Intro: The Holy Spirit is the Author of Change, and Christians are the Subject of change

The change we experience as Christians...

1. Is and active work throughout our lives (Phil 2:12-13)

2. Is patterned after Christ (1 Cor 11:1)

3. Is for Christ (Rom 12:1-2)

The Supports (Supplies) of Grace-Produced Change

Introduction

1 Cor. 15:10 “But by the grace of god I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, i worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

Rom. 15:18 “For I will not venture to speak of anything except what christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed.”

Col. 1:29 “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”

I. Grace Comes to Us Through Means

II. The Word of God as a Means of Grace

How can we cultivate a deeper hunger and love for the Word?

1. Reverence it. 1 Thess. 2:13

2. Regularly receive it

3. Ransack it for meaning ... bombard the text with questions ...

4. Ravenously consume it ... Matt. 4:4

Psa. 119:9, 11

1 Peter 2:2

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (Especially 16-18)

“The Author of Change”

Introduction: Our Extreme Makeover!!

Central Idea of the Passage:

Our unshakeable Hope is rooted in an unveiled Message that issues in an unfading Change with undiminished Glory ... BY the Holy Spirit!

I. An Unveiled Message (13-16)

That issues in ...

II. An Unfading Change (17, 18)

That Leads to ...

III. Undiminished Glory (18 “from one degree of glory to another”)

John 11:25, 26

“I AM the Resurrection and the Life”

Introduction:

I. The Problem of a Theoretical Faith Concerning the Resurrection

II. The Problem of a Truncated Notion of the Resurrection

III. The Practical Impact of Possessing Present Risen-ness

1. Christ is alive in his People … not Just Alive in Paradise!

2. New Possibilities Every Moment

3. We’re Not Alone / Not Have to “pull off” the Christian life

4. Life Has Meaning now and forever … it Doesn’t End Here!

Luke 19:28-44

“The King of Celebration & Lamentation”

Introduction:

I. The Peculiarity of the Parade (28-36)

1. The Clear Claim to Kingship in His Initiative

2. The Compelling Kindness in His invitation

II. The Praise of the People (37-38)

III. The Peevishness of the Piety Police (39 – 40)

IV. The Pain of the Lord [Lamentation] (41-44)

2 Corinthians 1:3-11

“Comforted in Order to Comfort”

Introduction:

I. Comforted by Glorifying God in Our Suffering (3-4a)

II. Comforted by Grasping God’s Purpose in Our Suffering (4b-7)

III. Comforted by Gaining God’s Power in Our Suffering (8-10)

IV. Comforted by Giving to Others out of Our Suffering (11)

I Am The Good Shepherd

John 10:11-28; 25-30

Intro: The Good, Great, Grand, Beautiful Shepherd - vs. 11, 14, 30

1. The Authority of the Good Shepherd - vs. 15, 17-18, 29-30

2. The Intimacy of the Good Shepherd - vs. 14-16, 17-18, 27

3. The Care of the Good Shepherd - vs. 11-13, 17-18

John 10:7-10

I Am the Door

Introduction:

Central Point: Jesus is The Doorway to True Life

I. The Inclusivity of the Provision of Christ: Meets ALL True Needs

II. Exclusivity of the Person of Christ: He’s the ONLY Need Meeter (8)

A. The Only Salvation (9)

B. The Only Security (9)

C. Satisfaction (10)

John 6:32-35, 45-51; 53-59

“I Am The Bread of Life”

Introduction:

I. The Messiah and the Manna (6:1-15)

II. The Meaning of the Metaphor – Bread

A. Bread Is Essential to Life

B. Bread Brings Enjoyment

C. Bread Is for Everyone

D. Bread Must Be Eaten (35, 47-50)

E. Bread Energizes Growth

III. The Manner of the Metaphor’s Fulfillment (51b, 53-56)

John 8:12; 9:5; 12:35-36, 46

“I Am the True Light”

Introduction:

I. What is “the light” and what is “the darkness”?

II. How to Experience the Light and not Live in the Darkness.

Meaning of “follow”:

1. Faith (John 12:36, 46)

2. Discipleship ... “followER” = “Learner” …