WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:06.259 Fantastic. Good morning, everyone. I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. 00:00:07.060 --> 00:00:16.699 Any idea? It was the Spice Girls. That thing that I remember as my teenage children got involved in, 00:00:16.820 --> 00:00:23.480 it was that mind worm that was in my car singing to me all the way to the beach. 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:27.080 I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. 00:00:27.079 --> 00:00:35.119 It's an interesting, John Mark Comer, in his recent book where he is writing of Live No Lies, 00:00:35.239 --> 00:00:44.599 says, what is it that you want? What is it? What do you really want in a Christian life? 00:00:45.619 --> 00:00:52.659 He says, my guess is if you go deep enough, you ache for God himself, to live in his love, 00:00:52.659 --> 00:00:59.640 to yield to his gentle peace, to let your body become a place where his spirit and will is done 00:00:59.640 --> 00:01:09.079 on earth as it is in heaven. That's a gift of the Spirit in you. Is that your deepest desire? 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:16.620 Is that what we need? Is that what, in your heart, you are saying, I really, really want? 00:01:16.620 --> 00:01:24.359 Because his point is simply this, our deepest desires usually are to become people of goodness 00:01:24.359 --> 00:01:34.640 and love, are often sabotaged by a stronger surface level desires of our flesh. This is exacerbated by 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:42.400 a culture where the widespread wisdom of the day is to follow our desires, not to crucify them. 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:52.480 But in reality, it says, be true to yourself. That is the worst advice anyone could ever give you. 00:01:54.400 --> 00:02:00.580 It's interesting, isn't it, as we get to, we move to the end of this sermon series, 00:02:01.020 --> 00:02:09.060 that there has to be a shift. There has to be a shift in us and through us, as Paul is saying to 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:16.099 the early church, to get to that place of asking, what do we really want? What do we want? We want 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:25.539 more of you, Lord. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of 00:02:25.539 --> 00:02:34.500 your mind. Be transformed to be changed. Transform means to make a mark change in the form, in the nature 00:02:34.500 --> 00:02:39.539 of the world. And if we need to be changed, in the nature of the world, we need to be transformed. 00:02:39.539 --> 00:02:47.539 We need to be changed, to be transformed. Professor Kenneth Paragment said, at its heart, 00:02:47.539 --> 00:02:54.900 spiritual transformation refers to a fundamental change in the place of the sacred, or the character 00:02:54.900 --> 00:03:04.420 of the sacred in the life of the individual. It has to change us deep inside, to change us so that we 00:03:04.419 --> 00:03:10.899 can live for God. So Paul continues, why do we do this? Why do we need to be transformed? Then we will be 00:03:10.899 --> 00:03:20.099 able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will. It's not just about us, 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:30.579 it's all about him. I don't know whether you ever encountered the phenomenon of a child's toy 00:03:30.580 --> 00:03:37.060 called Transformers. I don't know whether you ever saw that. This isn't actually a Transformer. I didn't 00:03:37.060 --> 00:03:43.380 bring one. I think I threw all my children's way, because it sort of causes me a psychotic issue 00:03:44.180 --> 00:03:51.300 of this thing that suddenly is one thing, then becomes another. The thing is, oh by the way, 00:03:51.300 --> 00:03:57.219 read your car manual. You probably don't know what it can actually achieve. My car takes a life of its 00:03:57.219 --> 00:04:07.540 own. I know why not. This thing is, Paul is urging his early church to be transformed, to be changed, 00:04:08.100 --> 00:04:18.340 and because he knows the consequences of living in the truth or living a lie. Which one is it going to be? 00:04:18.339 --> 00:04:25.859 The thing is here is, Paul knew what it means to make a transformational shift in his life. He knew 00:04:25.859 --> 00:04:31.699 better than most people. That's why he's writing this stuff. From one minute he's breathing hate 00:04:32.419 --> 00:04:38.979 and wanting to actually kill every Christian that he can find, to a transformational moment where he is 00:04:38.979 --> 00:04:45.379 filled afresh on the Emmaus Road, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to have a total life change, 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:54.019 transformed in the power of the Holy Spirit. And we may know those transformational moments of what 00:04:54.019 --> 00:05:00.980 that looks like in our lives. Maybe some of us have experienced that. Some of us are asking for that. 00:05:00.980 --> 00:05:10.180 Some of us are wanting that. Stop dragging me back to what it was before. To have these transformational 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:19.780 changes means a life totally transformed in the power of the Spirit, which changes our aspect of living, 00:05:20.420 --> 00:05:29.379 of giving, of sharing, generosity, and sacrifice. There's part of it that has to die to self and more for 00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:38.019 the Lord. And maybe we can think this morning those things that we long to die within us. Those things 00:05:38.019 --> 00:05:46.180 that drag us back in transformation. Why is Paul saying? Because this thing has to stick. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:54.819 You know, like the transformer that we saw there. Maybe you know as well as I do in my life as a Christian, 00:05:54.819 --> 00:06:02.259 how quickly we are able to change from one thing back to the other. Lord, I long to be like this. 00:06:02.259 --> 00:06:10.500 I long to be transformed in the power of your Spirit. So why do you keep dragging me back to look like this 00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:18.819 in my life? What is it that where I need to break that and to make the change? We need this 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:27.620 transformational lifestyle that we can so easily slip back into. That's why we need the Holy Spirit. 00:06:28.899 --> 00:06:36.100 There needs to be a continuity of a Spirit-filled, Jesus-shaped character in us that transforms us more 00:06:36.100 --> 00:06:43.379 and more into the likeness of Christ. And we need to ask for that more and more. Lord, make me more like 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:51.379 you in all that I do and say. The character of God encourages us to do that. And Paul goes on to 00:06:51.379 --> 00:07:03.540 encourage this transformational mindset. Why? Because he calls us to be his, his church. His church, 00:07:03.540 --> 00:07:13.620 the bride of Christ. The bride of Christ. Now, I find that very interesting, that image, the bride of 00:07:13.620 --> 00:07:22.300 Christ. Because let's face it, guys, women are much better at multitasking than we are. I hear the cheer 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:31.480 from the women. And I hear the sigh from the men. Yes. Because if it's anything like in my house, 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:37.580 Mandy still has this amazing way of getting the breakfast, getting children to school, 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:42.200 reading something while she's doing it, while you're doing the hoovering as well. By the way, 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:47.020 in between all of that, you're studying, you're studying for a degree while landscaping the garden, 00:07:47.400 --> 00:07:52.160 still having enough energy to service the car, and then advise me on all the jobs that I haven't done. 00:07:52.160 --> 00:08:01.680 Women, you are amazing. And so it's no surprise that he has chosen this picture of the bride, 00:08:02.280 --> 00:08:13.980 beautiful, wonderful, and stunning, to be the bride of Christ, his church. And how can one body do so much? 00:08:13.980 --> 00:08:23.300 Paul says it's because they have many gifts in one body. We all have these gifts that we bring together 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:33.039 to make us so attractive to people to be drawn to. A bride on her wedding day is a stunning thing to see. 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:41.800 I stand here so often, the doors open, the bridegroom turns around, bursts into tears, often, 00:08:41.799 --> 00:08:49.919 because his bride looks so stunning. Are we that picture of the church to people? That they are so 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:58.559 drawn to us, so attracted, so passionately drawn to us, because we are so filled with these gifts. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:06.979 Paul says, Paul, that we can form one body because each member belongs to all the others. We work 00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:16.080 together. As Tim said, there is one church if we all work together. And if your gift is prophesying, 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:21.519 then prophesy in accordance with your faith. If it is serving, then serve. If it's teaching, 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:29.120 then teach. We need people in the children's teams. Please join up. Sign up. It's a great gift to have. 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:36.320 If it's to encourage, then give encouragement. We all love encouraging, to be encouraged, 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:43.760 and built up. Most people who work in a work setting will know what encouragement actually means 00:09:43.760 --> 00:09:50.580 when you are thanked and you are encouraged for what you do in the everyday. If it is giving, 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:57.460 then give generously. Don't hold back. Just do it in so many ways. If it is to lead, 00:09:57.460 --> 00:10:05.260 then do it diligently. If it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully with a smile. 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:14.720 We are the bride of Christ, the church. We are the one that God wants to because we are beautiful, 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:24.060 engaging, practical, empowering, encouraging, and awesome. The bride that God loves and cares for 00:10:24.060 --> 00:10:25.660 in his character. 00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:34.939 I suppose really the question is, do we want to be the bride of Christ or do we want to be bridezilla? 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:48.039 And I think it's a very interesting choice that we make as to how we want all of these things that 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:55.539 Paul is saying to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. So Paul goes on. How do we sustain this 00:10:55.539 --> 00:11:02.740 beauty that people will be drawn to? Simple. It's character. Character, character, character. 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:10.799 What is it in our character that draws the people? It's like the transformer. You know, when you come 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:17.419 across somebody, you want to know that it's going to be a good, healthy, welcoming relationship, not to 00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:26.299 bite back at you when you're there. To have that wholesome character of a church that welcomes and is 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:33.579 open to welcome people. And people will be drawn. People will say, I had a cold call this week and it was 00:11:33.579 --> 00:11:39.719 really great to have a conversation with somebody who actually wants to be engaged and think about God. 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:49.560 Maybe for the first time. How do we do that? Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:57.320 That's the transformational. That is the shift. That is the shift again and again and again. To move back. 00:11:57.660 --> 00:12:06.740 To cling to what is good. When I'm tempted, what is good in this, Lord? What is good? Do I get dragged back so easily I can? 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:16.519 Make the shift. Honour one another above yourselves. It's not about Clive. It's not about me. It's not what I want. 00:12:16.860 --> 00:12:24.940 It's about God and it's about the family. It's about the church. It's about the community. Never be lacking in zeal, 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:32.580 but keep your spiritual fervour serving the Lord. Keep on serving. In serving, we receive more. 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:41.660 And be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. 24-7. 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:54.180 Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Coffee is returning soon. 00:12:54.179 --> 00:13:04.239 Oh, it's more enthusiastic than that. Coffee is returning soon. Practice hospitality. 00:13:05.579 --> 00:13:12.099 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with 00:13:12.099 --> 00:13:20.259 those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:31.980 people of low position. Do not be conceited. As we near the end of this series, we move rapidly towards 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:38.759 Lent, towards the four-point gospel. And as we move towards that, as we encourage people to join us, 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:49.439 to come and join us, I hope that we will all see many, many lives transformed. Seeing lives transformed 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:55.900 within ourselves. Things where that shift where we were drawn back, where we want to be more transformed 00:13:55.900 --> 00:14:03.320 into the likeness of Christ. And because of that, because most people really, really want to meet 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:09.420 with the Holy Spirit. Why? Because once you've met with him, you know it's worth sharing. 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:17.120 It's great for sharing. You know, have you witnessed that? Then there's an opportunity. In April, 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:24.360 we'll be starting the Alpha course. And it would be great just to bring people along. To bring people 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:28.120 maybe to share stories like this. 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:33.279 I'm interested in what people were saying, and a lot of other people were asked questions that 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:39.279 were relevant for me. And that really helped, because I'm not overly confident in speaking out. 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:43.940 That's where I'd say I became a Christian. I gave my life to Christ, and I've never looked back. 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:49.940 It literally changed everything. We always had supper, and that made it less formal in a way. 00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:53.420 So that, you know, and it prompted very good discussions. 00:14:53.740 --> 00:15:00.220 It was one particular conversation I had with my group leader, and we went over so many things in life. 00:15:00.300 --> 00:15:05.020 But it's where I finally realised just how much Jesus means to me, and who he was, and what he'd done. 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.899 And that's where I gave my life to Christ. 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:13.759 They prayed with us, and at that point, they spoke to us, and God spoke to us through grace. 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:20.840 And what was said to me at that moment, it was only known to me in lieu. 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:24.759 So at that moment, I knew I was going to be a Christian, because I couldn't deny God. 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:30.779 And because of that, we need to celebrate. 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:39.759 The issue is, you see, is that we said last week that God seizes our attention, 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:49.399 and calls us, and brings us back, and excites us, and enthuses us, and empowers us to be his church. 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:51.819 And we are the bride. 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:57.159 Why? Because we are transformed more and more into his likeness. 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:58.220 Do you want more of that? 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.179 Yes? 00:16:01.459 --> 00:16:03.579 Did I hear people say yes and amen? 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:09.139 Then let's do that, people, and pray in the power of his Holy Spirit. 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:11.100 Would you like to play along with us? 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:12.379 Should we pray together? 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:19.000 Holy Spirit, would you come? 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:24.319 And would you transform us more and more into your likeness? 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:36.299 Lord, as you chose to use that image of us, the church, as your beautiful and glorious bride, 00:16:37.319 --> 00:16:40.379 transform us more and more into that image, 00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:44.460 so that people would be drawn to us to celebrate. 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:54.600 And through that, Lord, would you use us more and more to show your love to a waiting world, 00:16:55.320 --> 00:17:03.920 to be your people in the places to which you call us, moment by moment, day by day. 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:11.759 Lord, in the power of your Holy Spirit, would you equip us and move that shift in us, 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:15.799 if we need that, Lord, not to be drawn back, 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:20.980 to be drawn back to old ways, old thoughts, old criticisms, 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:27.559 old ways of thinking that has marred your image in us. 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:32.480 So, Holy Spirit, would you come? 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:35.419 Would you come now? 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:37.980 And would you fill us afresh, Lord? 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:45.120 And if this morning, Lord, has seized our attention in some small way, 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:53.180 Lord, may we pray that that shift more towards you and into you and through you 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:55.220 sticks where it is. 00:17:55.220 --> 00:18:04.860 Stick with us, Lord, as we stick close to you in all we do and say, 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:08.039 thank you, Jesus. 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:10.059 Thank you.