The following is not meant to be a full synopsis of the message but rather a brief look at the main concepts. For more context and understanding, please visit http://newcityphx.com/media and listen to the message in its entirety.

Understanding your Calling

Q: Think back to your childhood. What did you dream of becoming when you grew up? Did you pursue that dream? Why or why not?

Q: What are you most passionate about? What gives you the greatest pleasure in life?

Q: What has God gifted you at? What are your greatest abilities?

When you combine your dreams/passions with your abilities, you can get a clearer understanding of how God has shaped you to accomplish His will. You might refer to this as your “calling”.

Q: What do you believe God has called you to?

Q: Are you following that call? Why or why not?

But understanding your calling is just the first step…as you embark on the journey towards following the call there is animportant question that you need to ask yourself.

Who are you becoming?

We can make lists all day long of who we want to be, but those lists don’t always mean that’s who we’re becoming. The process of becoming like Christ is the ultimate goal of discipleship (our corporate calling) and this is accomplished on the journey…

The Journey

Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Abram received a very specific call from God and he obeyed the call by leaving the comfort of his land and going to Canaan. The first step is obedience to God’s call. But Abrams journey wasn’t a straight shot to Canaan.

Genesis 11:31-32. Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.

God didn’t call Abram to Haran but that is where they settled. As we follow the call of God, there will be times when we settle.

Q: Is there an area in your life where you’ve settled?

Q: We settle for a number of different reasons: comfort, fear of failure, self-rejection, physical obstacles, unforeseen circumstances, etc. If you have settled, do you know why?
Throughout the journey there will be obstacles that come our way. These may be self-induced (e.g. destructive behavior) or God-induced (e.g. Gen 22, sacrifice of Isaac). Whether we bring them on or God does, they both provide us with opportunities to become better reflections of Christ.

Q: What obstacle(s) are you are currently facing?

Q: Was this brought on by you or do you think God placed this obstacle in your path?

Growth through dependence

The process of growth can be illustrated like this…

Healthy things Grow
Growing things Change
Change raises our tension/anxiety
Anxiety demands a response
Our response exposes our Perspective

The Hebrew word for Faith is rooted in the words “Tension” and “Anxiety”. Tension rods were used to hold up tents the Israelites set up while in the desert. Similarly, times of tension in our life actually enable Faith to hold us up. See how this changes the illustration above if we use different language:

Healthy believers are always Growing
Growing believers will constantly Change
Change enables Faith
Faith demands our response: trust or mistrust
Our response exposes our perspective: Independence or Dependence

Q: Which part of the growth process is the most difficult for you?

The process of growth is not easy and will often times lead to mourning. We mourn the lack of faith that is exposed. We mourn the idols we must dismantle that have taken our eyes of God. We mourn the pain change causes in our life. Mourning is inevitable.

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

It’s safe to bet that we would all choose a wedding over a funeral. But Solomon says that it is through the times of mourning in our life that real change is able to take place.

Q: When was the last time that you were in mourning? What did you learn through that experience?
God wants us to become men and women who are completely dependent on Him and He will often use obstacles to get our attention and draw us into a place of dependence.
Read Proverbs 30:7-9 and Matthew 6:11 and think about everything from your daily needs to your salvation.

Q: Are you dependent on God for all of your needs?

Q: In what areas are you too comfortable or independent?

Like Christ

The ultimate goal is to become more and more like Christ and the way that happens is through refinement. God purges things from your life so you reflect Jesus more clearly to the world. This is only accomplished through our dependence on God and the work of His Spirit. May your journey be filled with growth & mourning so that in the end you come out a better reflection of Jesus. Amen!

Not only is this a great film but it is one that people here at New City helped create, including Brian Whitman, our worship pastor, who scored the film. Invite your friends to the pre-screening and take a second to help spread the word.

Remember tomorrow night from 6:45-7:45 we will conclude the fast with a time of prayer and worship at our regular Sunday morning location.  (Childcare is provided.) Even if you’ve not participated in the fast we encourage you to be a part of this special night as we seek God’s direction and thank Him for all He has done.  And, if you still want in, you can join many of us in fasting from all food and taking only water the last 24 hours of the fast from tonight at 7:30 to tomorrow at 7:30.

Perhaps this scripture will encourage you like it has been me since last night:

7Train yourself in godliness, 8 for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:7b-10.

MISSIONS. As many of you know my wife, Gina, and I will be leaving for India later this week and Brian Whitman and some other musicians at New City leave for Thailand next week.  We will do our best to keep you informed via the New City Facebook Page so make sure you check that out.  Rumor has it we might make some video appearances from Asia on Sundays too.  Should be fun.  Please pray that God would use us in a supernatural way as we go to build relationships, serve other pastors and give our time to the least of these.

We love you all.
Brian

Leaders using this Study Guide for group study and reflection should read the Biblical text thoroughly before beginning, using this resource as assistance and not relying solely on this material for insight. We encourage all leaders to pray and ask the Spirit for revelation as they lead their respective community.

The Scripture:
Matthew 6:16-18
16 ”Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Luke 10:25-36
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

The Key Ideas:

1. Fasting is always something God’s followers have done. The Hebrews fasted on the Day of Atonement (Lv. 16:29, 31; 23:27–32; Nu. 29:7). After the Exile, four other annual fasts were observed (Zc. 8:19) Some strict Pharisees fasted every Monday and Thursday (Lk. 18:12). In Acts leaders of the church fast when choosing missionaries (13:2–3) and elders (14:23). Paul twice refers to his fasting (2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27).

2. We fast when Jesus is “gone.” Jesus told His disciples that when he left they WOULD fast. Obviously Jesus the man is not still on earth so followers of His should fast. Further, when Jesus seems distant, it is often a good time to consider doing a fast as doing so can draw you closer to Him.

And Jesus said to them, “While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.20 But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. Mark 2:19

3. Fasting is a sacrifice and moves BIG obstacles. We see evidence that prayer and fasting can focus our faith and reliance on God. (Matthew 17:21/Mark 9:9). It is often fasting that brings us to that place of complete dependence on God.

4. God’s people are sacrificial servants. The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-36) teaches us that those who follow Christ serve him with their time, talent and treasure.

5. Sacrificial service mean serving EVERYONE. The Good Samaritan shows us that we must serve even those we don’t like. The Samaritans were hated by the Jews, yet Jesus told the Jews to love their neighbors as themselves and then Jesus had the audacity to call a Samaritan a neighbor!

6. God’s heart has always been for the outsider. This new “missional” movement isn’t new at all. It is simply reclaiming the root of God’s movement on earth.

18 He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the stranger by giving him food and clothing.19 So show your love for the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. - Deuteronomy 10:18-19

7. Fasting and giving come out of our condition as 
beloved children of God. Remember, God’s name is “I AM” or simple “Be” and knowing you are “be”loved tells us that God loves us or, to put it another way, “‘I AM’ loved.”

Items for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever fasted? If so, tell about your experience. What did God show you? What did He do?
2. If you’ve never fasted, why not? If it is for legitimate physical reasons that is understandable. However, remember that fasting is painful and sacrificial. It won’t be easy.
3. No Pain, No Gain was a popular saying related to physical exercise and growth. How does it apply to spiritual growth?
4. How do you serve God with your time and talent. (Remember, you aren’t earning anything by giving of your time, talent or treasure. Your condition is set before you do or give anything.)
5. How can you serve someone who you don’t like this week? It may be that neighbor who annoys your or your mother who has hurt your feelings.
6. Righteous is not earned but it must be practiced. Explain what that means. It might help to discuss about this quote: “For Jesus, obedience grows out of blessedness; the statement of our condition precedes the demands of our discipleship.”

Leaders using this Study Guide for group study and reflection should read the Biblical text thoroughly before beginning, using this resource as assistance and not relying solely on this material for insight. We encourage all leaders to pray and ask the Spirit for revelation as they lead their respective community.

The Scripture:

34 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together.35 One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him,36 ”Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? “37 And He said to him, ” ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. ’38 This is the great and foremost commandment.39 The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:34-40 (NASB)

1 ”Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2 ”So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

5 ”When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 7 ”And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9 ”Pray, then, in this way: 
’Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 ’Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 ’Give us this day our daily bread.12 ’And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 ’And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Matthew 6:1-13 (NASB)

The Key Ideas:

1. To love God means a relentless pursuit. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus is describing those who relentlessly follow Him. Note Jesus’ message is more descriptive than prescriptive. It doesn’t so much prescribe certain behavior as much as it does describe the Christ follower. Jesus says the foremost commandment is to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. The things and people we love are worth our pursuit. Think about your favorite activity or a person you fell in love with. When you enjoy someone or something, you pursue it with relentless love.

2. Practicing our righteousness. Notice that Jesus tells us that giving, praying and fasting are a part of “practicing our righteousness.” This is extremely important to understand. Our righteousness is given to us by FAITH IN JESUS. We do not earn our righteousness but respond to the righteousness given to us by obeying our Savior. Those who respond to Jesus in faith are called His sons and daughters. That is their condition.

For Jesus, obedience grows out of blessedness; the statement of our condition precedes the demands of our discipleship. – I.D. Campbell

3. Give. Pray. Fast. Matthew 6 tells us that those who are relentlessly do these three things (there are many other things Christ-followers do of course): they give; they pray; and they fast. We will discuss two of those in this Study Guide.

• Give. Jesus says that those who love Him trust Him by giving. Throughout the Scriptures, God calls us to give and Jesus exhorts His disciples to do the same. (See Matthew 23:23; Acts 4:32, 34; Acts 11:30; Rom. 15:25–27; 1 Cor. 16:1-4.) We are called to give a minimum of 10% to the local church, who is charged with stewarding the resources for the overall good of the church; 10% of our gross earnings (the first fruits) is the command. That means if you make $100, you give $10; $100,000 then $10000 (the math is simple ). Remember, “because we don’t have much” isn’t a reason to refrain from giving. We give 10% of what we have. If you have 0 then you can give 0; otherwise, there is something to give. This isn’t a matter of a church “getting rich” but a matter of disciples obeying Jesus. Further, we give of our time and talent, loving God with all of our “soul and strength.” Every part of our life must be given to serving God.
• Pray. Jesus describes what it looks like to pray as His disciple and what it looks like to pray with the wrong heart. When is a prayer not a prayer? When it is a matter of public performance (v. 5), or of empty phrases strung together (v. 7), or when we ask God for something that we are not willing to grant to others (v. 15). Jesus gives us a “model” for prayer in what many know as the “Lord’s Prayer.” He tells us to pray to “OUR Father.” Interesting. Jesus could have said pray to “MY Father” but He specifically says “OUR Father.” Again, this is a statement of the condition of the believer. For some, thinking of God as a father can be difficult due to their relationship with their earthly father. No matter how terrible or Godly your earthly father was, there’s no chance he was perfect. BUT, your Heavenly Father is perfect. To come to God in prayer, YOU MUST believe that He loves you perfectly and that you are His son or daughter. It is critical for a healthy prayer life.

Henri Nouwen suggests that it is our lack of belief in this truth that threatens the very core of how we understand our relationship with God. He writes:

“Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their seductive quality often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection. When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, “Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody.” … [My dark side says,] I am no good… I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.” Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.” Henri Nouwen

Items for Reflection and Discussion

1. What or who have you pursued relentlessly. Why? How did you feel when you did so?
2. Explain in your own words the difference between “descriptive” and “prescriptive.” Why is it important to understand the difference?
3. Righteous is not earned but it must be practiced. Explain what that means. It might help to discuss about this quote: “For Jesus, obedience grows out of blessedness; the statement of our condition precedes the demands of our discipleship.”
4. Giving of our finances is something that Jesus talks consistently. Why? If it is difficult for you to give, discuss why. (Remember, “because we don’t have much” isn’t a reason to withhold.)
5. How do you serve God with your time and talent. (Remember, you aren’t earning anything by giving of your time, talent or treasure. Your condition is set before you do or give anything.)
6. When you pray, are you praying to OUR Father? Do you believe you are a son or daughter of God? Talk about this.
7. Discuss the quote by Henri Nouwen. What feelings or thoughts does it provoke?

“I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.” – Daniel 10:3

We pray that you will start your new year with a focus on the spiritual discipline of fasting. During this time of fasting, we will be doing the 21-day Fast Reading Plan found here. For 21 days, this devotional reading plan gives you a daily Bible reading, a brief devotional, reflection questions, and a prayer focus. Additionally, we encourage you to join the conversation on Facebook for updates and stories.

The Daniel fast is based on Daniel’s two fasts found in Daniel 1 and Daniel 10. We learn there that Daniel took a diet of vegetables and water. During this fast we will use www.daniel-fast.com as the main resource for “what to eat and what not to eat.” This diet allows fruits, nuts, grains and unleavened breads. This website suggests only water, but juices, natural teas, etc. are allowable. The big no-nos are meat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, sweets and breads. As is true in the tradition of many longer fasts, we will take Sundays off to celebrate the goodness of God by eating a normal diet. We pray you join us!

Our fast begins January 3rd and concludes on the evening of January 24th. On January 24th, we will celebrate with communion and a night of worship at New City Church (4331 N. Central Ave.) from 6:45-7:45.

If you’ve been out over the Christmas Holiday you may not have heard about the 21-day Daniel fast that we’ll be starting on January 3rd! During this time of fasting, we will be doing the 21-day Fast Reading Plan found at YouVersion.com. Additionally, we encourage you to join the conversation on our Facebook Page for updates and stories. On January 24th, we will celebrate with communion and a night of worship at New City Church from 6:45-7:45.

The Daniel fast is based the fasts found in Daniel 1 and Daniel 10. During this fast we will use daniel-fast.com as the main resource for “what to eat and what not to eat.” This diet allows fruits, nuts, grains and unleavened breads. This website suggests only water, but juices, natural teas, etc. are allowable. The big no-nos are meat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, sweets and breads. As is true in the tradition of many longer fasts, we will take Sundays off to celebrate the goodness of God by eating a normal diet. We are looking forward to starting off 2012 with an intense focus on what God has for us and we believe this fast is an important part of that!  We pray that you’ll join us!

Sorry, this year New City is one of those churches. On November 27th, we are starting a 4-week series called “The Advent Conspiracy.” As we anticipating Christ’s coming (that is what “advent” means), we want to do so with an appropriate response and celebration. Christmas should not be about shopping frenzy and credit card debt but rather the incarnation of our King, a gift for the entire world. Over the next four weeks we are going to challenge New City to Worship Fully, Love All, Spend Less and Give More to those in need.

We are doing so by meeting the practical needs of orphans served by Good News India, autistic children served by the Ashish Center in New Delhi and those who have been rescued from the horrors of the sex trade industry by The Rescue Project right here in Phoenix.

It is our goal to raise $10,000 this Christmas to give away and we believe that we will do that. We are asking that every parent would consider giving $15 for each child they have at New City. That $15 can feed a child in India for a month. Further, we ask that each adult give $35 toward reaching this goal. Some of you can give more than that but this is a good starting point. The point is to spend less on yourselves and give more of yourself away to those who have nothing…literally. It is easy to give. You can join us on Sundays (9:30 or 11) or give right now online: http://newcityphx.com/give/. Simply choose “Advent Conspiracy” when you give.

Will you join us and rain on the parade of consumerism this year? Come on, be a cultural-Christmas buzz-kill with us!

Because He Lives,
Brian

Leaders using this Study Guide for groups should read the text thoroughly before beginning, using this resource as assistance and not relying solely on this material for insight.

The Scripture:

20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,22 to put off your old self,t which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,27 and give no opportunity to the devil.28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:20-29 (ESV)

The Key Ideas:

1. Change involves both putting on AND putting off.

When we try to change just by stopping certain behavior it never works. This sort of “will power” theology forgets that change involves both stopping old behavior and starting new behavior.

• Will-power theology falls short. Notice verse 28:

28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

• When is a thief not a thief? Not just when he isn’t stealing… that is just a thief between jobs but rather when he STOPS stealing and STARTS producing to GIVE things away.
• Will-power theology misrepresents the nature of God: Christianity isn’t about saying no to everything: stay inside, don’t watch movies, don’t read those books, don’t do what they do. This isn’t God’s message or at least it doesn’t fully represent it.
• Will-power theology leads to rigidity and judgmentalism. When it is all on us to stop certain behavior we can become judgmental of those who aren’t able to stop certain behavior as well as we are so we might find ourselves thinking we are better than those who still struggle with things we don’t.

2. Change can’t be just about doing whatever I want. Our culture as gone from “Just Say No!” to “Just Do It!” Most don’t practice the disciples of fasting, solitude or self-denial because they see that as legalism. Neither legalism nor license is the truth of the bible.

3. We must both put on and putt off and it takes WORK.

Each day things demand your time and we have choices to make: ESPN or family; golf or my wife; another beer or read my bible. xBox or some time with my friend who needs some help.

Often, we want a life of meaning, purpose and faith but we don’t want to work for it. We want 6-pack abs but instead we are drinking it. In essence, want to PLAY like Jesus but not PRACTICE like Him. Jesus rose up early to pray, practiced fasting and denial and insisted on the things of God. All great men and women strive after their sanctification.

1 Timothy 4:7  Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.10 For to this end we toil and strive,t because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

4. There are two big issues today when it comes to the way we view change:

• We think change comes fast; and
• we are at the very center of change.

Too often we want change to happen in an instant and we want the change to better our lives. It is not wrong to want a better life and to have greater impact but the desire to change should be fueled by a desire to bring glory to God and to serve others first. If our glory is at the forefront of our reasons for changing, we are on the wrong path.

Questions for Reflection

1. What do you want to change? What is your “change project?”

2. How are you going to change it?

• what must you stop doing?
• what must your start doing.

3. Have you tried to change before by simply using your own will power? Did that work? Did it last?

4. What practices do you need to put in place? Reading, praying, fasting, Christian community?

5. Why do you want to change?

• is it for your glory?
• can you articulate reasons for changing that don’t put your first?

6. How will you respond when you get discouraged if change doesn’t come quickly enough?

Leaders using this Study Guide for groups should read the text thoroughly before beginning, using this resource as assistance and not relying solely on this material for insight.

Ephesians 4

17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,22 to put off your old self,t which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

The Key Ideas:

1. Philosophy of Change for the without Jesus.
In the first part of this passage, Paul tells us how those who don’t know Jesus approach change:

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

Those without Jesus, or those living like they don’t know Jesus, do the same things over and over and expect a different result. This is the definition of insanity.

2. Truth is Jesus.
Paul then tells the church that true change comes when we know Jesus and find our truth in Him.

But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus.

Jesus is an historical figure and person. He is not just an idea or set of beliefs. Christianity a set of doctrine, yes, but it is much MORE than that. Jesus, is the truth. (See John 14:6)

3. Renewing Your Mind.
Once we understand that truth is Jesus, we must renew the SPIRIT of our minds, that is, how we view facts and how we allow truth and facts to shape our lives.

that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth

4. Why do you want to change?
Wanting to change is great but just as important is WHY we want to change. We cannot change to “justify” ourselves, to “make ourselves feel worth,” or to “earn” our own salvation. Doing that makes us like the Pharisees:

Luke 18:9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

We should want to change in light of what Jesus did for us.

5. The Enemy Will Attack.

When we decide to change, the enemy, satan, will attack us. Satan and his demons want nothing less than to destroy your lives. Once you decide to change, expect to be met with challenge and disappointment, but commit to seek God and push through it.

“Work hard, then, on the disappointment or anticlimax which is certainly coming to the patient during his first few weeks as a churchman. The Enemy allows this disappointment to occur on the threshold of every human endeavor. It occurs when the boy who has been enchanted in the nursery by Stories from the Odyssey buckles down to really learning Greek. It occurs when lovers have got married and begin the real task of learning to live together. In every department of life it marks the transition from dreaming aspiration to laborious doing. The Enemy takes this risk because He has a curious fantasy of making all these disgusting little human vermin into what He calls His ‘free’ lovers and servants – ‘sons’ and ‘daughters’ are the words He uses, with His inveterate love of degrading the whole spiritual world by unnatural liaisons with the two-legged animals. Desiring their freedom, He therefore refuses to carry them, by their mere affections and habits, to any of the goals which He sets before them: He leaves them to ‘do it’. And there lies our opportunity. But also, remember, there lies our danger. If once they get through this initial dryness successfully, they become much less dependent on emotion and therefore much harder to tempt.” – C.S. Lewis in the Screwtape Letters.

Questions for Reflection

1. What do you want to change? What is your “change project?”
2. How are you going to change it?

• have you tried things before without results?
• have you considered looking more at the truth of Jesus before you start your change project again?
• have you ever thought about “renewing the spirit of your mind?” talk about what that means.

3. Why do you want to change?

• do you have something to prove?
• are you doing it “for your family?”

4. How will you respond when you get discouraged?