Cookie Monster clip singing “One of These Things are Not Like the Other”

Romans 6:17-18 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Ephesians 2:1-5 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

The great expectation of salvation is transformation

Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Eyes of American Teenagers by Christian Smith & Melinda Lundquist Denton Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Eyes of American Teenagers by Christian Smith & Melinda Lundquist Denton What expectations do we have of God? Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism "is about inculcating a moralistic approach to life. It teaches that central to living a good and happy life is being a good, moral person. That means being nice, kind, pleasant, respectful, responsible, at work on self-improvement, taking care of one's health, and doing one's best to be successful."…These individuals, whatever their age, believe that religion should be centered in being "nice"--a posture that many believe is directly violated by assertions of strong theological conviction. What expectations do we have of God? Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism "is about inculcating a moralistic approach to life. It teaches that central to living a good and happy life is being a good, moral person. That means being nice, kind, pleasant, respectful, responsible, at work on self-improvement, taking care of one's health, and doing one's best to be successful."…These individuals, whatever their age, believe that religion should be centered in being "nice"--a posture that many believe is directly violated by assertions of strong theological conviction. What expectations do we have of God? Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is also "about providing therapeutic benefits to its adherents. This is not a religion of repentance from sin,…of living as a servant of sovereign divinity,… of building character through suffering, of basking in God's love and grace,…et cetera. Rather, what appears to be the actual dominant religion among U.S. teenagers is centrally about feeling good, happy, secure, at peace. It is about attaining subjective well-being, being able to resolve problems, and getting along amiably with other people." What expectations do we have of God? Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is also "about providing therapeutic benefits to its adherents. This is not a religion of repentance from sin,…of living as a servant of sovereign divinity,… of building character through suffering, of basking in God's love and grace,…et cetera. Rather, what appears to be the actual dominant religion among U.S. teenagers is centrally about feeling good, happy, secure, at peace. It is about attaining subjective well-being, being able to resolve problems, and getting along amiably with other people." What expectations do we have of God? Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

In addition, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism presents a unique understanding of God.…This amorphous faith "is about belief in a particular kind of God: one who exists, created the world, and defines our general moral order, but not one who is particularly personally involved in one's affairs--especially affairs in which one would prefer not to have God involved. Most of the time, the God of this faith keeps a safe distance." What expectations do we have of God? Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

In addition, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism presents a unique understanding of God.…This amorphous faith "is about belief in a particular kind of God: one who exists, created the world, and defines our general moral order, but not one who is particularly personally involved in one's affairs--especially affairs in which one would prefer not to have God involved. Most of the time, the God of this faith keeps a safe distance." What expectations do we have of God? Moralistic Therapeutic Deism Be nice, don’t hurt anyone and God will leave us alone

What expectations does God have of us? Our Verdict: Being a Christian means I am a better version of myself

What expectations does God have of us? 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

What expectations does God have of us? Ezekiel 36:25-27 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Galatians 5:19-23 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is church attendance, acts of kindness, no cussing, give lots of money, keep the nursery, and oh –giving more money.

Galatians 5:19-23 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What do we need to know about our “minds”? 1.Our minds have a moral nature Ephesians 4:22-24 Lay aside the old self, … be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

What do we need to know about our “minds”? 1.Our minds have a moral nature 2.Our minds are working from a place of ignorance 1.Our minds have a moral nature 2.Our minds are working from a place of ignorance 1 Peter 1:13-14 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self- controlled;….As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

What do we need to know about our “minds”? 1.Our minds have a moral nature 2.Our minds are working from a place of ignorance 3.Our minds are infected by the hardness of our heart 1.Our minds have a moral nature 2.Our minds are working from a place of ignorance 3.Our minds are infected by the hardness of our heart Ephesians 4:17-18 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

What do we need to know about our “minds”? 1.Our minds have a moral nature 2.Our minds are working from a place of ignorance 3.Our minds are infected by the hardness of our heart 1.Our minds have a moral nature 2.Our minds are working from a place of ignorance 3.Our minds are infected by the hardness of our heart

How can we be transformed in our minds? Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

How can we be transformed in our minds? Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Assignment For This Week Read Colossians 3 Make a list of the untransformed life and the transformed life Read Colossians 3 Make a list of the untransformed life and the transformed life