TRANSFORMATIONAL VS TRANSACTIONAL | Chris Searcy

 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)

TEMPERANCE MATTERS (Part 2) Growing in Self Control

TEMPERANCE MATTERS (Part 2) Growing in Self Control 

2 Peter 1:3-7 NLT

3  By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have

received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his

marvelous glory and excellence. 

4  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These

are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption

caused by human desires.

5  In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with

a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 

6  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient

endurance with godliness,

7  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

Hierarchy of Christian Maturity

Moral Excellence

Knowledge

Self-Control (Temperance)

Patient Endurance

Godliness

Brotherly Affection

Love for all

I. FACTS ABOUT SELF CONTROL

1. Self-Control drastically improves your life

 People who exercise self-control are happier and healthier.

 Their relationships are more satisfying and last longer.

 They make more money and go further in their careers.

 They are better able to manage stress, deal with conflict, and overcome

adversity. They live longer.

 Self-control is a better predictor of academic success than intelligence, a

stronger determinant of effective leadership than charisma and more

important for marital bliss than empathy.

2. Self-Control is like a muscle that gets stronger as you use it

Romans 6:16

16  Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are

that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of

obedience leading to righteousness?

3. Self-Control is fighting against internal desires

We are used to seeing temptation and trouble outside of ourselves: the

dangerous doughnut, the sinful cigarette, the enticing Internet. But self-control

points the mirror back at ourselves, and our inner worlds of thoughts, desires,

emotions, and impulses.

James 1:14

14  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and

enticed. 

15  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-

grown, brings forth death.

II. HOW TEMPTATION WORKS IN THE BRAIN

1. The Promise of Reward

a. Dopamine Rush – Doesn’t create happiness itself, more like arousal (alert,

captivated)

b. Recognize the possibility of feeling good but doesn’t bring satisfaction

Ecclesiastes 1:8

All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with

seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity

and grasping for the wind.

John 4:13-14

13  Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 

14  but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the

water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up

into everlasting life.”

 Your brain launches a neurotransmitter called dopamine from the middle of

your brain into areas of the brain that control your attention, motivation, and

action.

 Threat is not outside it is only inside. You need to use will power to arrest

the internal impulses. Threat is inside.

III. TIPS TO GREATER SELF CONTROL

1. Know Yourself

Psalm 4:4 (KJV)

Stand in awe, and sin not: Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be

still. Selah

Psalm 77:6

I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart,

and my spirit makes diligent search.

Without self-awareness, our self-control system would be useless. We need to

recognize when we are making a choice that requires willpower; otherwise, the

brain always defaults to what is easiest.

2. Set firm, clear long-term commitment goals

Joshua 24:15

And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom

you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the

other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But

as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD

2 CORINTHIANS 1:17-20

17  Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I

plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 

18  But as God is faithful, our  [a] word to you was not Yes and No. 

19  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by

me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 

20  For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God

through us.

3. Recognize Triggers

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring

lion, seeking whom he may devour.

.

 Stress - Science also points us to a critical insight: Stress is the enemy of

willpower

 Distraction

4. Do not gloat too much over victories

1 Corinthians 10:12

Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

When you do something good, you feel good about yourself. This means you are

more likely to trust your impulses—which often means giving yourself

permission to do something bad. Most people do not question their impulses

when they are feeling virtuous.

Anything that makes us feel warm and fuzzy about our virtue—even just thinking

about doing something good—can license us to follow our impulses. This is

called Moral Licensing.

When you feel like a saint, the idea of self-indulgence does not feel wrong. It

feels right, like you earned it. And if the only thing motivating your self-control is

the desire to be a good enough person, you are going to give in whenever you

are already feeling good about yourself.

5. Pause and Plan

Proverbs 24:6

For by wise counsel, you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of

counselors there is safety

6. Do not Borrow from Tomorrow

When thinking about our future choices, we wrongly but persistently expect to

make different decisions tomorrow than we do today.

We somehow think it will be easier tomorrow. That is why we defer till

tomorrow and cheat today.

HOW - View every choice you make as a commitment to all future choices. So

instead of asking, “Do I want to eat this candy bar now?” ask yourself, “Do I want

the consequences of eating a candy bar every afternoon for the next year?” Or if

you have been putting something off that you know you should do, instead of

asking “Would I rather do this today or tomorrow?” ask yourself, “Do I really

want the consequences of always putting this off?”

TEMPERANCE MATTERS (Part 1) “The Value of Self Control”

TEMPERANCE MATTERS (Part 1) “The Value of Self Control”

2 Peter 1:3-7 NLT

3  By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have

received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his

marvelous glory and excellence. 

4  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These

are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption

caused by human desires.

5  In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with

a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 

6  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient

endurance with godliness, 

7  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

Hierarchy of Christian Maturity

a. Moral Excellence

b. Knowledge

c. Self-Control (Temperance)

d. Patient Endurance

e. Godliness

f. Brotherly Affection

g. Love for All

I. FACTS ABOUT SELF CONTROL

1. It’s a biblical virtue

1 Corinthians 9:26-27

26  Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats

the air. 

27  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached

to others, I myself should become disqualified.

2. It drastically improves your life

People who have better control of their attention, emotions, and actions are

better off almost any way you look at it. They are happier and healthier. Their

relationships are more satisfying and last longer. They make more money and go

further in their careers. They are better able to manage stress, deal with conflict,

and overcome adversity. They even live longer. Self-control is a better predictor

of academic success than intelligence, a stronger determinant of effective

leadership than charisma, and more important for marital bliss than empathy.

3. Self-Control is like a muscle that gets stronger as you use it

Studies have found that committing to any small, consistent act of self-control

can increase overall willpower.

4. Self-Control is a function of the Pre-Frontal Cortex

a. Upper Left Region– “I Will” (Task) Helps us to keep doing the boring stuff.

b. Upper Right Region– “I Won’t” Keeps you from following every impulse.

These areas control what we do.

c. Lower Middle Region- Keeps track of your goals and your desires. It

remembers what you really want.

5. Self-Control and well-being are connected

Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send

portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord.

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength

a. Blood Sugar Levels

b. Rest

c. Energy Levels Etc.

d. Stress Levels

II. HOW TEMPTATION WORKS IN THE BRAIN

1. The Promise of Reward

a. Dopamine Rush – Doesn’t create happiness itself, more like arousal (alert,

captivated)

b. Recognize the possibility of feeling good but doesn’t bring satisfaction

Ecclesiastes 1:8

All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with

seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity

and grasping for the wind

John 4:13-14

13  Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 

14  but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the

water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up

into everlasting life.”

a. Your brain launches a neurotransmitter called dopamine from the middle of

your brain into areas of the brain that control your attention, motivation, and

action.

b. Threat is not outside, it’s only inside. You need to use will power to arrest

the internal impulses. Threat is inside.

2. Pause and Plan

The pause-and-plan response drives you in the opposite direction of the fight-or-

flight response. Instead of speeding up, your heart slows down, and your blood

pressure stays normal. Instead of hyperventilating, you take a deep breath.

Instead of tensing muscles to prime them for action, your body relaxes a little.

The pause-and-plan response puts your body into a calmer state. The goal is not

to paralyze you in the face of internal conflict, but to give you freedom.

a. Perceive problem as an internal conflict not an external threat

b. Slow down, do not speed up by impulse as in fight or flight

c. Activate the parasympathetic nervous system (Slows the body down)

3. Embrace Contentment

Philippians 4:11-13

11  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to

be content: 

12  I know how to  [a] be abased, and I know how to  [b] abound. Everywhere and in all

things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to

suffer need. 

13  I can do all things through  [c] Christ who strengthens me.

1 Timothy 6:6-10

6  Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 

7  For we brought nothing into this world,  [a] and it is certain we can carry nothing

out. 

8  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 

9  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many

foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 

10  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed

from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many

sorrows.

WORD OF THE LORD 1.2.22

 WORD OF THE LORD 2022 SERMON

Haggai 2:6-9

“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth,

the sea and dry land; 7  and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All

Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. 8  ‘The silver is Mine, and the

gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. 9  ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the

former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.

INTRODUCTION:

God Reveals His Heart

Amos 3:7

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets

Genesis 18:17

  And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing

Prophecy is for Faith and War

1 Timothy 1:18-19

  This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made

concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19  having faith and a good

conscience

I. THE YEAR OF GLORY

Isaiah 60:1-3

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But

the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall

come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising

GLORY (kabod) – Comes from the word (kabed) which means 1 to be heavy, be

weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honorable, be glorious, be burdensome, be

honored.

The word means - glory, honor, glorious, abundance. abundance, riches. honor,

splendor, glory

1. Moses and the Glory

a. God responds to the Murmuring of the Children of Israel by manifesting His

Glory. Exodus 8:1-11

2. The Lord spoke to Moses out of the Cloud of Glory Exodus 16:10

3. Moses is sustained in the Glory for 40 days and nights. Exodus 24:15-18

4. God Comes in the Glory

Exodus 33:18-23

II. THE HOUSE WILL BE BUILT

1. Household Salvation

2. Marriages Strengthened and Restored

3. Record number of New Marriages

4. House of the Lord coming into its fuller expression

5. Habitation

III. VISITATION AND ACCESS TO NEW REALMS

Revelation 4:1

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the

first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up

here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.

Zechariah 3:1-8

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD,

and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2  And the LORD said to Satan, “The

LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a

brand plucked from the fire?” 3  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and

was standing before the Angel. 4  Then He answered and spoke to those who stood

before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said,

“See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”

5  And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on

his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by. 6  Then

the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying, 7  “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘If

you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, then you shall also

judge My house, and likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk

Among these who stand here. 8 ‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, you and your

companions who sit before you, for they are a wondrous sign; for behold, I am

bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.

The New King James Version. (1982). (Zec 3:1–8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

IV. SIGNS WONDERS AND MIRACLES

Acts 2:22

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you

by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you

yourselves also know

Acts 10:38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went

about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with

Him

Acts 9:32-35

Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also

came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33  There he found a certain man named

Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34  And Peter said to

him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose

immediately. 35  So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the

Lord.

V. YEAR FOR NEW RESOLVE

Psalm 22:14-22

I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It

has melted within Me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue

clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have

surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My

hands and My feet; 17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They

divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. 19 But You, O

LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! 20 Deliver Me from

the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. 21 Save Me from the lion’s

mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. 22 I will declare

Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You

VI. SABBATH YEAR

1. Rest from toil.

Exodus 20:8-11

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9  Six days you shall labor and do all

your work, 10  but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you

shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant,

nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your

gates. 11  For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all

that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the

Sabbath day and hallowed it

2. The Land was to rest but God would send more every 7 years.

Leviticus 25:20

‘And if you say, “What shall we eat in the seventh year, since we shall not sow

nor gather in our produce

3. The Poor Benefitted Greatly.

VII. HARVEST

Matthew 13:24-30

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man

who sowed good seed in his field; 25  but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed

tares among the wheat and went his way. 26  But when the grain had sprouted and

produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27  So the servants of the owner came

and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have

tares?’ 28  He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do

you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29  But he said, ‘No, lest while you

gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30  Let both grow together

until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather

together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat

into my barn.”’ 

VIII. FEAR OF THE LORD / HOLINESS

Obadiah 1:17

“But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; The

house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

Exodus 19:9

And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the

people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever

IX. THE YEAR OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Luke 11:13

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more

will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

John 16:7

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not

go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you

1. Receive Him

Acts 19:2

He said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

2. Don’t Grieve Him

Ephesians 4:30

30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of

redemption.

3. Don’t Quench Him

1 Thessalonians 5:19

19  Quench not the Spirit…

4. Commune with Him

2 Corinthians 13:13-14

13  All the saints salute you. 14  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of

God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

X. RESTORATION OF TONGUES

1. It Makes You Strong

Romans 8:26-27

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we

should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with

groanings which cannot be uttered. 27  Now He who searches the hearts knows

what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints

according to the will of God.

2. It Increases your Faith

Jude 1:20

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the

Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:4

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself….

3. It’s Refreshes You

John 7:37-39

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If

anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38  He who believes in Me, as the

Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39  But this He

spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the

Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified

4. Revelation Emerges

1 Corinthians 14:2

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one

understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries (secrets).