Transformational Ministry

1
Transformational Ministry

• Part 6. Revelation

All Bible quotations are NKJV unless otherwise
noted.
2
Overview of Transformation

• Five Rs
• Regeneration
• Revelation
• Repentance
• Restitution
• Renewing of the mind

3
Two Types of Sin

• Superficial change soon after becoming Christian
• Besetting (fortress) sins deeply-rooted in our
  character (2 Cor. 104, NKJV)
• for the weapons of our warfare are not of the
  flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction
  of fortresses.
• Over time, we return to old patterns
• Why?
• We are comfortable with them
• They work we can survive

4
Transformation Requires a New World View

• Rom. 122
• And do not be conformed to this world, but be
  transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
  you may prove what is that good and acceptable
  and perfect will of God.
• Eph. 422-24 discusses putting off and putting on
• that you put off, concerning your former conduct,
  the old man which grows corrupt according to the
  deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of
  your mind, and that you put on the new man which
  was created according to God, in true
  righteousness and holiness.
• Thats what renewing of the mind is
• Its a process, not a one-time event
• Its what we mean by sanctification

5
The Cycle of Renewal

• Acts 2618a, 20b
• to open their eyes, in order to turn them from
  darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to
  God
• that they should repent, turn to God, and do
  works befitting repentance
• Revelation is largely the churchs responsibility

6
The Flesh is Our Constant Enemy

• When a person comes to Christ, he still has the
  old flesh
• When will it go away?
• Upon death, or Jesus return
• See Romans 724, 823
• O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me
  from this body of death?
• Not only that, but we also who have the
  firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
  groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the
  adoption, the redemption of our body.
• The normal Christian life is a constant battle
  Rom. 7-8
• There is no quick fix

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How Do We Progress?

• Revelation from the Word of God
• Not simply memorizing scripture or learning
  doctrine
• Growth comes through our experience of God (Eph.
  314-19)
• 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father
  of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole
  family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He
  would grant you, according to the riches of His
  glory, to be strengthened with might through His
  Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell
  in your hearts through faith that you, being
  rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to
  comprehend with all the saints what is the width
  and length and depth and height 19 to know the
  love of Christ which passes knowledge that you
  may be filled with all the fullness of God.

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Our View of God is Important

• An Egyptian taskmaster demanding obedience and
  nothing else
• Proud and loving father
• He is pleased when we obey but doesnt disown us
  when we dont
• He brings us through difficulties to transform us
  to the image of Christ
• He knows whats better for us
• God calls Job My servant Job, but Job has
  flawed views of God
• He wants our love, not just our obedience
• God would rather see a dirty face than a clean
  back

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Result of Right View of God

• We react by wanting to take off the dirty shirt
• We are thankful that God pointed out the dirty
  shirt
• We are not shocked and embarrassed
• We dont wonder what others will think
• We dont wonder what God will think
• To make progress, we seek Gods help in time of
  need
• Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of
  grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to
  help in time of need. Heb. 416
• God is not surprised by our sin
• Jesus knew Peter would deny Him, but prayed that
  his faith would not fail
• We may be surprised (thats the nature of
  revelation)
• We seek Christian brothers/sisters and God for
  help

10
Healing Involves Denyingthe Flesh

• Definition of healing free to serve others (Gal.
  513)
• For you, brethren, have been called to liberty
  only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the
  flesh, but through love serve one another.
• We have a choice
• Serve ourselves
• Serve God by serving others

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The choice is not easy

• There is enmity between Spirit and flesh (Gal.
  516-17)
• 16 I say then Walk in the Spirit, and you shall
  not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the
  flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit
  against the flesh and these are contrary to one
  another, so that you do not do the things that
  you wish.
• The word translated contrary indicates
  deep-seated hostility
• Our flesh is antagonized every time we make a
  spiritual decision

12
Two Engines

• A Christian has two engines in him flesh and
  Spirit (before Christ he had only one)
• The two sources fight for control, but only the
  driver can decide
• He exercises the choice through the transmission,
  the will
• Gal. 516 urges not to shift into flesh gear

13
The Nature of the Flesh

• Do not fulfill the lust of the flesh
• Lust is a strong word involving craving If I
  dont get that, Ill die
• Example of alcoholics one more drink and
  everything will be OK
• Flesh is deceptive it never has enough
• Capitalism is built on that deception a promise
  of satisfaction it cannot deliver
• The flesh deceives that a little bit will be
  enough

14
The Experience of Flesh vs. Spirit

• The desires of the flesh are intense
• We are never free from them while in this body
• People do not want to make a decision they are
  not at peace with
• We are often not at peace with godly decisions
  they involve crucifying the flesh
• But godly decisions lead to a peace that passes
  all understanding
• Flesh can be the most immediate desire
• The desires of the Spirit are deeper (Rom. 722)
• For I delight in the law of God according to the
  inward man.
• We are a new creature
• We are still susceptible to lies and deceptions
• We will not find peace in sin

15
Flesh vs. Spirit
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Why Do Christians Sin?1. Ignorance of Who We Are

• People need to know who they are before what to
  do
• Otherwise, they are legalists
• Otherwise, they try to do Gods work in their
  strength
• Obedience follows hearing Jesus voice and
  responding in love
• Example of pagan living with girlfriend
• Get him regenerated first
• Then take him to the Word and let Christ speak to
  him

• Revelation begins with who we are in Christ

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Why Do Christians Sin?2. We Forget Who We Are

• The devil tries to confuse us with propositional
  statements
• Im no good
• Thats a lie for a Christian
• Who are we to tell God whats good and not good
  (Rom. 34a)
• Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every
  man a liar.
• Need to measure propositional statements against
  Gods truth
• Example of Christian girl believing a lie about
  her parents

18
Why Do Christians Sin?3. We Rebel Against Who We
Are

• We rebel much more than we think we do
• We put on a Christian veneer to cover our
  rebellion
• When we grumble against circumstances, hard work,
  stubborn sheep, we grumble against God
• We dont believe God is really good because He
  doesnt look good to us
• Our point-of-view needs changing
• Need to grow in faith improve vertical
  relationship, see Gods point of view

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Why Do Christians Sin?4. We Are Passive

• We refuse to choose
• When you refuse to choose, who wins? The flesh.
• You have to choose the Spirit (Gal. 516)
• I say then Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not
  fulfill the lust of the flesh.
• Why? God respects your ability to choose
• He doesnt force Christians to choose Him
• He doesnt deceive Christians into choosing Him
• If we choose freely, that brings God glory
• Jesus dies to restore agency (John 834, 36)
• 34 Jesus answered them, Most assuredly, I say to
  you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 36
  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be
  free indeed.

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The Devils Assault Part 1

• We are called to resist the devil (1 Pet. 58-9)
• 8 Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary
  the devil walks about like a roaring lion,
  seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him,
  steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same
  sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in
  the world.

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The Devils Assault Part 2

• We give place to the devil (Eph. 426-27)
• 26 Be angry, and do not sin do not let the
  sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to
  the devil.

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The Devils Assault Part 3

• The devil can eventually tell people lies
  directly
• They say things that are absolutely false
• They become confused about their identity
• Example Christian committing suicide

23
Adults Do Not Come to Christ With a Whole Circle

• The devil attacks areas hes previously had
  influence over
• Attacks are an opportunity for healing (2 Cor.
  103-5)
• 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war
  according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our
  warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for
  pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down
  arguments and every high thing that exalts itself
  against the knowledge of God, bringing every
  thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
• Fortress sins dont just pop up
• They are developed over time
• They often have deep roots

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The Sin Tree

• Gal. 519-21a and Eph. 55
• 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which
  are adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
  lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
  contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
  selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21
  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the
  like
• 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean
  person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater

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Summary

• Two types of sin superficial and besetting
• To make progress
• Revelation from the Word of God
• Proper view of God as proud and loving father
• We are eager to take off our dirty shirt (old
  life)
• Healing involves denying the flesh
• The Spirit wars with the flesh
• The Spirit is our deeper desire
• Christians continue to sin because
• Ignorance of who we are
• We forget who we are
• We rebel against who we are
• We are passive
• The devil assaults us in stages
• The sin tree sexual, social, religious,
  appetite, greed