Life From a Spiritual Viewpoint

Introduction.
Christians must have the desire to be like Jesus Christ. 1 Jhn. 2:6 and Lk. 6:40 emphasize the importance of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. One is not a disciple simply because he is a student! One must become like Jesus to be his disciple! Where are your priorities in life? Are you living life from a spiritual viewpoint? 2 Cor. 5:7-10 stresses the importance of being well pleasing to him! If we make the decision to live for Christ...heaven will be ours! Let’s look more closely at the important priorities that will cause one to live life from a spiritual viewpoint.

I. Why were you recreated in Jesus Christ?
    A. 2 Cor. 5:15 – to live for Him! This is an important reason why He died for us!
    B. You were RECREATED to be God’s kind of PERSON!
        1. Eph. 2:8-10 – you’ve been recreated for good works!
        2. What is God’s kind of person?
            a. 1 Thess. 5:11 – an encouraging person.
            b. Js. 1:27 – a person who visits others.
            c. Rom. 14:19 – edifies others.
    C. You were RECREATED to be God’s kind of PARTNER!
        1. Eph. 5:25, 33 – Husbands...love your wives! Sacrificial love! Col. 3:19
        2. Eph. 5:24, 33 – Wives...respect your husbands! Encourage Him!
        3. Phil. 2:3-4 – the humble servant SERVES the other!
    D. You were RECREATED to be God’s kind of PARENT!
        1. Col. 3:21 – don’t break their spirit! Eph. 6:4 – don’t provoke to wrath…
      2. Eph. 6:4 – bring them up in training/admonition of the Lord!
        3. Lead them toward maturity...not exasperation/anger!
    E. You were RECREATED to be God’s kind of PARTAKER!
        1. You need to be God’s kind of Christian – 2 Pet. 1:4; Eph. 4:16
        2. God expects YOU to be INVOLVED!
            a. Presenter – attends services – Heb. 10:25
            b. Provider – gives – 2 Cor. 9:6-7
            c. Producer – works; Pray-er – communicates w/God; Participant!

II. What can hinder us from the above? The Idolatry Principle.
   A. 1 Pet. 4:11 – glorify God through Jesus Christ.
        1. Rev. 3:20 – He wants His place in YOUR heart! (1st place – Mt. 6:33)
    B. What do you want in this life?
    C. What do you do if you don’t get what you want?
        1. Act sinfully? Thing sinfully?
    D. To dethrone Christ willfully for our wants is to commit heart idolatry.
        1. Idols don’t have to be ugly, stone, gold, or even material things!
        2. John Calvin: The heart is a factory of idols.
   E. No matter what good things we may want – Christ first! 2 Cor. 5:9
        1. May/may not get the rest of your "wants."
        2. Blessing is promised for the doer – Js. 1:25

Have you set your life in order?



Life From a Spiritual Viewpoint Introduction. Christians must have the desire to be like Jesus Christ. 1 Jhn. 2:6 and Lk. 6:40 emphasize the importance of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. One is not a disciple simply because he is a student! One must become like Jesus to be his disciple! Where are your priorities in life? Are you living life from a spiritual viewpoint? 2 Cor. 5:7-10 stresses the importance of being well pleasing to him! If we make the decision to live for Christ...heaven will be ours! Let’s look more closely at the important priorities that will cause one to live life from a spiritual viewpoint. *I. Why were you recreated* in Jesus Christ?** A. 2 Cor. 5:15 – to live for Him! This is an important reason why He died for us! B. You were RECREATED to be God’s kind of PERSON! 1. Eph. 2:8-10 – you’ve been recreated for good works! 2. What is God’s kind of person? a. 1 Thess. 5:11 – an encouraging person. b. Js. 1:27 – a person who visits others. c. Rom. 14:19 – edifies others. C. You were RECREATED to be God’s kind of PARTNER! 1. Eph. 5:25, 33 – Husbands...love your wives! Sacrificial love! Col. 3:19 2. Eph. 5:24, 33 – Wives...respect your husbands! Encourage Him! 3. Phil. 2:3-4 – the humble servant SERVES the other! D. You were RECREATED to be God’s kind of PARENT! 1. Col. 3:21 – don’t break their spirit! Eph. 6:4 – don’t provoke to wrath… 2. Eph. 6:4 – bring them up in training/admonition of the Lord! 3. Lead them toward maturity...not exasperation/anger! E. You were RECREATED to be God’s kind of PARTAKER! 1. You need to be God’s kind of Christian – 2 Pet. 1:4; Eph. 4:16 2. God expects YOU to be INVOLVED! a. Presenter – attends services – Heb. 10:25 b. Provider – gives – 2 Cor. 9:6-7 c. Producer – works; Pray-er – communicates w/God; Participant! II. What can hinder us from the above? The Idolatry Principle. A. 1 Pet. 4:11 – glorify God through Jesus Christ. 1. Rev. 3:20 – He wants His place in YOUR heart! (1st place – Mt. 6:33) B. What do you want in this life? C. What do you do if you don’t get what you want? 1. Act sinfully? Thing sinfully? D. To dethrone Christ willfully for our wants is to commit heart idolatry. 1. Idols don’t have to be ugly, stone, gold, or even material things! 2. John Calvin: The heart is a factory of idols. E. No matter what good things we may want – Christ first! 2 Cor. 5:9 1. May/may not get the rest of your "wants." 2. Blessing is promised for the doer – Js. 1:25 Have you set your life in order?