“Victorious Living”

God’s People - part 3 of 6

Eph 4:11-13 & Selected

God’s Presence - God’s Passion - God’s People - God’s Power - God’s Purpose - God’s Promise

Ephesians 4:11-13 ¹¹ It was he (Christ) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹² to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

·         This is a 6 part series entitled Victorious Living... we looked at the manifest Presence of God our first week

·         Last week we saw God’s Passion for you – God’s in love with you!  All He does is motivated by His Love!

·         I stand amazed with the people here at Cross Creek.  Representing people from all backgrounds & strata

·         Sitting here this morning is so much potential, it overwhelms me... God is truly up to something here!

·         God has worked so many miracles in your lives here, I sense deeply that we haven’t seen anything yet!

·         The phone calls, emails, conversations, and even the struggles you’re engaged in – the Lord is working...

·         Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in quicksand?  More you struggle the deeper you go?

·         Watching the Olympics we’re seeing the agony of defeat or the thrill of victory... victory is SWEET.

·         This is a call to ministry... an awakening of sleeping giants to become soaring eagles for Jesus Christ.

·         Deep down in every believer there is a hunger for more of God... to become a champion for Christ... How?

·         What can I do as your Pastor to help you as an individual person to get on the road to spiritual victory...

To Live Victorious...

1.      Recognize who You are in Christ! (Jn 5:24)

Last year, more than 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft, and the crime cost roughly $5 billion, according to the U.S. Postal Service.  Estimated nearly 60 million individuals have had their personal information (Name, Date of Birth, SS#, Bank account numbers, etc.) compromised in the last nine months alone

·         I believe the major reason Christian struggle to live victoriously is because of deception from the enemy.

·         The enemy is out to steal your identity resulting in spiritual highs and lows in your walk with Christ.

·         The Devil wants sinners to “think” they’re saints and saints to “think” they’re sinners!

·         When this happens, confusion sets in, we begin to feel like a yoyo and we become defeated and down.

·         Satan is a liar and the father of lies; he attempts to keep truth blinders on us.

·         His objective is to corrupt and reprogram your thinking process... loves to lie to you. (Jn 8:44)

·         He’ll tell you that you’re a failure, not saved, not good enough, a waste of space... LOSER (with a big L)

·         But what does God say?  Would you rather believe God or your thoughts?  God tells us...

John 1:12-13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

·         These verses are truth from the Word of God... Change your thinking about Jesus.. we are children of God! 

John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

·         “Born once – die twice, born twice – die once, and maybe not at all”

·         Cathy & I have 5 children - the wonder of child birth... what a miracle, the baby martins by birth - identity

·         God forgives your sin, Holy Spirit regenerates you, declared righteous, become a new creation in Christ!

·         Don’t trust your feeling but trust Truth of God’s Word... If you don’t understand this, you’re losing the battle.

·         Your identity is linked to your birth... you must be born again Jesus said – it’s imperative.

·         The new birth radically changes our identity, called a Christian, saint, believer, son of God, God’s people...

·         We are called saints over 60 times in the scriptures – “set apart ones” – Holy in God’s sight!

·         Who you are in Jesus Christ is based on your identity NOT your performance!  Not my perception of me.

2.      Realize God’s Purpose in Shape(ing) You! (Jer 29:11)

Jeremiah 18:3-6 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. ⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. ⁵ Then the word of the LORD came to me: ⁶ "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

·         If you are a Christian here this morning... You have a new identity and God is engaged in shaping your life.

·         He’s the Potter we’re the clay in the Master’s hands... we must stay centered, pliable, free from impurities

·         Everyone in this room is one of a kind... you’re a masterpiece a work in progress.  Great value to God.

·         In every cubic foot of snow there are 18 million snowflakes, each different... We’re all different - PTL

·         God has a plan for your life, you are important to Him... God never makes junk.  You are not an accident

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God Shapes YOUR Life...

S – Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 7:7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

·         The Bible records around 20 spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit at salvation... you have at least one

·         Your gifts are to be used to edify the body of Christ – then the church will be healthy & function correctly...

H – Heart

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

·         We spoke a little about the heart last week – your heart is was motivates you, drives you... your passion

·         It reveals the real you... the heart reflects the person... your heart is the mirror of your soul...

A – Abilities

Exodus 31:3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—

·         Everyone has abilities – research shows over 500 different abilities... it’s what you’re good at doing.

·         Engineering, sales, computers, cooking, mechanics, music... God uniquely shapes us to minister.

P – Personality

Genesis 25:27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents.

·         Quiet & introverted or outgoing & bubbling with charisma, God made us all different – He Shaped you!

·         18,000 different traits – no right or wrong personalities... Melancholy, Phlegmatic, Choleric, Sanguine

E - Experiences

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

·         God plans and allows experiences in your life to help shape you... He works in ways beyond our thoughts

·         Military, education, good/hard times... He works ALL THINGS together... God will never waste a hurt...

God has big plans for your life...

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

·         You are a work in progress, being shaped by God to serve Him... Are you as God’s People in ministry?

·         Victorious living is found in recognizing who you are in Christ & understanding God has shaped you for reason.  There are many barriers to fully living victoriously in the center of God’s will...

·         We often don’t realize it but God has been shaping your life for years... even bringing you to church today

·         God brought you to Cross Creek for a reason... He has a plan for your life... Let Him work in awesome ways!

·         For God to work in awesome ways in your life to fulfill His perfect plan... we must...

3.      Remove Destructive Barriers in Your Life! (1Jn 1:9)

Joshua 24:23 "Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."

·         Near the end of Joshua’s 110 year life he gave explicit commands in order to walk victoriously

·         He called the people & leaders together and warned them to remove barriers blocking God’s blessing

·         Remove the barriers / blockages and seek / humble yourself before the Lord.

Ø      Sin – Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

·         Get idols out of your life... things that soak up your interests, desires, drawing you away from God

·         The Lord says to put to death... sin. I have been crucified with Christ, I no longer live but Christ lives in me Gal2:20

·         Take inventory of your life, begin to “throw away”...

Ø      Materialism – Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer 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.

·         It’s impossible to serve God and things... keep your priorities right: God, family, church, everything else

·         We get so busy caring for things yet feel empty. Notice the change starts by renewing your minds...

·         Grasping a new way of thinking... about God, sin, yourself, others, ministry, purpose, eternity, life, etc.

Ø      Self-centeredness – Luke 18:9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable...

·         It’s so easy to center your little world around yourself.  “Me & Myself & I” My agenda, my time, my money, my decisions, my world, my life, my dreams... true victory rests in surrender... in giving your life away.

God’s Barrier Buster Verse:

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

4.      Resolve to Serve Christ as you Serve One Another!

Joshua 24:22a Then Joshua said, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD...

·         As Jesus builds His church here at Cross Creek we need more laborers for the harvest.

·         It all comes down to a changed way of thinking... make a conscious decision to engage in being a servant.

·         To choose, to resolve to serve the Lord...  Commit yourself – fulfill your destiny – peace of God’s will

·         We’re waiting on our surveyor to finish up our minor subdivision, then it goes to the planning commission for approval then a redevelopment study will be involved with plans, blueprints, etc going back for approval of the commission & township supervisors to begin construction... long tedious process!

·         We can serve Christ by praying, by giving financially, by being ready to help build our new facilities... seating approx 600 people, with classrooms, office space, new nursery, A/V room, beautiful lobby, space for Awana & athletic activities.  It’s going to awesome.  But we’ll need your help.  We need first for you to give yourself to the Lord, then give your time, your talent & your treasure in what God is doing here.

·         Resolve to serve Christ as you serve others, Why? Making a difference for all eternity... To reach more people for Christ.  What’s required to serve Christ as you serve one another?

In Serving Christ we must...

ü      Be Available!

Joshua 24:15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Matthew 4:19-20 ¹⁹ "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." ²⁰ At once they left their nets and followed him.

·         We bought this building that needed a new composite insulated roof – we did it the “Amish” way!

·         The disciples became “available” and God accomplished great things!

·         As we continue to grow, we need SS teachers, Awana & Jr church workers, nursery people, VBS workers.

·         Sound, video, website designers, maintenance people, pot hole fillers, sign changes, newsletter editors & writers, prayer warriors, drama folks, small group leaders, support staff, financial givers, meal makers, greeters, ushers, window cleaners, floor scrubbers, coffee makers, door lockers, etc, etc, etc.

·         I thank the many support people who labor behind the scenes serving Christ by serving others

·         God’s calling you to become available as various needs in ministry arise... God shaped you to do it!

·         Triumph is just umph added to try.  Victoriously living begins by saying YES, “Lord use me”!

ü      Be Dependable!

Joshua 24:14a "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness...”

Luke 16:10 Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much,

·         God places a high value on being faithful in whatever you do. 

·         How dependable are you?  Involved in Awana’s, SS teacher are you faithfully serving?

·         Can you be counted on in being there? Or are you an undependable person... show up whenever?

·         It’s not serving yourself but serving the Lord... faithful in the little will show you’ll be faithful in much.

·         God has shaped you to live victorious in Christ... But you must be willing & dependable and lastly...

ü      Be Unshakable!

Joshua 24:24 And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

·         What does it take for you to quit?  God calls His children to preserver in every situation.

·         Sometimes you just feel like you can’t go on... you cry out to the Lord, He tells you, you can’t but I can! 

·         Sometimes the battle grows fierce.  The enemy may seem to be winning... but joy comes in the morning!

·         Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! (1Jn 4:4)  Stick to it, don’t quit!

·         Anything of lasting value requires patient commitment even in the face of adversity.

You are a winner in Christ!

Hebrews 12:1-2 “...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...”

Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.