Transformed Lives | Firm Foundation Week 4 | Pastor Andrew Cromwell

Transformed Lives

Series: Firm Foundation

Pastor Andrew Cromwell

2 Timothy 2:19 NLT

But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone…

Our Vision Statement: 

Igniting Contagious Faith in the One God Who Redeems All

Our Values

• Jesus is Everything
• People Matter
• Transformed Lives
• Authentic Community
• Holy Spirit Led

Transform: making a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of.

TRANSFORMATION is an inward renewal and reshaping of the mind through which a Christian’s inner person is changed into the likeness of Christ. Paul told the Roman believers, “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds” (Rom 12:2). As one’s Christian life progresses, the person should gradually notice that his or her thought life is being changed from Christlessness to Christlikeness. Transformation does not happen overnight—regeneration is instantaneous, but transformation is not. Christians are transformed to Christ’s image gradually as they spend time beholding him in intimate fellowship. Eventually, they will begin to mirror the one they behold. The apostle John said it well: “We can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is” (1 John 3:2, NLT).

1. Jesus is the one who initiates.
   
   Mark 5:1 ESV
   They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes.
   
   

2. Everyone can change!
   
   Mark 5:2-3 ESV
   2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain,

3. There will always be times we don’t want to change.

    Mark 5:6-7 ESV
    6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”

4. Change always comes with a cost.

Mark 5:13 ESV
13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

5. When Jesus changes you, people notice.

Mark 5:15-16 ESV
15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs.

6. Change comes with responsibility.

Mark 5:19 ESV
19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

7. There is always more change ahead.

2  Corinthians 3:18 NLT
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.