1 Cor 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the

image of the heavenly. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the

kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall

all be changed, (KJV)

1 Cor 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the

trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and

we shall be changed. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must

put on immortality. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this

mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass

the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (KJV)

1 Cor 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord

Jesus Christ. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always

abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your

labour is not in vain in the Lord. (KJV)

THERE IS ONLY ONE TIME WHEN EACH OF YOU WILL BE READY FOR IMMEDIATE CHANGE

AND THAT WILL BE WHEN CHRIST RETURNS. IN A MOMENT, IN A TWINKLING OF AN EYE,

THE DEAD SHALL BE RAISE INCORUTIBLE AND WE SHALL BE CHANGED. THIS MORNING I

WANT TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT THE PROCESS OF CHANGE.

MOST OF US DO NOT LIKE IMMEDIATE CHANGE. IN FACT THERE ARE SOME WHO REFUSE

TO CHANGE ALTOGETHER, THOSE GOD MUST DEAL WITH MORE SEVERLY. LET'S DO A LITTLE

TEST THIS MORNING: INSTRUCT THE PEOPLE TO MOVE TO A NEW SEAT & ASK THEM HOW THEY

FEEL? MOST OF YOU PROBABLY FEEL A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE YOU WERE FORCED

TO LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE. A COMFORT ZONE CAN BE DEFINED AS A PLACE OF ALREADY

ACHEIVED VICTORIES. IT A PLACE OF ALREADY TESTED RELATIONSHIPS: WE HAVE OUR

CERTAIN SMALL GROUP OF FRIENDS THAT WE ARE COMFORTABLE BEING AROUND, SO WE DON'T

HAVE ANY NEW FRIENDS AND WE ALWAYS ASSOCIATE WITH THE SAME SMALL GROUP OF

PEOPLE. GENERALLY WE LIKE TO GO OUT WITH PEOPLE WHERE WE CAN TAKE OUR SHOES OFF

AND LET OUR HAIR DOWN AND JUST BE OURSELVES. A COMFORT ZONE IS A PROTECTED PLACE

THAT IS NORMAL TO US, IT'S CONTROLLED AND PREDICTABLE. IN ORDER FOR US TO BECOME

TRUE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND OUR COMFORT ZONE IN

CHRIST ALONE & BE WILLING TO GO WHEREVER HE SENDS & ASSOCIATE WITH WHOEVER HE

DIRECTS US TO.

2 Cor 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: (KJV)

2 Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of

ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; (KJV)

2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the

letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit

giveth life. (KJV)

BUT BY MY SPIRIT SAITH THE LORD." GOD DOESN'T NEED OUR ABILITY, HE ONLY NEEDS

OUR AVAILABILITY. MOST OF US THINK IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR US TO SERVE GOD IN

OUR OUW STRENGTH AND IN OUR OWN WAY BECASUE THEN THINGS WOULD BE PREDICTABLE

AND CONTROLLED. WHEN GOD USES US HE USUALLY TELLS US AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE SO

THAT WE DON'T DEPEND ON OUR OWN RESOURCES. THIS REQUIRES RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD,

DEPENDABLILITY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FAITH IN GOD. MOST OF US ARE NOT TOO

COMFORTABLE WITH THAT SITUATION AND UNLESS WE ARE WILLING TO CHANGE AND LEAVE

OUR COMFORT ZONE, GOD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE US VERY MUCH.

2 Cor 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was

glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold

the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to

be done away: (KJV)

2 Cor 3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

2 Cor 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the

ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. (KJV)

2 Cor 3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect,

by reason of the glory that excelleth. (KJV)

2 Cor 3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which

remaineth is glorious. (KJV)

2 Cor 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

2 Cor 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children

of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is

abolished: (KJV)

2 Cor 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same

vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is

done away in Christ. (KJV)

2 Cor 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their

heart. (KJV)

2 Cor 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken

away. (KJV)

2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is liberty. (KJV)

2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the

Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by

the Spirit of the Lord. (KJV)

CHANGE: Strong's # 3339 metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o);

from 3326 and 3445; to transform (literally or figuratively,

"metamorphose"):

KJV-- change, transfigure, transform. (DIC)

CHANGE IS A PROCESS THAT WE MUST ALL PASS THROUGH. BOB DYLAN WROTE A SONG

THAT WAS ENTITLED, "THE ONLY THING THAT IS PERMANENT IS CHANGE."

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love

God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV)

IN THE LIGHT OF OUR SUBJECT MATTER THIS MORNING WE CAN VIEW THIS

VERSE AS THAT PROCESS OF GRACE WHEREBY WE ADAPT TO UNCONTROLLABLE

SITUATIONS OF CHANGE. THE FEAR FACTOR IS MINIMIZED AS WE LEARN TO

TRUST THAT GOD WILL MAKE ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER GOOD TOWARDS HIS

INTENDED END.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed

to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many

brethren. (KJV)

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he

called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also

glorified. (KJV)

AS A CHRISTIAN YOU HAVE BEEN PREDESTINATED TO BE CONFORMED INTO THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF CHRIST IN YOUR CHARACTER, CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR. THAT IS A LIFE LONG PROCESS BY WHICH GOD CAUSES THE LIFE AND NATURE OF CHRIST TO GROW WITHIN US. THAT PROCESS IS USUALLY SLOW BECAUSE WE ARE NOT AS WILLING FOR GOD TO CHANGE US AS HE IS BECAUSE OF THE PROCESS THAT HE CHOOSES--DEATH TO SELF, PRIDE, INDEPENDENCE AND SIN. MOST OF US ARE "INTO" PLEASURE AND WE LIVE IN A MATERIALISTIC, SELFISH, COVETEOUS AND PLEASURE SEEKING SOCIETY. WE THRIVE ON PURSUING AND MAINTAINING THAT WHICH IS COMFORTABLE AND PLEASURABLE. MOST PEOPLE WORK A 40 HOUR A WEEK JOB THAT THEY CAN'T STAND ONLY BECAUSE THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A GOOD TIME ON THE WEEK END. OUR WHOLE PHILOSOPHY ON LIFE IS HAVING A GOOD TIME OR AS THE BIBLE PUTS IT, EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY. THIS IS NOT OUR DESTINY IN CHRIST AND DOES NOT COME ANY WHERE NEAR TO DEFINING OUR INHERITANCE IN CHRIST. SO WHAT DOES GOD HAVE TO DO TO US IN ORDER TO PREPARE US FOR OUR DESTINY? HE HAS TO CHANGE US. YOUR HEART CONDITION DETERMINES YOUR ABILITY TO RECEIVE YOUR INHERITANCE AND FULFILL YOUR DESTINY. CHANGE IS INEVITABLE.

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD. WHAT THAT IS REALLY SAYING TO US IN THE ORIGINAL TEXT

IS THAT WHEN THE SPIRIT IS LORD, HE WILL PRODUCE THE CHANGES IN OUR LIVES FROM

GLORY TO GLORY. THE KEY TO CHANGE IS WHEN THE SPIRIT IS LORD--HE'S IN THE

DRIVERS SEAT, HE'S IN CONTROL AND WE ARE SURRENDERED AND YIELDED TO HIS WORKMAN-

SHIP IN OUR LIVES.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,

which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV)

WORKMANSHIP: Strong's # 4161 poiema (poy'-ay-mah);

from 4160; a product, i.e. fabric (literally or figuratively):

KJV-- thing that is made, workmanship. (DIC)

THINGS ARE. PETER JAMES AND JOHN WANTED TO BUILD A HOUSE ON THE MOUNT OF

TRANSFIGURATION BECAUSE THEY HAD REACHED A HEIGHTENED PLACE OF CONTENTMENT.

MOST OF US WANT TO STAY ON THE MOUNTIAN TOP OF YESTERDAYS VICTORY INSTEAD

OF GROWING UP IN CHRIST. YOU NEVER GROW UP ON THE MOUNTIAN TOP BUT ONLY

IN PASSING THROUGH THE VALLEY.

Ps 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the

ways of them. (KJV)

Ps 84:6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also

filleth the pools. (KJV)

Ps 84:7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth

before God. (KJV)

Ps 84:8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

SEE ANY PERSONAL BENEFIT FOR CHANGE.

WILL MINIMIZE GOD'S CHANGES AND TRANSFORMATIONS IN OUR LIVES. NO ONE HAS

EVER DONE IT THIS WAY BEFORE IS A COMMON COMPLAINT OF PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO

CHANGE BECAUSE OF TRADITION OR HABIT.

LEADER BECAUSE THEY CAN SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS BEING FULFILLED IN

SOMEONE ELSE WHICH GIVES THEM A SENSE OF SECURITY AND UNDERSTANDING. THE

CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FOLLOWED MOSES AND JOSHUA, THE JUDGES, THE PROPHETS AND

THE KINGS. THE DICSIPLES FOLLOWED JESUS AND THE BELIEVERS FOLLOWED THE

APOSTLES. PRAISE GOD, THERE ARE STILL GOD ORDAINED APOSTLES, PROPHETS,

EVANGELIST, PASTORS AND TEACHERS WHO CAN SHEPHERD AND LEAD GOD'S PEOPLE

TODAY! PEOPLE WILL NOT CHANGE BY THEMSELVES SO GOD HAS RAISED UP LEADERS.

THE #1 JOB OF LEADERS TODAY IS TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGE.

Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but

fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (KJV)

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus

Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (KJV)

Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy

temple in the Lord: (KJV)

Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through

the Spirit. (KJV)

1. DESPERATION: WHEN YOUR NEED FACTOR EXCEEDS YOUR FEAR FACTOR YOU WILL CHANGE.

2. UNDERSTANDING: WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND GOD'S OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE FOR CHANGE

YOU WILL HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO CHANGE.

3. PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO CHANGE WHEN THEY RECEIVE MORE REVELATION, MORE OF

GOD'S ANNOINTING. PEOPLE WILL BECOME MORE OPEN TO CHANGE AS THEY RECEIVE

PERSONAL BENEFIT FROM CHANGE.

OF TIME. WHEN I WORKED AT 3M THE DEPARTMENT AND PRODUCTION MANAGERS WERE RE-

QUIRED TO WRITE A REPORT EVERY MONTH PROJECTING THE NECESSARY CHANGES TO REMAIN

COMETETITIVE FIVE YEARS AHEAD. IN VISITING WITH SOME OF MY OLD WORKERS I AM

TOLD THAT IF I CAME BACK TO WORK I WOULDN'T EVEN RECOGNIZE THE PLACE: THE METH-

ODS HAVE CHANGED, THE MACHINERY HAS CHANGED....EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED INCLUDING

THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT.

MEN AND WOMEN OF CHANGE. IN THE SECULAR WORLD THE CHANGES TAKE PLACE ON THE

OUTSIDE, BUT IN THE CHURCH THE CHANGES THAT GOD IS MAKING IS HAPPENING ON

THE INSIDE, WHERE THOUGHTS & FEELINGS ARE CHANGED AND CHARACTER IS DEVELOPED.

THIS WAS TRUE FOR JACOB.

Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that

formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have

called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (KJV)

WITH THE ANGEL UNTIL THE BREAKING OF DAY. THE NAME CHANGE WAS THE

RESULT OF A CHARACTER CHANGE IN JACOB. JACOB MEANS A DECEIVER, A

SURPLANTER, ONE WHO LIES, CHEATS AND STEALS FOR PERSONAL ADVANTAGE.

THAT WAS JACOBS LIFESTYLE BEFORE HE WRESTED WITH THE ANGEL. THEN

HIS NAME WAS CHANGED TO ISRAEL: A PRINCE AND RULER WITH GOD AND MAN.

Gen 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more

Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou

power with God and with men, and hast

prevailed. (KJV)

BLESSING. THERE WERE SOME CHARACTER TRANSFORMATIONS TAKING PLACE

IN JACOBS LIFE AT THAT TIME.

Isaiah 43:21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my

praise. (KJV)

FORMED: Strong's # 3335 yatsar (yaw-tsar');

probably identical with 3334 (through the squeezing into shape);

THE IDEA THAT PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO PRODUCE A CHANGE OF SHAPE,

IN MOLDING AND MAKING A FINISIHED PRODUCT.

([compare 3331]); to mould into a form; especially as a potter;

figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution):

KJV-- X earthen, fashion, form, frame, make (-r), potter,

purpose. (DIC)

MORPOSIS.

Isaiah 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she

was delivered of a man child. (KJV)

Isaiah 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the

earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born

at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her

children. (KJV)

KIND OF PRESSURE IS NORMAL AND NECESSARY FOR THE BIRTH OF A CHILD. TRANSITIONS

ARE MOST FREQUENTLY ACCOPLISHED BY PRESSURE. GENERALLY, WE DON'T LIKE PRESSURE

AND WE RUN AND HIDE IN OUR COMFORT ZONE AND WE REBUKE THE PRESSURE. IF GOD IS

TRYING TO CHANGE US AND MOLD US INTO HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS THROUGH A PROCESS

OF PRESSURE, WE BEST SUBMIT TO IT, OR WE COULD BE REBUKING GOD. WHEN PRESSURE

COMES, DISCERN THE ORIGIN OF THAT PRESSURE AND THEN DEAL WITH IT IN THE APPRO-

PRIATE WAY. IF ITS FROM GOD, THROUGH THE INSTRUCTION OF HIS WORD WHICH IS PRO-

FITABLE FOR CORRECTION, TEACHING AND REBUKE; OR IF ITS THE RESULT OF THE

FATHER'S CHASTENING AND DISCIPLINE THEN ACCEPT THE PRESSURE AS A PROCESS OF HIS

CHANGING YOU. IF THE ORIGIN OF THE PRESSURE IS AN ATTACK OF THE ENEMY, SUBMIT

TO GOD, ACCORDING TO JAS.4:7, RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU; BUT

TAKE THE TIME TO DISCERN THE ORIGIN OF THE PRESSURE--IT MAY BE THAT GOD IS

TRYING TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS AND CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE FOR YOUR GOOD. WE HAVE

TO BEGIN TO VIEW CHANGE AS A VERY POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE THING IN OUR CHRISTIAN

LIVES. IF WE ARE NOT GROWING AND CHANGING WE WILL BECOME STAGNANT AND DIE ON

THE VINE, FAILING TO BRING FORTH THE MANIFESTATION THAT WE ARE CONNECTED TO THE

VINE--THE LIFE AND NATURE OF GOD IN THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

WITH EMPLOYEES OR MEMBERS OF 500 OR MORE. THE RESULTS ARE STAGGERING AND WILL

GIVE US SOME INSIGHT TO CHURCH GROWTH AS WELL AS OTHER RELATIONSHIPS WHERE

CHANGE IS AN ESSENTIAL WAY OF A LIFE. THIS RESEARCH TEAM ADOPTED FIVE GROUPS OF

PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGE AND THEY ARE:

ARE READY TO TRY NEW IDEAS. THEY ARE YOUR INVENTOR TYPES. PERHAPS

YOU HAVE AN INOVATOR IN YOUR FAMILY, THEY'RE ALWAYS REARANGING THE

FURNITURE OR THE PICTURES ON YOUR WALLS. THEY LIKE CHANGE, THEY LIKE

TO TRY NEW THINGS. YOUR INOVATORS GENERALLY HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS,

THEY'RE OUTGOING AND VIVACIOUS. IT GENERALLY TAKES THESE PEOPLE 2-3

MONTHS TO ACCEPT CHANGE.

OPINION SETTERS IN THE CHURCH. THEY HAVE BECOME THE PUBLIC RELATIONS

PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH. THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE ARE

FRIENDS OF THE NEXT GROUP. THEY WILL FREQUENTLY ASK THEM THIS QUESTION,

"WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS NEW IDEA?" THESE PEOPLE ARE READY FOR

CHANGE BUT THEY ARE A LITTLE CAUTIOUS. THEY NEED A LITTLE MORE TIME TO

EVALUATE THE PROCESS OF CHANGE. IT TAKES THEM 5-6 MONTHS TO ACCEPT YOUR

NEW IDEA AND BE WILLING TO CHANGE.

CAN SEE SOME TANGILE PROOF. THEY WANT TO SEE IF ITS GONNA WORK FIRST.

IT TAKES THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE 13-14 MONTHS TO ACCEPT CHANGE AND TO

ADOPT A NEW IDEA.

ADOPTED THE NEW IDEA. IT USUALLY TAKES SOME INSTITUTIONAL ENDORSEMENT

TO PERSUADE THESE PEOPLE TO ACCEPT CHANGE. PEER PRESSURE WILL GREATLY

INFLUENCE THESE PEOPLE TO ACCOMODATE CHANGE. OUT OF ALL THE PEOPLE

THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS GROUP REPRESENT THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE YOUR

STRONGEST SUPPORTERS ONCE THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE BENEFIT OF THIS

PARTICULAR CHANGE. IT WILL TAKE THESE PEOPLE 24-26 MONTHS TO ADOPT TO

CHANGE.

ACCEPT CHANGE AND POSSESS NO WORLD VISSION. THEY LIVE IN A TINY

LITTLE BUBBLE OF THEIR OWN STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES. THESE PEOPLE WILL

SEEK OUT OTHERS TO AGREE WITH THEIR OPINIONS AND THEY ARE OPENLY SUS-

PICIOUS OF NEW IDEAS OF CHANGE. IF THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE REPRESENT THE

CONTROLLING FACTOR OF OR ORGANIZATION OR COMPRISE THE BOARD MEMBERS OF

YOUR CHURCH, YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEM TO DIE BEFORE THE CHURCH

WILL ACCEPT NEW IDEAS AND CHANGE. THESE PEOPLE REFUSE TO CHANGE AND

ITS NOT AFTER 35-36 MONTHS BUT INDEFINITELY.

Heb 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the

full assurance of hope unto the end: (KJV)

Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and

patience inherit the promises. (KJV)

Heb 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no

greater, he sware by himself, (KJV)

Heb 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will

multiply thee. (KJV)

Heb 6:15 among daughter earth of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (KJV)

OF YOU WIVES HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET YOUR HUSBAND TO CHANGE--ITS PROBABLY GOING

TO TAKE A LITTLE WHILE SO SIT BACK AND PRAY REAL HARD. PERHAPS SOME OF YOU

HAVE SOME NEW IDEAS OF CHANGE FOR OUR CHURCH, BE PREPARED TO INITIALLY MEET

WITH SOME RESISTANCE UNTIL PEOPLE HAVE A TIME TO PROCESS THE IDEA. THIS IS

WHERE YOU CHURCH LEADERS CAN GET FRUSTRATED WITH THE PEOPLE. THEY HAVE HAD

3-6 MONTHS TO EVALUATE THE NEW IDEA AND WHEN THEY PRESENT IT TO THE PEOPLE THEY

EXPECT THEM TO JUMP IN RIGHT AWAY. THE REALITY IS, THEY ARE GOING TO NEED AT

LEAST AS MUCH TIME AS YOU DID IF NOT MORE. SO PATIENCE IS THE KEY TO CHANGE.

Heb 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the

full assurance of hope unto the end: (KJV)

Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and

patience inherit the promises. (KJV)

Heb 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no

greater, he sware by himself, (KJV)

Heb 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will

multiply thee. (KJV)

Heb 6:15 among daughter earth of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (KJV)

BUT NEVER A CHILD. PAUL KNEW THIS AND PUT IT INTO THE HEART OF HIS FORMULA. TO

COMFORT ALL SLOWLY PERFECTING SOULS HE SAID THEY GREW "FROM GLORY TO GLORY" FROM

CHARACTER TO CHARACTER." THE INWARD MAN IS RENEWED FROM DAY TO DAY.

MOROVER, THE SLOWER THE PROGRESS. AS THE BIOLOGIST RUNS HIS EVEY OVER THE LONG

ASCENT OF LIFE HE SEES THE LOWEST FORMS OF ANIMALS DEVELOPE IN AN HOUR; THE

NEXT ABOVE THESE REACH MATURITY IN A DAY; THOSE HIGHER STILL TAKE WEEKS OR

MONTHS TO DEVELOPE; BUT THE FEW AT THE TOP DEMAND THE LONG EXPERIMENT OF YEARS.

IF A CHILD AND AN APE ARE BORN ON THE SAME DAY, THE APE WILL BE IN FULL POSSESS-

ION OF ITS FACULTIES AND DOING THE ACTIVE WORK OF LIFE BEFORE THE CHILD HAS LEFT

THE CRADLE. LIFE IS THE CRADLE OF ETERNITY. AS THE MAN IS TO THE ANIMAL IN THE

SLOWNESS OF HIS MATURATION, SO THE SPIRITUAL MAN IS TO THE NATURAL MAN. FOUNDA-

TIONS WHICH HAVE TO BEAR THE WEIGHT OF AN ETERNAL LIFE MUST BE SURELY LAID.

CHARACTER IS TO WEAR FOREVER; WHO WILL WONDER AND GRUDGE THAT IT CANNOT BE DE-

VELOPED IN A DAY. BY DESIRING INSTANT OR VISIBLE PROGRESS, WE ARE TEMPTED TO

HURRY. WE TRY LESS SPIRITUAL METHODS OR DEFEAT THE END BY WATCHING FOR EFFECTS

INSTEAD OF KEEPING OUR EYES ON THE CAUSE. WE MUST LEAVE THE WORK TO GOD FOR HE

HAS PROMISED:

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on

unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead

works, and of faith toward God, (KJV)

Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of

resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (KJV)

Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit. (KJV)

Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good

work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (KJV)