20Sep09 Ephesians One
Last week we began this study entitled:
Spiritual Relativity: the purpose of life.
Our life has meaning only as it is relative to the purpose of God.
I used the idea that Einstein’s theory of relativity E=MC2 which helped the world discover nuclear power is an analogy that if we could unlock God’s purpose for our life we might discover an equally life changing power.
And so I am excited to unveil my equation for Spiritual Relativity.
P=HKC Purpose = His Kingdom Come
In every situation of our life our Purpose is to choose the action or attitude that demonstrates His Kingdom Come into our lives…
The Purpose of God and the purpose of life is to make what is a reality in the Eternal World a reality in the Earthly World.
Last week we talked about The Principles of Spiritual Relativity.
Principle #1 We live in a multi-dimensional world.
We concluded that the great conflict in which we all live is the struggle between the human purpose to make everything about us and the purpose of God which is to unite all things in him.
The conflict is between what we see in our mind and what God sees in His.
It occurred to me this week that there is in most people a great struggle between several versions of us that exist in our own mind and the version of us that exists in God’s mind.
There are so many versions of us… for example…
In our relationships
…husband…Dad…preacher…friend…
In our self awareness…
The version of us with all the dysfunctions created by our past wounds that we don’t want anyone to see…
The version we want to be and want others to see.
But the version I need to focus on is the version that God sees me as!
Which brings me to :
Principle #2 The way we exist in the mind of God.
This is the application of the equation
P=HKC [Purpose = His Kingdom Come]
In these verses Paul describes our existence in the mind of God…
READ VERSES 1-10
“In the heavenly places” means that there is a version of us that exists in the mind of God.
“In the heavenly places” we are God’s intentionally created object of His affection.
Instead of unwanted I am chosen
“In the heavenly places” we are holy and blameless.
Instead of wounded and disgusting I am holy
“In the heavenly places” we are predestined to be adopted…
Instead of alone and unwanted and aborted…I am adopted!
“In the Heavenly places” we are lavished with His grace to make up for all of our wounds and wickedness.
Instead of being eternally separated from God…nothing can separate me from the Love of God in Christ Jesus!
From eternity past God has had us in His mind and how He was going to love us and what he was going to do for us and what He wanted to accomplish in our lives and that is His purpose.
That is the power of Spiritual Relativity - P=HKC
The Ultimate question is have you by faith embraced the version that exists in the Heavenly places?
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, Redeemer and Lord?
Which version of you is dominant in your life?
Are you ready to make it the purpose of your life to bring to earth what exists in the heavenly places?
Then get alone with God right now and invite Him to make real in your life the Purpose of His Kingdom Coming into your life!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
13Sep09 Galatians 6 Gravity vs Healthy
℗The World Health Organization…estimates that 2 billion (B) people will contract some type of H1N1/Swine Flu this year.
℗The Center for Disease Control here in the US estimates that there could be as many as 90,000 deaths this fall…more than double the 30-40,000 people who die each year from regular flu related illnesses.
The greatest defense against the disease is basic common sense hygiene i.e. wash your hands, avoid others who are sick, maintain good physical condition!
℗The best way to protect your health is to stay healthy!
(read Six)
℗Four gravity defying signs of Healthiness
℗1.We live in the Grace of Jesus…Him dying for your sin.
We must never get over or away from the Lord Jesus on the Cross for us! (Gravity will pull you away from the cross)
℗2.We live by Faith in Jesus…depending on Him like air.
We must consistently engage our dependence upon Christ. (Gravity will pull you toward independence)
℗3.We live with the Promise of Jesus…there really is someone on the other end of the rope.
We must never lose the mystery of our Faith.
(Gravity will pull you away from the idea of relationship)
℗4.We live through the Spirit’s power to love others more than self.
How are we touching the most frequent people in your life.
(Gravity will pull you toward carelessness )
℗The Very Practical Expression of Healthiness
℗1.How are we dealing with the needs of others?
Restore him in a spirit of gentleness...bearing one another’s burdens
Remember Grace is a Jesus dying on the cross for your sin!
Remember the only requirement of grace is to give it!
To whom do you offer less grace than you demand?
How you treat others is the genuine expression of your faith.
℗2.How are you doing on the test, “let each one test his
own work”
℗What role do you play in this ministry?
How are you trying to make a difference in the lives of others?
℗Are you trying to make a difference with your praying?
℗Are you trying to make a difference with your giving?
℗Are you trying to make a difference with your serving?
Based upon what you are sowing into this ministry what could you realistically expect to reap in the crisis of your life?
Based upon what you are sowing into the lives of those around you what can you expect to reap in the crisis of your life?
℗3.How would you describe the work of the Cross in your life?
℗ Is it lifting up Jesus in your life?
℗ Is it crucifying the selfishness that keeps you from living like Jesus?
℗ Is it crucifying the things of the world that have a hold on your life?
Seriously what really is the most important thing to you in your life?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see it right now…
℗The Center for Disease Control here in the US estimates that there could be as many as 90,000 deaths this fall…more than double the 30-40,000 people who die each year from regular flu related illnesses.
The greatest defense against the disease is basic common sense hygiene i.e. wash your hands, avoid others who are sick, maintain good physical condition!
℗The best way to protect your health is to stay healthy!
(read Six)
℗Four gravity defying signs of Healthiness
℗1.We live in the Grace of Jesus…Him dying for your sin.
We must never get over or away from the Lord Jesus on the Cross for us! (Gravity will pull you away from the cross)
℗2.We live by Faith in Jesus…depending on Him like air.
We must consistently engage our dependence upon Christ. (Gravity will pull you toward independence)
℗3.We live with the Promise of Jesus…there really is someone on the other end of the rope.
We must never lose the mystery of our Faith.
(Gravity will pull you away from the idea of relationship)
℗4.We live through the Spirit’s power to love others more than self.
How are we touching the most frequent people in your life.
(Gravity will pull you toward carelessness )
℗The Very Practical Expression of Healthiness
℗1.How are we dealing with the needs of others?
Restore him in a spirit of gentleness...bearing one another’s burdens
Remember Grace is a Jesus dying on the cross for your sin!
Remember the only requirement of grace is to give it!
To whom do you offer less grace than you demand?
How you treat others is the genuine expression of your faith.
℗2.How are you doing on the test, “let each one test his
own work”
℗What role do you play in this ministry?
How are you trying to make a difference in the lives of others?
℗Are you trying to make a difference with your praying?
℗Are you trying to make a difference with your giving?
℗Are you trying to make a difference with your serving?
Based upon what you are sowing into this ministry what could you realistically expect to reap in the crisis of your life?
Based upon what you are sowing into the lives of those around you what can you expect to reap in the crisis of your life?
℗3.How would you describe the work of the Cross in your life?
℗ Is it lifting up Jesus in your life?
℗ Is it crucifying the selfishness that keeps you from living like Jesus?
℗ Is it crucifying the things of the world that have a hold on your life?
Seriously what really is the most important thing to you in your life?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see it right now…
Friday, September 4, 2009
Notes for Sunday Morning 06Sep09
If we had been in the upper room that night we would have heard Jesus speak these immortal words recorded here in Mark 14:22-25
℗And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
What did that mean to them as they sat and listened to Him?
℗The word covenant or testament first occurs in Genesis 6:18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.
℗It is repeated again…Genesis 9:9&11 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;… "And I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth."
In a conversation with Abraham God makes a covenant to establish the Land of Palestine with him and his offspring…
℗ Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
From the city limits of Cairo to the Northern border of Syria!
From the Mediterranean coastal city of Haifa to Bagdad on the Euphrates!
And only under David and Solomon did it even begin to move in the direction of its potential…
Then God involves Moses in the Covenant to invite the people to join Him in claiming the relationship…
℗ Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
God extends the covenant to a family and the sons of Noah in the context of protection from the judgment of the world…
He then extends the covenant to the sons of Abraham in a geographical context so that they would have a place to call their own and worship Him and bring blessing to the world.
Through Moses God redefines the Covenant in the context of a protection from judgment (The Passover) The possession of the Land of Canaan and victory over the inhabitants and a relationship with Him guided by the Ten Commandments.
And for 1400 years the nation of Israel staggered and stumbled through feast and famine, freedom and domination until the ultimate covenant was made.
And just like in all the covenants before it came down to a conversation between God and a man…in this situation it was Jesus and the Twelve…
℗For clarity sake, a covenant is a solemn agreement that is binding on all parties…
And the Covenant that Jesus was talking about was similar to the old covenants but yet eternally greater…
I have protection for you from the judgment…John 3:16
I have a place for you…John 14:3
I have a plan for you… I am the Vine you are the branches…
Love me with all you heart soul mind and Strength and love those around you the way I love you!
Here is what I want you to focus on this morning as we distribute symbols of the covenant…
℗ You are celebrating and reaffirming that you are in a covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ in relationship that will deliver you from judgment.
℗ You are celebrating and reaffirming that you because of this covenant you will spend eternity with Him.
℗ You are celebrating and reaffirming that you want and choose to live out the rest of your life loving Him with all your heart and loving others the way He loves you.
℗And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
What did that mean to them as they sat and listened to Him?
℗The word covenant or testament first occurs in Genesis 6:18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.
℗It is repeated again…Genesis 9:9&11 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;… "And I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth."
In a conversation with Abraham God makes a covenant to establish the Land of Palestine with him and his offspring…
℗ Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
From the city limits of Cairo to the Northern border of Syria!
From the Mediterranean coastal city of Haifa to Bagdad on the Euphrates!
And only under David and Solomon did it even begin to move in the direction of its potential…
Then God involves Moses in the Covenant to invite the people to join Him in claiming the relationship…
℗ Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
God extends the covenant to a family and the sons of Noah in the context of protection from the judgment of the world…
He then extends the covenant to the sons of Abraham in a geographical context so that they would have a place to call their own and worship Him and bring blessing to the world.
Through Moses God redefines the Covenant in the context of a protection from judgment (The Passover) The possession of the Land of Canaan and victory over the inhabitants and a relationship with Him guided by the Ten Commandments.
And for 1400 years the nation of Israel staggered and stumbled through feast and famine, freedom and domination until the ultimate covenant was made.
And just like in all the covenants before it came down to a conversation between God and a man…in this situation it was Jesus and the Twelve…
℗For clarity sake, a covenant is a solemn agreement that is binding on all parties…
And the Covenant that Jesus was talking about was similar to the old covenants but yet eternally greater…
I have protection for you from the judgment…John 3:16
I have a place for you…John 14:3
I have a plan for you… I am the Vine you are the branches…
Love me with all you heart soul mind and Strength and love those around you the way I love you!
Here is what I want you to focus on this morning as we distribute symbols of the covenant…
℗ You are celebrating and reaffirming that you are in a covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ in relationship that will deliver you from judgment.
℗ You are celebrating and reaffirming that you because of this covenant you will spend eternity with Him.
℗ You are celebrating and reaffirming that you want and choose to live out the rest of your life loving Him with all your heart and loving others the way He loves you.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Notes for Wednesday Night September 2, 2009
Proverbs_2
How many of you feel like you made a major mistake this week? Who is struggling with a major decision right now? Who feels like they are at a major cross road of life?
Who knows that you made a tiny decision that in time will be your undoing? Wisdom is what we need.
THE POSTURE FOR GAINING WISDOM. 1-5
Treasure
The idea is to hide that which is of great value so that it cannot be stolen.
How valuable is the wealth of God’s wisdom?
Do we seek to truly incorporate it into our lives or is it just for our passing interests?
Do I see the teaching of Scripture and the leading of the Spirit as the most valuable assets available to me?
Attentive
To position yourself so that your hearing is optimized.
To turn your head so that your good ear is toward what you want to hear.
To turn down or away from the distractions or conflicting sources.
Call out
James 4:2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Do we consistently ask for God’s guidance and wisdom?
Seek it.
This takes us back to treasure and do we see the will and wisdom of God as something valuable and that will enrich us?
Often we see the will of God as the right thing but maybe not truly the best thing.
THE PROMISES OF GAINING WISDOM. 6-11
Verse 6…either God is lying or we are not listening!
The promises:
He gives…its free!
He shields…He protects us
He guides…its accurate…He knows the right way!
He enlightens…you grow in intellect
He gives you discretion…insight and intuition
THE PURPOSE OF GAINING WISDOM. 12-22
To protect you from harm…
There are only two kinds of bad people out there:
Men and women!!!
We have two major areas of vulnerability:
The need for money
The need for love
We will make our biggest mistakes, our biggest failures, and face our biggest temptations in these two areas.
Think back to the biggest mistakes you have made…the majority of us will find it was in regard to one or the other.
We may not face a major challenge everyday…we may not face a major challenge every week or every month…but the devil knows how to tempt and trip humanity…with the two oldest tricks in the book!
Let’s decide to seek God and treasure His wisdom before we find ourselves living with regret.
How many of you feel like you made a major mistake this week? Who is struggling with a major decision right now? Who feels like they are at a major cross road of life?
Who knows that you made a tiny decision that in time will be your undoing? Wisdom is what we need.
THE POSTURE FOR GAINING WISDOM. 1-5
Treasure
The idea is to hide that which is of great value so that it cannot be stolen.
How valuable is the wealth of God’s wisdom?
Do we seek to truly incorporate it into our lives or is it just for our passing interests?
Do I see the teaching of Scripture and the leading of the Spirit as the most valuable assets available to me?
Attentive
To position yourself so that your hearing is optimized.
To turn your head so that your good ear is toward what you want to hear.
To turn down or away from the distractions or conflicting sources.
Call out
James 4:2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Do we consistently ask for God’s guidance and wisdom?
Seek it.
This takes us back to treasure and do we see the will and wisdom of God as something valuable and that will enrich us?
Often we see the will of God as the right thing but maybe not truly the best thing.
THE PROMISES OF GAINING WISDOM. 6-11
Verse 6…either God is lying or we are not listening!
The promises:
He gives…its free!
He shields…He protects us
He guides…its accurate…He knows the right way!
He enlightens…you grow in intellect
He gives you discretion…insight and intuition
THE PURPOSE OF GAINING WISDOM. 12-22
To protect you from harm…
There are only two kinds of bad people out there:
Men and women!!!
We have two major areas of vulnerability:
The need for money
The need for love
We will make our biggest mistakes, our biggest failures, and face our biggest temptations in these two areas.
Think back to the biggest mistakes you have made…the majority of us will find it was in regard to one or the other.
We may not face a major challenge everyday…we may not face a major challenge every week or every month…but the devil knows how to tempt and trip humanity…with the two oldest tricks in the book!
Let’s decide to seek God and treasure His wisdom before we find ourselves living with regret.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)