Rossville Christian Church
Sunday, April 18
- Death Was Arrested
- Build My Life
- Intro:Play Skit Guys - God Chisel (non pastoral intro, just play after offertory meditation)Pray
Ephesians 2:10 NASB95 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.You are God’s handiwork, that means when you are in Christ he molds you, as the potter molds the clay, we are not a finished work, but the work he is making us is different than the world.I remember hating art festivals, not to beat me up too bad people. But I hated them, I thought art was ugly and just a bunch of paint put on a canvas, I didn’t understand the beauty, until my daughters both were into art, my oldest painting and drawing and now digital arts. And my youngest into the performing arts. It wasn’t until I let it change me that I saw the beauty.The world is the same as my younger self, blind to the beauty of God’s workmanship and it will hate that workmanship until such a time when they too accept to see the beauty that God can make.When the World Hates YouJohn 15:18–19 NIV “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.A. It will hate you1. I know this isn’t a pleasant thoughta. We want to be liked so muchTry being the new kid all the time, you either get used to people not liking you or you spend your time trying to get people to like you.b. The world isn’t focused where we are focusedc. Its called a worldviewi. Lens with which we see the worldii. World sees it through self, we see it through JesusHebrews 3:13 NIV But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.2. It hated Him firsta. God calls us to difficulti. Christian = Christ likeb. Part of the transformationc. We and others will be uncomfortabled. So don’t be surprisedProverbs 1:15–16 NIV my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood.B. Not of this World1. If we don’t act like themRemember being young in school and being different? Different way to talk and dressa. Different always mean misunderstandingb. We are moving to Christians being abnormal, being differentc. Cannot hide anymore, our views are becoming minority views2. We will be different1 Peter 1:14–16 NIV As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”a. What’s differenti. Live for Godii. Live for othersiii. We stand for what the World hatesColossians 3:2 NIV Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.b. Not saying don’t hang with sinnersi. Don’t be like the Worldii. Give them cause to be differentDavid Jordan - Like being a boat in the water, boats aren’t supposed to take on the water but be in the water.C. Seeking men or God?1. So I try to make them happyGalatians 1:10 NIV Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.a. No one every made everyone happyi. Not even Santa Clauseii. Not even Godb. Not about making people happyi. its about Joyii. Its about Godiii. Its about truth - rarely makes people happy2. Not who God made us to beJohn 15:19–20 NIV If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.a. People having trouble with self-esteemi. Self-worth based on the worldii. Based upon normalb. God made us differenti. Image Deiii. Struggling cause we are not in Himc. Gotta have God esteemi. Be transformed so the world see HimPersecutedJohn 15:20–25 NIV Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’A. Looking to God or the World1. Looking to appease the worlda. Acting like themb. Listening to their worthc. Appeasing the nae sayers2. Called to be persecutedMatthew 5:11 NIV “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.a. Its a blessingb. Doesn’t necessarily make it easier, but it gives strengthi. Its an encouragementc. Heading down the right pathLooking for signs. Wichita Falls - selling house Saint says there’s a sign2 Timothy 3:12 NIV In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,B. Seek to be different1. My identity is eternity not herea. Don’t focus on being popularb. Focus on being righteousi. Not self righteous2. I will possess God esteem and joyJames 1:2–3 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Remember my first real trials at my job. Preaching the Gospel and bringing people to Christ but I started getting into trouble. I was written up twice. However, when my mentor told me to look at Jam 1:2-3 I changed my attitude, it meant I was on the right path.a. I had to seek better waysb. Joyful Persecutionc. Identity in persecutionJohn 15:23–27 NIV Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.The HelperJohn 15:25–27 NIV But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.A. You are not alone in the fight1. You have the Holy Spirit to encourage youa. Lifts you up in prayerb. Will give you what to speak2. He gives us power and authority2 Timothy 1:7 NIV For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.c. Grants protectionProverbs 18:10 NIV The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.B. Sculpt your identity1. Let God cut out the flesha. Letting go of the worldb. Grasping hold of a new self a new ID2. Encourage us in the good stuffRomans 15:13 NIV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.C. Have to choose the Spirit over the fleshGalatians 5:17–18 NIV For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.1. Find your identity in the SpiritRomans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.a. Transform your thought, actions and wordsb. Begin to re-prioritize your lifec. Is it important to God?i. that’s an identity question2. You wont be perfect but you will be changeda. Transformation is a process, a lifelong processi. Holy Spirit leadsii. Holy Spirit equipsb. Grace aides our transformationRemember beginning to shoot, I was terrible. I missed a lot of shots, but as I grew and as I listened to instruction, I realized that I started hitting the target more often. I found great joy in the transformation.Changing into a new creation is a lot the same, you will miss a lot at first, but as you learn and listen to instruction, you will begin to hit the target more and find confidence in this new identity. You will find the joy of it, I assure you.Conclusion:Its not easy becoming something new. I am trying to be something new each day, found in grace and mercy but new. Why? Well because I don’t like the me I used to be. I don’t like the me without God. I don’t like the me that the world says is cool. I am tired of trying to please people who know nothing about true eternal pleasure. So, I try to please God instead. His bench mark never changes and even when the World hates me, I am OK with that and now as a more mature Christian that I used to be, I find that I like it better when the world hates me, it usually means I am on the right path. When I face persecution, even though they are small in America, I found that I giggle a little these days but that’s only because I find that my identity is in God and that it doesnt really matter to me what the world thinks anymore because I am loved eternally by God.This transformation is not complete and it has taken a lot of years because I am stubborn. That whole footprints in the sand poem is so sweet, but mine instead of having one set of prints, has one set of prints and line where the Lord has brought me along dragging my feet. It has only been through the power of the Holy Spirit that any transformation has come. With the Holy Spirit I would be lost and would not be able to change. This is why the Holy Spirit is so important, it prevents me to caving to the world and transforms me into something new, something other worldly, something awesome in Christ!Pray Ephesians 2:10NASB95
John 15:18–19NIV2011
Hebrews 3:13NIV2011
Proverbs 1:15–16NIV2011
1 Peter 1:14–16NIV2011
Colossians 3:2NIV2011
Galatians 1:10NIV2011
John 15:19–20NIV2011
John 15:20–25NIV2011
Matthew 5:11NIV2011
2 Timothy 3:12NIV2011
James 1:2–3NIV2011
John 15:23–27NIV2011
John 15:25–27NIV2011
2 Timothy 1:7NIV2011
Proverbs 18:10NIV2011
Romans 15:13NIV2011
Galatians 5:17–18NIV2011
Romans 12:2NIV2011
- It Is Well With My Soul
- Only King Forever
Matthew 28:19–20NIV2011