IDENTITY 1-1-1 January 30, 2011 (Week 4- GROW)

Keys to the Abundant Life

Becoming Like Christ

First Free Will Baptist Church – Church Hill, TN

January 30th, 2011

“speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head –Christ--”
Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)

My 3rd purpose in life is to GROW to become like Christ

“Discipleship”

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are


called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Three Unexpected Tools

1. God uses TROUBLE to teach us to TRUST HIM.

"...troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces
hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NCV)

“They came to a place which was called Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, ‘Sit here
while I pray.’ ... He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, 'My
soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death."  Mark 14:32-34 (NKJV)

"Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not
what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36 (NKJV)

• Remember the reward

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV)

2. God allows TEMPTATION to teach us to OBEY.



“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
     Matthew 4:1 (NKJV)

"Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan!’ For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord
your God, and Him only you shall serve” Matthew 4:10 (NKJV)

• Keep focused on good thoughts

“…think about the things that are good and worthy of praise.”  Philippians 4:8a (NCV)


• Get a spiritual partner


“Two people are better than one…… If one falls down, the other can help him up….”
          Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NCV)

3. God uses TRESPASSES to teach us to FORGIVE.



“People walked by and insulted Jesus and shook their heads….the Jewish elders were also
making fun of Jesus…the robbers who were being crucified beside Jesus also insulted Him.”
   Matthew 27:39-44 (NCV)

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" Luke 23:34 (NKJV)


• Remember God has forgiven me



“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ
forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)


• Remember God is in control


“You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of many people,
which is being done.” Genesis 50:20 (NCV)

“In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 2:5 (NCV)

IDENTITY 1-1-1 January 23, 2011 (Week 3- BELONG)

Keys to the Abundant Life

Loving God’s Family

First Free Will Baptist Church, Church Hill, TN

January 23rd, 2011

“God is the one who made all things, and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory...” Hebrews 2:10a (NCV)

“ Because of his love, God has already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That is what he wanted and what pleased him” Ephesians 1:5 (NCV)

“Show respect for all people: Love the brothers and sisters of God’s family…" 1 Peter 2:17a (NCV)


My 2nd purpose in life is to belong to a church family.

FELLOWSHIP is loving God’s Family.


“I’m writing… so you’ll know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth” 1 Timothy 3:14-15 (NCV)


Four Levels of Fellowship:


Level 1: Membership: CHOOSING TO BELONG


“...You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” Ephesians 2:19 (NKJV)

“so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 12:5 (NKJV)

“Some of us are Jews, and some are Greeks. Some of us are slaves, and some are free. But we are all baptized into one body through one Spirit. …”  1 Corinthians 12:13 (NCV)

 
Level 2: Friendship: LEARNING TO SHARE

“All the believers were together and shared everything.” Acts 2:44 (NCV)

• Our EXPERIENCES
“As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other.” Proverbs 27:17 (NCV)

• Our HOMES
“Open your homes to each other.” 1 Peter 4:9 (NCV)

• Our PROBLEMS
“Bear one another’s burdens…” Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)

“You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other” Hebrews 10:25 (NCV)

Level 3: Partnership: DOING MY PART


“For we are God’s fellow workers;” 1 Corinthians 3:9a (NKJV)

“The whole body depends on Christ, and all the parts of the body are joined and held together. Each part does its own work to make the whole body grow and be strong with love.” Ephesians 4:16 (NCV)

“… inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” Matthew 25:40 (NKJV)


Level 4: Kinship: LOVING BELIEVERS LIKE FAMILY

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;” Romans 12:10 (NKJV)


“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16 (NKJV)

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  John 13:35 (NKJV)

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26 (NKJV)

IDENTITY 1-1-1 January 16, 2011 (Week 2- WORSHIP)

Keys to the Abundant Life

Loving God

First Free Will Baptist Church, Church Hill, TN

January 16th, 2011

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10b


“You are worthy , O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11 (NKJV)

"… love the LORD your God… This is the first and great commandment.”  Matthew 22:37-38 (NKJV)


My first priority in life is to WORSHIP GOD.

"So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only to God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship."  Romans 12:1 (NCV)

1. Worship is MY RESPONSE to God’s love.

2. Worship is GIVING BACK to God.

“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12: 30 (NKJV)

God wants me to love Him PASSIONATELY with my heart and soul.


I worship by EXPRESSING MY AFFECTION to God.


“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (NKJV)

“I want faithful love more than I want animal sacrifices. I want people to know me more than I want burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6 (NCV)

"(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)” Exodus 34:14 (NKJV)


God wants me to love Him THOUGHTFULLY with my mind.

I worship by FOCUSING MY ATTENTION on God.

"Lord, you have examined me and know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do."  Psalm 139:1-3 (NCV)

"When people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, they are against God…"  Romans 8:7a (NCV)

"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."   Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!”  Psalm 105:4 (NKJV)

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You."     Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)


God wants me to love Him PRACTICALLY with my strength.

I worship by USING MY ABILITIES for God.


“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”  Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)

"So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only to God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship."   Romans 12:1 (NCV)

“Our only goal is to please God...” 2 Corinthians 5:9 (NCV)

IDENTITY 1-1-1 January 9, 2011 (Week 1)

Living the Life God Intends

The Identity1-1-1 plan

First Free Will Baptist Church – Church Hill, TN

January 9th, 2011

1. Does my life really matter? Why Do I exist?

“Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain;” Isaiah 49:4a (NKJV)

“Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you:” Isaiah 44:2 (NKJV)

“you saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.” Psalm 139:16 (NCV)

"But the Lord’s plans will stand forever; his ideas will last from now on." Psalm 33:11 (NCV)

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7 (KJV)



According to God: I was created to be loved by God (Ephesians 1:4)


According to God: I was made to last forever


“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NKJV)


2. What is the life that God intends for me?

Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b (NKJV)

What does the “Abundant” life mean to you?

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3. How can I know my purpose?

“Remember how short my life is. Why did you create us? For nothing?” Psalm 89:47 (NCV)

"…And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10b (NKJV)

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 (NKJV)


According to God: I find my purpose by getting to know God


“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.” Romans 12:2 (NKJV)


Step 1: It begins with the mind


4. What does God say about my purpose?

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39 (NKJV)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you:” Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)


The 5 Purposes of my life:

o Worship  - Demonstrate and grow my love for God

o Serve  - Demonstrate my love for others

o Belong - Connect with God’s family in a meaningful way

o Grow - Become like Christ

o Share - Reach others in my world


The Identity 1-1-1 plan will help each of us get started:

 Commit to 1 Corporate Worship per week

 Commit to 1 Area of active service

 Commit to 1 Small Group / Sunday School Bible Study per week