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Our Identity In Christ Series
Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Feb 10, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: With the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit we have the Potential to be able to accomplish Gods will for our lives
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Paul writes in Gal 3:23 that before we asked Jesus into our lives we were bound by the law of sin and held in bondage but now that we asked Jesus into our lives we are free from the bondage of sin and have become heirs to kingdom through the promise. However there also comes responsibility. For the last couple of weeks we have been exploring how the power of God which indwells in every Christian can impact our lives. With the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit we have the Potential to be able to accomplish Gods will for our lives. When we speak of Gods will for our lives and He has a will for each one of His children. However there are times in our lives that our journey through this world we are adrift. It could be compared to a ship adrift in the ocean being tossed about by the waves and winds of the world and nothing to guide them. To many Christians today are living their lives not knowing what God wants or expects of them. They are living life without purpose is like a ship adrift on the seas of life.
There are reasons why many Christian are living defeated lives with no purpose. They are adrift in this world and need direction in life.
Reasons for not having Gods Purpose in Your Life
1. Sinful living
2. No real joy and excitement in your life
3. No satisfaction or fulfillment in Your Life
4. To many distractions
5. You feel like you are spinning your wheels in the quicksand of life.
6. Don’t know which way to go or turn.
To find God’s purpose in your life we must realize that God’s has equipped of us as Christian to lived committed lives in Christ Jesus.
1st We are God’s Workmanship Eph 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. NIV
We were created not just existence in this world God’s but has a purpose for each of our lives. God has uniquely created us in Christ Jesus. Living today offers so many distractions and we often get lost and loose our direction. It is like being in the woods and all you can see is tall trees. You can’t find your way back to God’s. When I go into the woods, I take a compass. With a compass I can always find true north.
The Greek word translated “workmanship” we get the word poem, it means “that which is made or a manufactured” product”.
This word is not the end but only the beginning. When we came to Christ, God created us a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). We were not created just to sit and do nothing; we have a propose in Gods Kingdom. We are a part of God new creation and continues to work in us for kingdom work. God’s purpose for our lives is to be mor like Christ (Rom 8:29 “… also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…)
The question is how does God work in us? The answer is through Jesus, When Jesus told Nicodemus (Jn 3:3 “…you must be born again...) Jesus was not signifying that the new birth was the finished work but only the beginning and like a new born baby there must be a growth process. As we grow, we learn and what we learn we use. Jesus finished the redemption process and has return to the Father. But carries on His unfinished work of perfecting the church, you and I by equipping the saints for the building of the body. Jesus is continuing to work in our lives by equipping us for our walk and our work.
Jesus has three unique tools too mold and shape us for use in the kingdom, ,
1st His Word (1 Th 2:13), And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
2nd Prayer (Eph 3:20-21) Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, Eph 3:21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
3rd suffering (1 Pet 4:11-14) As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 1Pe 4:11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1Pe 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.