Sermon Central
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Call To Transformation Series
Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Jan 4, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF ALL THAT DEFINED US WAS HOW WE ARE BEING CHANGED BY A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS?
Call to the Transformation
March 13, 2011
INTRODUCTION
* Who are you?
* What makes you who you are?
* The Job you do?
* The clothes you wear?
* Who are you?
* What defines you?
* Where you live?
* Your Family?
* Your Ethnicity?
* Your skin color?
* Or Mix of it all?
* What defines you?
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF ALL THAT DEFINED US WAS HOW WE ARE BEING CHANGED BY A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS?
It is just such a call to transformation that is chronicled for us in John's Gospel. Turn with me this morning and let's look at the Call to Transformation.
Transformaiton--the ever present reality of being changed in to a Child of God for those who believe.
I. Transformation begins and ends with the Savior
John Gospel begins with a mystical introduction of who Jesus is and is immediately followed by the testimony of John the Baptist that he wasn't the Messiah. He is the loudest clearest voice of God in the day. The biggest news the author of the best selling sermon series, repent the kingdom is at hand. And he is the first to declare It's not me, It's about Jesus.
John Testifies About Jesus
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One."
A. Identifying and following Him.
B. Not trying harder or working harder
Repentance is not the same thing as Repentance. But Repentance will likely be involved.
Too often good followers assume that transformation is about trying harder or working harder. In John's Gospel, all about the belief that leads to the right of the ever present reality of being changed simple points to Jesus.
II. Transformation is the byproduct of spending more time with Him
John's Disciples Follow Jesus
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"
39 "Come," he replied, "and you will see."
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
So you have two of the devoted disciples of John, (Andrew is named) who have no idea where it will lead, but know that they want more. So if John's message isn't it. And it's to be found in Jesus, then that's who they will find. If there is more than they are willing to seek it. So they take off in search of Jesus.
So as Jesus is just passing by he hears these two guys yell "Look, the Lamb of God." What goes through his mind. Does he marvel at that their faith or their naivety. Jesus knows the secret of their hearts. They have no idea what it means, "Look, the Lamb of God." But he doesn't reject them, doesn't quiz them, doesn't grade their answer pass or fail. He simply asks them one question. "What do you want?"
Their response reveals more of what they don't know, than what they do know. "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?" If they really understood what they called him would this be the question. They know he has something to teach them (Rabbi) but what? Swo they want to make sure they know where to come to find him.
Jesus response, come and find out.
Our journeys of transformation start in similar ways. We don't understand what's ahead, but we've heard that He is the answer. So we cry out, Jesus, Lord and Savior, Forgiver Leader of my life. And he responds what do you want, the Answer, more. What is that we need, what is it that God has in store we don't know but we know where to find. In his presence.
