New Life : Extreme Makeover Rev. Warren Lai May 8, 2005

(I) God’s Plan & Design God’s wonderful plan = our destiny Meant for & attainable by all  not just the elite  whoever has new-life-in-Christ

God’s Design & Promise 2 Pet. 1:3 [Christ has accomplished for us] “through … Him” “… has (already) granted to us …” [our appropriation to make it concrete] “… knowledge (of Christ) …” επιγνωσκω  experiential knowledge “everything that we need for life & godliness” esp in 2 areas: “His glory & goodness”

The Goal of God’s Design 2 Pet. 1:4 “so that … ”  purpose & goal of giving us the promise (v.3) (the positive side) “to share in” = the divine nature / virtues / character (the negative side) “to escape” = the corruption in the world - caused by evil desires / nature / character

(I) God’s Plan & Design (II) Going into the depths of life: our Character

(II) Going into the depths of life: our Character Beyond doings, actions on the outside But our very beings, a ‘metamorphosis’ of our lives = a change in the very nature deep inside

Rm. 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, But be transformed by the renewing of your mind…

offer yourselves as a living sacrifice do not be con-formed confined & tied up be trans-formed (meta-morphoo - word used in ‘transfiguration, 2Cor.3:18) change in the deepest part change in the very nature

(II) Going into the depths of life: our Character (I) God’s Plan & Design (III) Reaching into to all areas of life: every Virtues

(III) Reaching into to all areas of life: every Virtues As it is an out-flow of our Nature/ our Character, it reaches into all areas of life. As it reaches into all areas of life, it requires the adaptability of: learning, discernment, wisdom

Proverbs 1:1-7 The proverbs of Solomon: To know wisdom & instruction To discern the sayings of understanding To receive instruction in wise behavior righteousness, justice & integrity To give prudence to the naïve To the youth, knowledge & discretion As for the wise, he hears - to increase his knowledge And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel To understand … “To …”  Purpose & Goal

To understand proverbs parables words of the wise paradox The awe of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Only a fool would despise wisdom and instructions

:2 Overview :2 a = character & nature :2 b = spirit of learning

:2 Overview :2 a = character & nature :2 b = spirit of learning :3 = character & nature :4-5 = learning community :6 = spirit of learning :7= the key & ultimate goal

:2 Overview :2 a = character & nature :2 b = spirit of learning :3 = character & nature :4-5 = learning community :6 = spirit of learning :7= the key & ultimate goal

(A) Nature & Character 1:2a  :3 beyond head knowledge - but concrete, experiential knowledge wisdom & ‘instruction’ = coaching, mentoring especially in:  wise behavior  righteousness  justice  integrity Ingredients of character

:2 Overview :2 a = character & nature :2 b = spirit of learning :3 = character & nature :4-5 = learning community :6 = spirit of learning :7= the key & ultimate goal

(B) Spirit of Learning 1:2b  :6 To understand proverbs parables words of the wise paradox All forms & kinds – they will not be barriers To discern the sayings of understanding

:2 Overview :2 a = character & nature :2 b = spirit of learning :3 = character & nature :4-5 = learning community :6 = spirit of learning :7= the key & ultimate goal

(C) The Learning Community 1:4-5 the naïve = those with little potential the youth = those with little experience as for the wise … he is wise enough to be eager, to increase his knowledge even further Prov. 9:9 “ Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser; Teach a righteous man And he will increase his learning.”

:2 Overview :2 a = character & nature :2 b = spirit of learning :3 = character & nature :4-5 = learning community :6 = spirit of learning :7= the key & ultimate goal

(D) The Key & Ultimate Result of Learning & Wisdom 1:7 Both the key to any true knowledge & wisdom And the ultimate result of any true knowledge & wisdom

(II) Going into the depths of life: our Character (I) God’s Plan & Design (III) Reaching into to all areas of life: every Virtues (IV) Dynamic process: from exercising the virtues to formation of the character

(IV) The Dynamic process: from the exercising of the virtues to the formation of the character The formation of the character is: not a status that we can establish once-&-for-all but a state that requires our moment-by-moment commitment to maintain

The formation of the character is: a state that progresses & grows with each committal that requires practice & discipline 2Pet.1:10-11, 4 “… Be all the more diligent, … as long as you practice these things, … you will enter abundantly into the Kingdom.” “ Through these … we may share in the divine character.” also a state that has no bound in its growth

(II) Going into the depths of life: our Character (I) God’s Plan & Design (III) Reaching into to all areas of life: every Virtues (IV) Dynamic process: from exercising the virtues to formation of the character