Transformation and regeneration: EDGE church Transformation and regeneration: Fastest way to change June 19th 2016  Say to the person next to you each statement: Give permission to experience with God Draw near to God Design interventions Don’t pray away

Acknowledgement Background Introduction Acknowledgement Background Acknowledge those who serve among us, volunteers and pastoral team. IS there a Sam here today…who runs meta fit classes? Acknowledge Ash and Kate Price. Great guys. East Donc days. One of the best youth/kids pastors around What I was doing? Pastoring (Masters & Grad Dip) What I have been transitioning? Change specialisation MBA Exec Work in a technology adoption company as consultant

Can we change and transform? I ask this question because I cant break my nail biting addiction! Talk about nail biting…I just cant break it... Sentiment is how you are born determines how you live. Certainly life will often confirm that...just wish more people could change!

The goal of Christian growth: From me to Him Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded (Matt 28:20) Mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. (Eph. 4:13) Holy and blameless (Eph. 5:27) Pure virgin (2 Cor. 11:2) Transformed into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18) Kingdom benefits (not about me)

Can we change and transform? YES!

Yes we can change Science confirms- Neural plasticity New creation and new spirit (2Cor 5:17). Born again (John 3) Last point is worth a sermon and in fact I wrestled with giving this talk to you today. Perhaps another time!

How people change/transform Admission that they can’t change by themselves Fruit of the Spirit Process Tools Community Reinforcement Experience 1. I could have spent talking about the first two points but will focus on a key catalyst for change for Christians here today. 2. Prophecy from Joel. 3. ADKAR/KOTTER/PCI….Day to day we can choose to not be governed by the ‘flesh’ 4. Books, resources, new ways to develop thought processes. 7. Want to speak about one of the profound transforming experiences. Over 90% gave up smoking after experiencing cancer.

Something that happens or is said to us, that is a catalyst for change What is Experience? Something that happens or is said to us, that is a catalyst for change Could have spent talking about the first two points but will focus on a key catalyst for change for Christians here today. Want to speak about one of the profound transforming experiences. Over 90% gave up smoking after experiencing cancer. Paul’s experience with God- transformative Pray.

Acts 9 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. 10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied.

11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers[c] in Jerusalem!

14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 20 And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”

17 So Ananias went and found Saul 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. 20 And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” 21 All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”

22 Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. 23 After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. Paul has a profound experience that changes his approach in the kingdom. Pray

Experience is a powerful catalyst for change Could have spent talking about the first two points but will focus on a key catalyst for change for Christians here today. Want to speak about one of the profound transforming experiences. Over 90% gave up smoking after experiencing cancer.

A key catalyst to Paul’s transformation and our transformation Experience

Power of experience Experienced based sales/smoking IDEO ‘intervention design’ Study on juvenile offenders Doubting Thomas: ‘Unless I put my fingers into his hand’ Church experience while Pastor

Power of experience Don’t spend too long here

Power of experience Don’t spend too long here

Impact of experiencing God New thinking to new behaviours (from hatred to preaching, to being hated) Romans 12:1 Moses and Abraham Then paul

Two types of God experiences that are catalysts for transformation/change Fear of the Lord (beginning of wisdom): Isaiah Grace of God: Paul’s experience. Titus 2:12 “Grace teaches us to say no to unrighteousness" “We love because He first loved us” Experience nearly always with commissioning

The experience of God’s grace more than intellectual justification “So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable ….speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders” Acts 14:3 NIV. My experience of God’s grace Intellectual justification. Trip OS…unmerited favour....what grace. We have turned grace in to a package of 4 spiritual laws. Without the experience of God’s unmerited favour- you can really ever know it.

Experience is a powerful catalyst for change Could have spent talking about the first two points but will focus on a key catalyst for change for Christians here today. Want to speak about one of the profound transforming experiences. Over 90% gave up smoking after experiencing cancer.

Have you experienced God’s grace recently? Still cant change? One too many useless new years resolutions….

Experience of God’s grace Not just a big event triggered by God A small voice is often all we need when we seek God (remember Elijah and Job)

Perhaps what some of us need today is just a word from God Perhaps what some of us need today is just a word from God. We must seek Him out

Embrace experience with God Give permission for experience with God. Ask God to reveal more of himself,  draw near to him, and he will draw near to you (James 4:8). ’Design interventions’ (experiences) for church and community, parenting and work places Story of painter. Don’t pray away a current experience you may be facing, God may be preparing to reveal something new that could lead to being transformed in Christ’s image 3. Story: Painter: You spoiled my picture, but I saved your life. Short term mission trips are powerful.

Embrace experience with God Give permission for experience with God. Ask God to reveal more of himself,  draw near to him, and he will draw near to you (James 4:8). ’Design interventions’ (create experiences) for church and community, parenting and work places Don’t pray away a current experience you may be facing, God may be preparing to reveal something new that could lead to being transformed in Christ’s image 3. Story: Painter: You spoiled my picture, but I saved your life. Short term mission trips are powerful.