Ephesians 4:14-16
Viewing the life
of Christ some see only the cradle and the cross as important. The beginning and the end are so vitally
important but there is certainly much more.
Following the footsteps of Jesus we discover the full purpose of His
life. How should this compare with our
Christian experience?
The "abundant life" that Christ promised
is not an initial spasm followed by chronic inertia awaiting
deliverance by a rapture.
The Christian
life is a pilgrimage, not a program.
The Christian
life is not fully experienced by those who fail to recognize the purpose
and plan of God in the places and encounters of our daily lives.
I. Bethlehem - Place of Birth - Luke 2:4-7
God’s plan for
our life always has a beginning, but the beginning is not the
end.
The tragedy of many is that conversion is the only known act of
God in their life.
II. Nazareth - Place of Becoming
Luke 2:50-52
Our limitations in
experiencing God's best are most often the result of not knowing God.
“I don't know how” or “I don't understand”
should never be “I'm not learning”.
III. Jordan - Place of Baptism Luke 3:21-22
The greatest gift you will ever
give your family at the time of your death is your publicly professed
faith in Jesus Christ.
IV. Wilderness - Place of Testing Luke 4:1-2a
Satan doesn't mind us KNOWING,
but DOING the will of God.
V. Judea, Galilee and Samaria - Place of Service . Luke 4:43-44
There are some things that we can
never learn about God or ourselves until we serve Him.
VI. Gethsemane - Place of Discernment
Luke 22:39-44
This is
the Place of Death to Self.
VII. Calvary - Place of Fulfillment Luke 23:33,46
Every Christian faces a place of sacrifice
for God's will where they discover their ultimate kingdom purpose and
experience in God.
