Faithful: How To Make Lasting Change

Something completed is better than something just begun… Ecclesiastes 7:8 (CEV)

God Is FAITHFUL & FINISHES What He STARTS.

On the 7th day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. Genesis 2:2 (NLT)

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work.” John 4:34 (AMP)

I'm confident in this, the One who started this good work in y'all will keep at it and finish it on the day of Jesus Christ… Philippians 1:6 (YALL)

WHY ARE SOME THINGS IN ME SO HARD TO CHANGE?

1. BECAUSE I’VE HAD THEM SO LONG.

Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ when we were baptized? We shared his death in our baptism. 4 When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life. 5 Christ died, and we have been joined with him by dying too. So we will also be joined with him by rising from the dead as he did. 6 We know that our old life died with Christ on the cross so that our sinful selves would have no power over us and we would not be slaves to sin. 7 Anyone who has died is made free from sin’s control.

Romans 6:3-7 (NCV)

2. BECAUSE I IDENTIFY WITH THEM.

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)

3. BECAUSE MY PATTERNS HAVE A PAYOFF.

Lord, when I bring my case to you, you are always right. But I want to ask you about the justice you give. Why are evil people successful? Why do dishonest people have such easy lives?

Jeremiah 12:1 (NIV)

Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? Job 21:7 (NIV)

For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? 13 Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?

Psalm 73:3, 13 (NLT)

4. BECAUSE SATAN DISCOURAGES ME.

Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. Galatians 6:9 (NASB)

4 REQUIREMENTS FOR LASTING, PERSONAL CHANGE:

1. CHANGE REQUIRES LEARNING & FACING THE TRUTH.

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Ephesians 4:21-27 (NLT)

Don't tell us what God has shown you and don't preach the truth. Just say what we want to hear, even if it's false. Isaiah 30:10b (CEV)

Jesus said…“I’m speaking sober truth to you…Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions.” John 3:11 (MSG)

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth

1 John 1:8 (NLT)

Behind Every Self-Defeating Behavior Is A LIE I’M BELIEVING.

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT)

2. LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES NEW THINKING.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

3. LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES LOVING ACCOUNTABILITY.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25 (NIV)

You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. Proverbs 28:13 (GNT)

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way fulfill[a] the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (EHV)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11–13 (NIV)

4. LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES THE HOLY SPIRIT.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)

…as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (TLB)