TRANSFORMATIONAL VS TRANSACTIONAL
In Matthew 24 Jesus describes the landscape of the generation of His return. Growing
presence of deception that causes hearts to grow cold, refusing to turn to God and
people in love. Jesus makes it clear that this deception comes from social messengers
who seek to connect our hearts with a different narrative than the gospel.
1 “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be
lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers,
without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” (2 Tim. 3:2-4)
The Lord is raising up and preparing the church to be a clear beacon of hope, a gospel
witness. The church is to come forth as the community of the forgiven who love.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved
you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My
disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:34-35)
BUT HOW DO WE GO FROM WEAK HUMANS TO FULFILL THIS CALL?
WE NEED A TRANSFORMATION!
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of
His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom. 8:29)
A. Humans are naturally wired to engage in transactional relationships. But the New
Testament sets forth a vision for a transformational relationship. The Spirit has an
agenda to transform you through discipleship.
A. What is a transactional relationship? Buying and selling – a negotiated
arrangement – “If you do this, I will give you that.”
A. Transactional is mostly focused on the outward, this for that. It is not
always negative but presents significant downsides.
a) Idolatry in the Old Testament was based upon a transactional
relationship
B. What is a transformational relationship? A process that changes and alters
people.
a) God gives us lesser parallels. (Marriage is one. How I’ve been
changed by it.)
B. It affects their emotions, values, ethics, standards, and paradigm of the
future. It assesses the motives of the heart, deeper needs, and relates to
another as a full human being.
a) Because the root is love through relationship.
C. Every Christian is in a transformational relationship with Christ because they are
under His leadership. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test
and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom.
12:2)
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP - 4 VALUES
A. Influence – the leader behaves in a such a way that people want to
emulate them. They reflect behaviors and attitudes that others aspire to
and want to model - “That’s the kind of person I want to be.”
B. Motivation – The leader says, “I have a vision, a tremendous vison. We’re
going to achieve it, you can be apart, and this is how.” It makes others say
“yes.”
C. Partnership – the leader recognizes people have something to contribute,
they desire partnership and collaboration. They see success tied to the
contribution and gifting of others beyond themselves. (the Body of Christ)
D. Consideration – knowing the individual – what do people bring to the
table? Who are they? More than what they can do. Personal and knowing
what’s going on in people lives. Be sensitive, support and help them work
through personal issues beyond their direct functional contribution
D. Jesus is going to transform the “Laodicean Church” of compromised, indifferent
love, into a holy and blameless Bride. He will reveal His beauty to a generation
on earth who asks for it. (Is. 33:17)
27 that [Jesus] might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having
spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without
blemish. (Eph. 5:27)
E. The key to transformation: beholding Christ’s beauty. Delighting in God’s beauty
through prayer, worship, meditation, serving, humility is the key to engaging in
the transformative process.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory [beauty] of the
Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by
the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor. 3:18)
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