Two Rules To Have between God and Yourself:

1. God is always right.
2. When I think God is wrong, see Rule #1.

God’s ultimate desire for you is not religion but relationship. (John 21:15-17)

 Love your neighbor as yourself.
John 21:15-17: Feed /take care of my sheep.

1. Heart / Love
2. Time
3. Money

Do it for yourself!  Do it for His Glory!
Heb. 11:6  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Rev. 4:9-11 “…They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

I. Jesus was called from the beginning. (vs. 1)
 

II.  His call was to serve. (vs. 3)

John 6:38, John 8:28, Phil. 2:8

IV. His calling came with challenges. (vs. 4)
 

V. His calling is an example for us.
 

VI. Relinquishing rights leads to greater  rewards (vs. 6)

 I Cor. 2:9, Mk. 10:29-30

Introduction

Jesus  - Our Lord of Life

Jesus  - Our Lord of Grace

Jesus  - Our Lord of the Eternal Kingdom

Conclusion

I.  What God has done for us in Christ:

 “blessed us with every spiritual blessing”  (vs. 3)

a) Elected (vs. 4) - God freely chooses.

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are-so that no one may boast before him.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."  1 Cor. 1:27-30

b) Predestined (vs. 5) – the goal of the chosen.

c) Adoption (vs.5) – the relationship of the chosen.

d) Redeemed (vs.7) – the security of the chosen.

e) Revealed (vs.9) – the scope of the chosen.

The means - Grace (vs. 6,7)

a) The church’s responsibility: sanctification - to live holy and blameless lives. (vs. 4)

The key - love (vs. 4b)

"...and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints." 1 Thess. 3:12-13 (NASB)

"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 Jn. 3:10

b) the church’s response: Worship

1. Claims of the Da Vinci Code:  What is the truth?
    1 Cor. 8:5; Phil. 2:9; Jn. 1:1, 14; Mk. 14:61-64
    2 Peter 3:14-16; 1 Tim.; 2 Tim; Titus
    Jn. 20: 16-17
    Gnostic books: Phillip 63:32-64:10; Mary 17:10-18:21

2. How should we respond?
    1 Peter 3:l5-l6