NCCF Church Sharing - August 18, 2019

August 23, 201910mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: NCCF Church Title: Church Sharing Date: 08-18-2019 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that Christians are called to reflect Jesus by growing in personal purity and functioning corporately within the church. The speaker emphasizes that God's compassion, demonstrated through His Word and the Holy Spirit, is crucial for overcoming discouragement from past sins. True restoration comes from embracing God's mercy, viewing discipline as a father's loving act, and continually thanking Him for His unending kindness.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Overcoming the lingering discouragement of past sinsEven after mourning and repenting, believers can struggle with painful memories of past sins months or years later, but God provides encouragement through His Word, His Spirit, and the body of Christ.

Experiencing spiritual restoration and joy instead of barrennessGod promises to restore the years eaten by the locusts, bringing spiritual fruit, peace, satisfaction, and the deep joy of knowing His compassion.

Moving from condemnation to the character of ChristLike the woman caught in adultery, believers are told not to be condemned but to go and sin no more, allowing the character of Christ to be formed within them by faith.

God's kindness leads us to repentanceGod shows His everlasting compassion by continuously pointing out where we fall short, convicting us of sin so He can transform us from one degree of glory to the next.Isaiah 54:8

Thanking God for holy disciplineConviction is often accompanied by mourning, but believers should also respond with thanksgiving because every new conviction proves that God loves us too much to leave us where we are.

Viewing discipline from the father's lap of loveKnowing God as a loving Father brings peace and comfort, allowing believers to receive discipline, difficult circumstances, or correction as coming from a place of everlasting love.

Approaching a gracious God without delayBecause God is gracious, merciful, and slow to anger, we can repent today and enjoy His love without limits, refusing to let weariness or fear delay us from coming to receive His free gifts.Jonah 4:2