Post on 09-May-2015
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EQUIPPING TO SERVE
Being a Servant 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
Matthew 20:25-26
Being a Servant
27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave– 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:27-28
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Requirements to Grow as a Servant
1. Thankfulness
2. Humility
3. Sincerity
4. Desire/Passion
5. Effort
The Secret
Do you know what the secret is to growing in these qualities?
The gospel!
Gospel Basics
Four Aspects of the Gospel
1. Understanding the gospel
2. Living the gospel
3. Proclaiming the gospel
4. Defending the gospel
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline that deals with a rational defense of Christian faith.
It comes from a Greek word apologia which means to give a reason or defense.
Apologetics
… always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…
1 Peter 3:15
The best defense starts with understanding and living the gospel!
Questions to Consider
Would you be able to give a defense?
Would you be able to explain the gospel?
Would the way you live cause people to ask you why?
Understanding the Gospel
Introduction - Foundation
Quality of FoundationThe quality of a foundation determines the quality of the building built upon it.
Same with the gospel. The quality of your life as a Christian is directly connected to your understanding and living of the gospel.
Especially when the storms of life come your way.
Storm Clouds
Destruction
Why is the gospel important?
Why the gospel is important
But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.”
Luke 4:43
Why the gospel is important
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7
Why the gospel is important
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…
Romans 1:16
Power = Dunamis
Salvation = Rescue
Salvation
Justification – Beginning
Sanctification – Middle
Glorification – End
Why the gospel is important
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…
Romans 1:16
Why the gospel is important
“The gospel is not only the most important message in all of history; it is the only essential message in all of history.”
Jerry Bridges
Why the gospel is important
“If there’s anything in life we should be passionate about, it’s the gospel. And I don’t mean passionate only about sharing it with others; I mean passionate in thinking about the gospel, reflecting upon it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world and all of life.”
C. J. Mahaney
Why the gospel is important
“Early in my Christian life, I thought the Gospel was the message to win people to Christ, then, in disciple-making, one moved on to “deeper things.” What a fallacy! You never move beyond the Gospel. You go deeper and higher with the Gospel, but never beyond the Gospel.”
P.J. Miller
Meaning of Gospel in Jesus’ Day
Meaning of Gospel in Jesus’ Day
The Greek word in the New Testament for gospel is euangelion and it means good news or good message.
At the time of Jesus it was not used in a religious context but rather in the context of war and kings.
Meaning of Gospel in Jesus’ Day
Most often it was a proclamation by a messenger to announce good news on behalf of a king.
Meaning of Gospel in Jesus’ Day
When a king would come to power he would send out messengers to proclaim the “good news” of his new reign.
Meaning of Gospel in Jesus’ Day
If a son was born to him he would send out messengers with the “good news”.
Meaning of Gospel in Jesus’ Day
If he was victorious over an enemy in battle he would send out the “good news” of his victory.
Imagine the people of the city waiting to hear if there will be “good news” or “bad news” – life or death.
Meaning of Gospel in Jesus’ Day
These ways of understanding “gospel” fit well with what Mark wrote in the first chapter about what Jesus proclaimed after being baptized and spending forty days being tempted by Satan in the desert.
Meaning of Gospel in Jesus’ Day
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:14-15
Descriptors of the Gospel in the Bible
Descriptors of the Gospel
Gospelof God, God's, of the blessed God, of the grace of Godof Jesus Christ Son of God, of Christ, of our Lord Jesus, of His Son, of the glory of Christof the kingdom, of peace, of your salvationnot man's, word of the gospel
Descriptors of the Gospel
Good News
kingdom of God
about Jesus
of peace through Jesus Christ
of a great joy
Descriptors of the Gospel
eternal
glorious
law of liberty
message of reconciliation
message of salvation
mystery of Christ
power of God for salvation
wisdom of God
word of God
word of Christ,
word of the Lord
word of the cross
word of faith
word of life
word of truth,
word of the truth
Key ideas we learn
The Gospel originated with God not man.
Means you can’t pick and chose what you want to believe.
Key ideas we learn
If you believe what you like in the gospel, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.
Augustine
Key ideas we learn
Jesus brought the gospel into being.
No Jesus, no gospel.
Key ideas we learn It is a great joy- Do you know this joy?
It is God’s wisdom – if you want to be wise search it depths
It is a word- something that is spoken- Jesus spoke the creation into existence- and it is the gospel spoken that brings life
Heart of the Gospel
See the heart in light of the whole
Heart of the Gospel and
The Whole Gospel
Jesus + Cross
Paul’s Focus
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2
Jesus is the Gospel
Christ’s crucifixion is the heart of the gospel, his resurrection is the power of the gospel, and his ascension is the glory of the gospel.
The Whole Gospel
1. Eternity Past2. Creation3. Fall4. Redemption5. Restoration6. Eternity Future
The Whole Gospel
1. Eternity Past
a. Nature of God
b. Character of God
c. Satan and the angels’ rebellion
The Whole Gospel
2. Creation
a. God is the creator of all things
b. Creation of Adam and Eve in
God’s image
c. Life before the fall
The Whole Gospel
3. Fall
A. What God commanded and why
B. Temptation by Satan
C. Consequences of sin
1. for Adam and Eve
2. for the rest of God’s creation
3. for us today
4. for everyone on judgment day
The Whole Gospel
4. Redemption A. God’s love for us and His plan of salvation
B. Jesus
1. His nature as God-man
2. His life and ministry- never sinned
3. His sacrifice on the cross
4. His resurrection
C. What Jesus accomplished for us
D. How we receive this salvation through Jesus
The Whole Gospel
5. Restoration
a. In the present- following Jesus
(sanctification)
b. In the future - kingdom of Jesus
(glorification)
The Whole Gospel
6. Eternity Future – to be with Jesus and the Father forever
a. New heavens and earth
b. Eternal kingdom of God
Religion vs. Gospel
Religion vs. Gospel
RELIGION says, if I obey, God will love me.
GOSPEL says, because God loves me, I can obey.
Religion vs. Gospel
RELIGION has good people & bad people.
GOSPEL has only repentant and unrepentant people.
Religion vs. Gospel
RELIGION values a birth family.
GOSPEL values a new birth.
Religion vs. Gospel
RELIGION depends on what I do.
GOSPEL depends on what Jesus has done.
Religion vs. Gospel
RELIGION believes appearing as a good person is the key.
GOSPEL believes that being honest is the key.
Religion vs. Gospel
RELIGION has an uncertainty of standing before God.
GOSPEL has certainty based upon Jesus’ work.
Religion vs. Gospel
RELIGION is about me.
GOSPEL is about Jesus.
Religion vs. Gospel
RELIGION has the goal to get from God.
GOSPEL has the goal to get God.
Religion vs. Gospel
RELIGION sees Jesus as the means.
GOSPEL sees Jesus as the end.
Religion vs. Gospel
RELIGION ends in pride or despair.
GOSPEL ends in humble joy.
End of Introduction
Basic Gospel Message
1. Why we need Jesus- sin, judgment, hell and wrath
2. What Jesus did for us- sinless life, cross, death, punishment, wrath and resurrection
3. How we receive eternal life through Jesus- faith and repentance
Why we need Jesus
SIN
Why we need Jesus
SIN
Ten Commandments
Consequences of Sin
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Why we need Jesus
Judgment
Judgment Day11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:11-15
Lake of Fire
Lake of FireIf your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched…
Mark 9:43
Lake of FireHe who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36
New Jerusalem
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Romans 5:9
What Jesus did for us
Sinless LifeFor we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Gave us His righteousness
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Lamb of GodThe next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29
Went to the Cross
He suffered our punishment
4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4-5
He died in our place
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:8
What Jesus did for us
Resurrection
Source of eternal life
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
John 11:25
Proved He was the Son of God
and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 1:4
Provided us with hope
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3
The source of eternal life
Through Jesus
Through Jesus
11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 John 5:11-12
How we receive eternal life
Repentance and Faith
Repentance
Repentance
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Matthew 9:13
Repentance
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:15
Repentance
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Luke 13:3
Repentance
He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”
John 12:40 (quoting Isaiah 6:10)
Repentance
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
Acts 3:19 and 17:30
Repentance
but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Acts 26:20
Repentance
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
2 Corinthians 7:10
Repentance
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Faith, Believe, Trust
Faith, Believe, Trust
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
John 1:12-13
Faith, Believe, Trust
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:20-21
Faith, Believe, Trust21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26
Faith, Believe, Trust
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Faith, Believe, Trust
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Philippians 3:9
Faith, Believe, Trust
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Key Bible Verses
Key Bible Verses
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:14-15
Key Bible Verses
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Key Bible Verses
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6
Key Bible Verses 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Key Bible Verses21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26
Key Bible Verses
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Key Bible Verses19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Colossians 1:19-23
Developing Your Definition
1. Use the outline to guide you
2. Look over the Bible verses to get ideas
3. Ask for help if you are struggling
4. Request feedback to help you make a better definition
Write out a definition in your own words
Proclaiming the Gospel
Sharing Your Testimony
Sharing Your Testimony
Why share my testimony?
Why share my testimony?
Because Jesus wants you to.
Why share my testimony?
Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
Luke 8:38-39
Why share my testimony?
It is one of the ways you
overcome the devil.
Why share my testimony?
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Revelation 12:11
Why share my testimony?
It is one of the ways you worship God.
Why share my testimony?
For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. . .
Romans 15:8-9
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30
How to share your testimony
Focus on Jesus
Testimony Outline
Testimony Outline1. What life was like before Jesus.
Testimony Outline2. When and how you came to know Jesus.
Testimony Outline3. The ways your life is different because of Jesus.
Testimony Outline4. What Jesus did to give you forgiveness and new life.
Testimony Outline5. Bible verses that speak to you about what Jesus did for you.
Testimony Outline
1. What life was like before Jesus.2. When and how you came to know Jesus.3. The ways your life is different
because of Jesus.4. What Jesus did to give you
forgiveness and new life.5. Bible verses that speak to you about
what Jesus did for you.
Testimony Guidelines
Things to Avoid
1. Christian words that most non-Christians don’t know or understand.
2. Mention of non-central doctrines or church denominations.
3. Being negative or critical of others.
4. Exaggerating or lying to try to impress people.
Things to Avoid
5. Giving the impression that the Christian life is easy.
6. Using a consumer marketing approach.
7. Trying to argue or pressure someone
into the kingdom.
Things to Do1. Be ready in season and out. (2 Timothy 4:2)2. Relax, pray and trust God- you can’t
save them only God can.3. Allow the Spirit to lead your
conversation.4. Make the main focus Jesus and the
gospel not you.5. Use scriptures in your testimony. (Hebrews 4:12)
Things to Do6. Pay attention and actively listen to the person with whom you are talking7. Be gentle, courteous, respectful,
patient, merciful, and gracious (1 Pet 3:16)
8. Admit to mystery and faith in unanswerable things
9. Know when to stop – don’t overwhelm people with too much
Develop Your Testimony1. Write out your testimony
a. Use outline to structure your testimony
b. Include your gospel definitionc. Add key Bible verses
2. Practice sharing your testimonya. Aloneb. With friends and familyc. One-on-Oned. With groups
Living the Gospel
Importance of living the gospel
When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
Galatians 2:14
Importance of living the gospel
“Growing as a Christian really means learning to apply the fact of the gospel to every aspect of our thinking
and doing.”
Graeme Goldsworthy
Importance of living the gospel
“The Gospel is not just what we preach to unbelievers in order to get them ‘saved’ from the penalty of sin. The Gospel is the principal energizing and driving force for living the whole Christian life.”
John Fonville
Importance of living the gospel
“We must always keep focused on the gospel because it is in the nature of sanctification that as we grow, we see more and more of our sinfulness. . .
Importance of living the gospel
Instead of driving us to discouragement, though, this should drive us to the gospel. It is the gospel believed every day that is the only enduring motivation to pursue progressive sanctification even in those times when we don’t seem to see progress.”
Jerry Bridges
Importance of living the gospel
“I have little doubt that the single greatest obstacle to the impact of the gospel has not been its inability to provide answers, but the failure on our part to live it out.”
Ravi Zacharias
Living in the kingdom of God
Living in the kingdom of God
Children of God
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
John 1:12
Children of God
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
1 John 3:2
Living in the kingdom of God
Living in the kingdom of God• means you no longer live for yourself.• means embracing and submitting to God's
sovereignty over yourself and every aspect of your life.
• means as citizens of the kingdom you live by the values and laws of the King.
• means living to expand the kingdom of God.
Living in the kingdom of God
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Life of Repentance
Life of Repentance
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
Revelation 2:5
Life of Repentance
“When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent,’ he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”
Martin Luther
Life of Repentance
Our life as Christians is one of continual repentance and faith. We never stop needing to repent and believe.
It should be our desire to live all of life under the influence of the gospel.
Religion vs. Gospel
In “religion” the purpose of repentance is basically to keep God happy so he will continue to bless us and answer our prayers.
But in the gospel the purpose of repentance is to return to the joy of our union with Christ in order to weaken our desire to do anything contrary to God’s heart.
Religion vs. Gospel
In “religion” the response to sin is remorse and resolution.
In the gospel the response to sin is to realize and repent.
True vs. False Repentance
True repentance deals with sins and the idols behind them.
False repentance is only looking for a quick form of pain relief.
True vs. False Repentance
True repentance deals with the heart.
False repentance deals with feelings.
True vs. False Repentance
True repentance is painful.
False repentance avoids pain.
An Example
True vs. False RepentanceHusband
– says something hurtful to his wife
– later he says, “Sorry I hurt you. I shouldn’t have said that! Will you forgive me?”
– wants her to forgive him right away so they can get their relationship “back to normal”
True vs. False Repentance
Wife– is still feeling the impact of the
deeper sin behind the hurtful words– the resentment, anger, and hatred in
her husband’s heart which lie behind those hurtful words
– husband never deals the sin of his heart so the real problem is never dealt with
Biblical Example of False Repentance
1 Come, and let us return to the LORD for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up that we may live in His sight. 3 Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; he will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth.
Hosea 6:1-3
Biblical Example of False Repentance
O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, and like the early dew it goes away.
Hosea 6:4
Biblical Example of False Repentance
13 “ Woe to them, for they have fled from Me! Destruction to them, because they have transgressed against Me! Though I redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against Me.
14 They did not cry out to Me with their heart when they wailed upon their beds…
Hosea 7:13-14
Biblical Example of True Repentance
Psalm 51
Prayer for Cleansing
1 Have mercy upon me, O God,according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:1-2
Confession of Sin 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know
wisdom.
Psalm 51:3-6
Prayer for Renewal and Restoration 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow
8 Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit
Psalm 51:7-12
Response of Worship14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation, and my tongue shall
sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show
forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would
give it; you do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a
broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You
will not despise.
Psalm 51:13-17
Prayer for Others 18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You shall be pleased with the
sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt
offering and whole burnt offering; then
they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
Psalm 51:18-19
Psalm 51 in Light of Jesus
1. Acknowledge Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins
2. Confess your sins
3. Pray for God to purify your heart and for restoration of fellowship with Jesus
4. Response of worship to Jesus
5. Pray for others
Our Destiny – To Become Christlike
To Become Like Jesus
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:29
To Become Like Jesus
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
To Become Like Jesus
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
Galatians 4:19
To Become Like Jesus
What does it mean to be Christ-like?
To Become Like Jesus
What does it mean to be Christ-like?
Being Christ-like is having the heart, mind and character of Christ.
Character of Jesus
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4
Character of Jesus
But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the Gospel.
Philippians 2:22
What is Character?
Character is the standard within us which governs our moral choices.
Christ-like character implies that we make our moral choices based on what Jesus says is right.
What is Character?
He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Proverbs 10:9 and 11:3
Calvin and Hobbes
What Did Jesus Do?
What Jesus Did
1. He did the will of the Father not His own, He denied himself
2. He depended on the power of the Holy Spirit through the Father
3. He studied and meditated on the Word of God
4. He spent time alone in prayer with the Father
5. He loved others sacrificially, He gave of Himself to help others
6. He called people to repent and turn back to God
7. He made disciples, He spent time helping others to grow spiritually
What God Uses
Three Main Things God Uses
1. Holy Spirit – importance of prayer
2. His Word – importance of study
3. His People – importance of fellowship and accountability
The End