Pastor Dave Martin     Cross Creek Community Church       June 13, 2010

Beyond Conversion   “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” Part 7 of 7

Congratulations Graduates!... Look at the look on her face, what to expect in her future?

Psalms 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

The Lord…     

1. Gives Light to our Path!  “…the Lord God is a sun”... don’t walk in darkness… God knows my future… stay in the light and avoid detours, hurts, destruction…  Know God’s Word!

Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

2. Grants Supernatural Protection! “…the Lord God is a sun and shield”… God’s protection is vital… in the physical & the unseen spiritual world… Put on the full armor of God!

Psalms 3:3 But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

3. Graces us with Divine Favor and Honor!  “…the Lord bestows favor and honor”… Grace is God giving us things we don’t deserve… His glorious riches, blessings, honor, enablement to do great things for Him

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

NOTE: Spiritual light & truth, supernatural protection, bountiful grace to live life is conditional…

Heavens Blessings is “Conditioned upon our blameless walk of faith”… undefiled, integrity, true, w/o hypocrisy

The lord gives light… grants protection… graces us with His favor & Honor… the Lord also…

4. Grooms your Life to Serve Him!  (You exist for purpose… to know God and serve Him)

Jeremiah 18:3-6 ³ 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.  (O Dave, Vern, Alex, Laura, Bonnie…

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.

“Workmanship” – We are God’s masterpiece, a work of art in progress!

WHY?  For the purpose of Serving in His church! The body of Christ… Jesus is building His church!

What does the canvas of your life look like?  A woven tapestry… what is your life portraying to others?

• I stand amazed with the people here at Cross Creek.  Representing people from different backgrounds…
• Let me say, God is in love with you!  Understand His Passion for you – All He does is motivated by Love!
• Sitting here is so much potential, it overwhelms me... God is working in so many awesome ways!
• Deep down in every believer there is a hunger for more of God... to become His yielded vessel… to abide!
• You’re God’s masterpiece... seeing an awakening of sleeping giants to become soaring eagles for Christ.

• The enemy is real and is out to steal your identity of who you really are in 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, becoming defeated and powerless.
• Satan is a liar and the father of lies; he attempts to keep truth blinders on us… in darkness…
• 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?  God says you are His masterpiece… a work of progress... groomed to Serve!

S.H.A.P.E.

• S – Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 7:7b “…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

(Teaching, wisdom, helps, giving, mercy, speaking, serving, faith, administration, etc…)

• I can use it for long periods of time without getting tired… it pumps me up – you’re good at what you do.
• People get spiritually blessed and brought closer to God as a result. (very important confirmation)
• Many times I have seen people in the wrong position – not functioning where they should be…
• The ministry struggles we become defensive… shift the blame game… flesh driven not spirit controlled…
• 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.

• Your heart is what motivates you, drives you... it’s your passion, it’s what you love or what you hate…
• It reveals the real you... the heart reflects the person... it’s the mirror of your soul... dictates all of life…
• Why I say the things I do… why I feel the way I do… why I act the way I do… are all dictated by my heart

• 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 500-700 different abilities... it’s what you’re good at doing.
• Natural talent you were born with and skills you’ve developed… able to do, that’s what God wants to use
• Engineering, decorating, 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. (twins born to Isaac & Rebecca)

• Quiet & introverted or outgoing & bubbling, God made us all different – He Shaped you! (relationships)
• 18,000 different traits, complex blend of DNA – no right or wrong personalities... four predominate traits…
• Moses the Melancholy, Abraham the Phlegmatic, Paul the Choleric and Peter the 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
• He use family, educational, vocational, spiritual, ministry, military, relational, painful experiences…
• Both in good and hard times... He works ALL THINGS together...  God will never waste a hurt… (Jam 1:2)

• 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... has a plan for your life... Know this and grow!

The Lord grooms/shapes us to serve Him as we serve one another (this is called ministry)…

5. Guides us into His Perfect Plan!

Ephesians 4:11-16 ”The Lord gave… Pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up… ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

• We can SIT, SOAK, SOUR & STINK… Or we can be FAT = Faithful, Available & Teachable!
• Sometimes we can be faithful, available but refuse to be teachable (pride issue)… God stiff arms us…

Are you stagnated or bearing fruit? (Jn 15:5)  Why has God brought me to Cross Creek, why am I here?

Are you carrying your load within the body? (Gal 6:5)  How could offering what I have make a difference?

Can you hear God calling you to make an eternal impact? (2Pet 1:10-11)

So many lives have changed eternally over the past 10 years… Cross Creek doesn’t need me… wrong…

Highlight:  (background checks…)

• AWANA Ministries – preschool Cubbies, K-2 Sparks and 3-6 Truth & Training
• Celebrate Recovery – for those with Hurts, Habits & Hang-ups… Jesus is the Higher Power- Friday’s at 6:30
• Children’s Ministries – VBS (week of July 26^th), Jr Church (preschool-4)… a team like our SS… (2 services)
• Support, decorating, music, A/V, ushers, trades, Computer/website…

I encourage you to fill out and turn in your ministry sheet…

• Name/address/phone/email…
• Member – Y/N … (not a member yet but want to be, then circle yes for class 101)
• CLASS 101 sign-up July 18^th at 4pm – Y/N
• Check how you believe God has SHAPED you… Ministry opportunities that “fit” you.
• You just may be the “liver” the body here at Cross Creek needs!
• Can you say, “I am not the same”… Christ has made a difference in my life?

Let’s Pray