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.
1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. NIV
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. NIV
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. NIV
ILLUSTRATION: FOCUS ON CHRIST …Article Associated Press:
RIVERTON, Wyo. -- Officials say a magnifying glass set on a stand in a sunny room started a small blaze in a Wyoming home. UPS worker Buddy Armstrong was delivering a package to 84-year-old Thomas Guthrie's Dubois home on Tuesday when he heard an alarm inside. Armstrong, also a volunteer firefighter, called emergency workers and went inside the home, along with a sheriff's deputy.
Sgt. Jerry Evagelatos says they found a lot of smoke but couldn't find the source until Dubois firefighters arrived. Evagelatos says the sun was shining at just the right angle to hit a magnifying glass on a stand. The glass magnified the sunbeam, which set a nearby pile of mail on fire. Evagelatos says the fire was extinguished before it damaged the home. Guthrie wasn't at home during the fire."
1. Sometimes we underestimate the power of God's creation. Even a meager sunbeam, when focused through a lens, can pack quite a punch.
2. We, likewise, underestimate what growing in the knowledge of God can do; when a Christian focus on God's Word, another type of power is released. Should you read 2 Peter through 7 times this week--or the first chapter. Did you notice a difference?
3. It is just about knowledge, but the process of gaining and rehearsing knowledge of the Word that is so transforming. And that is one of the themes of 2 Peter, "Growing in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (From a sermon by Ed Vasicek, Pursued and Pursuing, 1/18/2010)
2nd We Have a Ministry: 2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2Co 5:18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
God has made us for the work He wants us to do. Often, we only focus on salvation, which is certainly important for without salvation there is no adoption and no adoption there is no relationship with God. however, salvation is the beginning of the process of being conformed into the image if His Son Jesus (Rom 8:29). 2 Cor 4:7 Paul says that we are earthen vessels to hold the treasure of God and to be used of God. But we are not to focus on jars of clay, our bodies but what God put inside the jar. When you go to the story to purchase an item you are not concerned about what is on the outside of the package but what is inside. Each have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. The Spirit of God has empowered us to do the work of the ministry.
2 Co 5:18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
The kind described in the previous chapter: a glorious ministry that brings men life, salvation, and righteousness; a ministry that can transform men’s lives. This ministry is a gift — we receive it from God. It is given to us because of God’s mercy, not because of anything we are, or we have done.
2Ti 1:14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
We are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20), God has sent us into this world to represent His interest we are called to take the message of the Gospel to all who hear. But whether they will hear or not it is still our work to proclaim the message of Jesus to the world. In the same way radio stations broadcast many types of messages to the world. Some music, some talk radio our message to the world is to proclaim the “Good News” to the world.
Reconciliation by Daniel King, D. Min.
Main Idea: The word “reconciliation” in the Biblical context means “bringing God and man together.”
Verse: “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV).
Illustration: The preacher invites two people up on the platform. One represents “God the Father” and the other represents “fallen humanity.” The preacher plays the part of Jesus. He stretches out his hands like he is on a cross. He asks the two helpers to each grab one of his hands. Then he pulls his hands together until the two volunteers are touching. In the same way, Jesus bridged the gap between humans and God. Jesus reconciled us with God. Now, the believer does the same thing. We have the ministry of reconciliation which means we grab people by the hand and bring them closer to God. As “ministers of reconciliation” we bring God and people together. (Copied from Sermon Central)
ILLUSTRATION: Paul Considered Himself Christ's Ambassador. What ...
Paul considered himself Christ’s ambassador. What is an ambassador? He is an authorized representative of a sovereign. He speaks not in his own name but on behalf of the ruler whose deputy he is, and his whole duty and responsibility is to interpret that ruler’s mind faithfully to those to whom he is sent.
Paul used this "ambassador" image twice -- both in connection with his evangelistic work. Pray for me, he wrote from prison, "that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak" (Eph. 6:18-20). He wrote also that God "gave us the ministry of reconciliation...So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
Paul called himself an ambassador because he knew that when he proclaimed the gospel facts and promises and urged sinners to receive the reconciliation of Calvary, he was declaring Christ’s message to the world. The figure of ambassadorship highlights the authority Paul had, as representing his Lord, if he remained faithful to the terms of his commission and said neither less nor more than he had been given to say. (James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986., Copied from Sermon Central)
3rd We have a Commission- Col 1:28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Col 1:29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Our mission and commission is take the Gospel to the world. Jesus in Matt 28:19 is to take the message of the Gospel to the world. We are to reconcile the world back to God through Jesus. But it does not stop there not only are we to take the message of Christ to the world, but we are to make disciples by teaching the precepts of Gods Word.
God has created us with the tool and talents needed to share the Message of the Gospel to everyone. He has empowered us to be His ambassadors for Him in the world, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation to bring the lost to Jesus, and also we have the commission to go! Col 1:28 Paul writes we are to proclaim the warring to everyone, and He works within us that we may accomplish our commission.
ILLUSTRATION: The Name Stradivarius ...By Mark Hodges
The name Stradivarius is synonymous with fine violins. This is true because Antonius Stradivarius insisted that no instrument constructed in his shop be sold until it was as near perfection as human care and skill could make it. Stradivarius said, "God needs violins to send His music into the world, and if any violins are defective God’s music will be spoiled." His work philosophy was summed up in one sentence: "Other men will make other violins, but no man shall make a better one."
Antonius Stradivarius expected his workers to do their very best in producing violins.
How much more should we as Christians strive for excellence in the work assigned to us! (Copied from Sermon Central)
