Preached by Joe Chiappetta, 8/2/2009

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The Downtown Chicago Bible Talk Is Transformed By A Visit From Our Brother Raja (2nd from Left), Who Leads The Churches In India!

Click here to listen to Transformers part 1.

Are you tired of who you are because of your sin? Do you want to lead a changed life? Change into who God calls you to be. We want to be transformed by God, but be warned: not all change is good.

2 Corinthians 11:14
“…Satan masquerades as an angel of light.”
- Satan is a transformer too–a deadly one.
- What kind of transformer are you?
- Are you a true disciple, or are you just masquerading as a Christian?

Ezekiel background in brief: Around 593 BC, God’s people are in Babylon because of sin. Try to picture the vision that God gives Ezekiel during the Jewish exile!

Ezekiel chapter 1
If you want to be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2) then you need…
1. Transformed Bible Study
- when you read something you don’t understand, don’t skip it. Get help!
2. Transformed View of God
- God is much more than we think he is.
- The prophet fell face down after seeing this vision of God. He knew he was in the presence of the power who created the universe.
- Is your life inspiring? If you are walking with God, it should be.

chapter 2
God sent Ezekiel to an obstinate and stubborn people, a rebellious nation. What is your character?
God told Ezekiel 3 times in this short chapter not to be afraid. God knows we have a lot of fears – but we have trouble acknowledging them. God wants us to deal with our fears and emotions.

chapter 3
The scroll that Ezekiel eat is God’s word.
Sometimes we can feel like the Bible is bitter because of troubles or our sin, but it should be sweet to us.
God’s plan is for disciples to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). If we don’t like the plan, God’s word will taste bitter, and we won’t be excited about it.
Our security can sometimes rest in how the people we reach out to respond instead of in God himself. God says to speak whether they listen or fail to listen.
1 Peter 2:4 – Jesus bore our sin, this is why we make disciples–out of gratitude and obedience.

chapter 4
If you don’t want to follow God, you will face opposition.
Ezekiel bore the Israelites sin for a little over a year as an example of what Jesus would do.
Do we appreciate that Jesus bore our sins and all mankind’s?

Romans 12:2
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
- Knowing Jesus can transform you.
- Takes mental discipline and willingness to deal with your emotions.
- Way to know God’s will: faithful obedience

Subtitle of this sermon is “The Revenge of God.”
- That scares people.
- Revenge, vengeance, and avenge all have to do with punishment
- They have same Hebrew and Greek root word: the idea of punishment.
- Punishment scares us especially when we don’t trust God and don’t want to repent.
- Punishment had an impact on Jesus too.

Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
- Root word here for “avenge” is translated as “revenge” here.
- Some people are eager to imitate God about the wrong stuff.
- God’s motives for revenge are pure. Has just punishment.
- How about your motives? Don’t retaliate. Warn people about God’s wrath.
- Put security in God as your protector, avenger.
- We deserve God’s revenge for our sin. But God allowed Jesus to take the punishment for us. The appropriate transformer response to the cross is a life of gratitude and trust in God.

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