Sermon Central
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Extreme Makeover: Soul Intoxification Series
Contributed by Todd Bishop on Mar 30, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Everyone has something in their life that needs to be made new.
Several weeks ago we started our new Super Series – “Extreme Makeover: Soul Edition.”
In that first week we learned that we need a SOUL TRANSFORMATION … that means being “Jesus with skin on” more than simply wearing a “Jesus costume.” God desires for each of us to wear much more than a Christian costume …
Ephesians 4:24: “… take on an entirely new way of life … a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God reproduces his character in you” (MSG).
Three weeks ago you heard from Kerry Mannix … and she spoke about possessing a SOUL INSPIRATION … and that inspiration comes from being encouraged by God and being encouraged by those around you.
William Arthur Ward: “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”
Two weeks I spoke to you about SOUL CONNECTION … we discovered three things from David and Jonathan’s friendship that made it last …
1. Friendship requires finding common ground (“… one in spirit …”)
2. Friendship gives more than it takes (“… loved him as himself …”)
3. Friendship is a lifelong commitment (“… made a covenant …”)
Last week we talked about SOUL PURIFICATION … our part – repentance … God’s part forgiveness … we learned that we need to be aggressive against doing things against God’s will (SIN), but that when we do screw up Christ is there to always forgive us if our real desire is to change (1 John 1:8, 9).
Let’s take a look into the lives of ‘NO ORDINARY SOULS.’
DRAMA TEAM – Extreme Makeover Drama – Sound / Lighting – get your cues from the drama team.
Because many of us “got serious” about our struggles and tore down some doors we are totally ready for tonight’s message.
Tonight, in our last night of Extreme Makeover I want to share with you about SOUL INTOXIFICATION … basically how you can allow God to consume, or take over, your life.
FACT: You cannot overdose on God!
Ephesians 3:14-19: “My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit — not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength — that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God” (MSG).
“My response” to what? Verse 13: “… don’t get discouraged …”
Paul was worried that the church in Ephesus would get discouraged because of what he was going through …
My response is because I don’t want any of you to get discouraged … I want you to NEVER GIVE UP on your relationship with God … I want you to HANG IN THERE no matter what hell throws at you …
Let me give you four ways to be KEEP YOUR RELATIONSHIP with God STRONG :
1. Recognize that Christ wants to live in us (“…Christ will live in you as you open the door …”).
It is his great promise to us … he wants to have a strong friendship with us!
God does not walk out on us because of our sin or problems … he accepts us with all of that stuff lovingly offering us a better life.
The same promise that God gave Moses and Joshua he gives to us – “I will be with you; I will never leave you or turn my back on you” (Joshua 1:5).
A young man wrote this to his girlfriend. “Sweetheart, if this world was as hot as the Sahara desert, I would crawl on my knees through the burning sand to come to you. If the world would be like the Atlantic Ocean, I would swim through shark infested waters to come to you. I would fight the most fierce dragon to be by your side.”
Then just before he signs his name he writes - “I will see you on Thursday if it does not rain …”
Christ wants to LIVE IN US rain or shine … good time or bad times … He loves us!
2. Remember that each day we must make room for the King of our hearts (“… invite him in …”).
Christ wants to be a part of every area of our life!
He wants to be our strength at school.
