1min Snip
Jon Tyson
It actually closes us off to the options of maybe God stepping in and doing something. And my life has been absolutely defined by core relationships of people around me who fall into the flash view and the fatalism view. And I just want to say that I understand both of these views. Iāve probably felt both of them. I think I was a flash, then a fatalist, and now Iāve got a new power. By the way, so much of our theology is just our psychology of our own journey. You know that. Many people believe things not because they believe them, but they require them psychologically to exist and survive. And over the course of time, what happens, you get a little distance, is you start asking the question, how do you bring these things together? And thatās why I believe what the Bible teaches is a formation view of change. This is where God is radically committed to changing us, but we have no direct, immediate control over how that happens. And you know why that is? Because Heās committed to walking with us, not handing us a formula to do it ourselves. This makes us relationally dependent on God to change us. Now, letās just perhaps look at a few verses. We are going to, and by few, I donāt mean one or two, I mean fifty, okay? So, I want to start with a few verses here. I just want to set your expectations. IStrive for Lightness: Intentional Transformation Begins Within Achieving personal goals begins with honesty about oneās current state, focusing on the desire to feel ālighterā both physically and mentally. Customization of personal strategies is crucial, as individual needs and objectives varyāwhether it involves losing weight or gaining muscle. Three core considerations guide intentional self-formation: first, evaluate oneās identity, questioning how you perceive yourself; second, assess your sources of righteousness, reflecting on where you place your sense of goodness; third, identify the power or support you rely on to facilitate change. This framework underscores the importance of a deliberate approach to self-improvement.
Jon Tyson
Have a simple goal. Theyāre like, whatās your goal? And Iām like, to not be as fat as I am. Itās like, do you want to look? I was like, Iām not in a category where Iām talking cardio benefits or attractiveness to my, weāll get there. But Iām starting with one word, lighter. Do you have a lighter plan? So when you have a lighter plan, you know, itās customized on who you are. You may walk in absolutely ripped and youāre like, I actually want to put on 40 pounds more muscle. And so my simple point is youāve got to be honest with where you are and then itās got to be customized for who you are. You ever done that for yourself? There are three core considerations when it comes to intentionally forming ourselves, three areas I think that we should examine because they really get to the heart of how we can determine If weāre changing, okay? Hereās the three areas. Number one, identity. Who do I view myself to be? Whatās my internal sense of self? Number two, righteousness. What am I trusting in for who Iām becoming? Where am I locating my sense of goodness? And number three, what power am I relying on for this to happen? So, I want to give you, if you will, just a little framework of how to have an intentional rather than an accidental view of formation. It2min Snip
Jon Tyson
Hereās why thatās important because one says that youāre made in the image of god that you bear his likeness youāve been specially formed by him and therefore you have intrinsic value Hereās your alternative 13.4 billion years ago the universe sprung out of nothing for no reason. After a big bang that came from nowhere that we donāt understand, all of a sudden, Earth sort of emerged over the periods of billions of years. There was a pool of water, and then a bolt of lightning randomly struck it, and then a little amoeba cell structure burst into life. And then you have Steinbeck, Levain Cookies, and the Columbia University School of Teaching, like that, from nothing to that. And at the same time, youāre told youāve evolved from nothing through a horrible, cruel process with point but survival. But you should reject all of those inbuilt instincts and be kind, loving, and compassionate, really only because you have a selfish gene for enlightened self-interest. And one of those stories, I honestly just do not believe resonates, does not resonate with the human experience. I believe that you were created by God. That means three things about human beings. Ready? Number one, youāre an object of love, not an accident. Youāre an object of love.Transform Your Sacrifice Through Grace God initiates a transformative act of grace that addresses our sin, brokenness, and inner turmoil, guiding us from worldly practices toward a Christ-centered life. Romans 12 highlights the importance of recognizing this grace-based transformation, urging us to present ourselves as living sacrifices. We often sacrifice ourselves to temporary relationships or work, but true transformation calls us to relinquish these old sacrifices for a redemptive, loving offer from God. It is essential to shift our perspective on sacrifice, moving away from harmful patterns and embracing a life aligned with Godās purpose.
Jon Tyson
Should memorize that this week. So, itās this initiative work of grace where God comes to us in our sin and brokenness and deformation and our inner chaos, and He initiates a work of grace that begins to counterform Us, as we say every Sunday, out of the way of the world and into the way of Jesus. Thatās why these verses, like Romans 12, are so potent. These verses, weāre too familiar with this verse. This is a paradigm shift. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, a view of Godās mercy, to offer youā¦ so that is a grace-based, not religious or shame-based transformation, to offer your body as a living Sacrifice. Now, you know this, we all offer our bodies to something, donāt you? When youāre promiscuous, youāre offering your body to a very, very temporary relationship. Youāre offering yourself, youāre offering your sexuality to somebody else. When we overwork and abuse ourselves for our vocations, weāre offering ourselves to the market or to an employer. Weāre literally sacrificing our relationships, our mental health, our senses. All of us have an altar that we sacrifice on. And this says, make sure that you get out of those old practices of sacrifice and get to Godās redeemed, loving offer of sacrifice,Embrace Your Emotions The concept of the ārepressed Australian maleā highlights how societal norms can shape emotional expression, particularly among men. Acknowledging oneās past experiences in a challenging environment can lead to personal growth, particularly in recognizing the potential for emotional vulnerability. This realization allows for a transformation in how one engages with emotions, leading to greater acceptance and expression of feelings such as love and sadness. Embracing oneās capacity to cry signifies a shift toward emotional openness and authenticity.
Jon Tyson
And I began to do some research. Thereās a term they use called the repressed Australian male. The repressed Australian male. A sociological term of Aussie men. And from ages 14 to 20, I worked in a butcher shop surrounded by broken, godless, oppressed, closed Australian men. And I had to acknowledge that in my very formative years as a man, I may in fact, there could be a chance, small but everything is possible, have been formed into an emotionally replaced And closed man. And so, this is a perfect example. I can get defensive, or I can say, Jesus, You wept. Jesus, You were moved. Jesus, You loved. And Jesus, would You open my heart to weep and to love and to move. And one of the things that God began to do was make me a weeper, like a bit of a weeper. Iām a big crier. I have a lot of tears coming out. And you know what?Transformation Begins with Tears Transformation involves a deep emotional change, as evidenced by the willingness to embrace vulnerability and recognize the healing power of faith. This journey leads to a closer alignment with a spiritual identity, prompting personal growth. Understanding the framework of human will is essential: it starts with an impulsive will, driven by immediate desires and impulses, often resulting in reactive decision-making with little thought for long-term consequences. The evolution toward a reflective will represents a more mature stage where individuals can step back from fleeting desires to make healthier, long-term choices, showcasing a societal aspiration for self-improvement and responsibility.
Jon Tyson
One of the things that God began to do was make me a weeper, like a bit of a weeper. Iām a big crier. I have a lot of tears coming out. And you know what? Itās all started because my wife helped me see this, that Jesus is transforming me and bringing me freedom and healing me. Itās becoming like Jesus in our innermost being. Thatās what transformation is. Now, look, Dallas Willard goes on. He says, this is how this happens. Next slide here. He says, thereās three levels of the human will. This is very good. You want to screen capture this or jot this down, okay? He says we basically live in a world controlled by the impulsive will, and the impulsive will is I want. What do you want to do next? Whatever, man. I want. Iām bored. Getting on Tinder tonight. I want. Going upstate. I want. Going shopping. I want. Weāre just driven by your desires impulse. Youāre just reacting to whateverās in you and whateverās around you. But then He says you get a little distance and this is your reflection. So, you donāt do whatās good for you, you do what feels good. And the reflective will, which is kind of our societyās highest vision of self-salvation, is the ability to step out of my immediate desires and make healthy long-term decisions as An adult, you know. And so, our society is all about, you know, like taking responsibility for your life and doing these sorts of things, okay.
