Romans 7:15, 19, 24 (NLT) I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. … I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. … Oh, what a miserable person I am!…
Truth: Through God’s power, change is possible.
• Real change isn’t behavior modification.
• Real change is spiritual transformation.
Romans 7:24-25 (NLT) …Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…
The process God uses to change us:
Phase I: Concern
Job 30:27 (NLT) My heart is troubled and restless.
• I cooperate with God’s process by being alert to his voice.
Job 33:1319 (NIV) For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it. In a dream… as they slumber… (or) he may speak in their ears…with warnings… Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress…
Phase II: Crisis
Psalm 38:4, 8 (NIV) My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. … I am feeble and utterly crushed.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (TLB) God sometimes uses sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin.
• I cooperate with God’s process by accepting his comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Phase III: Choice
Job 34:34 (TLB) We choose the sounds we want to listen to; we choose the taste we want in food, and we should choose to follow what is right.
• I cooperate with God’s process by asking him for courage.
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up…
Phase IV: Comprehension
Roman 12:2 (NCV) …be changed within by a new way of thinking.
• I cooperate with God’s process by applying the Word.
2 Timothy 3:16 (TLB) The whole Bible…is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.
James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Phase V: Conduct
James 2:17 (NIV) Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
• I cooperate with God’s process by anticipating his help.
Phase VI: Commitment to Continue
Ephesians 4:23 (TLB) …your attitudes and thoughts must be constantly changing.
• I cooperate with God’s process by adhering to his plan.
Galatians 6:9 (TLB) Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.
Philippians 1:6 (NIV) Be confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Growing Deeper Together
Use these points throughout the week as part of your quiet time, in your small group, or over coffee with a friend to help you apply what you learned in today’s message.
• What is one area of your life that you’ve tried in the past to change but haven’t been able to?
Ask yourself: Do you believe that God has the power to help you make this change? Is that a truth you believe?
• Think about it: What is something that you’ve turned over to God for help on and you can clearly see his work in the result?
Act on it: Read Romans 6:17-19. Think of your “before & after.” Remember where you were and what God has brought you through. Praise him for his love and truth that saves you from a life of sin and bondage!
• Share your God story! Encourage others with your experience.
Go to northpointe.org/stories and tell us what God has done in your life so it can be used as an encouragement to others. Ask God to show you who you can share with in person as well.
Sunday
Milburn | 9:00am & 11:00am
Online | 9:00am & 11:00am
Español | 9:00am
Kerman | 10:00am
Bullard | 9:00am
Wednesday | 6:30pm
