CHANGE - By: RC Blakes, Jr.

    CHANGING TO CHANGE                    

The entire world wants things to change but nobody wants to change themselves. We want different results with the same behavior. Change is mandatory for growth and relevance.
In the days of Jesus, they didn't generally put fluids like wine into bottles. They put them into skins. They'd kill a goat, cut off the head and feet, skin it, cure it in a way that minimized unpleasant flavors, then sew it back up, except for the neck. Then they'd put wine, water or milk in it. The problem with a skin was that they'd become harder and more brittle. If you put new wine into an old skin, the new wine was still fermenting, which means it was releasing gases. The gases would cause the old skin to burst. Because a new skin still had its flexibility, the gases released by the wine didn't cause a problem. The new wine of the Holy Spirit can't be contained by old structures like the carnal nature or the Mosaic Law. We need to keep our hearts soft and supple by listening to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, and allowing Him to change us.

Genesis 8:22- 22. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

The underlying principle of this passage applies to even more than the laws of sowing and reaping. The greater law of this passage is THE LAW OF CHANGE.

IMPACT POINT! Everything Is Changing Without Our Permission. Crisis Occurs When Seasons Change and We Haven't

ILLUSTRATION: One of the hardest things to watch is an athlete whose body is going in one direction and his knee doesn't flow with the shift and things break. WE MUST DISCERN THE SEASONS OF TRANSITION.

1 Chronicles 12:32- 32. And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do;

IMPACT POINT! When We Don't Change, On Schedule. We Negate Maturity and Promotion

Hebrews 5:11-12- 11. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

The reference to being dull of hearing basically means that they were not making adjustments according to what they heard. They wouldn't change so they were children when they should have been mature and students when they should have been teachers.

Deuteronomy 9:13- 13. Furthermore the Lord spake unto me, saying, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiff necked people:

Stiff necked basically means that they were hardened in their mindset and CHANGE RESISTANT.

QUOTE: Sometimes the only way radical change happens is through radical pain.

Wayne Cordeiro

THINGS YOU MUST CHANGE TO CHANGE:

1. YOU MUST INTERNALIZE YOUR FOCUS

Most people never change because they live their lives blaming others for things that are often their own doing. David was confronted by the Prophet Nathan relative to a problem he, David, had created. The Prophet made David look within.

2 Samuel 12:1-7- 1. And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3. But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 4. And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s -- lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. 5. And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: 6. And he shall restore -- the lamb fourfold, because he did -- this thing, and because he had no pity. 7. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

The Prophet indirectly redirected David's focus to himself and not another.

IMPACT POINT! You Will Never Change What You Don't Own

Psalms 51:3-4 -3. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

2. YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR DOMINANT RELATIONSHIPS

It’s a challenge to change neighborhoods and park at the old address every day. Can you imagine living somewhere and parking elsewhere? When we move forward in life but continue to park in old relationships, we kill progress and depress momentum.

Luke 6:39-40. 39. And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40. The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

IMPACT POINT! The One Thing That Prevents Sustained Change Are Old Relationships That Don't Agree With The New Standard

Amos 3:3- 3. Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren't going to the same place? MESSAGE BIBLE

3. YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR SPIRITUAL INTENSITY

The truth of the whole matter is this: without God there is very little positive change that will be maintained. Putting God at the helm is imperative.

2 Corinthians 5:17- 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

IMPACT POINT! To Overcome Unproductive Habits And Vices Requires Living In The Spirit

John 15:4- 4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.