GRACE TRANSFORMS — INFLUENCE (pt. 2)

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GRACE TRANSFORMS — INFLUENCE (pt. 2)
1 Corinthians 15:9-10  

NAME: We want to reach this Big Central Valley with the Grace of Jesus Christ in Community with His Church.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the Church is to bring glory to God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)

MISSION: Love God, Love People, Make Disciples.  Matthew 22:37-39; 28:18-20 (ESV)

VISION: Love your [actual] neighbor. This means every member of the Body of Christ, being led by the power of the Holy Spirit of God, evangelizing and discipling our [actual] neighbors, and leading them to do the same.

Grace Transforms residents of earth into Citizens of Heaven who INFLUENCE for Jesus Christ.  

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.  1 Corinthians 15:3-10 (ESV)  

Three WAYS to be led by the power of the Holy Spirit of God and increase my influence for Jesus Christ.  

Way #1­­—REPENT of my sin.  

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.   1 Corinthians 15:9 (ESV)  

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”   2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)  

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…   Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)  

Way #2­­—SURRENDER to God’s will.  

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.   1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.   2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)  

Way #3­­—LIVE in His Presence.  

On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.   1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)  

…the word of his grace…   Acts 14:3; 20:32 (ESV) 

…the Spirit of grace…   Hebrews 10:29 (ESV)  

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.   2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV)  

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”   Acts 1:8 (ESV)  

“How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”   Luke 11:13 (ESV)  

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?   Micah 6:8 (ESV)  

VISION: Love your [actual] neighbor. This means every member of the Body of Christ, being led by the power of the Holy Spirit of God, evangelizing and discipling our [actual] neighbors, and leading them to do the same.