Today, we began a new series titled, “Freedom!” that is
about our transition out of slavery to the sin and the world to freedom in
Christ. In this first week, we discussed
the importance of embracing positive change in our lives as well as the various
enemies that will attempt to stop us from changing.
People around you don’t want you to change. There
are a couple main reasons. First, it forces them to either to change themselves
or to admit they are unwilling (or think they are unable) to do so. The second
reason is that it messes with their nice little box with a label that they’ve
put you in. If you change, it messes with their world. When they put labels on
you, they will define what you can or cannot do based on that label (that THEY
gave you). There is only one label that is important for us – the label given
to us by God as his beloved children!
The biggest hindrance to our changing and growing
in Christ is usually us. We have many reasons why we are unable or unwilling to
change. Change is uncomfortable. God wants us, as we grow in our knowledge of
Him, to realize it is simply uncomfortable NOT to change. Changing can certainly be uncomfortable, even
painful. Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word (the thing that does the changing in
us) is sharp and cuts and divides the things inside of us that need cutting and
dividing. Understand that God does not use a machete or hatchet but instead a double-edged
blade that is fine and precise. Verse 13 goes on to tell us that we are accountable
for what we accomplish in this life – and what we accomplish is directly
related to whether, and to what extent we allow the Word to change us into His
image.
We also looked at 2 Peter 1:3-11. In this passage
we are again exhorted to allow the Word to make us into His image so that we
can be fruitful and productive in accomplishing His work. Don’t allow the flesh and others to convince
you to jump of the train to your change before it reaches its destination. This
summer we are taking a trip to a better us. As we continue this series, God
will be showing us not just what things in us need to be changed, but how to do
it.
To listen to the entire sermon go to http://ahwatukeechurch.com/ and click on
online media. To learn more about Living
Word Ahwatukee, visit http://ahwatukeechurch.com/.
