Stonegate 2/21/2010
Take It All
Happy Day
Overcome
King of the Broken
Sermon Notes Understanding Your Relationship With God
“A Journey into the Deeper Waters of Knowing God” (February 21, 2010) We have been working towards breathing in deeply of God in places and in ways in which we have never even taken a breath and our thinking is beginning to at least be challenged, if not changing. If you don't understand your true relationship with God you will follow a cycle: Sin-restitution-religeous activities-feel better-relax-sin... Relationship with God is like us and our kids. They may break our heart but they are still our kids. We have a choice as Christians to live with or without God. Choose to live in a daily passionate praying worshipping reading relationship. Not your own agenda. - a clearer understanding of the reality that we were created by God and for God; not God by us and Him for us…this brings into focus our purpose - an understanding that the greatest value in our lives comes out of being God-centered in all that we do and God honoring in all that we do - an adjustment in our thinking to be more content and trust God no matter my lack of clarity on the matter at hand - finally, we are beginning to breath in at the depths of God running the show of life and all that He causes (or allows) is for His glory and my ultimate joy/satisfaction because He has made provision for me to know abundant life through Jesus Now we turn to a necessary reminder about the fact of God taking sin seriously and the truth that even though God is running the show we are taught biblically that He never excuses sin. Before going too far though we must gain some clarity about sin that does not over simplify sin as just the bad things we do but more deeply as a damning relational, joy killing, purpose-ruining problem. We must remember that in God running the show He gave the all satisfying answer and provision for the sin problem that if received can never be lost by or through anything created, seen or unseen (Romans 8) - His divine control meant my ultimate joy and satisfaction…
Bible Reference
John 3:16-17, Romans 8:1 NASB
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
A Few Things To Consider
A few considerations about sin: - Sin is not a petty anger issue; it demands judgment (wrath)…but it is a glory, joy and relational issue (John 3:16-21; Romans 3:21-31) - Salvation – coming to Jesus / being saved – is the gift of entering back into a real, lasting and eternal relationship that sets me free eternally from condemnation and guilt and opens up for me the life of my greatest joy, satisfaction, peace, and love. If salvation is only a Heaven or Hell issue I will compartmentalize my faith, live as best I can based on duty and acceptance and miss the joy I was saved to know and have. - Sin after salvation is not bad because it makes God mad at me or because it steals or invalidates my salvation (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14); sin’s danger in the life of a Chris follower is that it is a vain, man centered, attempt at joy, satisfaction and peace (1 John 2:16)…in the end you will gain what you have sown to satisfaction or emptiness (Galatians 6:6-8) (Remember the example of a loving parent having rules and boundaries not for the gain of the parent but for the joy of the child…the tragedy a parent feels in the rebellion of a child is directly related to the true joy a child is forfeiting for a short-sighted, un-wise choice to go his or her own way) - The post sin heart of a Christ follower is remorse – it might feel like guilt but it does not carry the penalty of guilt – it is the sorrow of broken relationship which is meant to draw our wandering heart back into the uncompromising and sure love of our heavenly Father, Lover and Savior for joy, satisfaction and peace (2 Corinthians 7; Luke 15) An awesome, knowable yet incomprehensible God of wonder and glory – a relationship setting us free to our greatest joy and life and a mission given for the glory of God and the joy of all peoples through the life and work of the local church individually and corporately.
Bible Reference
Romans 3:21, 1 John 1:1 NASB
But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life-
Bible Reference
1 John 2:16 NASB
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
Example Bible Reference Title
Galatians 6:6 NASB
The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
Bible Reference
2 Corinthians 7:1 NASB
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Bible Reference
Luke 15:1 NASB
Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.
Sermon Comments/Questions
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