Change grow and overcome (Boston, MA)

Change grow and overcome

What God Wants for You God offers blessings now and a future beyond your wildest dreams The Bible gives a road map of specific steps we should take in making that personal transformation. Christian conversion does not end with repentance and baptism these two steps are just the beginning. God calls on us to change grow and overcome to become more like Him throughout our lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can have Christ formed in us. This will happen if you study His word completely cover to cover.The story of Aquila and Priscilla helps us understand some of the ways God helps us to grow in our Christian walk. It seems Aquila and Priscilla were already Christians when they met Paul in Corinth and it also seems they hit it off. Not only did they share the same trade of tent-making (or leatherworking) they shared a love of the truth. They followed Paul as far as Ephesus and after he left an eloquent speaker and Bible scholar named Apollos came to town. He had been taught the way of the Lord and talked to others with great enthusiasm and accuracy about Jesus. However he knew only about John s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. This caring and zealous couple were not trying to show off their knowledge but to truly help and encourage another believer to grow. Their own faithful study had prepared them to humbly teach and help others. What was the result By the words of Aquila and Priscilla he was more fully instructed. The result was that Apollos who already knew Jesus as a figure in history came also to know him as a living presence and his power as a preacher must have been increased a hundredfold. When Apollos traveled on to Greece he proved to be of great benefit to those who by God s grace had believed. He refuted all the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures he explained to them The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus (Acts 18 27-28).What Does the Bible Say About Christian Growth and Overcoming Is Christianity a part of life or a whole way of life Acts 24 14 But this I confess unto thee that after the way which they call heresy so worship I the God of my fathers believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets Matthew 6 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.It is not enough for Christianity to just be a compartment of our lives. It is an all-encompassing way of life that must take first priority in our lives. The Way was actually what Christianity was called during the time of the apostles.How does God reveal how to be like Him 1 John 5 3 For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous.God is love (1 John 4 8) and He shows us how to love Him the way He wants to be loved in the first four of the Ten Commandments. He then shows us how to love others in the last six commandmentsDo we become perfect soon after baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit No human is perfect see Romans 3 23.Romans 7 19 For the good that I would I do not but the evil which I would not that I do.Romans 7 24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Romans 7 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God but with the flesh the law of sin.2 Peter 3 18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.Revelation 3 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne.Paul described the constant struggle he faced years after his baptism. Romans 7 can seem depressing since Paul was being completely truthful. However the situation isn t hopeless. He ended with the solution Jesus Christ and the powerful gift of the Holy Spirit that Paul expounded on in Romans 8. And as he wrote in Philippians 4 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Conversion is a growth process. We must continue to learn and repent (1 John 1 8-9) it is not a one and done act. Repentance is not just something we do before baptism it is a lifelong process. We must not let our love grow cold (Matthew 24 12).Jesus promises great eternal blessings to those who overcome sins and challenges. Overcomes can be translated as conquers in some cases. We must overcome the pulls desires of the flesh the temptations of the world (2 Peter 2 20 1 John 5 4) and the wicked one (1 John 2 13).How does God guide us to grow Through diligent study of His word is how.Psalm 119 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.1 John 2 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked.2 Timothy 3 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness If you want to be free from the bondage of deception (caused by listening to false teachers never studying His word listening to those that are biblically illiterate liars etc.) learn the truth by studying the word of God completely as we are commanded to do don t be destroyed for lack of knowledge of God s word. Another really good reason to study is you will not hear God s word today where you thought you should hear His word (in church). 2 Timothy 2 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. John 8 32 And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. John 17 17 Sanctify them through thy truth thy word is truth. Amos 8 11 Behold the days come saith the Lord GOD that I will send a famine in the land not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water but of hearing the words of the LORD (That famine for hearing the Word of the Lord is upon us now. People are starving for the truth in the Word. Sadly fairy tales false teachings traditions and commandments of men are all that are taught in most churches today. You can overcome the famine by actually studying the word of God yourself what a concept). By studying the Bible yourself you will discover amazing things that sadly you will never hear while sitting in a church pew.