Church 4/13/2024
Offertory scripture:
Genesis 1:12
And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
2 Corinthians 9:6-14
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.
Sermon message:
Guest speaker: Pastor Pete
Thesis: Living Christ.
Are we living in Christ?
John 6:51-57
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”
52 The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”
53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
Focus verse: John 6:57
As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
From Paul: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Eat Christ, and live Christ.
Confess this too: to live is Christ and to die is gain.
We need to taste the Word of God to the point where it’s working in our lives personally. Revelation is one thing; “rema” is yet another.
It’s easy to fall back into the natural vs the spiritual.
Colossians 2:6
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
You can’t fall back on the natural.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Don’t rely on self; live Christ.
There are so many things that could be counterfeits: good ethics, good works, etc
Christ instead of you.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Christianity is not a big “do” but a big “done.”
Jesus said: it is finished.
Romans 7:19-25
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
1 Corinthians 1:30
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—
Christ is my righteousness. Christ is my health. Christ is my wealth and prosperity. Christ is my patience.
Read through the epistles to find more examples of living Christ. Focus books: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.