The Key to Spiritual Transformation

Gary DeLashmutt

Colossians 3:1-4

Paul instructs the Colossians about what it means to grow mature in their relationship with Christ. The key to spiritual transformation for Christians is to make their identity in Christ the mental focus and greatest treasure. There are many ways to help foster this, through building gospel-centered friendships, sitting under God's Word and reminding ourselves of the truths that come from the gospel. Focusing on our new identity in Christ motivates us to freely and joyfully love others.

The What of the Gospel (Part 2)

Tom Dixon

Colossians 2:11-15

Paul continues to stress to the Colossians that spiritual growth isn't getting something more, but applying what's been given to us through Jesus. Through Jesus Christ's work on the cross, people's sin nature was disarmed and our moral debt was cancelled through Jesus' atoning sacrifice. As a result of Jesus' sacrifice, Christians are freed to have more and more freedom from sinful desires in our lives as we consider our new identity in Christ. As this happens, we are able to serve God more with our lives out of gratitude for His grace and provision through Jesus.

Gospel Servant

Lee Campbell

Colossians 1:24-2:3

Paul teaches the Colossians what it means to be a servant of the gospel. The gospel is the priceless revelation of God that Jesus Christ died for sinners and wants a relationship where we are identified with Jesus through the cross. Living for the gospel is motivated by understanding God's work for us, knowing Him in a more intimate way and seeing people's lives transformed. We can do this by remaining focused on Jesus, understanding God's grace for us more and sharing that with others.

The Power of the Gospel to Transform

Tom Dixon

Colossians 1:9-14

Paul prays for the Colossians to understand how their lives can be transformed to please God. Through the transforming power of the gospel, Christians can experience more endurance, gratitude, and a growing fruitfulness in their spiritual lives, all of which are pleasing to God. The means in which God wishes to have this growth happen is through prayer, fellowship, and God's Word. Real transformation in our lives starts and begins with understanding the gospel, or the good news that Jesus died for us so we could know God personally.

The Most Deadly Bacillus

Dennis McCallum

Acts 5:1-11

Ananias and Sapphira fall guilty of hypocrisy when they hold back money and place the rest at the apostles feet, and God strikes both of them dead. This account is particularly important concerning the damaging effects hypocrisy can have on the church if left unchecked. When not corrected, self-righteous hypocrisy can: quench the power of the Holy Spirit, inhibit spiritual growth and interpersonal closeness with others, and become more about self-improvement and quick fixes rather than telling others about Jesus. The key to avoiding hypocrisy is having a grace-oriented attitude, where we rest on God's security and are freed up to admit our faults before others.

The Body of Christ (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum

Acts 2:41-43

Following the day of Pentecost and arrival of the Holy Spirit, the period where God uses the church or the Body of Christ, the culmination of all believers in Jesus, begins. This was the most dynamic and spiritual period in the history of the followers of Jesus. From the beginning of this new period in God's plan, we see many vital qualities in the Body of Christ: 1) contentment, as Christian community is grounded in truth; 2) relational, as there is now a basis for real closeness with one another; 3) reflective, being quick to remember God's work and purposes; 4) God-centered, taking part in corporate prayer; and 5) amazement, as they were in awe of what God was doing in their midst. A healthy Christian community that reflects these qualities is a supernatural act of God.

Walking According to the Spirit (Part 3)

Dennis McCallum

Romans 8:28-29

Growing in our relationship with God not only involves building up our inner spiritual person, it also requires our outer man be broken. Paul says later in chapter 8, "If by the Spirit, you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." God uses outward circumstances to crack our outer man, and as that outer man is put to death, the Spirit of God within us become more visible. In order to experience this life out of death, we have to actively cooperate with what God is doing in our lives, reject illegitimate pain reducers, and have a position-oriented perspective.

Walking According to the Spirit (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

Psalms 119

In order to walk according to the Spirit, we must be rooted in Scripture. The Word is powerful, God-breathed truth. It transforms our minds, satisfies us spiritually, allows us to encounter God, and builds us up. It is essential for us to not only read the Bible, but to study it in depth and put it to use.

Walking According to the Spirit (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum

Romans 8:1-8

Having been set free of the law of sin by Christ's death on the cross, Christians are now free to walk according to the Spirit. A mind that is set on the things of the Spirit is focused on Christ, others, grace, and eternity. Several things are necessary in order to have a spiritual mindset: presenting yourself to God as one who is alive from the dead, prayer, Scripture, fellowship/service, and the discipline of the Holy Spirit. It is when we are focused on the things of the Spirit that we allow the Spirit's power to transform our lives.