TRANSFORMED

How to Get Closer to God
November 13, 2022

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Romans 12:2a - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

The further away you get from God, the more your life is troubled.

The closer you get to God, the more your life is transformed.

The Lost Son & Loving Father: Luke 15:11-24

Jesus told them this story: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

1. Get FED UP with my life.

“… squandered his wealth…he had spent everything…he began to be in need (he got desperate and hungry)…he (finally) came to his senses…” Luke 15:13-14, 17

GOD: “You’ll find me when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else.” Jeremiah 29:13 (MES)

2. OWN UP to my sin.

“When he came to his senses, he said…“I have sinned against both heaven and you…” Luke 15:17-18

“But your sins have separated you from your God. They have caused him to turn his face away from you. So he won’t listen to you.” Isaiah 59:2 (NIRV)

“Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love. Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins! Wash away all my evil and make me clean! I recognize my faults; I am always conscious of my sins. I have sinned against you.” Psalm 51:1-4 (TEV)

“The Lord says, ‘no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow.’” Isaiah 1:18 (TLB)

The HABIT of a Regular Spiritual Check-up:

“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups… If you fail the test, do something about it.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG)

“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup..” 1 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV)

3. OFFER UP myself.

The son drifted away saying, “GIVE ME MY share…” Luke 15:12

He returned to the Father saying, “MAKE ME a servant” Luke 15:19

“…In view of God’s mercy, [offer yourselves] as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

The father’s response:

“…filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him…. Bring the best…” Luke 15:20, 22

“Let’s have a feast and celebrate! He was lost and is (now) found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:23-24