Metamorphosis
Pastor Steve Lummer
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2).
“metamorphosis” derives from Greek μεταμόρφωσις, “transformation, transforming”, from μετα- (meta-), “change” + μορφή (morphe), “form”.
DO YOU NEED A CHANGE?
It takes change to produce growth!
Uncontrolled change = CHAOS. Managed change = LEADERSHIP
HOW TO COOPERATE WITH GOD’S PROCESS OF CHANGE
Phase 1: Be Alert TO GOD’S VOICE
Job 33:1319 (NIV) says, “For God does speak now one way, now another though man may not perceive it. In a dream . . . as they slumber . . . (or) he may speak in their ears . . . with warnings . . . Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress . . . .”
Phase 2: Accept GOD’S COMFORT.
When the crisis comes. Don’t run from Him, but run to Him. Isa. 42:3, “God will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair.”
Ps. 31:7 (LB), “You (God) have listened to my troubles and have seen the crisis in my soul.”
Jonah 2:7 (LB), “When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord.”
Phase 3: Ask God FOR COURAGE.
Isa. 43:2, “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I (God) will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up . . . .”
Phase 4: Anticipate GOD’S HELP.Ps. 37:5 (LB), “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it, and he will.” change is not a matter of will power, it’s a matter of God’s power. He’ll help you.
in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 (niv)