Sermon Theme
“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose...”
Lent: “Living Out God’s Faithful Purpose In Us!”
Cont'd
Decisions to embrace your purpose must be accompanied by determination. So many of us when challenged quit before we begin to face those challenges. We allow negative attitudes to dominate our minds and emotions, and we defect ourselves without giving ourselves a chance to succeed. That is why the Apostle Paul’s mandate is so important to the church. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”. (verse 5) Can you imagine what would have happened if Christ, upon realizing that His purpose was to give up His life on Calvary would have allowed himself to quit? None of us would be saved! None of us would have salvation and abundant lives!
Jesus’ attitude was grounded in God’s love and the power of God’s spirit. Because he was human, (sometimes we forget), He experienced the same feelings, the same negativity that we feel. Yet, He prevailed by holding on to His Father’s faithfulness in Him. We HAVE to do the same. We must prevail by leaning on God’s strength and power. Nothing will get in the way of God’s purpose for us when we do like Christ!
It’s a tall order to adopt Christ’s attitude, but it’s the only way to victory. In your most difficult and challenging moments, Christ knows how you feel…He felt the same way! And because he knows, He has given you the Holy Spirit to guide you and protect you. He will give you His strength. Christ didn’t quit and we won’t quit! WE ARE ANOINTED!
Decisions to embrace your purpose must be accompanied by determination. So many of us when challenged quit before we begin to face those challenges. We allow negative attitudes to dominate our minds and emotions, and we defect ourselves without giving ourselves a chance to succeed. That is why the Apostle Paul’s mandate is so important to the church. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”. (verse 5) Can you imagine what would have happened if Christ, upon realizing that His purpose was to give up His life on Calvary would have allowed himself to quit? None of us would be saved! None of us would have salvation and abundant lives!
Jesus’ attitude was grounded in God’s love and the power of God’s spirit. Because he was human, (sometimes we forget), He experienced the same feelings, the same negativity that we feel. Yet, He prevailed by holding on to His Father’s faithfulness in Him. We HAVE to do the same. We must prevail by leaning on God’s strength and power. Nothing will get in the way of God’s purpose for us when we do like Christ!
It’s a tall order to adopt Christ’s attitude, but it’s the only way to victory. In your most difficult and challenging moments, Christ knows how you feel…He felt the same way! And because he knows, He has given you the Holy Spirit to guide you and protect you. He will give you His strength. Christ didn’t quit and we won’t quit! WE ARE ANOINTED!