Romans 12:1-2 Give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will accept. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Thoughts cause Feelings cause Actions or behaviors! 1 We only have one enemy, and it is not each other. God wants us to come together in unity in Jesus, not uniformity of theology. A Christian leader is someone who lays down their life for those they lead (or influence). Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. Because of this, we must learn to forgive each other, accept God's forgiveness and forgive ourselves. Love God love each other. 2 Why are we not seeing transformation? Is there a missing link? I have a theory. 3 1
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:30, 31 4 The Road to Righteousness Baboom! is paved with good intentions and lots of temptation Never Land Travel with that someone Act on that fantasy alone Fantasize about someone at work More rejection/emotional separation More emotional or physical disconnect Take care of kids on weekends More travel for work More feelings of rejection Travel for business Disconnect; emotional or physical Some feelings of rejection Married: Never get divorced, no adultery 5 The Road to Righteousness IDEAL SELF REAL SELF Never Land Baboom! Travel for business is paved with good intentions and lots of temptation Act on that fantasy alone Fantasize about someone at work More rejection/emotional separation More emotional or physical disconnect Take care of kids on weekends More travel for work More feelings of rejection Disconnect; emotional or physical Some feelings of rejection Travel with that someone Married: Never get divorced, no adultery 6 2
The distance between ideal self and real self is directly linked to the amount of stress a person feels. 7 Gas Tank Analogy 8 How This Plays out Person becomes controlling and manipulative They talk in half truths or convoluted communication Discredits anyone who sees the situation as it is and sets out to destroy them Person withdraws from life; spiritual death or suicide 9 3
INTRODUCING Bumper People Friends who love you that you choose to be in a relationship with. You can share your sins, fears, hurts, thoughts with them. Two things required: #1 They love you enough to tell you when you are getting off track or BUMP you back on track. #2 You trust them enough to tell them when your heart is wandering and allow them to BUMP you. The more BUMPER PEOPLE you have, the more likely you are to have freedom from living a secret life of sin and shame. 10 INTRODUCING Bumper People James 5:16 explains this concept: Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. NIV Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The Amplified Bible 11 The Road to Righteousness is paved with good intentions and lots of temptation Never Land Travel with that someone Act on that fantasy alone Fantasize about that someone More rejection/emotional separation More emotional or physical disconnect Take care of kids on weekends More travel for work More feelings of rejection Travel for business Disconnect; emotional or physical Some feelings of rejection Married: Never get divorced, no adultery 12 4
IF my people, Dependent Events 2 Chronicles 7:14 who are called by my name IF they will humble themselves IF they will pray IF they will seek my face IF they will repent and turn from their wicked ways 13 Dependent Events 2 Chronicles 7:14 THEN I will hear from heaven THEN I will forgive their sin THEN I will heal their land 14 PRAY LIKE THIS "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 15 5
Dependent events again. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. OUCH!! 16 ALL transformation starts with Personal Transformation 17 Man / Devil Shame > Fear > Condemnation Condemnation deals with your being Sinful Nature Lies we believe instead of the truth of God s Word Lie Pride Pride Pride Pride Lie Arrogance Arrogance Enablement Entitlement Judgment Guilt T-Chart Lie Hatred Sorrow Strife Intolerant Harsh Wickedness Faith Arrogance Excessiveness God Conviction Conviction deals with your behavior Confession to God > Repent > Forgiveness Confession to Man > Prayed For > Healing Father Honor God s DNA We are created in THEIR image Glory Authority Power Jesus Humility Meekness Mercy Grace Forgiveness Holy Spirit Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faith Gentleness Self Control 18 6
JUDGMENT VS. DISCERNMENT Discernment + Mercy + Grace + Love = Judgment Discernment + Mercy + Grace + Love = Enablement (being nice) (human love, faith in man) Real Discernment + + Godly Agape Mercy Grace + Love = Discipleship When we confront our own sin up against the glory of God, the light switch of judgment clicks off in our brains. Is it possible that the measure of a man s faith, the depth of a man s real relationship with God, could be best measured based on how he responds not to his own sin, yet to another man s sin? 19 Faith Community 3% Business Community Education Government 97% Family and community Media A/E 20 Prayer and Fasting Personal transformation Reconcile Relations Faith Evangelism Community Instruments of Just/ Sanctity and Right Mercy Dignity of Ministries/ Life Com/dev Personal Prayer and Transformation Fasting Business Community Education Government Reconcile Family and Community Relations Media A/E Other Instruments of Just/ Mercy Right Ministries/ Com/dev Evangelism Sanctity and Dignity of Life 21 7
Transformational Leadership Jerusalem Personal Transformation Samaria Prayer and Fasting Reconcile Relations Faith Community Evangelism Business Community Education Government Family and Community Sanctity and Media Dignity of A/E Life Other Judea Instruments Mercy of Just/ Ministries/ Right Com/dev The World 22 Are we willing to pursue personal transformation in order to see community transformation? 23 How have you used the gifts I gave to see transformation in your business, school, government, church, or community? 24 8