Being Transformed Through Life With Jesus
Read this Sermon Recap
In our fall preaching series, we are sitting with an extended conversation about the focus of Refuge Church heading into our next season of life and ministry together. Last week, Gary presented our vision statement (“To see the goodness of God’s kingdom fully realized in the Refuge family and in our city”). This week, David led us in conversation about our mission statement, “Being transformed through life with Jesus.”
If a vision statement answers the question, “What do we long for?”, a mission statement answers, “What are we doing here?” We don’t intend our mission statement to be a catchy slogan or innovative strategy. It is a statement about what we believe God has been doing since creation.
Humanity was made in the image of God, intended to reflect his character, live with him in relationship, and join in the work of caring for the world. Read those 3 aspects over again - it’s deeply beautiful. But the presence of sin has kept us from fully entering into that call.
Jesus, who is called “the new Adam” in Romans 5, showed us what true humanity looks like, living in full union with the Father. What’s more, through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension, he made a way for us to share in it. Paul explains that Jesus is restoring in us the true image of God through the Spirit: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Our calling, then, is just that: to be transformed into the image of Jesus through life with Jesus. This is not a way we work to make ourselves better. We are being transformed. God is the one at work. And He begins the only place He can begin – by meeting us exactly where we are today, in whatever situation we are in.
A quick word on each part of this mission:
Being – This is an ongoing process. There is no line to draw between those “transformed” and those in process. We are all in process.
Transformed – This is not behavior management. This is God’s work of renewing our character, our desires, our will – so that the fruit of the Spirit and the character of Jesus flow out.
Thru life – Not something extra, but beginning in the very life you have right now
With – We don’t rely on a philosophy, we rely on the presence of Jesus himself, through the Spirit. In all things, He is with us in companionship, conversation and communion.
Jesus – It all centers on the one through whom the kingdom has drawn near. How does he come to us? By his Spirit—alive in us, speaking through Scripture, present in creation, and working through each other in community.
Entering Conversation
1 – David opened the sermon by speaking about “Uncle Roger”, a remarkable man whose character touched many lives. Aside from Jesus, who is someone you would like to be more like?
2 – What stood out to you from this week’s sermon? Was anything new? Did anything seem to especially connect with you?
3 – Whatever God wants to do in you, He can only begin from where you are right now. So, a two-part question: What would you maybe title this chapter of your life story? How might you ask God to be at work transforming you in this chapter right now? Share as you feel comfortable, being patient with some quiet if people need a little space to consider this.
Close your time by praying together. You could have one person pray on behalf of the group, or if your group prefers, give space for multiple people to pray out loud.
Through the week
We continue to pray “May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.” Write those words down and put them in a place you visit often, maybe near a sink or on your car’s dashboard. Let them remind you of what God intends for us and for the city.