Transformation: A radical change in form, appearance, or character. Transformation is not just a minor shift or a small nuance, it is a complete alteration of the state of something. Think about it this way…it is the process of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. It is the process of yeast causing bread to rise in the oven. It is the process of a small seed developing into a giant redwood tree that is hundreds of feet tall. It’s transformation and that’s what we’re going to be experiencing throughout this new sermon series.
God is in the transformation business. He wants to transform us. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “We … are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory.” When we open ourselves up to God, we become open to transformation.
God wants to transform everyone into his image, but it begins with you and me. It begins in the heart of one. We cannot expect God to transform the people around us unless we allow him to transform us first. God wants to transform those who are not now followers of Christ. If we are not careful, though, we can think that God’s transforming work is for them, but it begins with us. In fact, the Scripture passages where the apostle Paul clearly calls for people’s lives to be transformed are written to Christians.
Our scripture for this sermon series will come from selected passages in Romans 12-15. Much of the great doctrine of the church is laid out by Paul in Romans 1-11, but in the closing chapters of the book he describes how we are to live in light of what we believe: we are to live transformed lives.
I hope you will come and find out in the next few weeks how God can transform you. Let it begin in your heart.
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