How to Change Your Life

2001013

Topic # 2055

Introduction:

A. 2 Cor. 5:15-21 – Christ died – not so that we could live for ourselves – but for Him & through Him!

1. We have become a new creation in Christ. All things are new – old has passed away.

2. Remember excitement when you first became a Christian?

B. Maybe you are sitting in audience today – been Christian for sometime – but not satisfied w/your Christian life. Maybe you feel more transformation is necessary.

1. Maybe you are not a Christian – knowing that changes need to be made in your life. Today’s lesson will help you understand the importance of turning your life over to Christ.

2. Transformation = a lifelong process! Real change not made overnight or instantaneously.

3. Even though change lifelong – needs to be continued in nature.

4. Sometimes it seems that we hit plateau in Christian life. Maybe this describes you at present.

5. How can a person go to the next level? How can we become the best kind of Christian possible?

C. Today’s lesson will discuss 5 important ways (a blueprint) to help change your spiritual life.

1. Hope you enjoy – and will employ these points – and see significant progress in your spiritual life.

2. We CAN break old habits/patterns/sin problems!

3. God will help us become like Jesus – if we will put forth the effort!

I. Approach Your Christianity With Passion!

A. What in this life are you passionate about?

1. Passionate = a powerful emotion or appetite; ardent adoring love; great enthusiasm for a certain activity; subject, etc.

2. Synonyms: passion, ardor, enthusiasm, fervor, fire, zeal

B. Some passionate about – hobbies (hunting/fishing/golfing); travel; career; financial success; eating; etc. Where does Jesus fit in?

C. Are we passionate in getting life changing truth? When we come to services – life-changing truth is being taught – spiritual food served!

1. How many sit down & vegetate in a pew weekly & come away not having profited?

2. Must come to worship God - & devote ALL OF OUR MIND/BODY to what being taught.

3. Bill Gates here? Telling how to get $1 million? Pay attention? Why not w/God’s eternal riches?

4. Isa. 55:2-3 – principle applicable today. Word of life imparted through Bible teaching. Listen!

5. 2 Cor. 8:7 – abound in everything!

D. We must make sure to take our physical/mental intensity to the next level! We’re not here to go through the motions!

II. Raise Your Personal Expectation!

A. Expect the best!

1. Don’t settle for less. Don’t approach your Christianity & the shortcomings there of w/a spirit of “Oh well, It really doesn’t matter.”

2. Demand a higher standard for yourself. May take being “hard on yourself.”

3. Expect to succeed! Some approach Christian life having already given up before started!

a) They can’t do it or can’t do that.

B. Look to excel in your Christianity! See Paul’s exhortation in 1 Thess. 4:1, 9-10.

1. Excel still more!

2. Rick Pitino: we must remember that the same level of thinking that brought us to where we are today will not take us to where we want to go tomorrow!

3. Eccl. 9:10 – do it w/all your might!

a) Put everything into your Christianity!

b) Don’t be a slacker!

C. Never justified to slack off – b/c of the example of the apostles & FC Christians!

1. Phil. 3:13-15; 4:13-15

2. Nelson Mandella: There is no passion to be found in playing small – in settling for a life that is less than what is capable of living.

III. Harness the Power of Faith!

A. God given each person the ability to be all that he can be!

1. It’s built in – it’s a part of who you are!

2. Note Paul’s statement – Phil. 4:13. Two words, “I can!” Not, “I can’t,” or “I don’t know.”

3. God allows us to dream big dreams – to make a profound difference for good. You can make a difference!

B. Mike Wilson: “Part of the secret to making a difference is replacing your limiting beliefs w/empowering beliefs. You are NOT just a victim of circumstances beyond your control!”

1. Jhn. 5:1-8 – here’s an example of someone limiting themselves.

2. Preoccupied w/finding someone to put him in water – didn’t realize real answer was standing right in front of him!

C. Must understand – spiritually speaking – Jesus is standing right in from of us – if we will only look to Him!

1. Must change our thinking to one of faith in Christ.

2. we have all been conditioned to think in a certain way – but in reality we (you & I) have the ability to accomplish so much

3. If we believe – w/God’s help – to put Christian virtues in action.

4. Lk. 17:3-6

IV. Model Successful Godly Behavior.

A. Success leaves footprints.

1. Do what other successful people do & you will be successful.

2. True in financial realm – as well in spiritual realm!

3. Christians look to Jesus – Heb. 12:1-3

4. Jesus accomplished His spiritual mission – w/His help we can accomplish ours – getting to heaven!

B. Look to brethren – 1 Thess. 5:11

1. Want to do something well in the Lord’s work?

2. Learn as much as you can from someone who does it well.

3. Find someone – ask advice; follow their example!

C. Must also realize the importance of maintaining influence. Someone looking up to you!

V. Decide to succeed at all costs!

A. Successful people are not lucky! Success is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity!

1. We must be planning out our spiritual lives & taking advantage of opportunities when they arise!

B. Successful people do not quit just b/c they make mistakes!

1. Keep on trying. Time after time.

2. Mt. 26:75 – Peter

3. Later b/c one of greatest gospel preachers ever! An apostle who had tremendous impact on others.

C. Do the best you can – let it rip – start making decisions.

1. There isn’t anything you can’t foul up that we can’t fix.

2. This line of thinking has changed lives!

Conclusion:

A. Too many Christians suffer from paralysis of analysis.

B. In our efforts to honorably do God’s work, you’re going to make mistakes.

1. Better to go forward & learn from mistakes than to remain inactive.

C. Be clean on the goals you would like to accomplish - & prayerfully commit yourself to them! Lk. 10:2

D. I N V I T A T I O N



How to Change Your Life 2001013 Topic # 2055 Introduction: A. 2 Cor. 5:15-21 – Christ died – not so that we could live for ourselves – but for Him & through Him! 1. We have become a new creation in Christ. All things are new – old has passed away. 2. Remember excitement when you first became a Christian? B. Maybe you are sitting in audience today – been Christian for sometime – but not satisfied w/your Christian life. Maybe you feel more transformation is necessary. 1. Maybe you are not a Christian – knowing that changes need to be made in your life. Today’s lesson will help you understand the importance of turning your life over to Christ. 2. Transformation = a lifelong process! Real change not made overnight or instantaneously. 3. Even though change lifelong – needs to be continued in nature. 4. Sometimes it seems that we hit plateau in Christian life. Maybe this describes you at present. 5. How can a person go to the next level? How can we become the best kind of Christian possible? C. Today’s lesson will discuss 5 important ways (a blueprint) to help change your spiritual life. 1. Hope you enjoy – and will employ these points – and see significant progress in your spiritual life. 2. We CAN break old habits/patterns/sin problems! 3. God will help us become like Jesus – if we will put forth the effort! I. Approach Your Christianity With Passion! A. What in this life are you passionate about? 1. Passionate = a powerful emotion or appetite; ardent adoring love; great enthusiasm for a certain activity; subject, etc. 2. Synonyms: passion, ardor, enthusiasm, fervor, fire, zeal B. Some passionate about – hobbies (hunting/fishing/golfing); travel; career; financial success; eating; etc. Where does Jesus fit in? C. Are we passionate in getting life changing truth? When we come to services – life-changing truth is being taught – spiritual food served! 1. How many sit down & vegetate in a pew weekly & come away not having profited? 2. Must come to worship God - & devote ALL OF OUR MIND/BODY to what being taught. 3. Bill Gates here? Telling how to get $1 million? Pay attention? Why not w/God’s eternal riches? 4. Isa. 55:2-3 – principle applicable today. Word of life imparted through Bible teaching. Listen! 5. 2 Cor. 8:7 – abound in everything! D. We must make sure to take our physical/mental intensity to the next level! We’re not here to go through the motions! II. Raise Your Personal Expectation! A. Expect the best! 1. Don’t settle for less. Don’t approach your Christianity & the shortcomings there of w/a spirit of “Oh well, It really doesn’t matter.” 2. Demand a higher standard for yourself. May take being “hard on yourself.” 3. Expect to succeed! Some approach Christian life having already given up before started! a) They can’t do it or can’t do that. B. Look to excel in your Christianity! See Paul’s exhortation in 1 Thess. 4:1, 9-10. 1. Excel still more! 2. Rick Pitino: we must remember that the same level of thinking that brought us to where we are today will not take us to where we want to go tomorrow! 3. Eccl. 9:10 – do it w/all your might! a) Put everything into your Christianity! b) Don’t be a slacker! C. Never justified to slack off – b/c of the example of the apostles & FC Christians! 1. Phil. 3:13-15; 4:13-15 2. Nelson Mandella: There is no passion to be found in playing small – in settling for a life that is less than what is capable of living. III. Harness the Power of Faith! A. God given each person the ability to be all that he can be! 1. It’s built in – it’s a part of who you are! 2. Note Paul’s statement – Phil. 4:13. Two words, “I can!” Not, “I can’t,” or “I don’t know.” 3. God allows us to dream big dreams – to make a profound difference for good. You can make a difference! B. Mike Wilson: “Part of the secret to making a difference is replacing your limiting beliefs w/empowering beliefs. You are NOT just a victim of circumstances beyond your control!” 1. Jhn. 5:1-8 – here’s an example of someone limiting themselves. 2. Preoccupied w/finding someone to put him in water – didn’t realize real answer was standing right in front of him! C. Must understand – spiritually speaking – Jesus is standing right in from of us – if we will only look to Him! 1. Must change our thinking to one of faith in Christ. 2. we have all been conditioned to think in a certain way – but in reality we (you & I) have the ability to accomplish so much 3. If we believe – w/God’s help – to put Christian virtues in action. 4. Lk. 17:3-6 IV. Model Successful Godly Behavior. A. Success leaves footprints. 1. Do what other successful people do & you will be successful. 2. True in financial realm – as well in spiritual realm! 3. Christians look to Jesus – Heb. 12:1-3 4. Jesus accomplished His spiritual mission – w/His help we can accomplish ours – getting to heaven! B. Look to brethren – 1 Thess. 5:11 1. Want to do something well in the Lord’s work? 2. Learn as much as you can from someone who does it well. 3. Find someone – ask advice; follow their example! C. Must also realize the importance of maintaining influence. Someone looking up to you! V. Decide to succeed at all costs! A. Successful people are not lucky! Success is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity! 1. We must be planning out our spiritual lives & taking advantage of opportunities when they arise! B. Successful people do not quit just b/c they make mistakes! 1. Keep on trying. Time after time. 2. Mt. 26:75 – Peter 3. Later b/c one of greatest gospel preachers ever! An apostle who had tremendous impact on others. C. Do the best you can – let it rip – start making decisions. 1. There isn’t anything you can’t foul up that we can’t fix. 2. This line of thinking has changed lives! Conclusion: A. Too many Christians suffer from paralysis of analysis. B. In our efforts to honorably do God’s work, you’re going to make mistakes. 1. Better to go forward & learn from mistakes than to remain inactive. C. Be clean on the goals you would like to accomplish - & prayerfully commit yourself to them! Lk. 10:2 D. I N V I T A T I O N