Transformed for a Purpose
Living the Transformed Life | 2 Peter 1:1–11
Speaker: Martin O’Brien
As we came to the conclusion of our series ‘Living the Transformed Life’, Martin O’Brien recapped our journey through 2 Peter 1:1–11 and reminded us that transformation is not the end of the story.
God transforms us from the old into the new, but He doesn't transform us simply so that we can feel better about ourselves or become better people for our own sake.
He transforms us so that we can become a blessing to others and partner with Him in His mission.
Transformed for a Purpose
Throughout the series, we have explored Peter's encouragement to supplement our faith with qualities such as moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection and love.
But why are we called to grow in these things?
The answer is ultimately mission.
Our transformation isn't simply about what God is doing in us. It is also about what God wants to do through us.
Jesus makes this clear in John 13:34–35:
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
At the heart of our identity as a church is this calling:
To live in His love and to live it out.
We receive the love of Christ, we are transformed by that love, and then we allow that love to overflow into the lives of others.
A People on Mission
Jesus summed up our calling in Mark 12:30–31:
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength... Love your neighbour as yourself.”
The transformed life is therefore never just about us.
We are not simply becoming better, transformed individuals. We are becoming a people through whom God can bless others.
We are a family on mission for the sake of others.
During the gathering, Martin interviewed two people from the congregation and asked them three questions:
How has your journey of faith in Jesus seen you, or something in your life, change?
How has that transformation affected the way you serve others?
Where do you sense God is inviting you to live for the sake of others in this season of your life?
Their stories helped demonstrate the journey we have been exploring throughout this series.
Transformation leads to action.
As God changes us, we begin to see His love expressed through our lives. We move from simply experiencing transformation to living transformed lives for the sake of others.
From the Old to the New
2 Corinthians 5 gives us a powerful picture of what this transformation means.
Paul writes that because Christ died for all, those who receive His new life should no longer live for themselves, but live for Christ.
Then comes one of the great declarations of the Christian faith:
“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
This is the life we have been called into.
The old has gone.
The new has begun.
God's transforming work changes the direction of our lives. We are no longer simply living according to the old ways. We have been given new life through Christ.
But again, this new life isn't given to us simply for ourselves.
The Mission of Reconciliation
Paul continues in 2 Corinthians 5 by explaining that God has given us the task of reconciling people to Him.
This is the mission.
Because we have been transformed, we now live this new, resurrected life with Jesus and for Jesus. And He invites us to partner with Him in bringing others into relationship with God.
Paul puts it beautifully:
“We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.”
An ambassador represents someone else.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to represent Him wherever we are.
In our families.
In our workplaces.
In our friendships.
In our communities.
In the way we serve.
In the way we speak.
In the way we treat people.
Our transformed lives become a living demonstration of the love, grace and reconciliation that we have experienced through Jesus.
Transformed People, Transformed Communities
As we conclude this series, the challenge is not simply to ask, “How am I being transformed?”
We should also ask:
“Who is God calling me to bless?”
“Where is He inviting me to serve?”
“Who can I show the love of Jesus to?”
“Where is God asking me to be His ambassador?”
God changes us so that we can become a blessing to others.
He takes us from the old into the new so that we can become fruitful in partnering with Jesus in His mission.
Our transformation has a purpose.
We are called to live in His love and live it out.
And when transformed people live out the love of Jesus, communities can be transformed too.
Transformed lives = transformed communities.
As we move beyond this series, may we continue to grow in faith, live in the love of Christ and step confidently into the mission He has given us.
We are not simply transformed people.
We are a people on mission, living for Christ and for the sake of others.