Download... June 26, 2011. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: ROMANS 12:1,2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
The thought this morning is found in the second verse of our text scripture. “Be not conformed to this world.” This is not a popular message, but is a unmistakable one. When not conformed to this world, it will be evident. But the way we achieve this can be nothing short of... being transformed!
To conform,.. is to comply in conjunction to a pattern. The word itself has this meaning to be “patterned.” Patterned, or schematics, is sometimes a drawing or diagram for instruction... of directions. This idea of “pattern” is used often in everyday functions such as needing electrical wiring, mechanical repairs, etc. For (again) schematics is a pattern to instruct or reveal. So when the world looks at our lives, what do they see? A conformity to... but only through a transformation within our soul, that whereas before we walked after the flesh,...we now walk after the Spirit.
There were times in religious history, when there was a protest because of the lack of spiritual power (for example in the Catholic church, which Martin Luther fought against). Many no doubt would think those actions would be sufficient for the evidence of an inward transformation... spiritually. But a true transformation must start in the heart as a revival, before the evidence of a non conformist of the flesh will be obvious. A biblical example of the evidence revealing the lack of a spiritual transformation first taking place was when some that were merely religious, attempted to “copy” the miracles of casting out devils,.. as had Jesus and Paul.
Acts 19:13-16 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
If we follow just another religious idea, there is not from that, a transformation. Conforming can be helpful (it can save lives in the form of traffic laws, and warnings), so that, in our everyday life,.. is good. You learn some good things from these conforming rules for the good of society. Rules are a good thing that can that assist in many areas of life, life safety, monetary, etc. ..In another area conforming has been beneficial to the constructing of our constitution for America...(”i.e. We hold these truths, to be self evident, that all men are created equal,that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”.....) All men Are created equal, ( a” truth”) yet there are too many,.. who don’t want to conform to truth,,so then decide to change or “redefine” it.
It is only through God and His word that one can be transformed. It is our spiritual duty, by our lives, to correctly define being a true non-conformist, which again only comes through a spiritual transformation. Otherwise a potential “nonconformist” way could lead us to spiritual danger, if it did not originate in a transformation in God. There is tremendous pressure to conform to society through peer pressure,... based in the mindset of the flesh. There are some who would be a nonconformist through a fleshly idea, that does not share in common the gospel message of separating ourselves from the things of this world, through Salvation. For if you make nonconformity your “religion”, you “can” end up with nothing more than a fanatical spirit. It can happen because too often people make less relevant. Again an example would be those religious sects (Amish, etc.) that generally would not allow electricity, cars, telephones, etc. This kind of separation of course is not of a spiritual transformation in substance. It is only leaving off important “societal elements”,... instead of the leaving off of walking after the flesh in a spiritual concept.
Bro Goble encouraged the congregation to also read and study the 11th chapter of Romans to better understand the substance of this morning’s message.
Romans 1:18-22 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
It is like this today, people professing to be wiser than God,..counting Him as irrelevant. Yet,..if death were imminent, their boasting often crumbles in fear to seek spiritual help. Not good enough. One needs to realize it is not enough to be a non conformist to the crowd.
Bro Goble shared about how earlier in his life he had worked for Sea World, in the San Diego area, and how he was able to observe much about human nature. Crowds of different types of people tended to migrate together,..emulating their surroundings. “Birds of a feather flock together,” illustrated! It is nature to conform,..to be included, and not left out. We are all affected by it, whether we choose to be, or not. This is an even harder tendency to resist as a youth of today’s societies. That’s why the only true answer is to be spiritually transformed. It works because of the prerequisite to being willing to not conform to this world’s fleshly pressures. “Bucking the tide.” It can be very hard because of the great pressures all around us. “Many are called,..but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:14 For Many are called, but few are chosen.
The fleshly “norm” ebbs and flows,...sad but that is how the carnal man of this day “operates.” It has become a time when some of present society consider it the “norm” for a man to marry a man, and a woman to marry a woman. Accepting the “norm” to be part of the crowd. Conformity. Are you going to be part of the crowd, which determines the path of the flesh? For to go with the crowd, you will follow what they determine. Thank God there are still those few willing to “buck the crowd” because of their godly transformation. “Be not conformed to this world.” There are always leaders in a crowd, where the followers will pursue their direction. For the path of the non transformed, instead leads to conformity of this world. It would be prudent for them to then consider “I wonder what this present path will lead me to, in the values in virtues,.. of character? .Some might upon observation make a partial change in their “path” of the way they were taking. But it can be nothing short of a spiritual transformation that will bring them a blessed pattern of God’s ways. It is so necessary for people to “wake up” to the dangers of conforming to this world of declining morals. This is somewhat illustrated in the popular designs of women’s clothing,..which are often designed by men. Illustrated also in the pressures for men to develop or conform to attitudes, actions, etc., that only lead to destruction morally. Led like a “rip tide,” that will carry them out away from help, sucking them under. Sometimes you have to “swim” parallel to the beach. Get out,..make a decision not to conform. Otherwise it will take you to the mentality that “God is irrelevant,” as the majority of the wickedness of mankind follow after. But it is necessary first to see the value of nonconformity of this world,..before you can be transformed. Be completely changed. Transformation,..by the renewing of your mind (And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God., Romans 12:2)
Renewing your understanding by the washing away the “filth of this world, through the word of God. Similarly like a gold prospector panning for gold must continually pour off the filth to get to the nuggets of gold he is after. The word of God likewise washes away the spiritual filth, to completely transform a heart. A person may not always understand the “steps” they need to take to conform completely to God’s word,..so they will in effect “count the cost” to make sure of their decision to forsake all for Christ. It is not being “religious”,..or growing up in that pattern,..but having Christ blood completely transform them away from all sin. A transforming from the inside out will result in that person becoming holy, and continuing to live after those principals. It will require you to examine your heart daily, so you can stay cleansed by His word. Another words, we have a part in this great contract with God.
Bro Goble shared how it was the age of 23 years that he began to understand that he needed to be non conforming to this world, to obtain a complete transformation. He had to realize that he needed to want this bad enough to surrender his will for God’s. It can not rely on a religious “format.” There are not 2 plans of spiritual redemption. Without transformation you are in great danger of affecting the souls in your life (i.e. your children) without being of an influence for God’s transformation, made only possible in a full forsaking of sin. Transformation,...Conforming,..2 different things! Are you merely conformed,..or transformed this morning?
| Romans 12:1-2 |
