TRUE LIFE #1

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As a Christian, you have a new identity!

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.  Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

“You may not be able to see your thoughts or weigh your thoughts or measure your thoughts but that doesn’t mean they’re not real and powerful!”  —Warren Wiersbe

“What occupies your mind and what you think about means more than anything else in your life.” —John Maxwell

“Spiritual stability is a result of how a person thinks…The Bible leaves no doubt that people’s lives are the product of their thoughts.” —Dr. MacArthur

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

3 Fundamental Truths (3 Pillars) that we as Christians need to know and understand.

Fundamental Truth #1: God created everything! (That includes you!)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

Fundamental Truth #2: God custom designs each person. (That includes you!)

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT)  

There are accidental parents, but there are no accidental babies.

Fundamental Truth #3: At the moment you surrendered your life over to Jesus, God gave you a new identity! 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV1984)

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.”  John 15:1-3 (NLT)

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth… 1 Peter 1:22 (NLT) 

4 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.”   John 15:4-6 (NLT)  

Your new identity in Jesus is….you are a branch.

Now there’s 1 major implication of being a branch!
A branch has to stay connected to the vine to produce fruit!
A branch (you) has to stay connected to the vine (Jesus) to bear fruit!

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.” John 15:4-6 (NLT)

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:25-27 (NLT)

#1: Spend time in the Word of God! (Read it!  Study it! Memorize it! Meditate on it! And then live it!)

#2: Spend time talking with God! (Prayer)

#3: Spend time fellowshipping with the people of God! (Church! Small group!)