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CHANGE. Much said about it “Change agents” leading away from divine pattern. Yet, scripture demands change – the right kind Peter preached change on Pentecost; Acts 2:38; cf. 3:19 Some refuse to change; Matthew 13:15 Consider some changes that need to be made:. CHANGE OF HEART.
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CHANGE • Much said about it • “Change agents” leading away from divine pattern. • Yet, scripture demands change – the right kind • Peter preached change on Pentecost; Acts 2:38; cf. 3:19 • Some refuse to change; Matthew 13:15 • Consider some changes that need to be made:
CHANGE OF HEART • Heart not properly guided is “deceitful above all things”; Jeremiah 17:9; 10:23 • Fully set to do evil; Eccl.8:11 • Live and walk in lust; Ephesians 2:2-3 • Separates from God; Isaiah 59:1-2 • Brings wrath and judgment of God; Rom.1:18; 2:5; Jno.12:48 • Ezra 7:10 “prepared his heart…” • Actions proceed from the heart; Lk.6:45; Matt.15:18-20` • Repentance a must; Rom.2:4; 2 Cor.7:10; Lk.13:3,5; Acts 17:30
CHANGE IN CHARACTER • Fruit meet for repentance (Matt.3:8) ; marg., “answerable to amendment of life”; cf. also I Pet.3:11-12 • Newness of life; Rom.6:1-4, 13, 16; 2 Cor.5:17; Col.3:1-2; Rom.12:1-2
CHANGE IN RELATIONSHIP • Forsake ways of world; I Jno.2:15-17; Rom.12:2 • Child of God; I Jno.3:1; Col.1:13; I Pet.2:9-10 • In Christ; Gal.3:26-29 • Access to all spiritual blessings; Eph.1:3
CHANGE IN PURPOSE • On the Lord’s side; in His army; Matt.12:30; 2 Cor.10:3-4; Eph.6:10-17; I Tim.1:18-19 • Characterized by love, mercy, compassion; Heb.12:11-13; Jas.2:15-17; Gal.6:2 • Bear fruit for God; Rom.7:4; Gal.5:22-24 • Lead others to Christ; Matt.28:18-20 • Glorify God in the church; Eph.3:21; I Pet.4:11b • Set for the defense of the gospel; Phil.1:17
CONCLUSION • “Change” – not exclusively bad, or good • Advocate and allow only those changes authorized. • Do you need to make some changes today in your heart, character, relationship, purpose?