Living Freely in a Culture of Comparison Seated with Christ Living Freely in a Culture of Comparison

Ephesians 2:1-10  

Ephesians 2:1-10 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  

Ephesians 2:1-10 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  

Ephesians 2:1-10 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  

Imagine the Round Table

Devoted and Ready

The 3 A’s Appearance Affluence Achievement

The 3 A’s Appearance to ADORE Affluence to ACCESS Achievement to ABIDE

Adoring

Adoring Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5

Accessing

Accessing God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Accessing “All seats provide equal viewing of the universe.” Hayden Planetarium Museum Guide

Accessing God is so vastly wonderful, so utterly and completely delightful that He can, without anything other than Himself, meet and overflow the deepest demands of our total nature mysterious and deep as that nature is. –AW TOZER

Accessing

Abiding For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

A Seated Life Appointed for unique fruit Appointed for inevitable fruit Appointed for easy fruit Appointed for hidden, humble fruit Appointed for fruit of new believers and transformed character Appointed for fruit He chooses (not you)

Four Hard Questions

A Surrendered Life I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

4 HARD BUT GREAT QUESTIONS Is knowing Jesus better than anything? Will I live the life God asks me to? Is there anything in my life that doesn’t please God? Am I available to be God’s spokesperson?

Is Knowing Jesus Better Than Anything? What makes Him so exceedingly great? Enchant the rest of my life. Fascinating. Your love is better than life. (Psalm 63:3) Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere / being satisfied as with the richest of foods. Psalm 42

The Greatness of Jesus The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20 Enchant the rest of my life. Fascinating. Your love is better than life. (Psalm 63:3) Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere / being satisfied as with the richest of foods. Psalm 42

The Greatness of Jesus The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20 Enchant the rest of my life. Fascinating. Your love is better than life. (Psalm 63:3) Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere / being satisfied as with the richest of foods. Psalm 42

The Greatness of Jesus At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2: 10-11 Enchant the rest of my life. Fascinating. Your love is better than life. (Psalm 63:3) Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere / being satisfied as with the richest of foods. Psalm 42

The Greatness of Jesus Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Peter in Acts 4:12 Enchant the rest of my life. Fascinating. Your love is better than life. (Psalm 63:3) Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere / being satisfied as with the richest of foods. Psalm 42

What does Jesus mean to you?

Will I Live the Life God Asks Me To? You are not your own, you have been brought at a price Ambassador for Him Controlled by the Holy Spirit

Is There Anything In My Life That Doesn’t Please God? Romans 8:1 1 John 1:9 What is sin doing to me? You are not your own, you have been brought at a price Ambassador for Him Controlled by the Holy Spirit

What is sin doing to me? 1. Causes “trouble and distress” (Romans 2:9) 2. Allows the flesh to operate and breeds a “false self” (Galatians 5) 3. Gives the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27) 4. Bearing fruit for “destruction” (Galatians 6:8)

Am I Available to Be God’s Spokesperson? “A tree does not bear fruit for its own refreshment.” Imparting what you possess. Acts 4:20 Peter and John: We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard

Seated, Surrendered, and Sent 1. In what ways do you still compare yourself to your colleagues? How has God helped you overcome comparison as an academic? 2. What would have to change in your schedule to practice “availability” to the people in your life? Discuss some of the challenges you face in this area.