Transformation

Throughout the Bible, we can see a distinction between the “Created” and the “Formed”. In Genesis 1 and 2, we realize that God made a distinction between the act of creation and the act of forming. The former is the single act that brings us and this very world into being, created in God’s likeness. The latter is a process that God takes us through after we have been created, in order to ensure that we grow to be more and more like God. In the same way that a caterpillar seems to enter another dimension when it transforms into a butterfly, God wants to do that same work in your life. In Isaiah 43:1, we can see how it distinguishes between God creating Jacob, and then forming Israel. Similarly, Jesus disciple Simon, literally translating into “reed”, and transformed him into Peter, a “rock”.
In the church, there are seven stages of transformation. Bridging each stage is a gateway that one must pass through, or a change that one must learn to accept and submit to in their lives.
World Kingdom of God Church Servanthood Ministry Leadership Government/ Executive Visionary
Revelation Commitment Submission Discipline Responsibility Loyalty Ability to see

The first row indicates the 7 stages of transformation. The row below indicates the gateways that individuals must enter as we are transformed. Whilst most churches consist of Ministers, who lead Church Members, God intended the church to consist of Visionaries, leading Servants. Servanthood should be the lowest level required of anybody within a Church. However, from the levels of ministry to visionary, these are specialized roles that require God’s calling. Pastor Mark Kelsey said that in his case, he is a servant of his senior pastor. When people ask him if he has a vision for the church, he will always reply that he does not have his own vision. Rather, he works for Pastor Phil’s (his senior pastor) vision.
Pastor Mark shared several of his personal testimonies with us. One of which was how he managed to reach out to a friend, Peter, who was a staunch atheist. Initially, he had always suspected that it was God’s plan that both of them managed to study social work in the same university, and later work in the same company. Thus, when the opportunity to share the gospel arose, Pst. Mark always tried his best to convince Peter to be a Christian. However, one day he received the revelation that God does not need us to be incredible in order for people to turn to Jesus. Instead, all we have to be is credible, and leave God to be incredible. Always remember that it is not by our own strength or our own determination that we attain success, but through the grace of God. 3 months later, Peter encountered some family difficulties and needed another place to stay. Pst. Mark immediately offered his house to Peter. Although Peter initially stated that he would not tolerate any preaching to him, he came to enjoy the atmosphere that the home cell group created at Pst. Mark’s house every Wednesday. Touched by God, he eventually asked Pst. Mark to bring him to church where he accepted God. Now, he is a leading pastor in a church in Australia. This is a very good example of how God uses revelation to bring people from the World into the Kingdom of God.
Further, Pst. Mark shared interesting anecdotes with us. The devil, he said, is trying to keep people out of the kingdom of God, and in the world, with blindness. Most people try to “make people see” that Christianity is better or that Christianity is the truth. However, what they don’t realize is that these people have been blinded. In the same way that we won’t ask a blind person “why can’t you see”, we should not get all exasperated and ask our non-Christian friends, “why can’t you see” – because it just does not work. Instead, God works through revelation. Rather than try our best to justify and make the gospel acceptable, we should try to make the gospel available.
I would just like to conclude this post with one of the more impactful points of the sermon. Pst Mark said, “Big doors turn on small hinges”. On the micro level, I realized that attention to the finest details is what determines excellence in great things. On the macro level, we should never be discontent with how “small” we are if this is what God has called us to be. Instead, we should know that God has a great plan for us, and no matter how “small” we may appear to be, we must know that God has a plan for us and this is a plan with a future and a hope. =) whee!
love you baby <3