The Christian and Self-Renewal

What Can I Do? (1)

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things

done in the body, according to what he has

done, whether good or bad.”

{2 Corinthians 5:10}

Christians ARE Expected to Grow

• To please God, a person MUST grow.– “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.” {2 Peter 3:18}

• Disciples are students; we must learn and develop.– “Teaching them to observe all things that I

have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.“ {Matthew 28:20}

Growing in Our Minds Is Not Growing in Our Minds Is Not EnoughEnough

• Growing in our actions demonstrates real growth.– “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have

works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”{James 2:18}

• We must be continually renewing the inner man.– “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our

outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.“ {2 Corinthians 4:16}

• Paul pressed toward the goal.– “I press toward the goal for the prize of the

upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” {Philippians 3:14}

• The concept of repentance illustrates this.– “For godly sorrow produces repentance

leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.“ {2 Corinthians 7:10}

Growing in Our Minds Is Not Growing in Our Minds Is Not EnoughEnough

Self-Renewal Begins With Self-Examination

• In previous lessons, we discussed having a proper mindset so we can begin to be what God would have us to be.

• Thinking on these things, we need to take a close, detailed look at where we are and where we ought to be.

• If things need to change, this is the beginning point.

• Identify what is wrong, as well as what is right.

• Test yourself…– How is your faith?– Are you putting God first?– If you put your spiritual life to the test, will

you pass or fail; why or why not?– “Examine yourselves as to whether you

are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -- unless indeed you are disqualified.” {2 Corinthians 13:5}

Self-Renewal Begins With Self-Examination

Planning for Renewal

• Based on what we find during our self-examinations, we need to make plans for changing what needs to be changed.

• Knowing what is wrong will not, by itself, solve anything.

• We need to ask HOW we can get where we ought to be?

• We need to PLAN…

• In life, we have to MAKE PLANS.

• A godly family requires planning—it doesn’t just happen.

• Marriages require planning.

• Raising children takes planning.

• Many things fail because there is no plan.

• We must first COUNT THE COST…

Planning for Renewal

• Why do we need to plan?

• We need to know how to get from POINT A (where we are) to POINT B (where we need to be).

• We need to know where we are, where we need to be, and how to get there?

• Why do we use maps?

Planning for Renewal

• Don’t become overwhelmed.

• Sometimes, we need to set lofty goals.

• IF we spend too much time thinking about the finish line, we may become discouraged and think it’s impossible to reach.

• Take small, easy, steps, and in time, you’ll achieve your goal.

Planning for Renewal

• God wants us to make plans.– “For which of you, intending to build a

tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it–lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.’” {Luke 14:28-30}

Planning for Renewal

• Building calls for planning.– “According to the grace of God which was given to me,

as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.” {1 Corinthians 3:10}

• Don’t leave God out of your plans.– “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will

go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit;’ whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” {James 4:13-15}

Planning for Renewal

Examples…• Not growing in grace and knowledge.

– Develop a schedule so you can learn.

– Prepare for Bible classes.

– Faithfully attend all Bible classes.

– “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” {2 Timothy 2:15}

• Not as close to God as you should be.

– Develop a plan to become closer.

– Determine what it will take to get closer.

– Learn to pray more often.

– “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” {James 1:5,6}

Examples…

• The need to be more evangelistic.– Develop a plan to become a better teacher.

– Build time into your schedule for personal work.

– Pray for wisdom and opportunities.

– “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” {James 1:5,6}

Examples…

Remove Things That Hinder Renewal

• This must be done before we can move forward effectively. Remember these warnings:– “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts

good habits.” {1 Corinthians 15:33}– “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know

that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened…” {1 Corinthians 5:6,7}

• This must be done before we can move forward effectively. Remember these warnings:– “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has

made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” {Galatians 5:1}

– “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” {2 Peter 2:20}

Remove Things That Hinder Renewal

• Control your environment as much as you can.

• Some may have to change their lives—making this the most difficult step.

• You may have to give up some things.– “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know

that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” {James 4:4}

Remove Things That Hinder Renewal

Where Do I Begin?

• Build on what you have.

• As we begin to renew our minds and lives, we must understand that we can’t do it overnight.

• Growth is often a slow and painful process.

• Problems, bad habits, and weaknesses were not created overnight…

• This is equally true concerning spiritual matters.• No Scripture passage DEMANDS instant spiritual

maturity.• It’s a continuing growth process.

– “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” {1 Peter 2:2}

– “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” {1 Corinthians 15:58}

Where Do I Begin?

• Start where you are right now.

• Your examination told you about your spiritual strengths and weaknesses.

• You’re a Christian and you believe in Christ.

• Learn what it means to be a Christian and build on what you learn.

• If you need help, ask someone!– 2 Peter 1:5-8

Where Do I Begin?

• Don’t overwhelm yourself.

• Examination may tell you you’re no where near where you ought to be.

• Maybe even the basics are fuzzy.

• Never led a soul to Christ—don’t know where to start...

• Does the goal of spiritual maturity seem out of reach?

• This is what Satan wants you to think!

Where Do I Begin?

• Begin each day with a prayer.• Read a chapter from the Bible each day.• If you’re not already doing this, it’s a start.• If you are doing this, increase the reading.• Here again, the key is to keep moving

forward and progressing.• In time you should be able to teach

others.– Hebrews 5:12-14

Where Do I Begin?

• Determine to be the BEST you can be.

• Don’t ever settle for mediocrity.

• God expects more from us.– “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the

Lord and not to men.” {Colossians 3:23}– “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with

your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” {Ecclesiastes 9:10}

Where Do I Begin?