How People Change from God's Perspective

AT A
GLANCE:
HOW PEOPLE
CHANGE

Lesson 2:

Life as God Sees It,
Change as God Does It

CPR Preview
• Central Point: Practical hope, comfort, and
direction result from looking at our lives and
our world from God’s big picture perspective.
• Personal Application: I always need to
evaluate myself in light of what God says
about himself, me, my world, and change.
• Relational Application: I need to help people
see the hope found in looking at their lives
from God’s big picture perspective.

The Big Question

How does “The Big Picture” help you
to understand and respond to the
God of grace as he works through
the details of your life?

Scriptural Background:
The Big Picture
• Jeremiah 17:5-10:
Thus says the LORD:"Cursed is the man who
trusts in man and makes flesh his
strength, whose heart turns away from the
LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and
shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in
the parched places of the wilderness, in an
uninhabited salt land.

The Big Picture
• Jeremiah 17:5-10: (cont.)
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose trust is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit."

The Big Picture
• Jeremiah 17:5-10: (cont.)
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
"I the LORD search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds."

Life with the Redeemer in the wilderness
• I Corinthians 10:1-14:
For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers
were all under the cloud, and all passed through
the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the
cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same
spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual
drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that
followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
Nevertheless, with most of them God was not
pleased, for they were overthrown in the
wilderness.

• I Corinthians 10:1-14 (cont.)
Now these things took place as examples for us, that
we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be
idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The
people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.“
We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of
them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single
day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of
them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor
grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by
the Destroyer.

• I Corinthians 10:1-14 (cont.)
Now these things happened to them as an example,
but they were written down for our instruction, on
whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let
anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common
to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be
tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation
he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be
able to endure it.
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

The Example of Paul
• 2 Corinthians 1:2-12
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us
in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those
who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share
abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we
share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for
your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is
for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently
endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

The Example of Paul
• 2 Corinthians 1:2-12 (cont.)
Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that
as you share in our sufferings, you will also share
in our comfort. For we do not want you to be
ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we
experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly
burdened beyond our strength that we despaired
of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received
the sentence of death. But that was to make us
rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the
dead.

The Example of Paul
• 2 Corinthians 1:2-12 (cont.)
He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will
deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will
deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so
that many will give thanks on our behalf for the
blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience,
that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly
sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of
God, and supremely so toward you.

Other passages that show “The Big Picture”
• Psalm 1
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel
of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in
the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates
day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams
of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its
leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he
prospers.

• Psalm 1 (cont.)
The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that
the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked
will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in
the congregation of the righteous; for the
LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the
way of the wicked will perish.

Scriptural Background
• Romans 12: 1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the
mercies of God, to present your bodies as a
living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,
which is your spiritual worship. Do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind, that by testing
you may discern what is the will of God, what
is good and acceptable and perfect.

• Matthew 18:15-35
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his
fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you,
you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you, that every
charge may be established by the evidence of two or
three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to
the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the
church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax
collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

• Matthew 18:15-35 (cont.)
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth
about anything they ask, it will be done for them
by my Father in heaven. For where two or three
are gathered in my name, there am I among
them.” Then Peter came up and said to him,
"Lord, how often will my brother sin against me,
and I forgive him? As many as seven times?"
Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven
times, but seventy times seven. "Therefore the
kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king
who wished to settle accounts with his servants.

When he began to settle, one was brought to him who
owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not
pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife
and children and all that he had, and payment to be
made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him,
'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.‘
And out of pity for him, the master of that servant
released him and forgave him the debt. But when that
same servant went out, he found one of his fellow
servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing
him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you
owe.‘

So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have
patience with me, and I will pay you.‘ He refused and went
and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When
his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were
greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their
master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned
him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all
that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not
you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy
on you?‘ And in anger his master delivered him to the
jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly
Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive
your brother from your heart."

• Galatians 5-6
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm
therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of
slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept
circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I
testify again to every man who accepts circumcision
that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are
severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the
law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the
Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope
of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything,
but only faith working through love.

• Galatians 5-6 (cont.)
You were running well. Who hindered you from
obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him
who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I
have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other
view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will
bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still
preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?
In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate
themselves!

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only
do not use your freedom as an opportunity for
the flesh, but through love serve one another. For
the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.“ But if you bite
and devour one another, watch out that you are
not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by
the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of
the flesh.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and
the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these
are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the
things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit,
you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh
are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger,
rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness,
orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned
you before, that those who do such things will not
inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-
control; against such things there is no law. And those
who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with
its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us
also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited,
provoking one another, envying one another.
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you
who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of
gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be
tempted.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law
of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something,
when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let
each one test his own work, and then his reason
to boast will be in himself alone and not in his
neighbor. For each will have to bear his own
load. One who is taught the word must share all
good things with the one who teaches. Do not be
deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one
sows, that will he also reap.

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the
flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the
Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us
not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we
will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially
to those who are of the household of faith. See with
what large letters I am writing to you with my own
hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in
the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and
only in order that they may not be persecuted for the
cross of Christ.

For even those who are circumcised do not themselves
keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised
that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me
to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by
which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the
world. For neither circumcision counts for anything,
nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all
who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them,
and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one
cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of
Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your
spirit, brothers. Amen.

• James 3:13-4:12
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his
good conduct let him show his works in the meekness
of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish
ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to
the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down
from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For
where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be
disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to
reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and
sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in
peace by those who make peace.

• James 3:13-4:12 (cont.)
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among
you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within
you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You
covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You
do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do
not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on
your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not
know that friendship with the world is enmity with
God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the
world makes himself an enemy of God.

• James 3:13-4:12 (cont.)
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the
Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that
he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace.
Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives
grace to the humble.“ Submit yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw
near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse
your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you
double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let
your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to
gloom.

• James 3:13-4:12 (cont.)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will
exalt you. Do not speak evil against one another,
brothers. The one who speaks against a brother
or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law
and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you
are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is
only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to
save and to destroy. But who are you to judge
your neighbor?

Illustrations

• Use Numbers 11-14 as a link to I Corinthians
10:1-14.
• Identify the four elements (HEAT-THORNS-
CROSS-FRUIT) in 2 Corinthians 1:2-12.

Group Discussions
• Use one or more additional passages to
discuss the four elements.

Central Point, Personal Application,
and Relational Application (CPR)
Central Point:
• Practical hope, comfort, and direction result from
looking at our lives and our world from God’s
overall perspective on change.
• The Bible is honest about the trouble we face in a
fallen world.
• Scripture’s description of the change process that
God oversees in our lives can be described using
the categories of HEAT, THORNS, CROSS, and
FRUIT.

CPR
Personal Application:
• I always need to evaluate myself in light of
what God says about me, my world, and
change.
• The Bible’s honesty about life in this world
invites me to be honest about my difficulties
and my responses to them.
• I need to learn how to examine myself using
the simple categories God provides in his
Word (HEAT, THORNS, CROSS, and FRUIT).

CPR
Relational Application:
• I need to help people see the hope found in
looking at life from God’s perspective.
• I need to encourage people with the way the
Bible accurately and honestly describes what we
face every day.
• A significant aspect of a wise and helpful ministry
is to help others see themselves from the
perspective of these simple biblical categories
(HEAT, THORNS, CROSS, and FRUIT).

Make it Real (Homework)
1. Identify a difficult situation or a big
opportunity in your own life right now. Sort
out the situation and your responses to it
using the four elements of this model.

2. What aspects of the HEAT, THORNS, CROSS,
and FRUIT model do you tend to
emphasize to the neglect of the others?
Some examples:
-- Pharisees emphasized behavior over the
heart.
-- People who have suffered or been
abused tend to emphasize the situation
(“heat”) over everything else.


Examples (cont.)
-- The overly introspective person tends to spend
his time in endless heart examination.
-- The “Jesus and me” person tends to focus on
the cross in isolation from everything else.
-- The legalist tends to look only at consequences
and conclude that bad consequences prove
that there must have been bad behavior (see
Job’s counselors).

How People Change from God's Perspective

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