Living a Life of Wholeness

Series: That You May Believe
Message: Living A Life of Wholeness
Scripture: John 5:9-15

What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'” (Mark 1:14–15)

The invitation of the gospel is for us to take our own little kingdoms and Align them with the kingdom of God, so that we can help bring in his kingdom wherever we are.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of the Availability of a completely different way of life – a life that changes us from the inside out, starting right now and continuing for all eternity!

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,” (Colossians 2:6)

As long as we are living in this “not yet fully redeemed” world, we will encounter opposition to walking in our new life in God’s kingdom

Five Decisions That Mark A Lifestyle Of Wholeness

1. Decide to reject Legalism

"Legalism is looking to something besides Jesus Christ in order to be acceptable and clean before God." Tim Keller

“Legalism is the establishment of standards carefully selected by people for the purpose of celebrating human achievement under the guise of pleasing God. Legalism is righteousness as defined by humans, who frequently cite God as the source of the standard. In reality, the standards come from culture, tradition, and most frequently the personal preferences of those who maintain positions of power or influence.” Chuck Swindoll

• Legalism blinds us to the miraculous Work of God
• Legalism binds us to the meticulous Rules of man
• Legalism produces in people pride and self-righteousness or guilt and shame

The real danger of legalism: Legalism is A False Gospel

How do we combat legalism?

• Truth must emerge
• Conviction must be employed
• Grace must be embraced

2. Decide to Worship The One True God

The Sabbath was a Gift from God to His people – a time to commemorate God’s creation of the world and celebrate His provision to us

“For worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose -- and all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.” William Temple

3. Decide to stop Sinning

“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

“Just as Christ was crucified between two thieves, so this doctrine of justification is ever crucified between two opposite errors.” Tertullian

The two thieves can be described as Legalism and License

Both thieves steal our Joy and Power

Both thieves move our lives from God- Centered to Self-Centered

Christ has called us to Liberty

4. Decide to openly Confess Jesus

“And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'” (Matthew 4:19)

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15)

“Successful witnessing is taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God” Bill Bright

The only way to fail in witnessing is Failing to witness

God will not use our silence!

If I don’t evangelize, I will Fossilize!

5. Decide to Join God where He is working

Don’t ask God to “Bless” what you are doing.  Look for where God is at work and join Him in it!

Prayer:  God what are you up to in the world today and how do you want me to be a part of it?

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“You see, the goal of the Christian life is not simply to get us into heaven, but to get heaven into us!” Richard Foster

Jesus Christ offers us the one and only pathway to wholeness: giving ourselves Wholly To Him

Making It Personal:

• What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? How have you responded to His invitation?
• Which of the five decisions taken from this passage do you need to put into practice this week by God’s empowering grace? How will you do this?  Who can encourage you in this?
• What will it look like for you to live a life of wholeness by giving yourself wholly to Christ?
• Who can you share these truths with?