Spiritual Transformation Pastor Rodney Hyde presenter.

Spiritual Transformation

Pastor Rodney Hyde

presenter

Toward A definition Of Toward A definition Of Spiritual Formation (transformation)Spiritual Formation (transformation)

Call for Authentic SpiritualityCall for Authentic Spirituality

• 3030‘And you shall love the Lord your God ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This This isis the first commandment. the first commandment. 3131“And “And the second, like the second, like it,it, isis this: ‘You shall love this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”other commandment greater than these.”• Mark 12:30&31Mark 12:30&31

• To honor Christ, to become like Him, To honor Christ, to become like Him, to work for him, is…life’s highest to work for him, is…life’s highest ambition and its greatest joy.ambition and its greatest joy.• The Faith I Live By, p. 166. The Faith I Live By, p. 166.

The Biblical Understanding of The Biblical Understanding of Spiritual Formation (transformation)Spiritual Formation (transformation)

• Biblical FoundationBiblical Foundation• Romans 12:1-2Romans 12:1-2• Galatians 4:19Galatians 4:19• Matthew 28:19Matthew 28:19• Colossians 1:28-29Colossians 1:28-29• Ephesians 4:13Ephesians 4:13• Four key words from these passages:Four key words from these passages:• Formation, Disciplines, God’s Presence and Formation, Disciplines, God’s Presence and

MaturityMaturity

22And do not be conformed to this world, And do not be conformed to this world, but but be transformedbe transformed by the renewing of by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what your mind, that you may prove what isis that good and acceptable and perfect that good and acceptable and perfect will of Godwill of God..– Romans 12:2Romans 12:2

• 1919My little children, for whom I labor in My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,birth again until Christ is formed in you,• Galatians 4:19Galatians 4:19

• Go therefore and make disciples of all Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And low, Holy Spirit. And low, I will be with you I will be with you always to the end of the ages.always to the end of the ages.– Matthew 28:19Matthew 28:19

• Him we preach, warning every man Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that that we may present every man perfect we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.in Christ Jesus. 2929To this To this endend I also I also labor, striving according to His working labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.which works in me mightily.• Colossians 1:28,29 Colossians 1:28,29

Formation: “morph”Formation: “morph”

• 2 Corinthians 3:12; Romans 12:22 Corinthians 3:12; Romans 12:2• The inner being of a person is The inner being of a person is

changed so he or she is no longer the changed so he or she is no longer the samesame

• Information helps but only if it is Information helps but only if it is applied and internalizedapplied and internalized

• God remakes usGod remakes us• Our central, core being is changed.Our central, core being is changed.• Change from the “old” “fleshy” self to Change from the “old” “fleshy” self to

the “new” self, the “in Christ” self the “new” self, the “in Christ” self

Formation: “morph”Formation: “morph”

• Not a passive processNot a passive process• Involves seeking, grasping, valuing Involves seeking, grasping, valuing

knowingknowing• Allowing Christ to do His workAllowing Christ to do His work• Changing behaviorChanging behavior• Knowing, valuing, changing behavior Knowing, valuing, changing behavior

lead to change of innermost self.lead to change of innermost self.

MaturityMaturity

• Colossians 1:28-29Colossians 1:28-29• Goal: be mature, complete, and perfect like Goal: be mature, complete, and perfect like

JesusJesus

SummarySummary

• Spiritual formation, or the development Spiritual formation, or the development of genuine Christian spirituality, is an of genuine Christian spirituality, is an intentional, multifaceted process that intentional, multifaceted process that forms Christ within a person and makes forms Christ within a person and makes him/her a mature disciple of Jesus.him/her a mature disciple of Jesus.

Spiritual DisciplineSpiritual Discipline

• To form spiritual habitsTo form spiritual habits• Knowledge -Knowledge -• Skill -Skill -• Determination -Determination -

BALANCED SPIRITUALITYBALANCED SPIRITUALITY

• Experience and knowledgeExperience and knowledge

• Knowledge and ExperienceKnowledge and Experience

• I am in a state of dis-appointment.I am in a state of dis-appointment.

• I am missing the life that I was I am missing the life that I was appointed by God to live.appointed by God to live.• John OrtbergJohn Ortberg

The Aim of Spiritual Formation The Aim of Spiritual Formation (Transformation)(Transformation)

• The Christian’s life is not a The Christian’s life is not a modification or improvement modification or improvement of the old, but a of the old, but a transformation of character. transformation of character. There is death to self and There is death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought This change can be brought about only by effectual about only by effectual working of the Holy Spirit.working of the Holy Spirit.• DA, p. 172 DA, p. 172

• Spirituality is the realized Lordship of Spirituality is the realized Lordship of

Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ.

It is that quality of life which responds to It is that quality of life which responds to

God's God's initiativeinitiative and and

seeks to seeks to listenlisten to the voice of God to the voice of God

through a through a centeringcentering of oneself in Him, of oneself in Him,

maintaining an maintaining an opennessopenness to God and to God and

an absolute an absolute submissionsubmission to His will. to His will.

Spirituality as Spirituality as BeingBeing

• Accepts the reality of:Accepts the reality of:

• Our sin and sinfulness (Rom. 3:23).Our sin and sinfulness (Rom. 3:23).

• God dying for us (Rom. 5:6-8).God dying for us (Rom. 5:6-8).

• Our death to sin in Christ (Rom. 6:11-14).Our death to sin in Christ (Rom. 6:11-14).

• Our union with Christ (John 17:21; Eph. Our union with Christ (John 17:21; Eph. 3:15-19).3:15-19).

• accepts the reality of:accepts the reality of:

• Our new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Our new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:23-24).Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:23-24).

• Our status in Christ (2 Pet. 1:3-4; Eph. 2:6).Our status in Christ (2 Pet. 1:3-4; Eph. 2:6).

• And sees Christ as Lord (Phil. 2:9-11; Col. And sees Christ as Lord (Phil. 2:9-11; Col. 2:6-7; 1 Pet. 3:15).2:6-7; 1 Pet. 3:15).

Spirituality as Spirituality as BeingBeing Spirituality as Spirituality as BeingBeing

Performance in spiritualityPerformance in spirituality

• 1.1. It is a product of union with It is a product of union with God—not the focus of that union (John God—not the focus of that union (John 15:1-16; Ezek. 36:26-27; Phil 2:13-13).15:1-16; Ezek. 36:26-27; Phil 2:13-13).

• 2.2. It is objective evidence of It is objective evidence of

spiritual union with God—“By this shall spiritual union with God—“By this shall

all men know . . . love one another” all men know . . . love one another”

(John 13:35).(John 13:35).

Ingredients of SpiritualityIngredients of Spirituality

• An authentic prayer life.An authentic prayer life.

• Immersion in Scripture.Immersion in Scripture.

• Living in the presence of God.Living in the presence of God.

• Ministering as an extension of the ministry of Ministering as an extension of the ministry of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Key pointsKey points

• 1.1. True spirituality can take True spirituality can take place only in relationship to the God of place only in relationship to the God of Scripture—the Creator and Scripture—the Creator and Redeemer.Redeemer.

• 2.2. Scripture defines the Scripture defines the boundaries for true spirituality.boundaries for true spirituality.

• 3.3. The transformation of a The transformation of a human being is a divine miracle.human being is a divine miracle.

Key pointsKey points

• 4. Spirituality which omits or diminishes the 4. Spirituality which omits or diminishes the centrality of the cross is doomed to failure.centrality of the cross is doomed to failure.

• 5. The world offers a counterfeit spirituality 5. The world offers a counterfeit spirituality while using some of the elements, skills, and while using some of the elements, skills, and language of the spiritual life.language of the spiritual life.

• 6. Any spirituality which is not centered in 6. Any spirituality which is not centered in Christ is false.Christ is false.

• If one who daily communes with God errs from the If one who daily communes with God errs from the

path, if he turns a moment from looking steadfastly path, if he turns a moment from looking steadfastly

unto Jesus, it is not because he sins willfully; for unto Jesus, it is not because he sins willfully; for

when he sees his mistake, he turns again, and when he sees his mistake, he turns again, and

fastens his eyes upon Jesus, and the fact that he fastens his eyes upon Jesus, and the fact that he

has erred, does not make him less dear to the heart has erred, does not make him less dear to the heart

of God.of God.

• Advent Review and Sabbath HeraldAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, 05-12-96, 05-12-96

  •““Beware of anything that competes Beware of anything that competes with your loyalty to Jesus Christ. with your loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of true The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him.” do for Him.”

• Oswald ChambersOswald Chambers

• ““The lasting value of our public The lasting value of our public

service for God is measured by service for God is measured by

the depth of the intimacy of our the depth of the intimacy of our

private times of fellowship and private times of fellowship and

oneness with Him.” Oswald oneness with Him.” Oswald

ChambersChambers

The Ingredients of Spiritual The Ingredients of Spiritual formationformation

• Spiritual Formation is:Spiritual Formation is:• Loving God “with all your heart, mind, Loving God “with all your heart, mind,

body, soul”body, soul”• Developing a personal passion for GodDeveloping a personal passion for God• Cultivating corporate passion for GodCultivating corporate passion for God• Connecting passionate spirituality with Connecting passionate spirituality with

corporate missioncorporate mission

A Definition of A Definition of Spiritual FormationSpiritual Formation

• Definitions: Definitions: Christian Spiritual Christian Spiritual FormationFormation is the process through is the process through which those who love and trust which those who love and trust Jesus Christ effectively take on His Jesus Christ effectively take on His character. When this process is character. When this process is what it should be, they increasingly what it should be, they increasingly live their lives as He would if He were live their lives as He would if He were in their place. in their place.

• Then outward conformity to His Then outward conformity to His example and His instructions rises example and His instructions rises toward fullness as their inward toward fullness as their inward sources of action take on the same sources of action take on the same character as His. They come more character as His. They come more and more to share His vision, love, and more to share His vision, love, hope, feelings, and habits.hope, feelings, and habits.

• This process of conformation to This process of conformation to Christ, as we might more Christ, as we might more appropriately call it, is constantly appropriately call it, is constantly supported by grace and otherwise supported by grace and otherwise would be impossible. But it is not would be impossible. But it is not therefore passive. Grace is opposed therefore passive. Grace is opposed to to earningearning, not to , not to efforteffort. In fact, . In fact, nothing inspires and enhances effort nothing inspires and enhances effort like the experience of grace. like the experience of grace.

• Yet . . . [it must truly be understood] Yet . . . [it must truly be understood] that that becoming Christlike never becoming Christlike never occurs without intense and well-occurs without intense and well-informed action on our partinformed action on our part. This . This [action] in turn cannot be reliably [action] in turn cannot be reliably sustained outside of a like-minded sustained outside of a like-minded fellowship [church].fellowship [church].

A Definition of A Definition of Spiritual FormationSpiritual Formation

Spiritual formation is the process of being Spiritual formation is the process of being conformed to the image ofconformed to the image of

Christ by the gracious working of God’s spirit, Christ by the gracious working of God’s spirit, for the transformation offor the transformation of

the worldthe world

• 1.1. a process:a process:• • It is gradual, life-long movement, It is gradual, life-long movement, not single, momentous conversionnot single, momentous conversion• • It goes against grain of “quick-fix, It goes against grain of “quick-fix, instant results.instant results.• • it draws us by God’s magnetic it draws us by God’s magnetic attraction, awakening our desire attraction, awakening our desire

for for GodGod

• 2.2. of being conformed to the image of Christ:of being conformed to the image of Christ:• • Christ is the image of God made visible to us Christ is the image of God made visible to us (Col. 1:15)(Col. 1:15)• • The image of Christ is pattern of human The image of Christ is pattern of human wholeness (Gen. 1:26).wholeness (Gen. 1:26).• • God’s likeness feels strange since we are God’s likeness feels strange since we are misshapen by images of worldly culturemisshapen by images of worldly culture• • The Christ image heals, renews, restores usThe Christ image heals, renews, restores us• • The Christ image moves us from being The Christ image moves us from being centered in self to being centered in Godcentered in self to being centered in God

• 3.3. by the gracious working of God’s spirit:by the gracious working of God’s spirit:• • We want to make things happen in our We want to make things happen in our self-reliant cultureself-reliant culture• • But we cannot conform ourselves to But we cannot conform ourselves to Christ by own will powerChrist by own will power• • we we cancan open ourselves to the gracious open ourselves to the gracious working of God’s Spiritworking of God’s Spirit• • The Spirit enables us to choose the The Spirit enables us to choose the

way way of Christ over self-interestof Christ over self-interest

• • Grace helps us give up reins of Grace helps us give up reins of control to God and to cooperate with control to God and to cooperate with SpiritSpirit

• • We resist Spirit’s work because We resist Spirit’s work because the the change inchange in ideas/habits/behaviors ideas/habits/behaviors are are scaryscary

• • Spiritual disciplines (practices) are Spiritual disciplines (practices) are ways of opening ourselves to graceways of opening ourselves to grace

• 4.4. for the transformation of the world:for the transformation of the world:• • Being like Christ means living in Being like Christ means living in

self-giving loveself-giving love• • Spiritual life is not about “me” but Spiritual life is not about “me” but

about the about the world God loves.world God loves.• • as we are conformed to Christ we as we are conformed to Christ we embody more of God’s love for embody more of God’s love for

others.others.

• • Fruits of spiritual formation are Fruits of spiritual formation are compassion, compassion, patience, patience,

truthfulness, reconciliationtruthfulness, reconciliation• • Transformed persons are leaven Transformed persons are leaven for transforming the worldfor transforming the world

Ministry Of Healing Ministry Of Healing P, 347P, 347

• We need constantly a fresh revelation of Christ, We need constantly a fresh revelation of Christ, a daily experience that harmonizes with his a daily experience that harmonizes with his teaching. High and holy attainments are within teaching. High and holy attainments are within our reach. Continual progress in knowledge and our reach. Continual progress in knowledge and virtue is God purpose for us. His law is the virtue is God purpose for us. His law is the echo of his own voice, giving to all the invitation, echo of his own voice, giving to all the invitation, “Come up higher. Be holy, holier still.” Every “Come up higher. Be holy, holier still.” Every day we may advance in perfection of Christian day we may advance in perfection of Christian character. character.

Ministry Of Healing Ministry Of Healing P, 351P, 351

• Cultivate the habit of talking with the Cultivate the habit of talking with the Saviour when you are alone, when Saviour when you are alone, when you are walking, and when you are you are walking, and when you are busy with your daily labor. Let the busy with your daily labor. Let the heart be continually uplifted in silent heart be continually uplifted in silent petition for help, for light, for strength, petition for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. Let every breath be a for knowledge. Let every breath be a prayer. prayer.

• But prayer will be no task to the soul But prayer will be no task to the soul that loves God; it will be a pleasure, a that loves God; it will be a pleasure, a source of strength. Our hearts will be source of strength. Our hearts will be stayed on God and we shall say by stayed on God and we shall say by our daily life, “Behold the lamb of our daily life, “Behold the lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the God, that taketh away the sin of the world.” world.” • Review and Herald, May 13, 1884. Review and Herald, May 13, 1884.

David, A Man After God’s David, A Man After God’s HeartHeart

• The first quality God saw in David was The first quality God saw in David was spirituality. “ the Lord has sought out…a man spirituality. “ the Lord has sought out…a man after His own heart. What does it mean to be a after His own heart. What does it mean to be a person after God’s own heart? Seems to me, it person after God’s own heart? Seems to me, it means that you are a person whose life is in means that you are a person whose life is in harmony with the Lord. What is important to harmony with the Lord. What is important to Him is important to you. What burdens Him Him is important to you. What burdens Him burdens you. When He says, “Go to the right,” burdens you. When He says, “Go to the right,” you go to the right. you go to the right.

• When He says, “Stop that in your life,” When He says, “Stop that in your life,” you stop it. When He says, “ this is you stop it. When He says, “ this is wrong and I want you to change,” you wrong and I want you to change,” you come to term with it because you come to term with it because you have a heart for God. That is bottom-have a heart for God. That is bottom-line biblical Christianity.line biblical Christianity.• DavidDavid. P. 5 . P. 5

•To comprehend and enjoy God is the highest exercise of the powers of man…In Christ is the life of the soul. In the outgoing of our hearts to Him, is our earnest, affectionate yearnings for His excellence, in our eager searching into His glory, we find life. In communion with Him we eat the bread of life.

•Review and Herald, May 30, 1882

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

• Rejoice always. Pray without Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ. for this is God’s will for you in Christ.