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Brian Wilson’s sermon “A Lifetime of Change” explores the spiritual journey from birth to death, emphasizing that growth can be gradual or come in spurts. He introduces a series of self-assessment questions based on scripture to help believers evaluate and mature in their faith, holiness, and love over their lifetime. The sermon concludes with the hope-filled example of Saul’s transformation into Paul, illustrating that God can redeem anyone’s story.
[00:00:00]The sermon introduces the concept of a “lifetime of change,” using a timeline from birth to death to frame our spiritual journey.[00:00:59]Physical aging includes surges (40-45, 60-65), and spiritual growth can similarly be linear or involve sudden growth spurts.[00:04:12]Ecclesiastes 3 describes the various seasons of life, and the key point from verse 12 is to rejoice and be thankful to God in all of them.[00:05:23]Assessment 1: I am thankful to God in whatever I’m going through.
[00:07:28]Before God is love, He is holy, and we love best when we are consecrated to Him.[00:08:14]Assessment 2: My lifestyle hallows God (from the Lord’s Prayer).[00:09:16]Assessment 3: I live a consecrated life to God (from 1 Peter 1:16 and Exodus 40:9-11).
[00:10:54]Love is an action word, and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 provides a list of actions that flow from love.[00:11:17]Assessment 4: I am patient and kind.[00:12:10]Assessment 5: I do not brag. I am not arrogant. I do not behave unbecomingly. I do not demand my own way. I’m not easily angered. I keep no record of wrongs.[00:13:09]Assessment 6: I do not rejoice about injustice, but I rejoice whenever the truth wins out.[00:13:13]Assessment 7: I never give up. I never lose faith. I’m always hopeful, and I endure through every circumstance.
[00:13:44]Using a graph, Brian illustrates that as a child’s ability to be kind grows, parental oversight decreases, paralleling our need for spiritual mentorship and accountability as adults.[00:17:36]The greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-31) calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves.[00:18:37]Assessment 8: I am ready to act on what God is indicating (linking “Shema” from Mark 12:29 and John 10:27).[00:19:51]Assessment 9: My thought life reflects my covenant commitment to Christ (loving God with all your mind).[00:20:08]Assessment 10: My feelings and their subsequent actions reflect my covenant commitment to Christ (heart and soul).[00:20:20]Assessment 11: My body and what I do with it reflect my covenant commitment to Christ (strength).[00:20:52]Assessment 12: I treat others the way I want to be treated (loving your neighbor as yourself).
[00:21:07]Jesus gives a new commandment in John 13:34-35 to love others as He has loved us.[00:21:31]Assessment 13: I love others the way Christ loves me.
[00:22:10]The Lord’s Prayer teaches on forgiveness and temptation.[00:22:36]Assessment 14: I am quick to forgive (from Matthew 6:12,14-15).[00:23:02]Assessment 15: I do not lead myself into temptation (from Matthew 6:13).
[00:24:03]Citing James 4:2, we are encouraged to ask for help, as God often provides through others.[00:24:47]Assessment 16: I am willing to ask others for help.
[00:25:34]Believers must worship in spirit and truth, maturing in both the Word and the Spirit.[00:26:53]Assessment 17: My knowledge of the word of God is growing and my application of the word of God is improving.[00:26:53]Assessment 18: My handling of the things of the spirit is maturing (referencing Zechariah 4:6).
[00:27:57]The transformation of Saul to Paul (Acts 22:3, Ephesians 1:15-18) serves as a case study, proving that “broken crayons can still color” and God can radically redirect a life.
Broken crayons can still color. And God can open our eyes of understanding, and give us hope, as we move past our past and into His future through these assessments.
Scripture References
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
- Ecclesiastes 3:12
- 1 Peter 1:16
- Exodus 40:9-11
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
- Mark 12:29-31
- John 10:27
- John 13:34-35
- Matthew 6:12,14-15
- Matthew 6:13
- James 4:2
- Zechariah 4:6
- Ephesians 1:15-18
- Acts 22:3
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