Dear Friends,

All of us want change, it’s the transition to change that gives us all the trouble.  The claim that we make as “Christians” is that Jesus has powerfully changed our lives. It is, therefore reasonable for ourselves and others to expect there to be a difference.

We often start with phrases like” CHRISTIANS AREN’T PERFECT JUST FORGIVEN”. But is that a real answer to the very clear expectation in scripture that we are new creations in Christ. If the God of the universe lives in us should it not show? Jesus taught that it would and should show.

Mat 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; (15) nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

If change is expected as God seeks to renovate our souls, why is it so slow to happen?  This Sunday I will show you the three things that we must have for even the smallest changes to take place. I am praying you will make coming and inviting someone a real priority. If you are tired of being stuck in a rut of sameness let’s face this together. I can’t wait to see you.

Blessings,
Joe

1. How much is personal change a part of being a Christian?
   

   Eze 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

   Mat 12:33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.

   2 Co 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

2. What areas of your lives should be changed by Christ?
   

   1 Th 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Have you ever realized you needed to change something and procrastinated?
4. What kinds of thinking keeps people from lasting change? {fears, distraction, opposition, excuses?}
5. Describe a successful area of change and what it took to do it.?
6. What can help us see clearly where change must happen?
7. How does focusing on Christ bring a vision of a changed you?
   

   1 Jn 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

   Heb 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

   Example – Eph 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each-other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

8. What part does choosing to change now with action play in long-term change?
   

   Heb 3:7-8 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, (8) DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS,

   1 Th 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit;

9. Where can you learn methods and practices for lasting change?
10. How can we pray for you specifically (please keep requests under one minute so we have time to pray)?