In this week’s teaching, Brian answered this pivotal question, Can people really change?

If change isn’t possible then humanity is faced with the dark reality of never being capable of overcoming our own brokenness. If we are capable of change then what and how does change happen?

Change is possible because Jesus sanctifies.

Sanctification is a process that is absolutely essential to the process of change, but it requires a new heart. The good news is that there is a willing donor and a qualified surgeon to help make this process possible.

Grow Together

Read this from the Bible together:

Ezekiel 11:18-20  
18 And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. 19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

Hebrews 10:10  
10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:14
14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 13:12
12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.

Some key statements and questions put forward that are important for us to talk about…

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh… The moment a believer acknowledges their need for Jesus, God gives us a new heart and a new spirit capable of change within that heart. Have you experienced this transplant process? If yes, what change have you seen? If not, do you believe change is possible through Jesus?

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Jesus has perfected us through his death, but we are continually being sanctified. In what areas of your life have you grown impatient or given up hope for sanctification?

Next Steps

Who’s really responsible for change? We are a church that is anti-earning, but we are not anti-effort. Do you spend more time observing your sin instead of delighting in the one who has set you free from it?

Do you have people in your life who are being sanctified? Brian mentioned that if we want to be people who are able to change we need to be around people who have been changed. Do you have these people in your life? Who are they and what has their process of sanctification shown you?

Who have you written off in your life? Are there people in your life that you have determined incapable of change? Why? How can you be praying and investing in that person if you’ve stopped?