Can I tell you something that might sound a little shocking?
People need to change.
And not just however they want to change.
When you are at work, when you are talking to someone on the street, whoever you are talking to, wherever you are talking to them, there are ways God wants them to change. Non-negotiable ways.
In other words, there is an outside standard. It is absolute. And God expects people to conform their lives to it.
As Christians, we believe in the necessity of change.
And not just for people in general, either. But, for you and me, as well.
We need to change. We should be continually changing and becoming more and more like Jesus. There’s no question about that.
The question however might be, can we actually change?
Because sometimes, looking at people, or even looking at your own life, you can start to wonder. While you wouldn’t deny the need for change, you start becoming more and more hopeless about the possibility of change, and as a result, it’s tempting to stop seeking to change and to stop expecting to see others changed either.
This Sunday I want to remind you of some really good news. We are going to look at Titus 2:11-14 and see three reasons we can be confident, God can change really messed up people.
Because, I want us to be a hopeful church.
We know change is hard. We know sin goes deep. We know we are involved in spiritual warfare. But, we should live our lives with the expectation that God can truly transform people. This belief should go so deep down in us that it impacts the way we talk about people, the way we approach ministry, the way we pray, the way we feel, the way we parent. In other words, our church culture. A gospel culture is a hopeful culture.
Come ready! Come praying! Come expectant!
Joshua
I’ve included some things in the sermon brief document that I think will help you and your children benefit from the message this Sunday. Check them out. Print out what’s helpful. Or perhaps you can come up with a better plan yourself. For the younger children this Sunday, you can have them listen for the words, change. I am going to say it A LOT! To encourage them, my wife Marda will have some treats afterward.
Every blessing,
Joshua