GRACE_STUDY_NOTES. Page 1 of 5 Grace Family Church Crowned Module 3

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Jeffery Skinner
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1 GRACE_STUDY_NOTES CROWNED - MODULE 3 By: Pastor Nathan Hurst Created with intention by a God intending to make a being in his image and likeness is the basis for the inception of humanity. Fearfully and wonderfully made because of being made in the image and likeness of God. (Psalm 139:14, Genesis 1:27) Unfortunately the constant teaching of evolution robs us humankind of self-worth. The only evolution most of people truly identify with is the backward evolution of age or sin. At the time of this writing the author has a child in diapers. No one would have the inclination that the dirty diaper of a newborn would, over billions and billions of years, produce a human-being. Regardless of the fact that contained inside that used diaper is more human DNA that supposed at the "big bang." The intentionality of being created in the image and likeness of God gives humanity certain expressions of dignity and worth. In this process of getting self-worth one must learn to value self. Without selfworth no one can truly live up to the potential that God has placed in their life. Having confidence of being approved of God will give the needed energy to do the impossible, the miraculous. There are churches all over this nation, filled with the holy spirit and power, who are not accomplishing what God has intended for them. Rejection cripples most of the evangelical efforts of much of Christendom. Acceptance from friends and family, and in some situations complete strangers, is where all to many gain self-worth. When self-worth is received from imperfect people, an imperfect version of self-worth will be the outcome. Self-worth becomes up and down, on and off, based on treatment of others. This is a volatile experience of self-worth. Without a proper expression of self-worth life will be spent trying to get something from others that only God can give. In this process every man has a need to identify with someone. Human-beings are a living soul. One of the reasons medical science has not cured every disease is that humanity is a living soul. The reason churches or preachers have not cured all man s hurts and needs is that humanity is a living soul with social and emotional needs. "Hope deferred makes the heart-sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12 NASB) "Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 1:2 NASB) It does not matter how grand of a work Jesus did on the spiritual plane if the soul has not adopted this fact as truth. Page 1 of 5 Grace Family Church Crowned Module 3

2 "Feelings" of self-worth must be present. While ministering to youth in New Orléans, a casual game of self-worth was observed by this pastor. One student would stand in a circle and have the surrounding adolescents begin to add up the cost of the days outfit. Attention to detail was a necessity. No shoelace was left uncounted. A total gave the student value for at least one day. Feelings of selfworth hinged on the suggested retail price of clothing and accessories. Christianity should constantly be asking, Do have I the feeling of being worthy to God." "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB) God did not say humanity would prosper and be in good health when the spirit grows up. That is an old charismatic teaching that has no merit in scripture. The spirit is already made new, transformation of the soul is now needed. It is one thong to quote scripture. It's another to have the emotional feelings of being made righteous. Feelings of self-worth are needed for this belief to be concreted. Belief will and does determine emotions. Not simply following emotion but creating them. Actions and beliefs create emotions. Not letting emotions move you as a "wind whipped ship." (James 1:5-8) What is believed about God should create certain emotions. Following feelings for feeling sake will do nothing. However, feelings about what one believes about the truth of scripture has everything to do with Christian discipleship. Because truth should effect feelings. The soul is where God intended humanity to feel and express the life of the spirit. When Adam and Eve fell the flesh became the dominating force of life, not the soul. God created human-beings as emotional and social beings, with a need to identify with someone. "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.'" (Genesis 2:18 NASB) We have soul needs. We all have needs not only to identify with God but with other likeminded, accepting people. You will only identify with others and with God if you know you are accepted. Jesus lived His life saying "I only do those things that I see my Father do" "Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.'" (John 5:19 NASB) Questioning what god has already spoken to out hearts and mind plagues Christian living. Out of need for love and acceptance, many question hearing from God internally. Not feeling God approves and accepts has some following the instructions of another voice to gain approval. Identification comes as one knows they are approved. The difficulty is knowing and believing that God approves. Difficulty comes because of the belief that to approve someone is to accept every behavior. Legalistic thoughts like "To permit Page 2 of 5 Grace Family Church Crowned Module 3

3 is to participate" hinder acceptance of others and ultimately of self. Could there be a more wrong view of God? To follow this kind of thinking takes a disturbed individual. However, religious sentiment has left most Christians sick and disturbed. God gives personal approval to everyone who is in Christ. This approval is not necessarily approval of what one has done or will do but approval of the person, as a son or daughter of God. Having the courage to identify with God will only come as you realize that you have approval in Jesus. After identity is captured by one who approves, transformation into this new-found image is the outcome. Youth counselors see this behavior consistently. Whoever the child identifies with they began to resemble. From "skater" to "rapper" in a months time, living in the suburbs talking about the plight of the downtrodden inner-city street thug. Music does not carry with it a "spirit." Music carries with it a philosophy of life. The more closely identified with the music the more one will begin to adopt that philosophy, implicitly or explicitly. The hearer begins to take on the persona of the philosophical image described in the lyrics. The bible warns us "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth." (Exodus 20:4 NASB) Most good Christians are trying to become like God. There is a good side and bad side to this attempt. God be praised for that wish. However, only God can make someone like Himself. Trying to be like God often turns into works. The secondary dilemma is, what if the image held of God is wrong or distorted? What if a graven image of God is held to? The God created in the mind's eye can only resemble one person, and that is self. "Most people can t live past their first experience of who God is in their life" - Dr. Lester Sumrall (Paraphrase) Rightness gives reason to creating a human reflecting god and a way of being. Often ones number one weakness is their greatest strength because this is what makes "right or righteous." Focusing on certain strengths makes one right. Change is a foreign thought because rightness is solidified in these strengths. "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB) Paul was not speaking of sickness or disease. Paul's number one weakness is that he was a legalist and his greatest strength was grace. Paul tried to be a Christian with the same views as when he was a Pharisee. As Paul started preaching he was so harsh people tried to kill him. The disciples "TOOK PAUL," they did not ask him and sent him away. Then, the bible says, "The church had rest." For fourteen years Paul disappears. After this fourteen year hiatus, learning to give up his strengths, he was sent out as an apostle. Page 3 of 5 Grace Family Church Crowned Module 3

4 "This is what I call right, so this must be what God calls right," tends to be the thought of the newly transformed heart. "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:21, 22 NASB) An image of an incorruptible God was changed into the image of corruptible man. Most Christians do not have the problem of bowing down to an idol of gold. However we have become champions at changing the image of an incorruptible God into our corruptible image. Humanity will become like the God believed in. Because people cannot walk in perfection a problem curses this equation. "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48 NASB) All relationships are forged on the experiences of previous relationships. Love was a verbal promos however the necessary corresponding action did not follow. Considering these experiences a belief is adopted that similar patterns are liked to a God who claims to love. This is the problem of learning love from imperfect people. Constantly questioning, "Can a perfect God love an imperfect humanity." Trapped in thoughts of perfection is the only true way to being accepted by perfect God. Human-beings base perfection on people thought to be perfect.see prefect as fulfilling strengths to the letter of the law. To a people person perfection is life without discontent in relationships, never hurting anyones feelings. This becomes "The Gospel According To You." The struggle is relating to a god proclaiming deep perfection and having to reject imperfection. To understand God's perfection is to know He is Perfect in love. Be perfect like God is perfect. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:43, 44 NASB) Judgment preaching recites scripture in the old covenant of God's wrath and sets that as His criteria for love. Scripture of the wrath of God should have humanity falling more in love with the creator because He has delivered us from that damning wrath. Sure, judgment preaching has a biblical base. However, is comes out of the old covenant. Jesus was our placeholder in the old covenant. To be perfect as God is perfect, is to be Perfect in love. Love those who curse you, pray for your enemies. Judgment preaching has turned this idea around and described a god who hates his enemies. An image is given of a God who eradicates those who curse him. People have shaken their fist in the air and cursed God for generations. Television programs and the daily news show us these images of men profaning the name of God. Yet He does not strike them down the instant a hand is raised. Is this a showing of God s weakness or that He is untrue to His word to smite His Page 4 of 5 Grace Family Church Crowned Module 3

5 enemies? This display of long-suffering only proves that God's grace, mercy and love are far greater than the human mind can comprehend. What will God do to those who Curse Him? He will live up to His promise to love His enemies and bless those who curse Him. God has an unshakable need to draw the hearts of humanity to repentance. That is perfect love. If our intention is to be perfect like God is perfect, Love your enemies, Bless those who curse you, Do good to them that hate you, Pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you. This is the difficult pill to swallow; "so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matthew 5:45 NASB) Distorting the Christian landscape is an image of a God who cannot love an imperfect being because He is perfect. This is the epitome of a human reflecting god. "And have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him" (Colossians 3:10 NASB) There is tremendous danger coming into Christianity thinking one understands God. "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be " (1 John 3:2 a NASB) Being children of God in the present but not what will become. In the transformed life of the believer there is a perfection deposited in to the renewed spirit. A new creation in Christ Jesus understanding that perfection may not be fully realized yet. "We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." (1 John 3:2 b NASB) The more the image of Jesus is realized the more the transformative experience of salvation can be realized. To what ever degree one can see Christ as He is now, the more one can be change into that image. Page 5 of 5 Grace Family Church Crowned Module 3

Lesson 4. God Gave Them Over. Romans 1:21-32

Lesson 4. God Gave Them Over. Romans 1:21-32 Lesson 4 God Gave Them Over Romans 1:21-32 They became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools. God gave them over. This giving over