The Bible has much to say about the potential that resides within the life of each and every Child of God. But one verse that sums it up well:
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” - Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Everyone who has been recreated in Christ Jesus has the potential to do good works in keeping with God’s will, as a result of being God’s masterpiece. The idea of our being God’s masterpiece speaks of both of what will be our eternal destiny and what can be our daily reality.
My eternal destiny is to be God’s masterpiece. When Jesus returns and eternity is ushered in, I will be like Jesus spiritually, physically,
emotionally, mentally, etc. And throughout eternity, I will do good works in keeping with God’s will. This will be my eternal destiny.
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” - 1 John 3:2 (NIV)
But I do not need to wait for our Lord’s return to be God’s masterpiece. Becoming God’s masterpiece can also be my daily reality, as I allow the master to transform me into the likeness of His dear Son.
John goes on to make this point in the very next verse:
“All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” - 1 John 3:3 (NIV)
John says that those of us who have been recreated in Christ Jesus need not wait until eternity is ushered in to become God’s masterpiece, for what will be our eternal destiny can also be our daily reality.
One day, as a result of my salvation, becoming God’s masterpiece will be my eternal destiny; but today, as a result of my surrender, becoming God’s masterpiece can also be my daily reality.
In the world of art, there are the original masterpieces painted by masters like Picasso, Rembrandt, or Leonardo da Vinci; and then there are forgeries and fakes. Experts can tell the difference between a fake and an original by being able to recognize the touch of the master on the canvas.
One day, when eternity is ushered in, all who have been recreated in Christ Jesus will have the recognizable touch of the master upon them. But we need not wait. If we’ll surrender to God and let Him transform us today, others will be able to recognize the touch of the Master’s hand upon us, as we do good works in keeping with God’s will. That’s what Paul mentions in our theme verse for the Transformed Campaign:
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” - Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Next Sunday, we’ll begin the transformed Spiritual Growth Campaign. We’ll consider how God can work to transform us spiritually,
physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, financially, and vocationally. But before we begin this series of studies, I want us to understand that everything we need to be transformed into God’s masterpiece has been provided by our Lord. God is intimately concerned with every detail of our lives and He desires to make a profound and powerful difference in every area.
“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” - Psalm 37:23 (NLT)
We’re going to look at every aspect of our lives and consider how God can make things better. We’re going to consider how God can work make the rest of your life the best of your life. And we’ll want to take advantage of each of God’s provisions to be able to reach our potential in Him. What are God’s provisions for our potential?
1. God has given His Word to guide me.
The Bible, is the owner’s manual for life. The more you get this book into your mind and heart; the more you read it, study it, meditate on it; the more successful, the more fulfilled you’re going to be in life. When Joshua was called by God to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land, God told him how he could fulfill His God-given potential:
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” - Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
What was true for Joshua is true also for us. God’s will is that we have “good success.” But the Lord doesn’t define success like many today. For the believer, success can be defined by Ephesians 2:10 - doing good works in keeping with God’s will. But we can’t reach our
potential while ignoring God’s Word.
No one before had ever been instructed to receive orders from God through the words of a book. Abraham obeyed God’s voice when he was called out of Ur. He did not have a Bible. Joseph received God’s revelation through dreams. Moses heard the voice of God speaking through a burning bush.
Moses was dead. But Moses had left Joshua the Books of the Law he received from God - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy. So, Joshua was the first to learn the Word of God in the same way we learn: from the words of a book. Joshua was to keep it in his mouth and in his mind. The emphasis for Joshua - and for us - is upon making Bible study a constant practice.
It’s only as we study the Word that we know how to live; and as we then live God’s way, we can reach our God-given potential.
2. God has given His Spirit to empower me.
The fact is that as human beings, change does not come naturally.
“Any change, at any time, for any reason, is to be deplored.” - The Duke of Cambridge (late 1800s)
But reaching my God-given potential is all about change! Since change doesn’t come naturally, we need someone who can bring about the changes needed in our lives supernaturally. That’s where the Holy Spirit comes it! Reaching my God-given potential is not something based on willpower. It’s based on God power. It’s not based on trying; it’s based on trusting. I need God’s Spirit to empower me.
“You will not succeed by your own strength or your own power but by my Spirit says the Lord.” - Zechariah 4:6 (God’s Word)
I need God’s Spirit to empower me to make changes I can’t make on my own. But if He’s going to be free to make changes happen in my life, I’ve got to be willing to allow Him to make those changes.
You see, even as Children of God, who are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, we can resist His work in our lives if we are not willing to grow and change. Though the Spirit resides in every Child of God, if I am going to achieve my God-given potential, He needs to be allowed to preside over area of my life. Which means I need to be open to change.
“Do not try to stop the work of the Holy Spirit.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NLV)
Humorist Grady Nutt used to tell of a man who bought a new radio, brought it home, placed it on the refrigerator, plugged it in, turned it to WSM in Nashville (home of the Grand Ole Opry), and then pulled all the knobs off!
He had already tuned in all he ever wanted or expected to hear. If I am going to achieve my God-given potential, I need to be open to the changes and the growth the Spirit wants to bring about in me! If I am, then the Spirit will empower me to reach my God-given potential.
3. God has given His people to support me.
As the old saying goes, “It takes a team to fulfill a dream.” You need other people in your life. This is why we encourage everybody in our church family to be in a small group. You’re never going to feel like a part of our church until you’re in a small group.
A crowd can’t support you. But a small group can. They can know when you’re sick. They can know when you’re having a tough time. A crowd can’t support you but a small group can.
“By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” - Ecclesiastes 4:12 (The Message)
Imagine you’re playing in a football game all by yourself. You’re unprotected. You’re out there running down the field by yourself. You don’t have anybody to block for you. There’s nobody out there to protect you. It doesn’t matter haw many people are in the stands, without others out there on the field with you, you are unprotected! What you would need to for others to make the commitment get in the game with you! You need a team, and a small group is the team you need!
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” - Matthew 18:20 (NLT)
Conclusion: This is going to be fun; and it’s going to change your life. If you will do it. If you get in the Word, yield to the Spirit, and
participate with a small group. It’s time to get our of the crowd and get on the field!
Today, won’t you commit to using God’s provisions of His Word, His Spirit, and His people to allow God to change whatever needs to be changed in your life, so that you might become more of the masterpiece He has in mind for your life to be?
