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February 1-2, 2003 XTREME LIVING – 40 DAYS OF
PURPOSE!
Selected WE ARE CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST! — OUR FIRST PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO KNOW AND LOVE GOD – WORSHIP! — OUR SECOND PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO LOVE GOD’S FAMILY
– FELLOWSHIP! *** Romans 8:29 “For from the very beginning God decided that
those who came to him--and all along he knew who would--should become like his
Son….” [Living Bible] *** Eph. 4:15 “God wants us to grow up…like Christ in
everything.” We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we
do.” [Message] — OUR THIRD PURPOSE IN LIFE IS:
TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST! DISCIPLESHIP – THE PROCESS OF BECOMING LIKE
CHRIST! *** Eph. 4:13 “This will continue until we are…mature, just as
Christ is, and we will be completely like him.” [Contemporary English Version] *** 1 John 3:2 “We are already God's children, though what we
will be hasn't yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will
be like him….” [CEV] *** Philip. 2:12-13 “Therefore, my dear friends…continue to work
out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to
will and to act according to his good purpose.” [New International Version] TWO
KEYS TO DISCIPLESHIP GROWTH: A. OUR PART! - Luke 13:24 “Make every effort
to enter through the narrow door….” ***
Romans 14:19 “Make every effort to do what leads to….edification.” [NIV] ***
2 Tim. 2:15 “Make every effort to give yourself to God…” [New Century
Version] ***
Hebrews 4:11 “Let us…make every effort to enter that ….” [NIV] ***
Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to…be holy….” [NIV] ***
2 Peter 1:5 “Make every effort to add to your faith….” [NIV] *** 2 Peter 3:14 “Make every effort to be found
spotless, blameless…” [NIV] OBECIENCE UNLOCKS GOD’S POWER FOR OUR MATURITY! B. GOD’S PART! *** Philip.
2:13 “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the
power to do what pleases him.” [New
Living Translation] THE PROCESS OF GOD
MAKING US MORE LIKE JESUS IS: SANCTIFICATION! *** Eph. 2:10 “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us
anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long
ago.” [NLT] 1. BY
THE STRENGTH OF HIS SPIRIT! *** 2 Cor. 3:18 “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we
become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.” [NLT] “CHRISTLIKENESS IS NOT
PRODUCED BY IMITATION BUT BY INHABITATION!” *** Isaiah 30:21 “And if you leave God's paths and go astray, you
will hear a Voice behind you say, "No, this is the way; walk here." [Living] *** 1 John 2:27 “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he
lives within you…. For the Spirit
teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So
continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.” [NLT] 2. BY
THE TEACHINGS OF HIS TRUTH! *** 2 Tim. 3:16-17 “The whole Bible was given to us by
inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us
realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what
is right. It is God's way of making us
well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.” [Living] *** Romans 15:4 “The Scriptures were written to teach and
encourage us by giving us hope.” [CEV] THE SCRIPTURES HELP US
BE: — CONVINCED!
— CORRECTED! — CHALLENGED
! — CHANGED! — ENCOURAGED! — COMFORTED! 3. BY
THE POWER OF PEOPLE! *** 1 Thes. 1:8 “The word has gotten around. Your lives are
echoing the Master's Word…all over the place. The news of your faith in God is
out. We don't even have to say anything anymore—you're the message!” [Msg] *** 2 Cor. 9:2 “I know how eager you are to help, and I have been
boasting to our friends in Macedonia that you Christians in Greece were ready
to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up
many of them to begin helping.”
[NLT] GOD
USES POSITIVE PEOPLE AND GOD USES PROBLEM PEOPLE! BEING
LIKE CHRIST MEANS LEARNING TO FORGIVE ! ***LK 23:34 “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they
are doing." [NIV] *** 1 Peter 2:23 “They called him every name in the book and he
said nothing back. A. REMEMBER THAT GOD HAS FORGIVEN
YOU ! *** Ephes. 4:32 “Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive
each other just as God forgave you in Christ.” [NCV] B. REMEMBER THAT GOD IS IN
CONTROL! *** Genesis 50:20 “You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil
into good to save the lives of many people, which is being done.” [NCV] 4. BY
THE ENTRANCE OF EXPERIENCES! *** 1 PT 4:12 “Don't be bewildered or surprised when you go
through the fiery trials…for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to
happen to you.” [LB] *** Romans 5:3-4 “We also have joy with our troubles, because we
know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and
character produces hope.” [NCV] GOD IS MORE CONCERNED
WITH OUR CHARACTER THAN OUR COMFORT! *** 2 Cor. 4:17 “For our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” [NIV] EVERY PROBLEM
HAS A PURPOSE AND THE PURPOSE IS TO MAKE US MORE LIKE JESUS ! A. REALIZE WHAT IS
HAPPENING! - 1 Peter 1:7 “These troubles come to prove
that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold.” [NCV] B. REMEMBER GOD’S PLAN IS GOOD! - Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," says
the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a
future and a hope.” [NLT] C. REJOICE IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE PROBLEM!
- Luke 6:23 “Be full of joy at that
time, because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven.” [NCV] D. REFUSE TO GIVE UP! - Galatians 6:9 “And let us not get tired of doing what is right,
for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get
discouraged and give up.” [Living] “I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing…!” Philippians 3:12-14 [NLT] |