1. Introducing the God who Transforms

A. Introduction - Psalm 113

•  verses 1-5 God of Greatness

•  verses 6-9 God of Transformation

•  He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap v.7

•  He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. v.9

•  the people transformed – the poor, the needy, the barren woman

•  this is God who is concerned about ordinary people

B. Transformed from

1. From the dust – those in the gutter, beggars

•  16 mentions of ‘dust' in Job

•  e.g. For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.” Job 7:21

•  e.g. For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.” Job 16:15

•  Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Mt 5:3,4)

2. From the ash heap – those who go to look for cast-offs

•  the ‘corporation ash heap' was the place where refuse was burnt

•  you had to be hopeless to go there, needy is almost an understatement!

•  you were out of resources and you went here in the hope that the civic workers had been careless and there were odds and ends they had not burnt

3. From barrenness

•  unable to do what comes naturally, shamed

•  she is in anguish, looked down on by others, a physical failure

•  she is shamed and hopeless

C. God who Transforms

His transforming acts:

1. Pauper to Prince

v.8 he seats them with princes

2. Fruitless to Fruitful

v.9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.

D. Example to Consider?

Quote 1: A group involved in missionary work approached a small village near an Amish settlement. Seeking a possible convert, they confronted an Amish farmer and asked him, "Brother, are you a Christian?" The farmer thought for a moment and then said, "Wait just a few minutes." He wrote down a list of names on a tablet and handed it to the enquirer. "Here is a list of people who know me best. Please ask them if I am a Christian."

•  Do people know me as a man or woman of authority

•  Do people see fruit coming forth in my life, fruit of

•  Are these areas of my life where I need to allow the Lord greater freedom to bring restoration and change, to become more like Jesus?

Quote 2: Apparently there is an old Scottish mansion, of which the walls of one room were filled with sketches made by distinguished artists. The practice began after a jug of soda water was accidentally spilled on a freshly decorated wall and left an unsightly stain. At the time, a noted artist, Lord Landseer, was a guest in the house. One day when the family went out to the moors, he stayed behind. With a few masterful strokes of a piece of charcoal, that ugly spot became the outline of a beautiful waterfall, bordered by trees and wildlife. He turned that disfigured wall into one of his most successful depictions of Highland life.

•  The truth is that it doesn't matter what our past lives were like, God is in the transformation and restoration business

•  All we have to do is give Him permission and space to do it

•  Don't look back to the dust or the ash heap – look forward to your calling as a young prince or princess in the Royal household where God is king.

•  Don't look back to years of fruitlessness – look forward to the days of fruitfulness that the Holy Spirit wants to bring through you.