix our eyes on the right thing. The world is not. Jesus is!!!!
Our eyes needs to be so fastened on Him that all we will see is His love, His faithfulness, His concern, and His promise to never leave you or forsake you and eternity. He will guide you, carry you,and make a way as you fix your eyes on Him. - Memorize Scripture
GOD reveals HIMSELF by the WORD.[ 1Samuel 3:21] As Proverbs 25:11 says, we are able to speak life in lives of people if know the word of GOD. Will open evn more doors and help us in outreach.
Actually for Jesus to put Stan to flight HE used the word [ Matthew4:1-11]
Paul aslo calls us to use the word as the sword of the Spirit in GOD’s armor [Ephesians 6:17] and the Psalmist stored up GOD’s word in his heart that he might not sin against GOD … Psalm 119:9 ” How can a young man keep his way pure ???
By guarding it according to your word.”
When we know GOD’s word, we are able to meditate on GOD’s attributes and to give HIM thanks, admiration and love.
Our minds get washed in the word so we can live the word as transfomed people.n - Make Jesus your LORD
Romans 10:9 “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is LORD and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Jesus is our Saviour, but He is our LORD. Do you allow Him full access to your heart as a ruler over you??? He saves you, but he wants to lead you too. Submit to Him. Surrender to His will and His ways in your life.
Now
the key for being transformed begins in our mind and heart. What we think about leads what we do.
GOD’s point of view … right thinking… leads to how Jesus would respond …right actions … which then leads to right feelings.
Transformed living means that we first change our thinking so that our behaviours change, and then our feelings and lifestyle will follow.
as you allow the Spirit of GOD to transform you inside out, you become a beautiful reflection of GOD to a weary world : a life full of blessings and favours no matter where you go…. no matter your job…. your family… your society etc….