A Changed Life: Preparing the Field

I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out."

Luke 5:32 (Msg. paraphrase)

1. What is the field?

Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. James 1:18 (NKJV)

· The new nature through faith in Jesus Christ

· The natural man can’t receive the things of God

· True life change can only occur in the right soil

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." Matthew 13:23 (NKJV)

2. How do I prepare the field?

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,

James 1:19 (NKJV)

· Active listening

· Jesus taught it is possible to hear and not really hear

· Listen with expectation

“Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!"

Matthew 13:9 (NLT)

We have two ears but only one mouth that we may hear more and speak less.--Zeno

3. How do I purge the field?

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; [20] for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. [21] Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:19-21 (NKJV)

· slow to speak

· slow to anger

· impurity

· pride

Not only must our relationship to God be right, but the external expression of that relationship must be right.--Oswald Chambers

4. What crop do I expect?

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21 (NKJV)

I HAVE BEEN SAVED	JUSTIFICATION	POSITIONAL
I AM BEING SAVED	SANCTIFICATION	PROGRESSIVE
I WILL BE SAVED	GLORIFICATION	TOTAL

What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! 2 Cor. 5:17 (NLT)