A habit is developing...
Heading out on a trip tomorrow...
Lots of things to do, errands to run, bills to pay, clothes to pack...
Here I am at my computer, sensing an urgency to share with you three.
Sermon #5:
"always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." ~II Cor. 4:4
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." ~II Cor. 5:17
"Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." ~Rm. 6:4
So...what does Jesus being manifested in our bodies, this new creature, this newness of life look like?
FREE! "and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free." ~John 8:35
LOVING! "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." ~John 13:35
SATISFIED! "Jesus said to them, 'I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.'" ~John 6:35
EXPERIENCING ABUNDANT LIFE! "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10
PEACEFUL! "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." ~John 14:27
ABIDING IN CHRIST! "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." ~John 15:4
FULL OF JOY! "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." ~John 15:11
A HEARER OF JESUS' VOICE! "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~John 10:27
NOT OF THIS WORLD! "...they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." ~John 17:14
So...this is the life that is available to all of us who are IN Christ! Not just a promise for our future life, but NOW! And...this just from John's gospel! I could go on and on! (But I won't.)
Closing hymn:
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest and joy and peace!
oxo-Mom
ps~Ali, yay! Your feet are healing! You have been an amazing trooper! I thought I was going to die when I just had one foot, on one side operated on. My prayer is that you listen to your Guide (Ps. 73:24) as to your future plans. He knows best!
Nick, have so much fun celebrating precious Maryann's 21st birthday today! So excited for you if your trip to Haiti works out! I praying for God's will in that.
Greg, I love that you have been so intentional about spending time with us, knowing that for four years you will most likely be far away! My prayer for you is that you have your flesh under control during soccer games. :-) Just kidding...I pray that daily you are sensing the presence of God in your life!
