Transformed by His Grace

1. Transformed by His Grace

3. God’s TRUTH Transforms us Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

5. Satan’s Big Lie Self Worth = Performance + Other’s Opinions + Our Past

6. Self-Worth Is an accurate perception of ourselves, God, and others based on the truths of God’s Word. We need to hear God’s Words of Love and affection for us…just like children do from their parents. God said to Jesus: “This is my Son whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17

7. Satan’s Lies Satan is the accuser: For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. Rev. 12:10

8. 4 Lies vs. 4 Truths (from Satan) (from God)

9. Performance Trap Satan’s Lie #1: I Must meet certain standards to feel good about myself. 1. Rules dominate your life (workout, eat right..etc) 2. Achievement dominates your life grades..career..position..status..sports 3. Fear of failure dominates your life Leads to: Perfectionism – ego centric, self driven, control, I will not fail And/Or Despair – despondent, stop trying, I’ll just fail anyway

10. I am Fully Pleasing to God. (the moment I accept Christ) God’s Truth #1:Justification – transferring our sin to Christ and His Righteousness to us. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus. Rom. 5:1 He made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21 Justification • No guilt • No memory • Imputed Righteousness

11. Approval Addict Satan’s Lie #2: I must be approved by others to feel good about myself. - bow to peer pressure to gain approval - join groups to be accepted - lose weight, drink, bad relationships, even good Christian things - Have a hard time opening up & Isolate “real” self because you fear rejection - don’t take risks - constantly looking to others to see if I measure up and am accepted - overly sensitive to criticism This is another word for People Pleaser. - my story..feared rejection & wanted people to like me.

12. I am totally accepted by God God’s Truth #2: Reconciliation Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight without blemish and free from accusation. Col 1:21-22 Reconciliation means that although I was at one time hostile toward God and alienated from Him, I am now forgiven and have been brought into a friendship with him. Justification explains the judicial facts of our forgiveness. Reconciliation explains the relational aspects of our salvation. This Acceptance gives me Freedom to try and fail, to live life freely and not be IMPRISONED by what others think!

13. The Blame Game Satan’s Lie #3: “Those who fail (including myself) are unworthy of love and deserve to be punished.” Have you ever wondered how a critical, judgmental person lives with himself? The answer is: not very well. Examples: The fear of punishment and punishing others Withdraw from God because afraid of him and his punishment Blame others for everything: Road Rage, blame the refs., Grades…my professor didn’t teach well Avoid Failure at all costs. We accuse others and berate ourselves. For sins and even just mistakes. Why do we love to kick ourselves/others when we are down.

14. I am deeply loved by God God’s Truth #3: Propitiation – means that by his death on the cross Christ satisfied God’s wrath. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him. Romans 5:9 Judgment is God’s responsibility, not mans. You are deeply loved by God. What else matters. If you or others make a sin/mistake…remember this!

15. Shame Satan’s Lie #4: I am what I am, I cannot change. I am hopeless. Is there anything about your life that you believe makes it impossible for you to ever experience consistent change? Examples: - Feeling of shame about your life or areas of life - hopeless about ever changing in certain areas - inferiority, passivity - isolation, withdrawal from others - can’t separate past from present Self-worth = yesterdays disappointments

16. I am a new creation in Christ God’s Truth #4: Regeneration – we have been made brand new and complete in Christ. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come! 2 Cor. 5:17 Not a self-improvement program, but impartation of new life. You can change. You are not hopeless. You can rise above your past. God’s Holy Spirit lives in you.

17. Summary Trapeze: Let go of Lies and grab hold of Truth Truth: We are fully pleasing, totally accepted, deeply loved by the God of the universe and We can change! We can be set FREE by renewing our minds with these truths

18. Application Write the 4 Truths / 4 Lies on 3 x 5 Card Renew your mind daily with these: post them on your mirror or desk. Spend a few minutes praying that God would free you of the Lie you are believing. Read the book (you get it tonight!) and do the built in workbook!