A Tea Bag In Hot Water “A Transformed Life”. Introduction Topic – A Transformed Life A tea bag will teach the lesson God wants us changed (transformed)

A Tea Bag In Hot WaterA Tea Bag In Hot Water

“A Transformed Life”

IntroductionIntroductionTopic – A Transformed LifeA tea bag will teach the lessonGod wants us changed (transformed)Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to

this world, but be transformedtransformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

IntroductionIntroductionSome Questions to Ponder:

– What does God mean by change?– Why do we need to change?– What does God expect of us?

CHANGE – Some might turn me off here– I am not talking about adding a piano– I am talking about personal change

IntroductionIntroduction

Are you discontented?Are you discontented?

Feelings of Doubt?Feelings of Doubt?

Missing God’s best?Missing God’s best?

Could you do better?Could you do better?

PROCESSPROCESS of Change of Change

Most of you are Christians, born-again, have a personal relationship with God

But, the flesh is still present.Look at the tea bag.

– Put the tea bag in hot water – let it steep– The water becomes the flavor of the tea

Our lives are like that

PROCESSPROCESS of Change of Change

The hot water experiences that surround you – draw out the flavor of your heart

Three simple examples will illustrate what I am trying to say tonight

PROCESSPROCESS of Change of Change

PIGS – play in the mud, dirty, eat “slop”

Select one – clean it up, dress it, set it in your recliner

1st Chance – out the door, back to the mud puddle

PROCESSPROCESS of Change of Change

Why did the pig return to the mud?Cleaned up – it is still a pig.“Pouring perfume on a pig, won’t

make it a lady.”

PROCESSPROCESS of Change of Change

Your old car is clanking, sputtering, blowing blue smoke

Much improved looks –

But it still clanks, sputters, and blows blue smoke

Why? The engine is bad

PROCESSPROCESS of Change of Change

You have a lemon tree in your back yard

You want oranges

Pick all the lemons

Tie on some oranges

Now you have an orange tree

PROCESSPROCESS of Change of Change

Next year – Lemons againYou can’t just change fruitYou must change trees

PROCESSPROCESS of Change of Change

Matthew 7:16-17Matthew 7:16-17 - 16You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

PROCESSPROCESS of Change of ChangeMatthew 7:18-20Matthew 7:18-20 - 18A good tree

cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

PURPOSEPURPOSE of Change of Change

Why do we NEED to change?Romans 12:1a –Urges – “I

beseech you”Romans 12:1b – Reasonable -

which is your reasonable serviceRomans 12:2a – Command - And

do not be conformed to this world,

PURPOSEPURPOSE of Change of Change

Romans 12:2b – Purpose - that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 Timothy 2:20b - useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

PURPOSEPURPOSE of Change of Change

God uses circumstances in our lives to humble us

Then he can use usHe does not:

– Perfume the pig– Paint the clunker– Change the fruit

PURPOSEPURPOSE of Change of Change

God seeks to change the very heart and soul

The purpose of change is not surface, cosmetic

It is to change our very essence

PERSONSPERSONS of Change of Change

Man’s PartMan’s Part– Present your body as sacrifice– Be transformed– Renew your mind

Surrender 3 facets of your life – Your Body, Your Mind, Your Will

PERSONSPERSONS of Change of Change

God’s PartGod’s Part– God will save us– He will love us– He will forgive us– He will adopt us– He will accept us

InvitationInvitation to Change to Change

Are you in hot water?

God is not cruelHe is trying to

change youThis is the

transformed life

InvitationInvitation to Change to Change

The word for “transformed” in Romans 12:2 – is metamorphosismetamorphosis

Change from this

To this