What Does God Want to Transform in You?
Pastor Nick Scheske | Sunday, September 28, 2025
Communion Scripture Reading
“He was despised and rejected… a man of suffering, familiar with pain.
He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3, 5)
Gospel Reading
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!” – Jesus, Matthew 13:31–33; 44–46
We need to be transformed by the Spirit of Jesus.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:21–24
How do people actually change? Why do you need Jesus for this? And what does God want to do in you?
“The flesh can't cast out the flesh.” –Andrew Murray
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate…there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Romans 7:15,23
“Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” Romans 7:24
Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:25
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2
“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.” Romans 8:3
“So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:15-17
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26-27
We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. Romans 8:29–30
So I want to ask you the question, What's the Spirit's role in all this?
What’s the Spirit’s role? The transformation process
What’s my role? Surrender to the process
Romans 12:1-2 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to offer your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 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. Romans 12:1–2 NIV
Spiritual Journey
-3 Religion Resisting | Serve Day, Surprise with Love
-2 Spiritually Awakening | ATM, Easter, Christmas,
-1 Actively Searching | Alpha Groups
1 Knowing God | Worship Services
2 Finding Freedom | Small Groups, Freedom
3 Discovering Purpose | Connection Experience
4 Making a Difference | Dream Team
5 Growing in Maturity | The Leader’s Journey
6 Training in Complexity
7 Living in Love
So being with Jesus is more important than doing stuff for Jesus.
Go ALL-IN in with Jesus for one year and you won’t recognize yourself.