Transformational Ministry

Part 6. Revelation

All Bible quotations are NKJV unless otherwise noted.

Overview of Transformation

Five “R”s– Regeneration– Revelation– Repentance– Restitution– Renewing of the mind

Two Types of Sin

• Superficial: change soon after becoming Christian

• Besetting (fortress) sins: deeply-rooted in our character (2 Cor. 10:4, 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

Transformation Requires a New World View

• Rom. 12:2And 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. 4:22-24 discusses putting off and putting onthat 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.

– That’s what renewing of the mind is– It’s a process, not a one-time event– It’s what we mean by sanctification

The Cycle of Renewal

Acts 26:18a, 20b18.to open their

eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God …

20.… that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance

• Revelation is largely the church’s responsibility

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 7:24, 8:23•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”

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. 3:14-19)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.

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 doesn’t disown us when we don’t

– He brings us through difficulties to transform us to the image of Christ

– He knows what’s 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”

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 don’t wonder what others will think– We don’t wonder what God will think

• To make progress, we seek God’s 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. 4:16

• 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 (that’s the nature of revelation)

• We seek Christian brothers/sisters and God for help

Healing Involves Denyingthe Flesh

• Definition of healing: free to serve others (Gal. 5:13)

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

The choice is not easy• There is enmity between Spirit and flesh: (Gal. 5:16-17)

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

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. 5:16 urges not to shift into flesh gear

The Nature of the Flesh

• “Do not fulfill the lust of the flesh”– Lust is a strong word involving craving: “If I don’t get that, I’ll 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

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. 7:22)

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

Flesh vs. Spirit

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 God’s 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

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

• The devil tries to confuse us with propositional statements– “I’m no good”– That’s a lie for a Christian – Who are we to tell God what’s good and not good (Rom. 3:4a)Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.

• Need to measure propositional statements against God’s truth

• Example of Christian girl believing a lie about her parents

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 don’t believe God is really good because He doesn’t look good to us– Our point-of-view needs changing– Need to grow in faith: improve vertical relationship, see God’s point of view

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. 5:16)

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 doesn’t force Christians to choose Him– He doesn’t deceive Christians into choosing Him

• If we choose freely, that brings God glory• Jesus dies to restore agency (John 8:34, 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.

The Devil’s Assault: Part 1

• We are called to resist the devil (1 Pet. 5:8-9)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.

The Devil’s Assault: Part 2

• We give place to the devil (Eph. 4:26-27)26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.

The Devil’s 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

Adults Do Not Come to Christ With a Whole Circle

• The devil attacks areas he’s previously had influence over

• Attacks are an opportunity for healing: (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

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 don’t just pop up– They are developed over time– They often have deep roots

The Sin Tree• Gal. 5:19-21a and Eph. 5:5

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…

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 because1.Ignorance of who we are2.We forget who we are3.We rebel against who we are4.We are passive

• The devil assaults us in stages• The sin tree: sexual, social, religious,

appetite, greed