God designed His church to function as an embassy of heaven here on earth. We have a very specific mandate, both as individuals and as a community. The way we live should provide everyone around us with a first hand experience of what the kingdom of heaven is like. We represent heaven's culture in this foreign world.

In this episode, David shares his personal story, which is used to testify of the work that God can do in someone's life to mold them, even though they once doubted or condemned themselves. If we yield to God's will for our lives and allow Him to shape us into the people He has created us to be, we will see ourselves become images of Christ in the earth. We are called to be clay in His hands...if we let Him mold us, we will become like Him. He will prepare us for our created purpose.

Have you ever wondered what you're called to do? Have you tried several career paths in search of satisfaction? You'll learn in this message that life is not about finding out what you're called to do, but who you were created to be. Life is about becoming like Jesus...not getting your dream job. Without stepping into your created purpose as a representative of Christ, even doing what you love won't bring true satisfaction. God calls you to die to yourself, in order to become the version of Himself that He created you to be.

"He who loves fulfills the law". The way to a pure and blameless life is not the observance of precepts, but simply learning to love people as Jesus loves people. If you're always aware of how your choices will affect others, and desire to do all for the well-being of others, then there will be no foothold for temptation in your heart. For all sin stems from a root of self-centeredness. To love is to be selfless. If you learn to love, you will be established in holiness. Selflessness is the foundation of a pure and blameless life.

Why do people hurt each other? Why do murders and genocide take place? Why do school shootings happen? Why are some people so divisive? In this episode, David addresses the problem and the solution to all tragedy in the world. Rejection and condemnation is the problem, and love is the remedy. The love of God neutralizes the malice that causes people to harm others.

When Christians embody the love of God, tragedy is prevented and lives are transformed. The gospel changes hearts. God uses Christians to spread the message of His love that changes sinners into saints.

Are you going to be a disciple of Jesus? Or just a convert? Christianity was never meant to identify someone who merely "believes" in Jesus. Christianity was meant to identify a person who has surrendered everything they are for the sake of Christ.

When the term "Christian" (Christianos, in the Greek)was coined, it was intended to categorize the people who were sold-out, fully-surrendered, bold and tenacious followers of Jesus. In reality, "Christian" means something totally different from what it means to most people in America today. What did Jesus teach about being a Christian? What did He expect from those who called themselves His followers?

What we do know is that Jesus told those of us who have accepted the call to be His disciples, that our lives should be defined by these three things: Daily Self-denial, Embrace of Persecution, and the reward of A New Life in Christ.

God did not give us His Word so that we could have another religious text to observe. He gave us His Word so that we could become what it says. The Word is a Person...Jesus Christ. When we abide in His Word, we take on His nature, and begin to reflect His character to the world around us. And this is the purpose of scripture -- to conform us to His image. We can't afford to manipulate the purpose of the Bible, by reducing it to a means to get something out of God, while never truly desiring to become what it says.

There is one thing that neutralizes Christians; it's the kryptonite to all courage. This kryptonite is condemnation. A guilty and shameful self-image in one's relationship to God is what destroys our effectiveness as believers. If our upward relationship with God is not established in grace, then an outward lifestyle of courage will be impossible. If we will ever be used by God to do signs and wonders in this world, we must be fully persuaded that we are fully forgiven, fully cleansed of all guilt, and fully loved. It is when we know that God is fully FOR US, that we will be positioned in confidence for a bold and shameless lifestyle. Courage comes from confidence in one's right standing before God. Condemnation undermines that foundation of confidence.

Jesus came to reconcile us to God...but what does that imply? The new relationship with God that Jesus earned for us is described in the Bible as a personal relationship with Him that does not depend on another person to hold you accountable. Every believer -- not just pastors and ministry leaders -- are called to know the Father intimately...no one is excluded, and all are equally qualified. We can't afford to be complacent in our relationship with God, by living with a "let the pastor do it" mentality.

As a continuation of last week's episode, David digs deeper into the biblical meaning of the term, "redemption". Religious indoctrination has belittled redemption and given it an inferior meaning. This message will teach you about what God really intended to do when He gave His only Son to die for us. It wasn't just about forgiveness, but transformation. Jesus died and rose again to make us new in every part of our being--spirit, soul, and body. He became the new genetic source of everything we are as believers. The fallen nature of Adam is no longer what we inherit; but the nature of Christ Himself.