series art

How to be Unique in a Conforming World

In order to become truly different, I need a different lens

The lens Jesus offers gives me a vision for the life that should be mine

I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! EPHESIANS 1:17-18 MSG

Many of us see the world through our
• pain
• fear
• doubt

The lens Jesus offers shows me the best version of myself

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. EPHESIANS 1:3-6 NLT

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. EPHESIANS 2:10 NLT

The lens Jesus offers reveals the secure future God has for me

God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. EPHESIANS 1:9-11 NLT

The lens Jesus offers opens my eyes to the kindness of God

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. EPHESIANS 1:6-8 NLT

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? ROMANS 2:4 NLT

The lens Jesus offers enlightens me to the power of God that is available to me

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. EPHESIANS 1:19-23 NLT

God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. ACTS 19:11 NLT

The lens Jesus offers opens my eyes to a different way to live

Jesus said… “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. JOHN 14:6 NLT

But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. ACTS 19:9 NLT

About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. ACTS 19:23 NLT

Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. MATTHEW 7:13-14 CSB

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few deep breaths, giving any burdens you might be carrying over to Jesus. When you consider Ephesians 2:10, that you are God’s masterpiece—that you are not a surprise but were chosen—what feelings come to the surface for you? Confess those areas where you struggle to believe God, and ask him to help you truly believe him for who he says you are. Invite him into any areas of your life where you are still a work in progress, asking him for the sustained energy to partner with him as you seek to change. If there are any areas in your life where you feel overwhelmed, ask God to show you where you are relying either on a faulty perspective or on your own power to provide solutions, rather than leaning on him for this power. Invite his power over your life, over how you see yourself, writing down your reflections in the space below and sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin group time by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to examine your perspectives on yourself and your life situations. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here!)
  2. REAL WITH SELF: Describe a time when you had a change of perspective on something after seeing it through someone else’s eyes. How did that shift in perspective change your thinking, feelings and actions?
  3. REAL WITH SELF: Comparison breeds discontentment. Where do you find yourself comparing your life with the lives of others (finances, home, spouse, kids, Instagram following, etc)?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: The way you see your life shapes your life. We often see the world through our pain, our fear and our doubts. God wants you to see the world through the eyes of Jesus. What would it look like to invite the power and perspective of God into your everyday life?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: Read Matthew 7:13-14 CSB. Where do you feel Jesus calling you to live life differently? What do you need to do this? Courage? Faith? Something else?
  6. TAKE ACTION: What can you do this week to take the next step on the narrow road? To commit to being different from the world around you? How can this group help encourage you to take these steps?