Extreme Makeover: Soul Purification Series

Four 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).

Two 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.”

Last week 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 …”)

Tonight, I want to speak with you about SOUL PURIFICATION … or you can call it apologizing … or if you want to be super spiritual – REPENTANCE!!!

Let me start off by giving you so “bad news” – are you ready? I AM NOT PERFECT!!!

It’s disturbing I know … but the reality is – I am a sinner – there are days I do, say, or think things that I should not … in fact, that is the reality for everyone in this room!

Life is filled with decisions … and on some days we blow it BIG TIME!

Look at the person to your right and ask them, “What sin did you commit today?” Just kidding!

Look at that person and confess, “I am a sinner.”

You see, the truth is if we do not first realize that we are SINNERS we can then make up our own measure of RIGHT and WRONG!

But there is a moral absolute in this world – it is called God’s Word!

The opposite of God’s Word is sin!

I know that some of you think, “A little sin is not going to hurt me. I can stop.”

Let me relate sin and poop … On April 3, 2002 a family in Chile barely escaped their home as it crashed down without warning … the roof was covered with 15 years of pigeon poop – this roof was covered with worms, parasite, poopy, and feathers … the slow but consistent weight of the poo caused the crashing of this house.

The truth is you can sin if you want to, but you cannot avoid the consequences of your sin! Did you hear that?

Because we sin, God had to make a way for us to purify ourselves!

That’s what we call “repentance.”

Repentance (def.) – “after sinning – realize you were wrong – and changing – committing to not doing it again.”

Repentance affects our whole personality:

1.The Intellect – because it involves a CHANGE of thinking.

2.The Emotion – because it involves CHANGING how we feel about sin.

3.The Will – because it involves a CHANGE of behavior – submitting our lives to God’s plan.

Repentance should be part of our everyday life!

We need a EXTREME MAKEOVER in our souls so that we can become more like Jesus!!!

There are two aspects of purify our lives:

•Repentance – that’s our part!

•Forgiveness – that’s God’s part!

When Narvaez, the Spanish patriot, lay dying, his father-confessor asked him whether he had forgiven all his enemies. Narvaez looked astonished and said, "Father, I have no enemies, I have shot them all."

Aren’t you glad that God does not treat us the same way?

Let me share with you the two results of confessing our sins to the Lord:

1. God will accept our apology if our real desire is to change (“... just to forgive …”)

We should not and cannot apologize just to apologize – we must have a desire to CHANGE!

God is faithful and just to FORGIVE US … he is consistent!!!

Hebrews 10:23: “Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word” (MSG).

LIFE PRINCIPLE: God will always forgive us because He keeps his word!

1 Corinthians 1:9: “God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that” (MSG).

God never gives up on you and because of that he will forgive you if your desire is to change!