Are you making it more difficult than need be?

This is Keith. He ran the Baltimore marathon in flip flops. Sure he finished 29th in just 2 hours 46 minutes, but I think he made it more difficult than it needed to be.

We can do the same thing in our spiritual life.

God didn’t intend for us to live our spiritual life alone and without suggestions.

Colossians 3:11-17 gives us some great suggestions! But before we get to that let me clarify what we’re talking about.

Jesus introduces a word picture, in talking about our salvation: “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3  …literally “born from above”.

Fresh Start – a second chance at life. By turning away from our sin and turning to Jesus we are provided an opportunity to be new. At CBCB there are “no perfect people allowed” and we all need a “fresh start”.

Conversion = Regeneration “To cause to be completely reformed or improved; to form or bring into existence again; to re-establish on a new basis; to be spiritually reborn, as by a religious conversion.” “the change brought about by justification.” “It is a ‘re-genesis’ or a new beginning, a creative act of God.”

Now here’s Colossians 3:11-17:

“In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:11-17

Colossians 3:11-17 “…in this new life…” Lessons:

(these are best observed by re-reading the verses above and considering these points one at a time.)

1. Who people say you are doesn’t matter.
2. God chose you. Clothe yourself in mercy.
3. Make room for each other’s faults, forgive.
4. Let Jesus’ peace be a prescribed guide.
5. You’re called to live in peace & gratitude.
6. Let the message about Christ fill your life.
7. Talk & live in a way that says Thank You!

“let the peace of Christ rule” – to keep straight, direct, a prescribed guide for conduct or action, an accepted procedure/custom/habit, a generally prevailing quality/state/mode, a regulating principle.

How do we do this?

1. Find a Running Partner
2. Pick 1 Topic
3. Start by asking “What 1 thing can I do?” (from the list)
4. Weekly ask each other “How are you doing?”

Take Away from John 3:16 You are new.You are saved.You have eternal life. You will not be judged.

Lessons from Nic: Make Time. Be Honest. Empty Yourself. Become Intimate

 

each one reach one

“Each One Reach One” @CBCBaltimore

Each one of us knows at least one “not-yet-Christian” who could use some prayer. Let’s try something new!

Every day at 1pm, pray for one minute for one lost person to find new life in Jesus!

Set an alarm to remind you. Maybe write out one name to pray for until you see change…or try one name per week.

You can do it!

Reading stories of Jesus’ time on earth, I can’t help but think that he might want us to talk to Him about our neighbor before we talk to our neighbor about Him. Just have to ask myself, “If God answered every prayer that I prayed last week would anyone have come to Jesus?”

This past MFI Conference, Lee Strobel did such a great job describing lessons from Jesus on how to relate to doubters & not-yet-Christians! He suggests this kind of prayer (above) and that we let our neighbors know that our door is always open for questions. I agree. We need to help people who have questions. He also suggested that today Jesus would show His faith, not just share His faith.

Let’s give this a try! Every day at 1pm, pray for one minute for one lost person to find new life in Jesus!

Do you need a fresh start?

There it is all spread out on the floor of the grocery store, what used to be jar of pickles. You were just trying to help mom out. It slipped out of your hands and crash! Broken glass and pickle juice everywhere!

We have all been in a place where we wanted a fresh start.

Fresh Start – a second chance at life.

By turning away from our sin and turning to Jesus we are provided an opportunity to be new.

At City Bible Church Baltimore we like to say, “there are no perfect people allowed and we all need a fresh start”.

Jesus created a word picture “born again”. He explained what this meant. You can find it in The Bible, in John chapter 3.

A man named Nicodemus asks Jesus questions that prompt Jesus to create this word picture of being born again, as a fresh start from God.

One author described what Jesus said this way: “To cause to be completely reformed or improved; to form or bring into existence again; to re-establish on a new basis; to be spiritually reborn, as by a religious conversion.” “the change brought about by justification.” “It is a ‘re-genesis’ or a new beginning, a creative act of God.”

Another, John Wesley, described it this way after having seen many people go through this experience, it was as God was “enabling them to boldly say, ‘You have loved me; You have given Yourself for me.'”

When we begin to accept the love of God we are changed. At time of repentance, through confessing faith in (turn away from evil and turn to light), regardless of physical experience there is a spiritual change by the grace of God. He initiates and He completes our salvation.

What can we learn from John 3:16?

1. Love is God’s Motive
2. Jesus is God’s Mirror
3. Invitation is Whoever
4. Mistake to Perish
5. Benefit of Eternal Life

You see forgiveness is free. Ask for it.

Over and over the stories of the Bible shows God rewarding people who were active learners.

What can we learn from Nicodemus?

1. Make Time

2. Be Honest

3. Empty Yourself

4. Become Intimate

Please make an attempt at these steps. When you do please consider this about your fresh start:

• You are new.
• You are saved.
• You have eternal life.
• You will not be judged.

At City Bible Church we’re taking a look at what it means when God gives you a Fresh Start.