Louie Giglio How Great Is Our God Tour Part 1

We began watching Louie Giglio's How Great is Our God Tour this week. Here is part 1 for those who missed it.

Formed for God's Family

The Purpose Driven Life Week 15 “Formed for God's Family”

“God is the One who made all things, and all things are for his glory.  He wanted to have many children share his glory.” – Hebrews 2:10

“So how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!” – 1 John 3:1

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  And this game him great pleasure.” Eph 1:5

It was a happy day for him when he gave us our new lives, through the truth of his Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in his new family. Jms 1:18

Every person was “created” by God, but not everyone is a “child” of God.

God “has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are now members of God's own family.” 1 Pet. 1:3, Rom. 8:15-16

“You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:26

“When I think of the wisdom and scope of this plan I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father of all the great family of God – some of them already in heaven and some down here on earth.”  Eph. 3:14-15

Benefits of Being in God's Family

The moment you were spiritually born into God's Family, you were given some astounding birthday gifts:  the family name, the family likeness, family privileges, family intimate access, and the family inheritance! (1 Jn 3:1,Rm 8:29, Gal 4:6-7, Rom 5:2, 1 Corn 3:23, Eph 3:12, 1 Pet 1:3-5, Rm 8:17) 

“Since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.” Gal.4:7

“My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” – Phil 4:19

Here on earth we are given “the riches … of his grace … kindness … patience … glory … wisdom … power … and mercy.” (Eph 1:7, Rm 2:4, Rm 9:23, Rm 11:33, Eph 3:16, Eph 2:4)


“I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.” (Eph. 1:18)

• We get to be with God forever. (1 Thes. 5:10; 4:17)

• completely changed to be like Christ. (1 John 3:2, 2 Corn 3:18)

• freed from all pain, death, and suffering. (Rev. 21:4)

• rewarded and reassigned positions of service (Mk 9:41, Mk 10:30, 1 Corn 3:8, Heb 10:35, Matt 25:21,23)

• share in Christ's glory (Rom 8:17, Col 3:4, 2 Thes 2:14, 2 Tim 2:12, 1 Pet 5:1)

We are far richer than we realize.

“God has reserved a pricelesws inheritance for his children.  It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” (1 Pet 1:4)

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” (Col 3:23-24)

Life's Greatest Privilege 

“Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family.  That is why he isn't ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” (Heb 2:11)

Let that amazing truth sink in.

“[Jesus] pointed to his disiples and said, 'These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!'” (Matt 12:49-50)

Point to Ponder
I was formed for God's family.
Verse to Remember
His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ” – Eph. 1:5
Question to Consider
How can I start treating other believers like members of my own family? 

Broken Tools

In tonights lesson we talked about tools.  One of the main points we talked about was that how God can use people of all different types.  We were each created for a special God given purpose.  Just like a hammer was created for pounding and pulling nails, a screwdriver for turning screws, and pliers for gripping and cutting things.  God has a purpose for us.

Sometimes we may have a hard time deciding what we were designed for, either because we don't know our gifts, like the tool below.

 

Sometimes it is because we think we can do everything.

  And sometimes we are rusty, broken, or damages and think that God can never use us.

All we really need to realize is that God designed us for a purpose, even with our brokenness.  All a rusty pair of pliers needs is a little oil, or in some cases a really good soaking in oil.  The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as oil.  We need to allow God to take us in his hands and apply his "oil" to our lives so that we can come out clean, new, and ready to be used.

The Winter Storm of 2011!!!!

Due to the poor road conditions and low temperatures we will not be having GECKOS and CREW456 tonight.  Please keep safe and warm and we will see you next week.

Becoming Best Friends with God

Since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were sill his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. – Romans 5:10

In the Garden

In Eden, Adam and Eve had the perfect relationship with God.  Exactly how God designed it and wanted it to be.  Unhindered by guilt or fear, they delighted in God, and He delighted in them.

Only a few people in the Old Testament had the privilege of friendship with God.  Moses, Abraham, David, Job, Enoch, and Noah.  Fear of God was much more common.

God wants to be your Friend

It may be hard to understand, but “He is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.” – Exodus 34:14

Becoming a Best Friend of God

You will never grow a close relationship with God by just attending church, reading your bible every day, and praying before bed.  Friendship is built by sharing all your life experiences with him.

Point to Ponder

God wants to be my best friend.

Verse to Remember

“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him.”
--Psalm 25:14

Question to Think About

What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?

"The Heart of Worship"

The Heart of Worship is Surrender. We give ourselves to God, not out of fear or duty, but in love, “because he first loved us.”

After spending eleven chapters of the book of Romans explaining God's incredible grace to us, Poaul urges us to fully surrender our lives to God in Worship. Romans 12:1

True Worship – bringing God pleasure – happens when we give ourselves completely to God.

Three Things Block our Surrender.

1. fear – We overcome fear through trusting God and learning that he loves us. Love casts out all fear.
2. Pride – We don't like to admit that we are just creatures and not in charge of everything. The oldest temptation” “You will be like God” We desire to have complete control.
3. Confusion – We are confused in thinking that surrender is passive. God often calls surrendered people to battle for Him. It is far from passive.

The best way to live.

Everybody eventually surrenders to something or someone. If not to God, you will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, or to your own pride, lusts, or ego.

Point to Ponder

The heart of worship is surrender.

Verse to Remember

“Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.”

--Romans 6:13

Question to Think About

What area of my life am I holding back from God?

The Hug Poem

Tonight in the CREW 456 room we had something a little different.  After our normal worship service I performed Bradley Hathaway's "The Hug Poem" and we followed it with a time of prayer in three groups.  At the end of the night we prayed for Blake as a group.  I found the night to be filled with touches from God.  I hope the kids got as much out of it as the staff did.