MADE TO WORSHIP

WEEK 1: “I HAVE BEEN CALLED”

 

The text this week tells us how to respond to the grace of God, how we are to act as God's chosen people, and what God promises to do for us as His people.

 

1. In Christ we are “called” to respond to God’s grace by:

Giving thanks, Loving one another, Not being ashamed of the gospel

 

2. We are “called” to be people of:

Upright speech, Spiritual knowledge, Conforming to Christ’s image, Suffering, Holy, Who persevere, Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Love, Unity, Peace

 

3. As Gods “called” people, God promise to:

Sustain us, Make us guiltless, Provide fellowship, Justify us, Glorify us, Save us, Give is grace, Give is a hope

 

 

WEEK 2: “I HAVE BEEN MADE ALIVE”

 

As we read this weeks scripture we are first defined by who we are; a people dead in our sin, children of wrath, a people with hearts of stone, ones who seek our own desires, followers of the world.  But God does not want us to remain in that state.  We see that we are born into total depravity; we are born into the curse and the state of sin inherited from our first father and mother Adam and Eve.

 

But God pursues us with a relentless passion offering us his love, mercy and forgiveness.  God want to recreate us to properly reflect and image Him to be in His likeness.  God wants to change our identity by making us a new creation no longer dead in sin but alive in Him.

 

God’s word says that we can be born again, that we can be made alive in Christ.  God wants to turn our hearts of stone that have a natural tendency to sin into hearts of flesh that beat for Him.  We can do this by having faith; by believing and confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

 

When we do this, the Bible says we are washed we are cleansed.  It is the imagery of baptism, to go under the water and die to our old self and to raise up from the water a new creation in Christ.  When this happens we are given a new heart, one that desires the things of God, to please Him and obey His commandments.  We are also give the Holy Spirit, we are filled with His power.  Ultimately we are made alive in Christ so that we can join in Gods everlasting kingdom, the kingdom that has overcome the world, a kingdom that has already overcome sin, and a kingdom that has power over death and the grave. 

 

 

WEEK 3: “I HAVE BEEN CONVERTED”

 

This week in the scripture we find that our identity is determined by what Christ has done for us. Our response to the grace that is offered is faith in Jesus Christ.  We have become converted by hearing the gospel, repenting of our sins and are forgiven.  We are crucified with Christ and now live by faith not just by site.

 

In the scripture we see that God acts first.  Though we were dead in our sins God offers a gift to us.  It is not something we earn or deserve.  The gift is salvation.

 

The dominant theme through the scripture is that we must respond in faith and that faith comes through hearing the Word of God.  Conversion comes through hearing the gospel and responding to the good news.  Our response is not a one time act of faith but an entire lifetime lived out having faith in Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us for the kingdom of God.

 

 

WEEK 4: “I HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED”

 

Justification is the act of God by which He makes people right with him.   We are born into sin and because of that are enemies of God and children of God’s wrath.  We cannot make the relationship right, only God can do that.  Justification is a gift from God that creates a new relationship, it’s a gift of reconciliation.

 

Paul tells the Roman church that our belief in God leads to our justification and that when we believe our response is a life of righteousness or right action.  All people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God but God offers us grace through our faith in Him.  Our faith is a gift that God offers to lead us to redemption and reconciliation.  Therefore, we cannot boast because nothing is done by us but by faith.  Paul tells us that our justification is separate from our good works and that we cannot earn anything.  So Christ our savoir intercedes for us on our behalf justifying us through our faith.  In Christ we are a justified people.