Austin City Life

Fight Clubs were designed to help the Christian fight sin in community. The greatest weapon against sin is the gospel. But how does the power of the gospel kill sin in our life?

Gospel Change is the process of turning from idols and replacing them with belief in the gospel. The end goal of Gospel Change is to be more like Jesus.

Dynamics of Gospel Change

Steve Timmis, Director of Acts 29 Europe, and Tim Chester, Co-Director of the Porterbrook Network, offer great insights into the dynamics of Gospel Change process. What follows is an outline for Gospel Change based on Porterbrook curriculum.

The goal of change: The life of Jesus

Our aim is to become like Jesus. Through Gospel Change we want to act, think, speak, and love like him.

The source of change: The Grace of God

We are not capable of obtaining this kind of life by ourselves. We must receive a new heart that desires to be Christ-like. We fully depend on the grace of God to enact this change in us.

The tool for change: Scripture applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit

God’s approach to change is by Spirit and truth. (John 4:24) As we read Scripture the truth of God is revealed to us.  The Spirit works to apply it to our hearts.

The battlefield of change: The heart rebelling against God

We love ourselves more than we love God. Steve and Tim identify this as the “heart problem.” (Romans 1) Gospel change begins when we identify the idols in our hearts.

The process of change: Repentance and Faith

Change occurs when we turn from those idols and believe that Jesus has ransomed us through the cross. With faith we believe that he is what satisfies our soul. We worship him.

The context for change: Christian Community

Often we are blind to idols in our hearts. We need a community willing to speak truth and love to us, to pray for us, and encourage us to continue with endurance. (Eph. 4:15)

The progress of change: Life-long endurance

It’s not perfection over night but perseverance over a lifetime. When God starts a work in us, he promises to complete it! (Philippians 1:6)

To be like Jesus the gospel must change us. Are you allowing the gospel to change your life?