Sermon Central
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How To Change
Contributed by Shane Brooks on Jan 23, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: Change doesn’t come by looking at your sin.
Asked this weekend how to change
My brother and sister in law are separating after25 years
Things he and she need to change. Shane how do I change
Every person in the world wants to change
No matter where you are in life
“I don’t need to change”, No you need a brain first—
Then you can see u need to change
You are right in your pursuit for change
God has more for every person -saved or lost
God loves you no matter where you are
I’ve tried to change----Just can’t
We wanna, need to, seek to
In our pursuit of change, That’s when Satan attacks the hardest
Condemnation- Depression
Satan switches corners whenever nesseccary
Change is hard,
See it in marriage, get to hard point,
Finally wife says, “I’ve had enough.”
First thing a man says, “I will change, I mean it this time”
They meant it last time----2 wks. He’ll be back doing the same stuff
People don’t change----
I see the need in my life for change
Like to share principles of change
1. We have to see the ROOT of our problem
Where do problems come from- it began in your heart
Good things and bad things
Take a Man who has no need for alcohol- booze don’t tempt him
Take a Wife who is faithful- affair isn’t attractive
The heart is where every good and bad thing comes from
We always see the fruit
Sin is a fruit--- We always judge the fruit
The fruit isn’t the problem,,, it’s the Root
Don’t ponder at the fruit, take an axe to the root
The root gives fruit---good and bad
You can’t live better by your will power
Some last longer than others, but all will fail eventually
If we need change, it starts in the heart
I never went to church----You need to be in church
Try Sunday School
Dinner tonight
I Hated church---The programs couldn’t make me come
My Hate couldn’t make me go
2. Principle- quit trying and start trusting
God doesn’t want me to change for Him
He wants me to see Him, and then He can change me
But we look at us “the author and confuser of our faith.”
Quit smoking for the lord, -God delivered you fromIgnorance and Cigarettes
1. God changes us
2. Start looking at God, and not my shortcomings
3. Change is progressive- It’s not instant
Lord I want it now- “God if you love me help me change.”
God’s saying, If you’d let me lead you, you wouldn’t have to change
Quit trying, Start Trusting
I’m trying Bro Shane, Keep trying, when you fail come back
Best foot forward----He’ll pull it out of your mouth
Religion says if you want to change, you gotta look at your sin
You do need to acknowledge your sin
To change you gotta look to God, Sin won’t eve cross your mind
But God does know- Adam
Look church, I know I am not what I oughta be
But I’m not who I used to be either- I haven’t arrived, But I have left
Quit trying and start trusting
What is Sin
Transgression of the law
All unrighteousness is sin
What ever is not faith is sin
Doubt worry strife envy
Sin’s not just what you’re doing, it’s what you’re not doing
Looking at sin can’t change you
Acknowledge your sin- but there is no answer in sin
Wanna know what God looks like, Look at Jesus
You’re not “The Good News” Jesus Is
Quit looking at you and look at the GOOD NEWS
I gotta be Holy- Muslim, Buddhist, JW, Mormon, Catholic
Christians don’t try to be Holy, Jesus is Holy, Because he is - so are we
Jesus is kind, good, giving, loving - that’s my kind of guy
3. The Word of God in your heart
If it’s not in you, what can you draw on?
Telling Wade ‘Love doesn’t keep a record of wrong doing’
Satan can trick you if you don’t know what the bible says
Expound
