“The Portrait Of Changed Lives” (Part One)

One of the current TV shows that has a powerful purpose, and a growing and devoted following is “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” In it, Ty Pennington and his crew find a deserving family and, in seven days, completely rebuild their home. Sometimes the need is due to a health situation in the family. Sometimes because of struggles due to the death of one of the parents. Sometimes because of a tragedy, like a drive-by shooting in Compton CA. The circumstances are varied, the purpose is the same. To make sure that, after seven days, the life of this family will never be the same again.

That is the essence of the word “transformation.” It is the Greek word from which we get the term, “metamorphosis”—and it means a total reconstruction from the inside out. To never be the same again. It is what Paul desired for us in Romans 12:2, when he wrote:

• And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

It is all about a personal extreme makeover—a changed, transformed life! We’ll consider that this week as we look at 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, beginning with…

The Source of Transformation (v.5)

• For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

The source of our transformation is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! How does God use the message of Christ to change us forever? It starts with what Paul calls, “our gospel”, which is to distinguish it from any other so-called gospels. This was his concern in Gal.1:6-7:

• I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Even the false teachers had a message, and a measure of devotion, and even some limited results. Paul, however, was armed with the message of the cross of Christ. He had access to what the false teachers did not! Notice how he reminds the Thessalonian believers of how their lives had been changed—by the distinguishing characteristics of the gospel of Christ that cannot be counterfeited!

• In Word- the message is declared! It is the simple message of what Christ has done to redeem lost people and give them eternal life. That message is defined in 1 Cor.15:1-4!
• In Power- dunamei- the power of the Cross (1 Cor.1:18; the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8); the power of Christ’s authority (Matt. 28:18)!
• In the Holy Spirit- this is the wonder of the ministry of the Spirit to and through believers! Romans 8 describes it powerfully- vv.1,9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 23, 26, 27. There is no substitute or counterfeit for the presence, person, and power off the Holy Spirit!
• In much assurance- a full and entire confidence is ours through the Gospel. “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” (2 Tim. 1:12)

This all matters because of what can be duplicated, and what can never be duplicated! You can create a religious message and even develop a religious following. You can replicate emotion, experience, excitement, even the acceptance of men. You cannot duplicate the power, truth, and assurance of the gospel of Jesus Christ burned into a human heart by the work of the Holy Spirit!

We’ll see how this transformation occurred in their lives tomorrow as we continue looking at this great text.