Life-Changing Experiences In God

Life-Changing Experiences in God

2 Cor. 3:18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

1. God is the center of our existence:

A. We exist for a purpose

a. Serve Him, who created us

b. He will never force us to do His perfect will

c. When we don’t do what He has asked of us, this is called: Sin

2. Our relationship with Him is based on Four Foundations:

A. Prayer: Man talking with God

a. This is very important for the spirit of man

i. Psalms 42:1,2 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

B. Bible: God talking with Man

a. This is essential in our relationship with God

i. Heb. 1:1,2 “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”

C. Fasting: Man talking to his body

a. This is submitting the body to the Spirit

b. Ps. 69:10 “When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.”

c. Ps. 3:13 “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom”

D. Holiness: Man talking to the world

a. This is telling the world: “I am not serving you anymore!

b. 2 Cor. 7:1 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

3. Life Changing Experiences

A. New Creation: New life with Christ

a. 2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

B. New Principles: Code of conduct

a. Man - Men don’t cry

b. Women - Support any beating or whatever

c. Youth - Question authority

d. Builders – 68%; Boomers – 48%; X – 26;

e. Now 4%

a. Is. 43:18, 19“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

C. New Perspective - the capacity to view things in their true relations

a. Jer. 29:11, 12 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

D. New Promises - God is faithful

A.. 2 Cor. 1:20 “For no matter how many promises God has

made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God”

E. New Horizons - See beyond our circumstances and situations

a. Eph 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”

Conclusion: These are the life-changing experiences that we have in Christ Jesus. It is up to you in wanting to have this understanding in your life.