Sunday, March 6, 2016

Authentic Christianity

“Christ-in-me-ity”
Colossians 1:26-27
Far too many believers have lost their way in realizing the freedom and joy that Christ came to bring.  They are bound by laws, traditions, doctrines and guilt.  As we come to the close of the series on Authentic Christianity we now turn to the key to living in freedom. 
Early Christians knew that they were saved “by grace through faith” but they did not know how to live in freedom from the law.
What a shock when we find that even after we are saved we cannot live the Christian life in our own strength.
Our best was not enough to get us saved, and our best will not be enough to get us to victory.
We are not encouraged anywhere in the Bible to resort to our best. There is no evidence in the Scripture to be found that God expects anything of us but total failure.
My salvation is secured not by my imitation of Christ but by my participation in Christ.
Man working for God is one thing.  God working in man is quite another. 
The Bible tells us that there are three kinds of people 
1.     Natural Person  (Someone who has not received Christ.)  1 Corinthians 2:14
2.      Spiritual Person  (One who is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.)  1 Corinthians 2:15
3.     Carnal Person (One who has received Christ, but who lives in defeat)  1 Corinthians 3:1-3
How, then, can one be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  • Obey God’s Command: Ephesians 5:18
  • Claim God’s Promise: 1 John 5:14-15
Spiritual breathing

  • Exhale sin -- confess your sin 1 John 1:9
  • Inhale God -- receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith  Romans 8:11

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