Week 7 – Change
February 17, 2024

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

New Year’s Resolutions Fail Because It Is Change Based On A Date
Instead of The Readiness To Change

20/60/20 Rule of Management

20% – Will Be Ready

60% – Understands It, Are Skeptical of It, But Grudgingly Go Along With It

20% – Will Not Accept Change At All

Change Stats
20% of People Change For The Benefit of Change

80% of People Change Because of Pain and Discomfort

The Emotions of Change
Nervous – Worry – Exhaustion – Fearful

Mindsets of Change In A Negative Way

“It Will Be Too Hard”
“This Will Never Work”
“It Will Be To0 Stressful”
“I Don’t Deal With Change Well”
“No Reason, I’ve Tried Before and Failed”
“I Can’t Handle Doing Something Different”

The Meaning of Change
Change Means – Discomfort
Change Means – Loss of Something
Change Means – Something Unknown

All These Create Fear and Anxiety

Most of the Time
The Fear of Change Is More Dangerous Than The “Change” Itself

Example: Western Union

There Is A “Price” You Pay For Not Changing
You Will Not Grow
You Will Be Stuck In A Rut
You Won’t Learn New Things
You Will Not See Life Getting Better
You Won’t Be The Best You, You Can Be

Positive Change
Positive Change Leads To Increased Motivation
and
Increased Motivation Leads To More Positive Change

Facts About Embracing Change

1. A Life of Change Is The Normal Christian Life

The Pharisees and their experts in Moses’ teachings complained to Jesus’ disciples. They asked, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor; those who are sick do. I’ve come to call sinners to change the way they think and act, not to call people who think they have God’s approval.”
Luke 5:30-32 GW

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away (CHANGE), yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day (CHANGING). For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen (THE CHANGING), but on what is unseen (NON-CHANGING), since what is seen is temporary (CHANGING), but what is unseen is eternal (NOT CHANGING).”
2 Corinthians 4:16

2. You Cannot Stop Change, So You Might As Well Learn To Harness Change

Be A Forward Thinker,
Not A Backwards Dreamer

Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19

3. The Longer You Wait To Change
The Harder Change Is!

Stats

International Bible Society indicated that 83% of Christians make their first commitment to Jesus between the ages of 4 and 14

Barna Research Group indicates that American children ages 5 to 13 have a 32% probability of accepting Christ, but youth or teens ages 14 to 18 have only a 14% probability of doing so. Unbelieving adults ages 19 and over have just a 6% probability of becoming Christians.

I’ve come to call sinners to change the way they think and act, not to call people who think they have God’s approval.”
Luke 5:30-32