The Christian and Self-Renewal What Can I Do? (2) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done.

The Christian and Self-Renewal

What Can I Do? (2)

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things

done in the body, according to what he has

done, whether good or bad.”

{2 Corinthians 5:10}

Sanctify Yourself—Give Yourself to God

• Having prepared ourselves to begin the work of transforming ourselves for renewal…

• We are ready to dedicate our lives to serving God.

• The only way to accomplish that is by deciding to put Him first and sanctify ourselves to His service.

• Sanctify means, to set apart. The word is derived from the same Greek word as the words holy and saint.

• When we become Christians, we do this.– “And such were some of you. But you were

washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” {1 Corinthians 6:11}

Sanctify Yourself—Give Yourself to God

• But, are we where we ought to be now?

• Could we need to re-dedicate ourselves to Him?

• If we wish to thrive spiritually, we MUST have a proper relationship with Him.

• We have to get our priorities straight— He always comes first!

Sanctify Yourself—Give Yourself to God

Sanctification

• “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” {2 Timothy 2:21,22}

• “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.” {1 Thessalonians 4:3,4}

Sanctification

• “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” {1 Peter 2:9,10}

Sanctification

Study God’s Word

• Bible study promotes renewal.

• The more we know, the more we can grow.

• How can we know what God would have us to do?

• How can we know how to grow?

• Answers—can only be found by studying God’s word.

• We need to understand and believe that God’s word is INSPIRED.

• We must follow and respect it.• We do not follow men’s words—but God’s!

– “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” {2 Timothy 3:16,17}

Study God’s Word

• We need to understand and believe that God’s word is INSPIRED.

• We must follow and respect it.• We do not follow men’s words—but God’s!

– “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” {Galatians 1:11,12}

Study God’s Word

• We need to have proper attitudes about this book…– “For this reason we also thank God without

ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”{1 Thessalonians 2:13}

Study God’s Word

• We need to have proper attitudes about this book…– “These were more fair-minded than those in

Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” {Acts 17:11}

Study God’s Word

Pray

• Communication is a two-way street:– Bible study is how He communicates with us. with– Prayer is how we communicate with Him.– “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the

Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” {Ephesians 6:18}

– “Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” {1 Thessalonians 5:17,18}

• Prayer promotes renewal.– It brings us closer to God.

– “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” {James 4:8}

– “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” { 1 Peter 5:7}

– “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” {James 5:13}

Pray

• Prayer promotes renewal.

– It makes us aware of our relationship with God and of how much we need Him.

– A regular prayer life reminds us of what our needs are.

– As God fulfills His promises (not everything we ask of him), it strengthens our relationships with Him.

Pray

Give

• As Christians, we learn that we are here to share with others.

• Learn to give and do good for others—it’s not just about you!

– “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” {Philippians 2:3,4}

• As Christians, we learn that we are here to share with others.

• The Christian life is a life of good works.

– “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” {Titus 2:14}

Give

• As Christians, we learn that we are here to share with others.

• We are commanded to love our neighbors..

– “And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” {Matthew 22:39}

– “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.” {James 2:8}

Give

• As Christians, we learn that we are here to share with others.

• God’s word plainly tells us we get back as we have given.– “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” {2 Corinthians 9:6-8}

Give

• As Christians, we learn that we are here to share with others.

• Giving prevents selfishness.

• Selfishness makes us miserable and condemns us.

– “He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses.” {Proverbs 28:27}

Give

• As Christians, we learn that we are here to share with others.

• Sharing gives purpose to your life.

• You may not totally understand, but giving to others makes you feel good about yourself.– “I have shown you in every way, by laboring

like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” {Acts 20:35}

Give

Worship God Privately and Publicly

• We need to worship God, both formally and informally.

• God has always demanded that we worship Him.

• He is a jealous God who expects us to worship ONLY Him!– “Then Jesus said to him, 'Away with you,

Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.‘“ {Matthew 4:10}

• We need to worship God both formally and informally.

• Worship must be according to His pattern and desires—not ours!

– “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” {John 4:24}

Worship God Privately and Publicly

• We need to worship God, both formally and informally.

• How does worship promote renewal?

• It reminds us of our place—we are created beings in submission to our Creator.– “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom

which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” {Hebrews 12:28,29}

Worship God Privately and Publicly

Attend

• If we truly desire to thrive spiritually, we need to be where He wants us to be—in His church.

• Why would a Christian not want to be with God and His people?– “For where two or three are gathered together

in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” {Matthew 18:20}

– “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.“ {Psalm 122:1}

• How does attendance promote renewal?

• Those of “like precious faith” become a major influence in our lives and can encourage us to thrive in Him.

– “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.“ {Hebrews 10:24, 25}

Attend