The source of my power

Introduction:

Today we explore a particularly important question: on what foundation do I build my life? Do I understand who I am and who I am not? Maybe, we think that we know who we are but may discover that we have drifted.

Overview of the process or a pattern that we discussed yesterday:

• Step 1: there is an altercation with God
• Step 2: The choice: Do I respond to this new calling of God?
• Step 3: If I accept or respond to this calling of God, then the process of transformation starts with the end results being a new, transformed identity and life
• I can also decide to not accept or respond to the call and then nothing is going to change.

For now, we will focus on Step 1

The warning:

• ·Do you really know God and does He know you?
  • Matt 7:21-23 (NLT)
    • 21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
• There is no fun being on the wrong side
  • Heb 10:31b (NLT)
    • 31It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
• God does not like indecisive people:
  • Rev 3:15-16 (NLT)
    • 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! .
• ·The conclusion: you either server the Lord or you don’t. There is NO middle way:
  • Prov. 16:25 (NLT)
    • 25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

Let’s get practical

• Salvation is a gift from God – It cannot be earned.
• I have a choice to accept this free gift (It did cost Jesus everything).
• It takes repentance and turning my back on my old life (Rom 10:17)
• It takes commitment (like that of marriage)
• From repentance comes the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23 )
• Works follow the fruits(Jam 2:26)

The source of our power:

• Only fools think there is no God (PS 14:1)
• The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom (Prov 9:10-12)
• No condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom 8:1)
• Children of God (Joh 1:12)
• Everlasting Life (1 Joh 5:12)

So, how can I do this?

Through God’s power

• Phil 4:13 NLT
  • 13For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Questions to Ponder:

• Are you perhaps one of those men for who the Lord will say: ”Go away from me for you were never really mine”? What are you going to do about it?
• Is there something that you need to let go to become ”warm” and to not be ”lukewarm” anymore?