Given to Jesus
August 10, 2008
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Text: Philippians 2:17-18
Life is like a soap opera! The craving of the “me monster”
See the soap opera? Lives given to self? Me – now – more – new
Culture -“Culture is religion incarnate.”
God wants lives given to Jesus! Then you will rejoice in life not just see the sand going away.
A life given to Jesus is given to joy! (Paul the example)
How is Paul given to Jesus?
1) A life poured out
V17 - Paul is truly surrendered - “Pour out”
Preacher - Truly surrendered to Christ! I surrender all. Converted! This preaches! The change!
How do you preach Christ? Culture religion - “Give and take”
Christ Follower - Give all - no compromise! I offer me to you, Jesus!
Teacher - Practice what you preach! How my parents felt about smoking?
Who’s going to teach my children’s children?
Reacher - Truth - you can’t pour out if you’re empty! Because he was Spirit led he saw God do great things! He was movable and teachable so he reached the lost!
Where is God moving you to action? The culture’s religion: pour in - God’s religion: pour out - Be given to Christ! Areas of disobedience – lies, baptism, money, self!
2) A life poured on
V17 - Paul truly serves the gospel
Fragrant offering
”But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” - 2 Corinthians 2:14-15
Don’t blow smoke, make it! Serve the church any way you can! How people threaten to leave the church - stinkers instead of servers! You are the church!
How do I serve?
A) Benefit others who are fighting for the faith! Pour on them! Phil 2:3-4
B) Have a whatever it takes heart! Start serving the body of Christ instead of the belly!
”Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
Conclusion:
Are you truly given to Jesus? Who’s your King? Who are you living for? What is your life given to? Jesus or self?
”For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
Cultural Christians - Foul weather Christian, Fine print Christian - or Given to Jesus - pour out and on! You will live given to joy unspeakable and full of glory!