“Changing Me” Philippians 2: /25/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

“Changing Me” What would you like to change in your life? How does Jesus change your life? What would you like to change in your life? How does Jesus change your life?

“Changing Me” Is it all me, or is it all God, or is it a combination? When it comes to spiritual growth, God has a part and you have a part. Is it all me, or is it all God, or is it a combination? When it comes to spiritual growth, God has a part and you have a part.

“Changing Me” –Paul uses two phrases to explain this cooperation. 12 Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Phil 2:12-13) –Paul uses two phrases to explain this cooperation. 12 Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Phil 2:12-13)

“Changing Me” “Work out” is your part -- Continue to work out your salvation. “Work in” is God’s part -- for it is God who works in you. »We are to “work out” what God is “working in.” “Work out” is your part -- Continue to work out your salvation. “Work in” is God’s part -- for it is God who works in you. »We are to “work out” what God is “working in.”

“Changing Me” –God does not want cookie-cutter Christians. The word “energizer” or “energy” comes from the Greek word “work.” –There are three tools God uses to work in to your life for change and three choices you need to make to work them out. –God does not want cookie-cutter Christians. The word “energizer” or “energy” comes from the Greek word “work.” –There are three tools God uses to work in to your life for change and three choices you need to make to work them out.

“Changing Me” –There are three tools God uses to work in to your life for change and three choices you need to make to work them out.

“Changing Me” THREE TOOLS GOD USES 1. He uses the Bible. 16 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; (2 Timothy 3:16) THREE TOOLS GOD USES 1. He uses the Bible. 16 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; (2 Timothy 3:16)

“Changing Me” 17 it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point… (2 Timothy 3:17)

“Changing Me” 2. The Holy Spirit 11 Once the Spirit lives within you, he will bring to your whole being new strength and vitality. (Romans 8:11) 2. The Holy Spirit 11 Once the Spirit lives within you, he will bring to your whole being new strength and vitality. (Romans 8:11)

“Changing Me” 18 “As the Spirit of the Lord works with us, we become more and more like Him.” (1 Cor. 3:18)

“Changing Me” 3. Circumstances 28 To those who love God and are called according to His plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good. 29 For God chose us to bear the family likeness of his Son. (Romans 8:28-29) 3. Circumstances 28 To those who love God and are called according to His plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good. 29 For God chose us to bear the family likeness of his Son. (Romans 8:28-29)

“Changing Me” –Where are my problems coming from? –If God is going to make us like Jesus, then He’s going to take us through some situations that Jesus went through. –Where are my problems coming from? –If God is going to make us like Jesus, then He’s going to take us through some situations that Jesus went through.

“Changing Me” 30 Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways. (Proverbs 20:30) 33 Be humble. Before honor is humility. (Proverbs 15:33) God often has to depend more on the third way than the first two. 30 Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways. (Proverbs 20:30) 33 Be humble. Before honor is humility. (Proverbs 15:33) God often has to depend more on the third way than the first two.

“Changing Me” THREE CHOICES THAT WILL HELP YOU CHANGE 1. I can choose what I think about. –Your life is shaped by your thoughts. The Bible word for change is the word “repentance.” THREE CHOICES THAT WILL HELP YOU CHANGE 1. I can choose what I think about. –Your life is shaped by your thoughts. The Bible word for change is the word “repentance.”

“Changing Me” –If you want to be changed, start with the renewing of your mind.

“Changing Me” 2. I can choose to depend on God’s Spirit moment by moment. 4 Take care to live in me and let Me live in you. (John 15:4) 2. I can choose to depend on God’s Spirit moment by moment. 4 Take care to live in me and let Me live in you. (John 15:4)

“Changing Me” –Whatever you’re praying about you’re depending on God for. –Talk to God about anything and everything. –Whatever you’re praying about you’re depending on God for. –Talk to God about anything and everything.

“Changing Me” 3. I can choose my response to circumstances. 2 When all kinds of trials crowd into your lives don’t resent them as intruders but welcome them as friends. Realize that they come to test your faith and produce in you the quality of endurance. (James 1:2) 3. I can choose my response to circumstances. 2 When all kinds of trials crowd into your lives don’t resent them as intruders but welcome them as friends. Realize that they come to test your faith and produce in you the quality of endurance. (James 1:2)

“Changing Me” But let the process go on until that endurance fully develops and you become people of mature character, people of integrity, with no weak spots. (James 1:3-4)

“Changing Me” –God’s goal is for Christ-like character in your life and this is ongoing. What happens to you is not the most important thing in your life. What happens in you is what matters most. That is a choice. –God’s goal is for Christ-like character in your life and this is ongoing. What happens to you is not the most important thing in your life. What happens in you is what matters most. That is a choice.

“Changing Me” Conclusion We’ve seen people put in the same bad circumstances. What do you want to change the most about yourself? The power to change comes from God’s power and your choices. Conclusion We’ve seen people put in the same bad circumstances. What do you want to change the most about yourself? The power to change comes from God’s power and your choices.

“Changing Me” Philippians 2: /25/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles