Derek Voorhees Boise Bible College

Transcription

1 Derek Voorhees Boise Bible College

2 It s a shallow life that doesn t give a person a few scars. Garrison Keillor, Host of A Prairie Home Companion

3 DISCIPLESHIP: Learning from & following Jesus, relinquishing our dependence to become like him; listening to the voice of the Beautiful Shepherd; committed to being in His flock. Discipleship demands conformity. Its not always comfortable. Conformity to Christ s likeness comes with scars.

4 1. Conformity to Christ demands change.

5 Acts 9:15-16 he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. (ESV)

6 Galatians 6:17b for I bear the marks of Jesus. (ESV)

7 Galatians 6:17b for I bear the marks of Jesus. (stigmata) Brands of ownership, like a master identifying his slave. (ESV)

8 2 Corinthians 1:8b-9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (ESV)

9 2 Corinthians 11:25, 27, 30 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.if I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. (ESV)

10 1. Conformity to Christ demands change. 2. Conformity to Christ boasts of His strength in our weaknesses.

11 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 We are always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. (ESV)

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14 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 So to keep me from becoming conceited a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me. (ESV)

15 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (ESV)

16 God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas but for scars. Elbert Hubbard American author ( )

17 You ve been trying to stake your claim to significance on a list of accomplishments and attributes boasted on your résumé, a docket of background facts and figures who you are, where you re from, what you do for a living, the success you ve been having, the family you ve been raising.

18 These are all good things. Blessings worth celebrating. But if you force these line items of life to bear the weight of your personal value, you ll be rudely disappointed they are not built to carry that load Thank God, your life s résumé neither exempts you nor disqualifies you from finding real significance the only way it can be found by yielding, submitting, and fully surrendering to God s purposes.

19 Neither our legacy nor the lack thereof determines our self-worth and significance. It is God s calling and our willingness to obey. Priscilla Shirer Go Beyond Ministries

20 2 Corinthians 11:30, 12:9 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (ESV)

21 2 Corinthians 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV)

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23 1. Conformity to Christ demands change. 2. Conformity to Christ boasts of His strength in our weaknesses. 3. Conformity to Christ creates opportunities for others to know Him.

24 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (ESV)

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28 You will never regret the investment you re making into the Kingdom of God. You have no idea how God will use you as a link in a chain to lead others to heaven. Lee Strobel Christian Author

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30 Scars are souvenirs of conforming to Christ.

31 1. Conformity to Christ demands change. 2. Conformity to Christ boasts of His strength in our weaknesses. 3. Conformity to Christ creates opportunities for others to know Him. 4. Conformity to Christ looks like forgiving those who caused me pain

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33 Ravensbrück barracks and female work team Prisoners returning after day of forced labor

34 Now, I ve spoken about being right with God. Now be right with men. And there is a problem. I could not forgive.

35 It was some time ago that I was in Berlin. And there came a man to me and said, Ah, Miss Ten Boom, I am glad to see you. Don t you know me?

36 Suddenly I saw that man -- that was one of the most cruel overseers, guards, in concentration camp. And that man said, I am now Christian

37 I found the Lord Jesus. I read my Bible and I know that there is forgiveness for all the sins of the whole world, also for my sins

38 I have forgiveness for the cruelties I have done. But then I have asked God s grace for a opportunity that I could ask one of my very victim s forgiveness

39 And Fraulein Ten Boom, once and you re forgiven will you forgive me? And I could not.

40 I remembered the suffering of my dying sister [Betsie] through him. But when I saw that I could not forgive, suddenly I knew: I myself, have no forgiveness!

41 Do you know that Jesus had said that? When you do not forgive those who have sinned against you, my Heavenly Father will not forgive you your sins (Matt. 6:15).

42 And I I knew Oh!... I am not ready for Jesus to come because I have no forgiveness for my sins! And I was not able, I could not! I could only hate him!

43 And then, I took one of those beautiful texts one of these boundless resources, Romans 5:5: The love of God is shed abroad into our hearts through the

44 Holy Spirit who is given to us. And I said, Thank you, Jesus, that you have brought into my heart, God s love through the Holy Spirit who is given to me!

45 And thank you, Father, that your love is stronger than my hatred and unforgiveness!

46 That same moment: I was free and I could say, Brother, give me your hand... and I shook hands with him.

47 And it was as if I felt God s love stream through my arms! You ve never touched so, the ocean of God s love, as that you forgive your enemies! Can you forgive?

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