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Part Three Changed by the Gospel

Part Three Changed by the Gospel. A Moment. An identifiable place in history Received the Gospel – John 1:12 Became “Born Again” – John 3:16 The Door – John 10:9 New Life – John 10:10 Saves us – Romans 10:9 Escaping Sin’s Penalty – Romans 8:2. A Process. A Question.

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Part Three Changed by the Gospel

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  1. Part ThreeChanged by the Gospel

  2. A Moment • An identifiable place in history • Received the Gospel – John 1:12 • Became “Born Again” – John 3:16 • The Door – John 10:9 • New Life – John 10:10 • Saves us – Romans 10:9 • Escaping Sin’s Penalty – Romans 8:2

  3. A Process

  4. A Question • Christians aren't perfect…. Just forgiven • So why don’t people change straight away? • Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18 • Law and Works vs Grace • Ephesians 2:4-9

  5. Law • We don’t change • We live a double life • We force ourselves to change • Others tell us how to behave

  6. Grace • God performs a miracle • Colossians 1:13-15 • God speaks to us • Through His Word • Through others • Hebrews 12:25 • God works in us • Philippians 2:12-17

  7. Change “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

  8. Change People come to church because they need change • Behaviour • Marriage • Financial situation • Depression If there is NO change…….?

  9. Identity • We behave according to our thought patterns • Proverbs 23:7 • If we change country, we chose to adopt the manners and customs of that country • Can a leopard change his spots? • Become righteous • 2 Corinthians 5:21 • If we allow God’s Word to work in us • Romans 12:2

  10. Identity • Accepted • People try to gain acceptance by performance • Order is acceptance, then obedience • John 8:11 • 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 • Empowered • God works in and through us • Colossians 1:29, Philippians 2:12-13

  11. My Heart • It needs to change • Jeremiah 17:9 • Our heart can betray us • Luke 6:45 • Changing the heart changes behaviour • Proverbs 23:7 • Protecting our heart protects us from sin • Proverbs 4:23

  12. Our Hearts • Bible speaks of 3 kinds of heart • Wayward • Hard • Idolatrous • In modern terminologies we would say this • Always pursues happiness • Resists rules but receives the Gospel • Worships what it thinks will satisfy most

  13. Happiness All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of man. • Blaise Pascal, “Pensees”

  14. Happiness • While we pursue happiness, we set our sights too low… CS Lewis • Augustine of Hippo described the pursuit of happiness as and endless pursuit of wine, women and song, but left him empty till he found Christ

  15. Happiness “The fallen self cannot know itself. We do not know who we are and will search for identity in someone or something other than God until we find ourselves in Him” Leanne Payne – “The Broken Image”

  16. Happiness • Augustine claimed that the Gospel did all the hard work for him. He is happy who possess God. What sure rest is there apart from You? Thus, the soul commits adultery when it turns from You and seeks these things that it cannot find except in You. These inferior pleasures are not equal to You, my God, Who has made them all. Oh Lord, You made us for Yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee

  17. Resists Rules but Receives the Gospel • People don’t like being told what to do • The Gospel breaks through this hardness • Giving - 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 • Forgiveness – Matt 6:14-15 • Racism – Paul confronting Peter Gal 2:14-16 • Husbands and Wives – Ephesians 5:24-26

  18. Idolatry • John warns of coming idolatry • We all need identity, purpose and significance • Media gives ideas how we can achieve these • Money • Success • Sex • Sport “I have 10 lonely seconds to justify my significance” Harold Abrahams – Chariots of Fire

  19. Idolatry David Powlinson says this We rarely say “I am going to set my heart on this thing and let it completely control my life”, but that is exactly what happens. The person you met and mildly enjoyed becomes the person you cannot live without. The work you undertook to support your family becomes the source of identity and achievement you cant give up. The house you built for shelter and comfort becomes a temple for the worship of possessions. A rightful attention to your own needs morphs into a self-absorbed existence.

  20. Idolatry • Our hearts were designed to worship • It pursues that which it things will bring satisfactions • People write songs and poems about this

  21. The Gospel • The Bible calls us to change • Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 4:17-24

  22. The Gospel • James 4:7-10 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

  23. Changed by the Gospel

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