The Process of Sustained Change | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus

ICEBREAKER:

Who is your favorite historical figure and why?

MESSAGE NOTES:

Series: Change

Sermon: The Process of Sustained Change

[Mark 4:14-20]

The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. 15 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. 16 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 17 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 18 The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, 19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. 20 And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

[Mark 4:26-29]

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Seed, Soil, Root, Stalk, Head, Kernel

See it * Believe it * Live it * Habit * Become it

[Philippians 4:8-9]

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received…

[Romans 12:2]

…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

[Proverbs 4:23]

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

[James 4:6]

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

[James 4:10]

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

[Proverbs 29:23]

Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

[Psalm 138:6]

Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.

[Romans 5:3-4]

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

[Philippians 4:4-7]

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

[Romans 8:1-2]

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

[Philippians 4:13]

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[James 1:14-15]

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

[Mark 4:34]

…in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

[Isaiah 55:11]

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

[I Corinthians 3:6-7]

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

QUESTION 1: What “event” or revelation is God currently planting in your life?

QUESTION 2: Which stage do you currently find most challenging (See it * Believe it * Live it * Habit * Become it) ?

QUESTION 3: How can we practically apply this scripture and content to our lives today?

GUIDED PRAYER:

God thank you for life today. Thank you for your word, and for the “light to my feet, and lamp to my path”. Lead me by your spirit to live my life in a way that allows me to constantly be fertile soil. Grow the seeds in my life, and remove the weeds that the enemy would try to use to choke out the healthy growth you’re developing in me. I praise and worship you. Amen.

One ChurchAugust 14, 2023