2. The Working of Transformation

A. Introduction – two men

•  Previously we considered Psalm 113 where God is seen to transform lives

•  It brings us a good picture of the God who stoops down to bring change and blessing to our lives.

•  To start, let's consider two men in the NT.

a) Rich Young man – Lk 18:18-24

•  he appeared to want to be spiritual by ‘rule following'

•  Jesus challenged him at the point of his security

•  the young man walked away – untransformed!

•  ‘rule following' does not bring real transformation

b) Zacchaeus – Lk 19:1-9

•  Zacchaeus is a tax collector, a crook

•  God wants him saved, transformed

•  Jesus speaks a word of acceptance and love and instruction

•  Zacchaeus responds and transformation takes place

•  transformation came through being loved

B. Why we don't ‘see it' 

•  Yet so often we fail to see transformation

•  Let's look at reasons why there is this failure.

•  Why is it that so many (possibly including us as well) deny they need transforming

•  I suggest there are several reasons:

1. Blindness

•  The Bible speaks about blindness that is not physical

•  People have been deceived by Satan ever since that first deception in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3)

•  People listen to his lies (Jn 8:44 )

•  People have thus been blinded to the truth (2 Cor 4:4).

•  Sin generally has a blinding effect (Jn 12:40, 1 Jn 2:11).

•  We don't realise that it is characterised by godlessness and self-centredness and distorts the truth.

2. Fear

•  A fear of being condemned if we face how we really are often prevents many from being honest about themselves

•  John wrote, “perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” (1 Jn 4:18)

•  People fear because they have listened to the lies of the enemy and cannot see the love that is there seeking to reach out to them.

3. Ignorance

•  Often we do not realise that there is something better than we have

•  This means many are happy to stay with second best

•  Many live in second best

C. Cries for Transformation

•  Whenever we ask in prayer, we are asking for transformation.

•  1 Sam 1:11 – Hannah “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son” ()

•  2 Kings 6:17 “ Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.”

•  We pray:

•  but so often God's first desire is to change MY heart

D. The Mechanics of Transformation

•  There are three elements to the bringing of transformation:

1. The Will of God

•  God knows what is best for us and the situation

•  He wants to bring change (but needs our co-operation)

•  He wants to bring something better than we have now.

•  The only thing that will stop you changing is you.

2. The Word of God

•  We've just said God wants to bring change and needs our co-operation

•  So He speaks to us

•  It may be through the Bible, through personal witness (He speaks directly into your mind when you're on your own), through preaching, through prophecy, through others, or through circumstances

3. Our Will's Positive Response

•  Nothing will happen unless we respond positively.

•  We can act negatively – here, as God speaks now – we reject it and make excuses and go away untouched and unchanged and then complain about God's absence and lack of care!

•  When we receive what He says and respond positively to it, things happen, God moves.

E. Conclusion

•  Heart transformation take place when

•  People fail to come to this point because they

•  Yet we all cry for transformation

•  For transformation to take place we need