Gal. 2:20  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Introduction

• The Passion of Christ

• For what purposes does God save us from eternal hell?

• Eternal perspective

• Presence prespective.  To live Christ’s life . . .

• Jesus the High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16)

 

 

Application:  A life of worship and prayer warrior/intercessor
 

• Jesus, the Servant.  Phil 2:6-8

Application:  John 13:1-18
(vs. 13, 14, 17)   “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet…Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

• Jesus, the Evangelist – Mt. 4:17

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’”

Application:  Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8

• Jesus, the Teacher/Discipler/Mentor

Application: To reproduce (“little Christ’s = Christian = Christ-like living witnesses.) Mt. 28:19-20

• Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  John 10

Application:  John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

• I have been crucified with Christ . . .

• I no longer live . . . But Christ lives in me.  Luke 9:23

• The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God

• Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 Isa. 53; Jn. 10:11, Jn. 15:13; The Passion of the Christ movie

John 13:13, 15-17
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am…I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Introduction

• Phil. 4:12  “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

• Phil. 4:13  “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

• You too can have Paul’s contentment of life and spiritual power of his faith if we learn what Paul has learned. ~ Phil. 3:17

• Phil. 1:21-22 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!”

• Application ~ Phil. 1:12-20

• Christ’s humility ~ Phil. 2:5-8

v. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus
 
• Christ-like thought life ~ Phil. 4:8

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.”

• Application ~ Phil. 2:1-4

• Phil 3:20-21

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

• Application ~ Phil. 3:17-19

• Joyful attitude ~ Phil. 4:4

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

• Gentleness in Action ~ Phil. 4:5

• Having Christ’s peace in all circumstances ~ Phil. 4:6-7

• Confident in God’s generous provision/supply ~ Phil. 4:19

Myth # 1:     Singleness is a spiritual gift.

Biblically:  Singleness is a gift. (v.7)

                    Biblically: Marriage is equal to singleness.  (vs. 1, 7, 32-35)

Myth # 3:    God intends for us to marry.

                    Biblically: God intends for us to be in relationships. (Gen. 2:18)

Tips for Singles:

    1. Embrace the gift. (v. 7, 26)

    2. Engage in community. (Acts 2:42)

    3. Extend your  ministry. (v. 29-35)

Introduction

All good things must come to an end!   Now is the suitable time.

I. My Personal Conviction on Christian Faith

    A.  The Reality of God

• Genesis 1:1  "In the beginning God..."

• Romans 1:18-32 (v. 20)   "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

• Psalm 145:8-9  "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."

• How does the reality of God's existence affect my Christian faith?

• To accept by faith difficult biblical truths that transcends common sense--the virgin birth, resurrection, eternal life, new imperishable body, new heaven, absolute authority/sovereignty over the universe including us...
• God is awesome with power and authority over us, yet a perfect loving Father...

• Romans 3:23, 6:23

• John 14:6, 3:16-18 (v. 18)  "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."

• John 14:7  "If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

• How do these biblical truths impact on our Christian faith?

• Dispels the heretical beliefs:  people can find God and attain eternal life by their own volition and effort (many paths to same destination)
• Helps me to reconcile the complexity between the doctrines of free choice and predestination.  2 Peter 3:9; Eph. 1:4-5; Eph. 1:11
• Jesus bought me with His precious blood.  He owns me and I have no rights of my own.  "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live; but Christ lives in me..."  Galatians 2:20a

• What I have become...  John 15:16, Gal. 5:22-23

 
"O Master Let Me Walk With Thee"

    A.  The Christian church is built on who Jesus is, not on...

Matthew 16:13-25 (v. 15, 16, 18)  "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"... Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." ... And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

1 Peter 2:1-10 (v. 4-5)  "As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Acts 2:42-47 (v. 47)  "...praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

"The Church's One Foundation"

• Continue to be a people having faith in Christ Jesus and love for all Christians. v. 4

• Never giving up the hope God has given you in Jesus Christ. v. 5

• Never compromise the gospel truth and dilute its power by over-emphasizing methodologies/form/style. v. 7-8

• Continue to discern God's will through corporate prayer, enabling you to live a fruitful life pleasing to God.  v. 9

• Growing in knowledge of God, becoming a community of Christ-like living witnesses, drawing the lost to Christ, comforting the hurts, and blessing all people. v. 10