Sermon Notes
We don’t change ________________, rather…
- God's ____________empowers us
A.) By ____________ through ____________
B.) To put _________ and put_________
- God's ___________renews us
A.) Transformed___________
B.) __________________ &__________________
- God's ______________walk with us
A.) Faith is ________________, not________________
B.) We ___________ one another
Going Deeper
-Consider these words from Jay Adams: “[T]oo many Christians give up. They want the change too soon. What they really want is change without the daily struggle. Sometimes they give up when they are on the very threshold of success. They stop before receiving. It usually takes at least three weeks of proper daily effort for one to feel comfortable in performing a new practice. And it takes about three more weeks to make the practice part of oneself. Yet, many Christians do not continue even for three days. If they do not receive instant success, they get discouraged. They want what they want now, and if they don’t get it now, they quit.”
-Do you agree or disagree? What has your own experience been like when you’ve tried to implement change in your life?
-Read Ephesians 2:1-10. How do verses 1-3 describe our spiritual condition? What are we able to contribute to our own salvation? According to these verses, what does God have to do for us?
-Read Philippians 1:6 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. Once we’re saved, who takes responsibility for making us holy (sanctifying us)?
-Read Isaiah 64:6. When we try to do good deeds in our own strength, what is the result?
-What does it look like to trust the Holy Spirit to change us? (consider Romans 8:1-13; Ephesians 4:17-5:2)
-What does it look like for you to put to death the deeds of your flesh? (What do you think the Holy Spirit wants to change in you next?)
-Read Romans 13:14. How are you currently making provision for the flesh? What drastic action might you need to take to leave no space for your flesh to operate?
-Who is someone you can talk to who will help keep you accountable to the change God wants you to make? When will you talk to him/her?
