Welcome to Transformed!

We are so excited that you have decided to join

us on this Journey of Life-Change!
In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul pens these words:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind!
Romans 12:2
And again he writes in his seond letter to the Corinthians:
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lords
glory, are being transformed into His image with
ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord,
who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
The Elders and Senior Leadership of Grace Fellowship Church
Shrewsbury pray that during our time together this year, you will
encounter the person of Jesus Christ more deeply then you ever
have before. We believe that if you see Him more clearly. and
know Him more intimately, you will never be the same.
You will be Transformed!
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said,
If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
Then you will know the truth, and
the truth will set you free!
John 8:31

The Seven Key Areas of

Transformed!
Spiritual Health

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. the old life is
gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Mental Health
Do not be conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Financial Health
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will rim
over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)

Physical Health
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who
is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Vocational Health
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the
Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Relational Health
Above all else, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of
sins.1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

Emotional Health
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest. Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Transformed!

How God Changes Us!

Grace Fellowship Church Shrewsbury
September 11, 2016
Pastor Jeff

Message 1 -Running Away from Love!

THE LOST SON & LOVING FATHER: LUKE 15:11-24
Jesus told this story: A man had two sons. The younger son
told his father, Give me my share of your estate now, instead of
waiting until you die. So his father divided his wealth between
his sons.
A few days later the younger son packed all his belongings and
left home to live in a distant land. (He got as far away from his
Father as he could.) There he squandered the gift hed been given
and wasted his life and money on wild parties and reckless living.
About the time all his money ran out, a severe famine hit the
land, and he began to starve because he was left with nothing.
The only job he could find was feeding swine on a farm. He
became so desperate and hungry that even the pig slop he was
feeding the swine looked good to him. But no one would give
him anything for his hunger. When he finally came to his senses,
he said to himself, This is crazy! At my Fathers home even the
lowest paid workers eat well, while Im far away dying of hunger!
Im going to return home to my Father and humbly say: Father,
I have sinned against both God and you, and I am not worthy to
be a part of this family or called your son. But please just make
me one of your servants who works for you. With that attitude,
he headed back home to his Father.
But while the son was still a long distance away, his father saw
him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran out to
his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him! The son
said Father, Ive sinned against both God and you, and Im no
longer worthy of being called your son. But the father said to his
servants, Quick! Bring me the finest robe in our house and put
it on him. Then get my signet ring for his finger and shoes for
his feet. Then roast the calf we have been fattening. Were going
to celebrate with a feast of eating and drinking. For this child of
mine was distant and dead but now hes back and alive! He was
lost, but now hes found! So the party began!

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The Way Home to LOVE!

I Must:
1. ______________________________
...he wasted it allhe had nothing lefthe got desperate and
hungryhe finally came to his senses... Luke 15:13-14, 17
GOD: Youll find me when you get serious about finding
me and want it more than anything else. Jeremiah 29:13 (Mes)

2.

________________________________

When he came to his senses, he said...I have sinned against

God and you... Luke 15:17-18
Your sins have separated you from your God, and have hidden
his face from you... Isaiah 59:2
Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love. Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins! Wash away all my
evil and make me clean! I recognize my faults and I am conscious
that Ive sinned against you. Psalm 51:1-4 (TEV)
The Lord says, No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can
remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Isaiah
1:18 (NLT)

The HABIT of a Regular Spiritual Check-up:

Test yourself to make sure youre solid in the faith. Dont

drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourself regular
checkups. If you fail the test, do something about it. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Mes)

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return
to the LORD. Lamentations 3:40

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I Must:
3.

_____________________________
The son drifted away saying, GIVE ME MY share...
Luke 15:12

He returned to the Father saying, MAKE ME a servant

Luke 15:19
Because God is merciful to you, OFFER YOURSELVES as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your spiritual act
of worship. And do not conform to the pattern of this world, but
BE TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind. Romans
12:1-2 (NIV)

THE FATHERS RESPONSE

Filled with love and compassion, he ran out to his son, threw his
arms around him, and kissed him!..Bring the best. Luke 15:20, 22

4. ________________________________
Were going to celebrate with a feast of eating and drinking...He
was lost but now hes found! So the party begins! Luke 15:23-24
Sing to God, sing praises to his name; LIFT UP A SONG to
him... his name is the Lord! Psalm 68:4 (ESV)
I will sing to the Lord because he has been so good to me!
Psalm 13:6 (NLT)
NOTES

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Transformed Homework
Week One - Coming Home to Love!
Time Commitment: Approximately 3-4 hours (Just skip a few TV
shows or lay off surfing the web for a few hours!) Complete the
following assignments this week:
1) Pray and read through the Story of the Lost Son & the Loving
Father several times (Luke 15:11-24).
2) Read the My Heart, Christs Home Booklet included in your
binder.
3) Spend some time in prayer asking God to reveal to you ways in
which you need to be changed (Transformed!). Avoid the temptation
to focus on other peoples issues, but rather focus on your own. Sign
and date the Transformed covenants (pg. 12/13) and ask a friend or
family member to witness your commitement to change.
4) Turn to the Transformed Worksheet (the next 4 pages) and write
your thoughts and prayers to God. Be sure to include any relevant
scripture and look for tangible next steps to take in order to move
in the direction of coming home to love.
5) Take some time to complete the Knowing the Love of God
Inventory. Pray about your results and meditate on scripture that
speaks to you about Gods love. (see pages 15/16)
6)Look at the 7 Key Areas of Transformed (Page 2 of your binder)
and ask God to reveal to you areas where you need Transformation.
Remember, be honest, but dont allow yourself to becomed overwelmed or discouraged! Be gentle! Its highly likely that God is far
more patient with you then you are with yourself.
7) Prayerfully consider other ways that God would have you participate with Him in this journey of transformation.
8) If you sense that the Lord might be calling you to share a story of
life-change (testimony) with the family of Grace Fellowship, please
email it to Pastor Jeff at lifestories@gfcshrewsbury.org

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Transformed Worksheet

1. God, Im FED UP! (Conviction)

Talk with God about what He wants to change in you! This may
be something that is weighing you down, causing you pain or something
that you know is outside of His will for your life. Write down any relevant
scripture. (John 16:5-15, Hebrews 4:12-13)

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Transformed Worksheet

2. God, I OWN UP! (Confession)

Talk to God about your sin. Remember sin can be something you do
(commission), or dont do (omission). Sin is also attitudes, desires and beliefs
that dont line up with Gods word and will. Write down any relevant scripture. (Luke 5:21, 1 John 1:8-10)

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Transformed Worksheet

3. God, I OFFER UP! (Repentance)

Talk with God about what He wants you to do, and do it! Listen to
God speak to you through His Spirit, His word and His people about how
you need to participate with Him in order to be Transformed. THIS IS
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO! Ask Him to give you guidance. Write down
what He says to you and any relevant scripture. Ask Him for His power to
LISTEN AND OBEY! Now MOVE YOUR MUSCLES IN LINE WITH
YOUR PRAYERS - TAKE THE NEXT RIGHT STEP AND START
HEADING FOR HOME! (James 1:19-25, Luke 15:20-21)

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Transformed Worksheet

4. God, I LIFT UP! (Renewal)

Celebrate with God that He has brought you to this place. Praise Him that
He is speaking to you and guiding you. Thank Him for revealing your sin and
the next right step(s). Worship Him with a grateful heart for any life change,
no matter how small. Write Him a prayer of thanksgiving in the space provided below. Celebrate His Goodness! (Luke 15:7, Ps 107:1, Romans 7:24-25)

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Awakening to our True Spiritual Condition

Knowing the Love of God Inventory
Answer the questions below on a scale of 1-10. Please try not to
look ahead!
1. How much do you believe that God loves you?
Circle the number that best represents your level of belief:
Not at all Very Much
1

10

2. Now, read the passages below describing what love

looks like. Circle all the attributes of love (i.e. kindness, gentleness, etc.)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such
things there is no law. Galations 5:22-23
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not
proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily
angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always
hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-17
Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you
has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together
in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one
body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of
Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,
singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do,
whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17

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Awakening to our True Spiritual Condition

In light of what youve just read about the nature of Gods
love, answer the following questions as honestly as you can:
3. To what extent do the words (attributes) of love (that you
just read about) describe your atitudes and actions toward
other people? (Kindness, gentleness, patience, etc.)
Not at all Very Much
1

10

4. To what extent do these words about love describe how

you treat yourself ? (in attitude and action)
Not at all Very Much
1

10

5. To what extent are you obeying Gods commands and

walking in His ways for your life? (In action, attitude and thought)
Not at all Very Much
1

10

Now, go back and place a second circle on question number 1 that

matches the lowest number you scored yourself on question 3, 4 & 5.
The distance between the two numbers in question number 1 represents the difference between what you are believing about Gods
love for you, and how much you are receiving Gods love for you.
Remember, BELIEVING EQUALS RECEIVING!
Read the verses below and spend some time talking to your Heavenly
Father about coming home to the love that He has for you. Ask Him
how receiving that love will change the answers to questions 3,4 &5.
Ask Him how you need to particpate with Him in knowing His love
as the Apostle Paul describes below!
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and
on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen
you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may have power, together with all the Lords holy people, to grasp how wide and
long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19

Page 10

Journal Notes

Page 11

TRANSFORMED COVENANT I
I agree with You God! I am prone to wander
away from You, the source of ALL LOVE!
Im FED-UP with my ways God. Im tired of trying
to live life on my own terms. If Im not fed up with
my ways, I ask You to help me get fed-up, by waking me up.
Im ready to OWN-UP to my sin, and get honest
with You, and at least one other person in my life.
Im willing to OFFER UP my life to You by obeying Your commands and following the promptings
of Your Spirit.. As my life is Tranformed, I will
LIFT-UP You and Your Kingdom, and give all the
honor, glory and credit to You alone! Help me God
to see clearly the areas that You want to change in
my life.
Help me to trust You to guide me each step of the
way, by the power of Your Spirit, the Truth of Your
Word, and the fellowship of Your People. I know
I will not become the person that You intend for
me to be, until I INTEND to become that person.
God, today I proclaim before You that I INTEND
TO BECOME THE PERSON YOU WANT ME
TO BE, By Your Grace & for Your Glory!
Signed:
Witness:
Date:
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TRANSFORMED COVENANT II
I commit to seeking Gods Will and Power
for TRANSFORMATION in Each of the 7
Key Areas of My Life by:
1. Praying daily for God to reveal the areas
where I need to change.
2. Seeking His will for my life by spending
time daily in His word.
3. Participating with God in changing me
from the inside out by obeying His Word and
the promptings of His Spirit.
4. Allowing God to guide me into fellowship with other Christians for the purpose
of mutual encouragement, accountability,
support and love.
5. Accepting the truth that sometimes things
need to feel worse in order to get better! I
am willing to trust God in this process of
Transformation, even when it gets really
difficult.
6. Committing to give all the honor and
credit to God alone when anything good
happens in me!
Signed:
Witness:
Date:
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Gods Love and Acceptance

Additional Scripture for Meditation

1. Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with
loving-kindness.
2. Isaiah 54:10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be
removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my
covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
3. John 16:27 The Father himself loves you because you have loved
me and have believed that I came from God.
4. John 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now
remain in my love.
6. Psalms 89:24, 28 My faithful love will be with him, and through
my name his horn will be exalted. I will maintain my love to him
forever, and my covenant with him will never fail.
7. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
8. 1 John 4:9-10 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent
his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his
Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
9. 1 John 4:15-16 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of
God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on
the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in
God, and God in him.
10. 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
11. Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and
your staff, they comfort me.
12. Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has
poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has
given us.

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13. Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all
the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
14. Matthew 28:20 I am with you always, even to the end of
the age.
15. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace
to help us in our time of need.
16. Psalms 103:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
17. Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access to
the Father by one Spirit.
18. Zeph 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty
to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you
with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
19. Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may
approach God with freedom and confidence.
20. Lamentations 3:19-24 I remember my affliction and my
wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me, yet this I call to mind, and
therefore I have hope.
Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, for his
compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great
is your faithfulness. I say to myself, The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.
21. Psalm 136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his
steadfast love endures forever.
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Journal Notes