The Purpose Driven Life: In His Image May 7, 2015

Colossians 2:6 -8     Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.…

Romans 8: 28 – 30     And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.…

    

Colossians 1:15     The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

God’s plan has always been to form and fashion you in the image of His son.

What does that image look like? Like Jesus!

2 Corinthians 4:4     The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Hebrews 1:3     The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Don’t confuse your desire to be God, taking your position on the throne, with becoming godly. It is the job of the Holy Spirit job to produce character in you. Becoming Christlike is not a matter of imitation but of letting the Holy Spirit inhabit. Effort has nothing to do with your salvation but it does promote growth…do not confuse works with faith.

Ephesians 4:12-14     …for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;…    

1 John 3:1 -3     See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.…

The Purpose Driven Life: Loss of Connection - May 6, 2015

Connections and relationships are always worth preserving and restoring. God has provided each and every person the gift of restoration. The New Testament is devoted to teaching us how to conduct ourselves and how to connect with others.

2 Corinthians 5:18     All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Romans 5:10     For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Ephesians 2:16      and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Biblical steps to help restore:

1)      Talk with God before you engage the person

James 4:1     What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?

2)      Always be proactive

Matthew 5:23-24      "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.…

3)      Empathize with feelings

Philippians 2:3-4     …Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.    

4)      Confession

Matthew 7:4-6     …"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

5)      Get aggressive with the problem not the person

Psalm 73:21 – 22     When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within, Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.…

Proverbs 15:1-2     A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.…

6)      Be Cooperative

Romans 12: 17 – 19     …Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.…

7)      Seek to reconcile not resolution

Matthew 5:8-10     …"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.…

1 Peter 3:10 -12     …For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. "FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."…

The Purpose Driven Life: Communing With Community May 5, 2015

Hebrews 10:25     not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Acts 2:42-43     They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.…

Being part of a community requires a commitment. Only the Holy Spirit can develop and solidify an honest fellowship between believers, but He tends to it by utilizing the choices and commitments we make.

The New Testament is put together in such a way that it provides detailed instructions on how to build community and share:

1 Timothy 3:14-15     I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.…

Community takes honesty

Ephesians 4: 14-15     …As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 

1 Corinthians 11:3     But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Proverbs 28:23     In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.

Community takes humility

1 Peter 5:5     In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."

James 4:6     But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."

Romans 12:16     Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Community takes courtesy

Romans 15:2     Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

1 Corinthians 10:33     even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Ephesians 4:12     to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Community takes frequency

Acts 2:46     Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

Hebrews 10:25     not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Purpose Driven Life: We’re In This Together– May 4, 2015

Colossians 3:15     Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Psalm 133:1     A song of ascents. Of  David. How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!

The Bible puts forth the call to fellowship. We are called to be in communion and to experience life together.

Matthew 18: 19-20     …"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

There are several things that happen when we are in fellowship together:

1)      We experience sincerity in people: 1 John 1: 7     But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

2)      We get to experience reciprocity:     Romans 1:11-12     …For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.

3)      We experience sympathy:  Galatians 6: 2     Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

4)      We experience mercy:     Colossians 3:13     Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

The Purpose Drive Life: Belonging – May 3, 2015

We are created and formed to the family and counted as community. None of us can operate independently to fulfill God’s purpose.

1 Corinthians 3:16     Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?

Ephesians 2:21     In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

You must do more than believe; you must belong as well.  Membership is not something to be taken lightly or to be ignored. The church is God’s gift and purpose for the world.

Matthew 16:18     And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Ephesians 5:25     Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Colossians 3:16       Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Being part of a church moves you past self-centeredness and immaturity in faith. Being part of a church helps develop spirituality and marks you as a genuine believer. You are called to a mission.

John 13:35     By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  

             

1 Corinthians 12:26     If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

1 John 3:16     This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 Corinthians 12:6-8     …There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;…

The Purpose Driven Life: What Really Matters – May 2, 2015

 

1 Corinthians 13:3   And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

2 John 1:6     And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

There’s a song lyric that comes to mind – “Life is love and love is living”

The essence , the DA of life, is love. God is love and the most significant thing you can do while you’re alive is to love.

Galatians 5:14     For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

John 13:35     By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Love surpasses our understanding of time and God will judge us on our abilities to love when we enter into the eternal state.

Ephesians 5:2     and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Because love is sanctioned and ordained by God it should be treated with the utmost respect and be given priority above all else in life.

Galatians 6:10     Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Proverbs 3:27     Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.

Matthew 22:37 – 40     Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  

   

The Purpose Driven Life: You’re Part Of The Family – May 1, 2015

Romans 12:5     so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

John 15:16     You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit--fruit that will last--and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

1 Corinthians 12:20     As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

Galatians 4:7     So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Ephesians 1:18     I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Hebrews 2:11     Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.

The moment you were born again, you became part of God’s family, you were given some unique birthday gifts, the family name, family characteristics, privilege and a vast inheritance.

A healthy family takes pride in their connection and dependence on one another. When you are baptized you publicly announce that you belong to a family and you are not ashamed to admit it.

Whenever you feel down or blue just think about your inheritance and embrace whose child you are.