Passage: Ephesians 2: 19-22 and Galatians 3: 26-28

Main Point:

Christ in us unites us more than our differences divide us.

This unity is experienced when:

I define myself by Christ in me.

I view others by Christ in them.

Closing Truth:

Christ's plan for the church has always been unity amidst diversity.

Ephesians 2:19-22,

In Christ, you are:

1. A Child of God. 'chosen people' special possession' people of God'

2. Forgiven 'now you have received mercy'

3. Holy 'a holy nation'

Central Truth: What you do does not determine your identity in Christ. Your identity in Christ determines what you do.

Two Things that are always True at the Same Time:

1. Life is hard.

2. God is good. All the time.

5 Current Truths to Focus On

1. I am adopted. Romans 8: 14

2. I am supported, not abandoned. Romans 8: 26-27

3. I am nurtured. Romans 8: 28-30

4. I am protected. Romans 8: 31-34

5. I am loved. Romans 8: 35-39

How do I know this to be true?

God gave us His Son and will give us everything we need. Romans 8: 32

Closing Thought: The best way to shrink your problems is to focus on the hidden blessings you have because of Jesus.

THE TRANSFORMING MESSAGE IS FAITH IN CHRIST, NOT CHANGED BEHAVIOR.

TRUE FAITH IN CHRIST WILL RESULT IN CHANGED BEHAVIOR.

MAIN POINT:

THE POWER OF CHRIST IN US EMPOWERS OUR EFFORTS TO BRING ABOUT LIFE TRANSFORMATION.

Passage: Colossians 1:15-23

IN CHRIST:

WE KNOW GOD (V15)

WE KNOW GOD, BECAUSE HE IS GOD (v16-19)

WE KNOW GOD, BC HE IS GOD AND HE RECONCILES US TO GOD. (v20-22)

THEREFORE (v22):

CONTINUE IN FAITH IN HIM

DO NOT MOVE FROM HOPE IN HIM.

CENTRAL TRUTH:

Because we belong to Christ, life is not just HAPPENING TO US it is HAPPENING FOR US.

THREE TRUTHS ABOUT THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD:

1. It RESHAPES OUR PERSPECTIVE. (v19)

2. It REPURPOSES EVIL FOR GOOD. (v20)

3. It REMOVES ANY CAUSE FOR WORRY. (v21)

CLOSING AFFIRMATION:

ALL THINGS ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR YOUR (MY) GOOD.

CENTRAL TRUTH:

Healing from strife come through RELEASING THE WRONG rather than REVENGE.

THE CHOICE TO FORGIVE:

1. Comes BEFORE THE OPPORTUNITY to forgive.

2. Is rooted in GOD'S SOVEREIGN GOODNESS not the WORTHINESS OF THE OFFENDER.

3. Is motivate by God's generous FORGIVENESS OF US.

CLOSING ENCOURAGEMENT:

For a model of forgiveness, look to JESUS ON THE CROSS.

HEALTHY WAYS TO DEAL WITH DELAYS:

1. HONOR GOD where you are.

2. SERVE OTHERS where you are.

3. Remember GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK where you are.

CENTRAL TRUTH:

God uses delays to TEST OUR CHARACTER and GROW OUR FAITH.

INJUSTICE IS NOT EVIDENCE THAT GOD HAS LOST CONTROL

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY DISPLAYED THROUGH JOSEPH’S INJUSTICE:

GOD HAD A BIGGER AND BETTER PLANS THAN JOSEPH’S IMMEDIATE DELIVERANCE FROM INJUSTICE.

GOD REMAINED PRESENT WITH JOSEPH IN THE MIDST OF THE INJUSTICE.

GOD BLESSED JOSEPH THROUGHOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF INJUSTICE.

GOD EXPECTS US TO CHOOSE WHAT IS RIGHT EVEN WHEN THE SITUATION IS ALL WRONG.

CLOSING ENCOURAGEMENT: REMEMBER THAT JESUS ALSO EXPERIENCED INJUSTICE.

WHAT WE WILL SEE TODAY:

GOD IS NOT LIMITED BY OUR LIMITATIONS.

SO WHAT?

WE CAN TRUST HIM NO MATTER WHAT.

PROOF:

JUST LIKE GOD RELEASED JOSEPH’S SHACKLES, HE FREES US FROM OUR SHACKLES OF SIN.

SO WHAT?

USE YOUR GOD GIVEN FREEDOM TO LIVE CONFIDENTLY FOR HIM.