When the Gospel Transforms the Desires of Your Heart
I. Introduction: surface-level change vs. deep change
- Many people see change as a transformation of ______________ (behavior).
- Even an unbeliever can change behaviors. So what is truly deep change?
- Key question: What are my deepest ______________?
- God wants to transform the way we ______________ — that is, your heart (Matthew 15:19).
II. What is surface-level change?
- Example: a woman decides not to give an offering, but changes her mind when she sees her group leader collecting it.
- Question: did she do it out of love for God, or out of concern for someone else’s opinion?
- God knows our ______________ (Luke 16:15).
III. Love and deep transformation
- To love is the heart’s response to what it finds attractive, treasured, and ______________.
- “For where your treasure is, there your ______________ will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
- What is the true treasure of your life?
IV. The key to real change
- “I change when what I ______________ changes.”
- I don’t change by trying harder, but by seeing, appreciating, and treasuring God’s love (1 John 4:10; John 3:16; 15:9).
- God loves you with the same measure of love with which He loves ______________.
V. Remain in my love (John 15:9-11)
- Keeping the commandments is not why we are loved — it’s the means to ______________ in His love.
- If you sin, His love for you doesn’t change — but you’ll be unable to ______________ it.
- His purpose: that His ______________ may be in us and be made complete (John 15:11).
Conclusion
- Your greatest need is not to do more works, but to ______________ the love God has for you.
- My greatest duty as a Christian is to ______________ in His love!
Personal reflection
- What is the deepest treasure of your heart today?
- Are you seeking a change in behavior, or a transformation of the heart?
- Write a prayer asking God to help you see and treasure His love.