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.
He wants to be our help at home.
He wants to be our character in our relationships.
He wants to be our provider in our lacks!
ALL HE NEEDS IS ROOM!
When Jesus was about to be born and Mary and Joseph tried to find a place for his birth. The innkeeper said that there was “NO ROOM IN THE INN.” Then this hotel manager sends Mary and Joseph to the BACK – the manger – this manger wasn’t the pretty place we see today – it was filled with hay – poop – pig slop – cow drool – and it probably smelled pretty bad …
How many times have we placed Christ in that area of our heart?
Give Christ the best part of your day! Give him the greatest part of your life!
ALL HE NEEDS IS ROOM!
3. Realize that Christ desires to show us the HUGENESS of his love (“… the extravagant dimensions of his love …”)
Maybe you heard about the guy who fell in love with an opera singer. He hardly knew her, since his only view of the singer was through binoculars - from the third balcony. He was convinced he could live “happily ever after” married to a voice like that. He scarcely noticed that she was considerably older than he. Nor did he care that she walked with a limp. Her mezzo-soprano voice would take them through whatever might come. After a whirlwind romance and a hurry-up ceremony, they were off for their honeymoon.
She began to prepare for their first night together. As he watched, his chin dropped to his chest. She plucked out her glass eye and plopped it into a container on the night-stand. She pulled off her wig, ripped off her false eyelashes, yanked out her dentures, unstrapped her artificial leg, and smiled at him as she slipped off her glasses that hid her hearing aid. Stunned and horrified, he gasped, “For goodness sake, woman, sing, sing, SING!” (Swindoll - Strike the Original Match 68)
It’s easy to say, “I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Words come easy.
You see, we may not have glass eyes, dentures, and artificial legs – but we all have something that is hidden in the quietness of our hearts --- no one sees --- no one knows --- secret sins, bad habits and hang ups!
Christ knows! And he still loves us! That’s pretty HUGE!
Ephesians 5:2: “… live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (NIV).
4. Understand that Christ’s love gives us a FULL LIFE (“… full in the fullness of God …”)
Jim Eliot: “I seek not a long life, but a FULL LIFE.”
LIFE PRINCIPLE: You can have everything that life has and life will still be empty if Christ is not the center of your life.
More than great jobs … more than cool gadgets … more than big house … more than fancy cars … more than anything this life has RUN AFTER CHRIST’S LOVE!!!
It is in His love that you will discover REAL LIFE!
His love gives us a reason to live!
Stay close to the love of God and you will LIVE a FULL LIFE!!!
SOUND TECH – Play Track # 2 on the Tony Bilotta CD – “My Life Is In You” – softly in the background during the final illustration!
CONCLUSION
Amy was very close to her Grandmother. They visited often and shared some of the most memorable moments. When she was very small, they played together, walked together and when Amy was sick Grandma would stay with her so Mom and Dad could go to work. So they loved each other in all situations and prayed together to resolve their deepest concerns.
Like the time Amy fell while she was carrying her Mom’s best vase. Without hesitation Amy turned to Grandma and said, "It’s prayer time. This one’s a big one Grandma." I believe that Amy thought that her Grandma had as much to do with healing and fixing things as God did. Maybe even more. That’s how much Amy trusted her Grandma. Their love could withstand anything life could throw their way.
But it was inevitable. There would certainly come a time when reality and old age would gain the upper hand. This time Grandma couldn’t kiss it and make it better. Grandma couldn’t pray this one away. You see, Grandma was dying.
It was Spring and the flowers that she and Amy attended to each year were in full bloom. You might think that this is the perfect time to be alive. But Grandma convinced Amy otherwise. At 91, she had lived a full life. She had no regrets. Except perhaps leaving Amy alone. But she had taken care of that, too.
"Amy," she whispered quietly. "In my closet at home there is a small wooden box. It has your name on it. In it is all that I can give you. All that I hold dear. In that box is the secret to living a long life."
No, she didn’t leave a fortune behind. She had no diamonds or pearls to pass on. What she left was her secret to life. On her final day she called Amy by her side. They reflected back on a life time of love, happiness and commitment. They laughed and cried and before saying goodbye, Grandma pulled her close, kissed her on the forehead and gently fell into a deep and final sleep. A sleep that would take her home to Heaven.
Weeks after her passing Amy retrieved the box from Grandma’s closet. She took it out to the kitchen table where they shared many happy moments together. Placing the old wooden box on the table, she carefully opened it.
There inside Amy found an envelope with the words "My secret to a long life." Her heart raced with the thought that Grandma had gone through all this trouble just for her. She held the note close to her chest and said out loud, "I love you Grandma, thanks!"
Inside the envelope was one index card. On it were written four words ...
Live until you die!
Hey guys … my advice … my final words to the Extreme Makeover Soul Edition Super Series is the same … LIFE FOR CHRIST UNTIL YOU DIE!!!
It is the ONLY life worth living!
