Thames Valley Churches of Christ Thames Valley Church

IntroductionA new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this series on ‘A new creation’. Today, the connection between being a new creation and change.  How do we change?Last week we explored the nature of spiritual growth. That it is empowered by God, aimed at Christlikeness and enabled by Jesus.
“[We]…are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NRSV)
This week we will take the last point further and look at some key principles of spiritual change. Spiritual growth is:
1. Both practical and mysticalOur main avenue for spiritual growth is to walk with Jesus as one of his followers - just like they did when Jesus was on this earth. On one level, simply saying 'yes' to Jesus' offer of friendship is all that is needed. As someone said, ‘Proximity makes disciples’.“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 NIV11)QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION: How can we live 'in proximity to Jesus' today?In addition, we grow as we cooperate with the Spirit, which is a mystical enterprise. Harking back to the passage in 2 Cor 3.18....“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”” (John 3:8 NIV11)QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION: If the work of the Spirit is mystical, how can we cooperate with his work in us?
2. Both quick and slowSometimes growth comes in a flash.“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism” (Acts 10:34 NIV11)DISCUSSION: Share a time when you grew quicklyMore often, growth is slow and meandering."Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'" John 11:16 (NIV)"Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'" John 14:5 (NIV)'Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.' A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.' Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!' John 20.24-29DISCUSSION: Share about an aspect of spiritual growth that took time to develop in you
3. Both personal and corporateYour journey is unique. Don’t compare yourself to other people, only to your past self. Relationship is more art than science - not engineering.“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”” (John 21:21-23 NRSV)Your growth is personal, but not private“But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16 NRSV)
ConclusionSpiritual growth can be stimulated and catalysed by our actions, but the key is to open ourselves up so that God can do his work. 
For reflection* Which points do you find yourself most comfortable with and why—practical, mystical, quick, slow, personal, corporate?* How have you seen God work for your transformation so far?* Do you find it easy or hard to open yourself up to God doing his work?* What will help you most to cooperate with God’s work in your life?Next time we will go on to look at another aspect of change, focusing on models of transformation.Your brother, Malcolm
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Introduction
A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this series on ‘A new creation’. Today, the connection between being a new creation and change.  How do we change?
Before we can talk about change, we have to ask a question. Do we believe we can change? Do you believe you can change?
You might like to pause this recording and discuss this with your friends before going on.
1. God is the change-agent
“…are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NRSV)We are in an ongoing, life-long process of change. The glory we grow into is from the Lord, the Spirit. Spiritual change is challenging, but it is not all about us. God empowers the change, our part is to cooperate with him. If we fully accept that God is the change-agent, then we will have no difficulty believing that we can change.So, God changes us, but what is the goal?
2. Change goal
Is the goal transformation? Yes, but, what is the point of that transformation? What are we aiming at? “…the goal of Christian spiritual formation is intimate, loving connection and relationship with the Trinity." The outcome of that is transformation. 
John 17.3““This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
This understanding is important because if we aim too hard at transformation will become a slave to our growth and change hopes. In other words transformation could become an idol. Instead, we understand that the goal is a deep relationship with God, and we anticipate transformation, growth and change. So, the goal is God, but how does this happen?
3. Jesus the transformer
Jesus was skilled and powerful at helping people be transformed. * Take Peter.....from indisciplined mouth to effective preacher/teacher. * Woman at the well. One encounter took her from shame-ridden outcast to greatest evangelist of her community.* Zacchaeus - corrupt thief to generous benefactor.* James & John - sons of thunder, restless, selfish ambition, harsh. Later, James was first disciple martyr, and John became the Apostle of love. What happened? They all encountered Jesus in a way that freed them from remaining stuck where they were, as they were. That same hope for change is available today. “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8.36Valuing spiritual formation takes this promise seriously. We can learn to love and live well."I dream of a day when spiritual formation has so saturated all who follow hard after Jesus that they become known to all as experts in how to live well. How to love a spouse well. How to raise children well. How to study well. How to face adversity well. How to run business and financial institutions well. How to form community life well. How to reach out to those on the margins well. And even how to die well." Richard Foster
For reflection* In which area of spiritual growth do you sense God prompting you, and how can you cooperate with him?* How can you make sure your goal is a deep relationship with God, not the change that comes from him?* What does it mean to you that Jesus has come to set you free? Is it more than sin? If so, what does that look like?* How do you see Jesus transforming you and your friends today? What makes that more likely to happen?
Next time we will go on to look at another aspect of change, focusing on how our relationship with Jesus is the key.
Your brother, Malcolm
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Could you send me your questions or suggestions? Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God Grows His People”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.
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Tidu made an announcement from the board regarding present and future staffing and leadership. TJ, Shevvy and Malcolm responded.

Introduction
What is your picture of the gospel? If we are to fully embrace all that it means to be a new creation, we need a clear and compelling vision of the gospel.
In the previous class we explored the fact that the gospel is good news, as well as the way Jesus defined the good news, and how we can cultivate a healthy view of the gospel.
Today is part 2 of two classes designed to refresh and expand our view of what the gospel is, and what it means for us today.
A skinny gospel of forgiveness and going to heaven needs fleshing out into the full picture of what Jesus was teaching, demonstrating and offering.
Before we get into the main points, just a reminder that the gospel (new good news) is the coming of the kingdom.

Mark 1.14-15

“Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””


What are some of the implications of the arrival of the Kingdom for you and me?
1. Gospel Mission
Accepting Jesus means a personal, global and cosmic impact:
”The gospel is personal but never private." Trevor Hudson
Joining up with Jesus means joining him in his mission. Have a look at Luke 4:16-21. What was his mission? Among other things, it was—and is—justice for the poor, healing for the sick, liberation for the oppressed. We are called into this mission. You are a portal for God's justice, mercy and liberation.
Jesus said this about his mission:

Luke 4.43

“But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.””


He was a proclaimer of the the good news, and we, as his followers have the same privilege,

Romans 10.15

“And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””



What does it mean to be 'sent'? What does it mean to go and 'bring good news' to people?
In your group, discuss the various ways we are sent and bring the good news. Explore different contexts such as family, neighbours and workplace. What difference does it make to be a bringer of good news in these situations? How do we recognise when we are being called to bring good news in those places?
Is there a place for cold-contact evangelism? This situation in Acts looks very like it,

Acts 8.4

“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”


The word 'preached' is the 'euaggelizo' word meaning 'to proclaim good news'.

2. Gospel Life
In John's gospel the word ‘kingdom’ is used less than the other gospels. Instead he uses the word ‘life’ (‘zoe’ in Greek) as a rough equivalent.

John 17.3

““This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”


The good news (kingdom reality) we enjoy is a new life (eternal life).
This fullness of life containing eternity starts now - not in heaven. The gospel is knowing God, not simply going to be with God.
As Richard Foster put it, "The goal of the Christian life is not simply to get us into heaven, but to get heaven into us."
You might like to read all the references to 'zoe' in John's gospel and see what you learn about this new creation life we have - right now: John 1:4; 3:15-16, 36; 4:14, 36; 5:24, 26, 29, 39-40; 6:27, 33, 35, 40, 47-48, 51, 53-54, 63, 68; 8:12; 10:10, 28; 11:25; 12:25, 50; 14:6; 17:2-3; 20:31.
If the good news (gospel) is our new life, what does that mean for the way we think about ourselves, our faith community and our relationship with God?
Conclusion: Cultivating a Healthy view of the Gospel

Questions and suggestions for reflection and discussion
How does Jesus embody the gospel mission and the gospel life?
How could you and your local group grow in the gospel mission?
How could you and your local group grow in the gospel life?
Read one of the gospels and make notes on anything you not