Embracing Change means a person is taking the commitment to Jesus to another level. Changing attitudes and behavior to honor God are becoming more important. Zacchaeus is a great example of a person in the Bible whose life was radically changed when he committed his life to Jesus (Luke 19). He was a wealthy, crooked Jewish tax collector employed by the Roman government and hated by his fellow Jews. He cheated his neighbors out of more taxes than they owed to line his own pockets. One day he climbed a tree to get a better view of Jesus who had come to his town. Jesus took the initiative to personally meet Zacchaeus and went to his home. What Zacchaeus heard and what Jesus did changed his life. How do we know? A greedy, dishonest man gave half of his wealth away to those in need and restored four times as much as he’d wrongfully taken from others. Jesus recognized his spiritual life change by saying, Today salvation has come to this house. The sudden change did not bring Zacchaeus salvation, but was definitely a result of spiritual life change!
Embracing change means that we welcome the opportunity to adjust our behavior and attitudes to reflect the teachings and character qualities of Jesus in our lives. “What would Jesus do?” becomes a question that we ask ourselves and respond accordingly. We know Zacchaeus embraced life change in such a way that he was willing to immediately correct past wrongs he’d inflicted on others. We can be sure that his journey of life change continued as he learned to be more like Jesus. The same is true for you!
Even though you may see lots of room to grow, more than likely your friends can see the changes Jesus has made in your life! Celebrate those changes and thank God for all He has done. But like Zacchaeus, there’s more to learn and room to grow.
Next Steps & Resources: As you experience life change in Christ, you’ll be growing in each of the six areas below. Provided below are some next steps and resource recommendations. Resources in underlined blue font (i.e. – Attend Gospel Conversation Training) are direct links. Rather than tackling too much at one time, consider focusing on the Life Change Indicators that show greater potential for growth, and begin there.
How to access RightNowMedia resources: Some video resources are on RightNowMedia. These video resources are absolutely free to you. To sign up, click here: RightNowMedia. (Highly recommended)
Commits to God and His family
- If not yet a Sugar Creek member, visit the Next Step Center on Sunday and/or sign up for the next Lunch with the Pastors.
- Commit to attend worship one additional Sunday per month if your pattern is less than twice per month.
- Watch Pastor Mark’s Online Series Learning How to Trust God. Part Three: Faith Is An Act of Courage, Part Four: Faith That Looks Beyond Sight, and Part Five: How God Speaks to Me. [Sermon notes available to download and print.]
- Watch Tony Evans Sermon Series, Hungry for God, on RightNowMedia.
- Read The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. [Order online or check availability at our Waters Edge Resource Center.]
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C: Watch Pastor Mark’s message, Commits to God and His Family. Sermon notes are available for download.
Helps Others Know God
- Attend Gospel Conversation Training.
- Watch Andy Stanley’s Series Go Fish on RightNowMedia.
- Read Just Walk Across The Room by Bill Hybels. [Order online or check availability at our Waters Edge Resource Center.]
- Read The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns.
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H: Watch Pastor Mark’s message, Commits to God and His Family. Sermon notes are available for download.
Actively Practices Spiritual Disciplines
- Read a chapter a day in the Gospel of John for the next three weeks (21 chapters).
- Memorize John 1:1-2; John 3:16; John 10:10 and John 15:5 over the next four weeks.
- Watch 5-minute video Does God Feel Distant by Max Lucado on RightNowMedia.
- Read free online resource How To Have A Quiet Time by Lifeway Resources.
- Read Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney. Study guide also available for this resource. [Order online or check availability at our Waters Edge Resource Center.]
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A: Watch Pastor Mark’s message, Commits to God and His Family. Sermon notes are available for download.
Nurturing Authentic Relationships
- Visit the GroupLink Kiosk in the Commons on Sunday to explore connection opportunities for groups.
- Watch Pastor Mark’s Sermon What It Means to Radically Love Each Other. [Sermon notes available to download and print.]
- Read The Relationship Principles of Jesus by Tom Holladay. [Order online or check availability at our Waters Edge Resource Center.]
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N: Watch Pastor Mark’s message, Commits to God and His Family. Sermon notes are available for download.
Gives Back to God
- Budget your tithe to support Sugar Creek Ministries on a weekly/bi-weekly/monthly basis.
- Watch Pastor Mark’s Sermon Why Our Giving Is So Important to God. [Sermon notes available to download and print.]
- Watch Dave Ramsey teach on Life, Money & Legacy on RightNowMedia.
- Register for the next Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Course near you.
- G: Watch Pastor Mark’s message, Commits to God and His Family. Sermon notes are available for download.
Exercises Spiritual Gifts in Service
- Participate in the next Finding My Place Class.
- Take a free online Spiritual Gifts Inventory.
- Watch Chip Ingram teach on your Divine Design on RightNowMedia.
- Read Henry and Mel Blackaby’s What’s So Spiritual About Your Gifts? [Order online or check availability at our Waters Edge Resource Center.]
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E: Watch Pastor Mark’s message, Commits to God and His Family. Sermon notes are available for download.