NB CELL NOTE NO.

2018-06-01

Change Requires Making Choices

KEY VERSE:

Ephesians 4:21-24

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old
sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the
Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly
righteous and holy.

INTRODUCTORY QUESTION:

1. How are you going to be different in six months?

POINTS:

 It’s not enough to want to change. It’s not enough to desire to change. It’s not even enough to
dream of changing. Dreams are worthless unless you wake up and act on them. You’re not
going to change until you choose to change.

 Change isn’t going to happen automatically. You aren’t just going to change by accident. A lot
of times we think we’re waiting on God to change us. You’re not waiting on God. God is waiting
on you.

 There is no growth in your life without change. And there is no change without loss. You’ve
got to let go of some old stuff. And there is no loss without pain.

REFLECTIONS:

 Maybe you are stuck right now because you haven’t learned how to let go. That’s a choice.
Ephesians 4:22 says, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is
corrupted by lust and deception”

You might see your hurts, habits, and hang-ups as biological or sociological. Some of them are
from your circumstances or your chromosomes. But it doesn’t really matter where they come
from. You need to deal with them. Genetics may explain your inclinations, but it doesn’t excuse
your sin.

 Here’s the good news: Once you become a believer, you have a new power in you that is greater
than those old tendencies. That power is the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 2:12-13 says, “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it
is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (NIV).

CONCLUSION:
Does that mean you are supposed to be afraid of God? Of course not! Be afraid that you’ll miss God’s
best and waste your life. Be afraid that you will go your entire life and never know God’s purpose.

The secret to changing your life is not willpower. It’s God giving you the will and the power
through the Holy Spirit to do what needs to be done.