YOUR DISTANCE DETERMINES GOD'S DIFFERENCE

TRANSFORMED

Your Distance Determines God’s Difference

How to Get Closer to God

Pastor Jerry Jackson

01.25.15

OUTLINE

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (RSV)

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLV)

"Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves. God bought you with a great price. So honor God with your body. You belong to Him."

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO GOD?

SELF CENTERED - Troubled Life                       GOD 1…...2…….3…….4…...5..….6…...7…...8…...9…...10

Your Distance Determines God’s Difference

THE FURTHER AWAY YOU GET FROM GOD, THE MORE YOUR LIFE IS TROUBLED

THE CLOSER YOU GET TO GOD, THE MORE YOUR LIFE IS TRANSFORMED.

THE LOST SON & LOVING FATHER: LUKE 15:11-24

Jesus told this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘Give me my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die.’ So his father divided his wealth between his sons. A few days later the younger son packed all his belongings and left home to live in a distant land. (He got as far away from his Father as he could.) There he squandered the gift he’d been given and wasted his life and money on wild parties and reckless living. About the time all his money ran out, a severe famine hit the land, and he began to starve because he was left with nothing. The only job he could find was feeding swine on a farm. He became so desperate and hungry that even the pig slop he was feeding the swine looked good to him. But no one would give him anything for his hunger. When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘This is crazy! At my Father’s home even the lowest paid workers eat well, while I’m far away dying of hunger! I’m going to return home to my Father and humbly say: Father, I have sinned against both God and you, and I am not worthy to be a part of this family or called your son. But please just make me one of your servants who works for you.’ With that attitude, he headed back home to his Father. But while the son was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran out to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him! The son said ‘Father, I’ve sinned against both God and you, and I’m no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring me the finest robe in our house and put it on him. Then get my signet ring for his finger and shoes for his feet. Then roast the calf we have been fattening. We’re going to celebrate with a feast of eating and drinking. For this child of mine was distant and dead but now he’s back and alive! He was lost, but now he’s found! So the party began!’”

HOW TO GET CLOSER TO GOD

1. I MUST GET FRUSTRATED AND FED UP WITH MY LIFE

LUKE 15:13-14

“.. he wasted it all.. he had nothing left.. he got desperate and hungry... then he finally came to his senses...”

JEREMIAH 29:13 (MSG)

GOD: “You'll find me when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else.”

2. I MUST GET HONEST AND OWN UP TO MY SIN

LUKE 15:17-18

“When he came to his sense, he said... “I have sinned against God and you...”

ISAIAH 59:2

“Your sins have separated you from your God, and have hidden his face from you...”

PSALMS 51:1-4 (TEV)

“Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love. Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins! Wash away all my evil and make me clean! I recognize my faults and I am conscious that I’ve sinned against you.”

HOW DOES GOD RESPOND WHEN I GET HONEST AND OWN UP TO MY SIN?

ISAIAH 1:18 (NLT)

“The Lord says ‘No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow.’”

THE HABIT OF A SPIRITUAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT

2 CORINTHIANS 13:5 (MSG)

“Test yourself to make sure you’re solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourself regular checkups. If you fail the test, do something about it!”

1 CORINTHIANS 11:28

“A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”

3. I MUST SURRENDER AND OFFER UP MYSELF

LUKE 15:11

The son drifted away saying “GIVE ME MY share...””

LUKE 15:17

He returned to the Father saying “MAKE ME a servant”

2 CORINTHIANS 3:18

“We... reflect the Lord’s glory, and are being TRANSFORMED into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

ROMANS 12:1-2

“Because God is merciful to you, OFFER YOURSELVES as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. And do not conform to the pattern of this world, but BE TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind."

LUKE 15:23-24

“Filled with love and compassion, he ran out to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him!...Bring the best...”

4. I MUST WORSHIP AND LIFT UP PRAISE

LUKE 15: 23-24

“We’re going to celebrate with a feast of eating and drinking... He was lost but now he’s found! So let the party begin!"

PSALMSS 68:4 (ESV)

“Sing to God, sing praises to his name; LIFT UP A SONG to him... his name is the Lord!” PSALMS 13:6 (NLT) “I will sing to the Lord because he has been so good to me!”