SERIES: Freedom!
TITLE: Two 7-Letter Words Which Change Everything
Scripture: Galatians 2:20; Isaiah 43:16-21; Hosea 14
I. A SEVEN-LETTER WORD WHICH DEMOLISHES- (CONTROL)
“There are people who prefer to say ‘Yes,’ and there are people who prefer to say ‘No.’ Those who say ‘Yes’ are rewarded by the adventures they have, and those who say ‘No’ are rewarded by the safety they attain.” Keith Johnstone in “Living a Life on Loan”
“Man wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in the case of success.”
Ad placed by Ernest Shackleton for Endurance
To be crucified means you give up (control) of your life to Jesus. It means we live in the (“Now”) and in the (“I AM”) not in the (“I was”).
There are two words which seem to rule peoples’ lives: (shame) and (regret).
Turn to Isaiah 43:16-21 (p.604)
II. A SEVEN-LETTER WORD WHICH LIVENS- (ABANDON)
Two things control does to us:
1. Control (hurts our growth).
2. Control (blinds us).
“Jesus Christ identified with us in our death in order that we might be identified with Him in His resurrection. We give Christ all that we were-spiritually dead, guilty sinners-and Christ gives us all that He is- resurrected life, forgiveness, righteousness, acceptance…Christians are continually trying to change their lives; but God calls us to experience the exchanged life. Christianity is not a self-improvement program. It isn’t a reformation project. It is resurrection! It is new life! And it is expressed in terms of a total exchange of identity.” Bob George quoted in Everything by Mary DeMuth-p.78 (Note for Jo only: start PP with “Christians are continually trying…”)
It is not about self-improvement! It is about relinquishing control. It is about (abandon).
Hosea 14 (p.759)
NEXT WEEK: Title: I Can See Clearly Now
Scripture: Various
