The Power To Change

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Romans 7:15, 19, 24

• Real change isn’t modification.

• Real change is transformation.

 … Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:24-25

The Way to Real Change

• Not “God, then me.”

• Not “God, not me.”

• But “God through me.” 

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

The grace that you is also the grace that you.

• Your spiritual “why” is God’s for you.

• Your spiritual “how” is God’s through you.

“… Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6

I am disciplined. Christ in me is  than the wrong desires in me.

If you change your behavior but don’t change your , the behavior will come back.

You’re trying to meet a need or relieve a hurt with something besides God’s

… [God] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION

Read Zechariah 4:6. What are some specific areas in your life where you’re needing God’s power?

Share about a time when you made a lasting change in your life. What role did God have in that decision?

Are you trying to meet a need or relieve a hurt without God’s grace? What would it look like to take a step toward His grace this week?