The great expectation of salvation is transformation

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:6-8

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalms 139:23-24 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. - Psalms 51:10-12

For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. - Malachi 3:2-4

Lessons from Stinky Don 1.It is really hard to smell your own stink 2.It is really important to others that you smell your own stink 3.It is really important to you that you smell your own stink 1.It is really hard to smell your own stink 2.It is really important to others that you smell your own stink 3.It is really important to you that you smell your own stink

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 But thanks be to God, who…through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Final Thoughts on Transformation 1.Transformation doesn’t happen unless you have been transformed 1 Corinthians 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Final Thoughts on Transformation 1.Transformation doesn’t happen unless you have been transformed 2.Transformation doesn’t happen by being religious, it happens by being in a relationship 1.Transformation doesn’t happen unless you have been transformed 2.Transformation doesn’t happen by being religious, it happens by being in a relationship

Read the Bible Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. - Psalms 1:1-2 Pray Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Go to Church Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:25 Read the Bible Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. - Psalms 1:1-2 Pray Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Go to Church Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:25 All scripture is given by inspiration of God - 2 Timothy 3:17 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. - John 16:13 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray” - Luke 11:1 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." - Matthew 18:20

Final Thoughts on Transformation 1.Transformation doesn’t happen unless you have been transformed 2.Transformation doesn’t happen by being religious, it happens by being in a relationship 3.Transformation doesn’t happen because you try, it happens because you train 1.Transformation doesn’t happen unless you have been transformed 2.Transformation doesn’t happen by being religious, it happens by being in a relationship 3.Transformation doesn’t happen because you try, it happens because you train

1 Timothy 4:6 Train yourself to be godly. 1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

How do we train ourselves for Godliness? Spiritual disciplines can be placed in two categories – disciplines of engagement and disciplines of abstinence. Disciplines of engagement involve my intentionally doing certain things. Worship, study, fellowship, and giving are all disciplines of engagement. By contrast, disciplines of abstinence involve my intentionally refraining from doing things. These include practices such as fasting, solitude, and silence. John Ortberg The Life You’ve Always Wanted Spiritual disciplines can be placed in two categories – disciplines of engagement and disciplines of abstinence. Disciplines of engagement involve my intentionally doing certain things. Worship, study, fellowship, and giving are all disciplines of engagement. By contrast, disciplines of abstinence involve my intentionally refraining from doing things. These include practices such as fasting, solitude, and silence. John Ortberg The Life You’ve Always Wanted

How do we train ourselves for Godliness? 1.Put yourself in a spiritual place for growth Read the Bible, prayer, memorization 2.Put yourself in spiritual company for growth Attend church, small groups, be with Christian friends 3.Put yourself in a ministry context for growth Evangelism, sacrifice, service, generosity 1.Put yourself in a spiritual place for growth Read the Bible, prayer, memorization 2.Put yourself in spiritual company for growth Attend church, small groups, be with Christian friends 3.Put yourself in a ministry context for growth Evangelism, sacrifice, service, generosity