Truth That Changes Lives on Oneplace.com

The command to live wisely means that we are to be people who are constantly engaged in a process of discovering God's will for our lives and then doing it. And when we do it, we are living with wisdom. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

You are not to take from this sermon that it is your God ordained roll to go over t0 your neighbor and point out all the darkness in their life. You're not to get your sin-ometer and go down to work and focus in on a co-worker and say, you know I need to point this out to you because the sermon on Sunday was how I'm supposed to expose darkness. No! The only person you should be poiniting the finger at is yourself! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Nobody can earn favor with God. It is all a gift of His grace. The bible is so clear that salvation is by grace through faith. But the bible also says that when that grace of God comes into our lives, we become new creatures in Jesus Christ. We become new people in Christ. There is a new life priciple within us. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Renewing our minds. This is what Paul says in Romans chapter 12, when he says, "I urge you therefore brethren by the mercies of God to present your body as a living holy sacrifice which is your spiritual act of worship. Stop being conformed to this world but be transformed". How? By the renewing of your mind. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Jesus Christ in Matthew Chapters 5, 6 7 lays out the values, the priorities, the focus of His kingdom and it stands in antithesis to this world. And in a very mini version of that, the Apostle Paul in Ephesians chapter 4 says "We're to be different." And that is something to embrace, that is something to cherish. It's something to be excited about because of what we've been saved from and what we've been saved to, and the power that comes from being different. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Peter says in 1Peter chapter 3, "Do not return a curse with a curse but return a curse with a blessing." Why? Because you were called for this very purpose. So that you could inherit a blessing. That's the idea behind long suffering. And then, if that wasn't enough, he says, "We are to bear one another in love". We are to sustain, hang in there, endure in our relationships in love. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

So, what's our calling that Paul says right out of the blocks in Ephisians chapter 4? I therefore prisoner of the Lord entreat you and urge you to live a life worthy of your calling. Well our calling is, bless with every spiritual blessing, totally saved by grace. Made part of a new community, a body, the church. And so, we ought to live like it! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

As we step into the vision that God has for us. We need to believe great things about God. We need to ask great things of God. And we need to attempt great things for God! When we discover God's vision, it will change our lives today, tomorrow and for all eternity! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

How do we put ourselves in a place to discover God's will for our lives? What are the preconditions to be able to prove it for ourselves and know it personally? Well we've got to present our whole bodies as a living and holy sacrifice. We've got to stop being conformed to this world. And we need to be engaged in the ongoing mind renewal process of transformation. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

I think alot of times in our Christian life, we agonize and we ask God to give us something and God is saying, "I have already given that to you in Christ. It is already yours. Understand who you are and step into the freedom of your new identity. Understand your resources. Understand your inheritance. Know what's true about you and it will transform your life. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

The bible says this in Colossians 1:13-14, "For He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins." God says that at one time we were in darkness seperated from God outside of a relationship with Christ. And the metaphor to describe what happens when someone crosses the line is moving from darkness into light into God's kingdom. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

I can get up every morning because I have opened up my life to the grace of God, and say, "God, what are the good works you have for me today? What adventure do you have for me today? How can I love God and love people today? How can I step into good works today? What's the mission you have for me today? How can my life take on eternal significance today? Because I know you have good works for me today!" To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

When it comes to this issue of salvation and a new start and a transformation by grace; it is almost as if God gives us an instanstaneous zap when we put our faith in Jesus Christ. In fact Ephesians chapter 2 tells us the very moment we reach out to God in faith; that very moment grace transforms us. Our eternity is changed and life becomes new because we experience the very life of Jesus Christ. Grace can change anything! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

It says in Ezekiel chapter 18, "I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies declares the Lord! Therefore repent and live." It says in 1Timothy 2, "This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our savior who desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." It says in 2Peter 3:9, "God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Jesus said this in John chapter 8, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free". So the converse is if you don't know the truth, if you are believing a lie rather than being set free, you are in some kind of bondage. So the premise of the series we have been in this summer is that there is power in believing the truth. When we know the truth, we understand the truth, we believe the truth, it literally sets us free. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

God the Father planned salvation. God the Son accomplished salvation. God the Holy Spirit, he applies salvation. He changes our lives. He makes us different people. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

If you look at the testimony of scripture from Genesis to Revelation, you will see that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal God. To draw people into a relationship with God. To transform people in that new life in Christ. And then to reproduce the very life of Christ within the individual experience and within the corporate experience we call the church. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

What do you believe about Jesus? Jesus Christ is the promised messiah, the God man, the bold prophet, the compassionate healer, the bondage breaker, the perfect example, the atoning sacrifice, the resurrected Lord, the interceding high priest, the returning King. What you believe about Jesus will change your life today and tomorrow and for all eternity. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Who do we really say Jesus Christ is? What do we really believe about Jesus? Because what we believe affects how we feel and how we live and the eternal destiny of our lives. And what we believe about Jesus will effect everything about our spiritual journey. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

We feel guilty. We are aware of our inadequacy. We know how we fall short. But for some reason we spiritualize that. You'd think the height of spirituality is feeling guilty. Your best sermons are when you leave feeling really bad about yourself. There is nothing spiritual about being guilty. Guilt is a step in a process towards, freedom, forgiveness, hope, restoration. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

The agnostic has a thought in his mind when he thinks about God. He says, "I don't know if there's a God." The Hindu has a thought in his mind when he thinks about God; "there are many gods." Everybody has a basic notion, understanding, preconceived idea of God. The question is, is it accurate or not? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

But here is what I discovered. You probably have discovered this to. That first step, which at the time, seems all encompassing, and it really is, is really the first big step followed by alot of smaller steps. Because every step of spiritual growth is an act of surrender. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

What we believe affects our view of God. Relationships, marriage, parenting, hope, how we respond to struggles and trials. How do we answer the deepest questions about life. What we beieve affects all of that. Your mind matters. Your thoughts matter. Your thoughts today are going to affect the kind of person you are going to become tomorrow. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

God has called us to live sanctified lives that demonstrated His life within us. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

And so Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes a letter about how God has a plan and purpose for history and a plan and purpose for our lives. God even uses suffering and spiritual warfare as a means to reveal His grace to us and to stregnthen us and to empower us. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

We have brothers and sisters who are really facing struggles. So when we face struggles, we need to let that be a reminder to not only pray for ourselves but to pray for one another. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Whatever you are facing right now; whether it's in your personal spiritual life or your finances or your marriage or with your kids or just some life confusion. Regardless of what might be pressuring you to give up or to cave in, there is a word from God that gives hope to stand firm. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble. You want to experience God's grace, walk in humility. You want God as your enemy, be prideful. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

You see, God has placed spiritual leaders and all of us are to have an attitude of teachable, humble submission to our spiritual leaders. And it's for our benefit to do that. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Peter says in 1 Peter chapter 5, "Listen, when times are hard and tough, you not only need a strong faith, you need to be a part of a community of faith that's served by Godly servant leaders." To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

We need to be a part of community of faith that's led by Godly servant leaders! God's looking for leaders, the church needs leaders, you as a congregation deserve servant leaders! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Even when things are hard, even when things are falling apart, even when our expectations aren't being met; we need to understand some things that are important, that are priorities that are things that really matter. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Even when things are hard. Even when things are falling apart. Even when our expectations aren't being met. We need to understand some things that are important that are prioritites that are things that really matter. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Why bring unnecessary suffering into your life? In other words, why make sinful choices and then suffer the consequence of your sinful choices? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Suffering will either make us bitter or will make us better. The difference is how we respond! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, when anyone comes to God and says have mercy on me, guess what, God has mercy on them. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Christ died for our sins and Peter adds, He died for our sins once for all! This is a theme, by the way, of the book of Hebrews. It's this once for all concept! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Some of us grow strong and are growing strong in grace because the people around us are speaking words that are adding grace to our lives. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

There is a life that we live that if we live it, people will be asking us questions about our faith. And then when they ask us, we are to be prepared to give an answer. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

There's going to be times in our following of Jesus Christ, we got to submit to people we don't want to, but we do it because we are following Jesus Christ. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

See, the bible addresses our attitudes. And in 1 Peter chapter 2 and chapter 3 it addresses what I believe is a distinctly unique Christian attitude. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Wherever we are on the spiritual journey, am I going to do what God tells me to do? That's why it's pro active. The good life is pro active. It doesn't just happen because we go to church. It happens because we have commited ourselves to follow Jesus. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

God in grace loves us and has provided a plan of salvation for us and if we in faith open up our hearts to God and receive His grace, we're saved, we're born again! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

We need to live such good lives; such good lives that the very stuff that the pagans would try to accuse us of; that they've got nothing to say. Because you can't accuse someone who's being a servant. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

1 Peter 2:11-12. It's a very simple message. And maybe that's why there's so much I want to say about it. Because it's the simple things, the basic things that really are life transforming; that are defining about who we are and how we're to live in this world. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Our spouse says something, and they just said it innocently, but it pushed our button and we interpret it as an insult, so what do we do back, insult them back. Insult for insult, curse for curse. You just get in that spiral. How is it broken? When somebody blesses. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

When there's a lot of pressure and there's a lot of turmoil and there's a lot of trials in our lives one of the areas where we become most vulnerable is in the area of our personal relationships. And the most intimate of all relationships is the relationship of marriage. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

Paul said in Romans chapter 7, "Wretched man that I am, who will set me free from this body of death? I myself in my mind am serving the law of God, but with my flesh the law of sin." The mind is critical. Romans chapter 8 says, "But the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace." To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

The train diagram in the back of the little booklet called "The Four Spiritual Laws". The illustration is, you see a train running down the track, there's an engine, there's compartment cars and then there's a caboose. All the power is in the engine. You can't pull the train by the compartment car; you can't pull it by the caboose. Well if you think about the engine being fact and the compartment cars as faith and the caboose as feeling, the way we live our Christian life is we put our faith in the facts and then God produces the feelings. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

That's the point; wherever I am, I better look to God's word to see what it says about my finances because it says something that will set me free and enable me to bless God and others! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29

So this is a very appropriate question; whatever season of life or life experience we find ourselves in; where do we turn when we hit a financial crisis? And the good news is that God's word has answers. As it does for all the challenges that we have in life. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29