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8/26/21-HE’S MORE THAN AN EXPERIENCE. HE’S OUR TRANSFORMATION TO DO GOOD WORKS.

A life transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ is more than the prayer we prayed to receive Him as Lord. Once we enter into a personal relationship with Him by His Spirit, everything changes. Selfishness, pride, stubbornness and wanting our own way begins to dissipate over time. We’re kinder, more thoughtful and considerate of others. The new birth experience begins the transformation into a new creation, but we must be careful not to slip back into our old attitudes and mindsets.


Let’s read what the transformed life produced in the early church. These people probably never thought to do these things before, but when God’s love has been shed abroad in our hearts changes happen. There’s a level of boldness and a desire to please the Lord that takes place in us. But I won’t be focusing on the entire chapter, you may do that on your own. I’m going to focus on how our transformation makes us generous. The Holy Spirit will prompt us to do things we’d not normally do.


All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.”

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭4:32-37‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Well I think that’s where most Christians got off the train. But for the early church this revelation surrendering all meant that even their earthly possessions belonged to Jesus. Because of their generosity there were no needy people among them. Can you imagine if we had that attitude today? There wouldn’t be one Christian on welfare, not one child going to bed hungry, not one single parent struggling to make ends meet. The love we have for each other would be so genuine that the world would be hard pressed to find a ministry that was at odds with each other. As a matter of fact, Jesus would come back sooner. Some Christians have so much they don’t know what to do with it all. But they’re hoarders. The early church discovered through their transformation that to give is more blessed than receiving.


Now let’s take a look at the life of someone who had an experience but didn’t allow the Holy Spirit to transform them. Stinginess and doing anything from an impure motive must be guarded against at all costs. Don’t give simply because others are giving, give from the heart. It’s better that we don’t participate than to give grudgingly.


“But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.” Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭5:1-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Everything we have comes from the goodness and generosity of our Heavenly Father. He gives us all things to enjoy and bless others. If and when the Holy Spirit prompts you to give, do it with pure motives. He blesses and loves cheerful giving. We should never begrudge the gift we’re giving. It’s better to keep it. He gives us an opportunity to think about someone else other than ourselves, and be a blessing. You cannot out-give the Giver. Christ has redeemed and transformed us, He’s moved us beyond an experience to our new reality in Him. He first gave, as an act of love, Teaching us the true spirit of generosity. We’re forever being transformed to be more like who He is.


We can choose to be like the first group of transformers or, we can hold back and be like Ananias and Sapphira and die with our stuff. Who has He asked you to share your blessings with? Did you give generously, did you give cheerfully? It isn’t always money that He asks us to give, the needs vary from person to person. What’s important is that we obey. The proof that we’ve matured from an experience to transformation is in our generosity. We obey readily with abandon. We don’t need to be told how to be a blessing, we have His heart. We meet the needs we see. That’s what happened in the early church. Whether you faithfully support a charity, your place of worship or provide a meal for a homeless person do it as unto the Lord.


Jesus Christ is more than an experience! He’s our Transformation. We’re one with Him. He does His best work through those who have His heart and share His vision. He came to seek, save and serve. We’re instructed to do likewise. Don’t be a hoarder, you can’t take your blessings with you.


“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:38‬ ‭NLT‬‬


“But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:5b-10 ‭NLT‬‬


“Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11:24-25‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Those who refresh (bless) others will be refreshed (blessed) as well. Have you been transformed? Or are you still living the experience without any real change? It’s graduation day. Look for ways or areas to refresh others. Move away from the status quo of “I worked hard for this” and live with an open hand and a generous heart. That’s what a transformed life does.


Written by permission of the Holy Spirit

W. Tennant

August 26, 2021

© Godly Parent Power 2021.  No part of Godly Parent Power & The Morning Messages can be used, adapted, or copied without the permission of the copyright holder.

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