Matt. 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

1. Identity: Life Starts with God

a. Jesus is the only way for us to become REAL.

John 4 – Woman at the Well: Are you a Real Player or a Role Player?

b. God knows you, He made You; He loves you; and only He can Fulfill your life.

Psalm 139

Phil. 1:6 … being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

c. The Lord Must Turn the Light on In your Heart

2 Cor 4:4-6 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

2. Prayer: Seeking the Heart of God

James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (NIV)
James 5:16 - The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (KJV)

We Pray Because Prayer Connects Our Need To God's Much-ness

There are two words for prayer in James 5:13 -16:

Prosueche = to pursue a Great God
Deeeisis = to call out in the time of need.

3. Overcoming Sin: Pathway to the New Creation

1Jn 1:8- 2:2 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
1Pet 1:15, 16 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

Three words for SIN in the Hebrew Language:

a. Transgression = crossing the Line
b. Sin = missing the mark
c. Iniquity = Crooked

Tale of Two Natures:

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. (Gal 5:16-17)

4. Holy Spirit : God's Promised Presence

What is God's Will and God's Word about the Holy Spirit?

a. It's a PRIORITY

Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Acts 1:4,5 - On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

b. Its PURPOSE

Acts 1:1 - In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach

c. Its PROMISE

Acts 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Audio File: 

2010-06-13.mp3

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