1. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 20111 Making Your Life Count for the Kingdom Chinese Bible Church of Maryland English Sunday School Spring 2011

2. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 2011 2 Today objectives Our contribution to God’s kingdom matters – “dignity of causality” Understanding and accepting God’s Holiness enable us to makes more of our life count for the kingdom – “Handing the Trauma of Holiness”

3. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 2011 3 Last two weeks  May 15 – Making our life count for the kingdom at work and at CBCM  One New English Congregation (OneC)  May 22 – Practical next steps in making our life count for the kingdom (Rev Bob)

4. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 2011 4 Power of Purpose by Richard Leider “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?” I would be more reflective, take time to think because life passes so quickly and I was too busy doing to think adequately I would be more courageous, take more risks; I played it too close to the vest I would be clear, far earlier, on what my purpose was in life.

5. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 2011 5 William Borden No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets. "Do not put out the Spirit's fire." -- 1 Thessalonians 5:19

6. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 2011 6 Saved by grace through faith But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 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. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:6-10 (NIV)

7. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 2011 7 Redeem by grace to do good For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)

8. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 2011 8 Saved not by works but for works to MYLICK  Purpose and role to fulfill in God’s kingdom who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)  Glorify God with our body …you are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)  Present our body for God’s service I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 (ESV)

9. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 2011 9 What we do matters: “dignity of causality”  Do our prayers matter?  Do our action matters?  Can we influence an all wise and all powerful God?  Perspective from CS Lewis  God gives us dignity allowing us to contribute to accomplishing his will and purpose

10. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 2011 10 Handling the Trauma of Holiness Authenticity of our worship flows from our concept of God However, two “law of the soul” militate against knowing God as he really is  Our concept of God my be based on own projection and desire  God’s holiness is too traumatic and thus we either ignore or repress it

11. "Dignity of Causality" May 8, 2011 11 Questions (p58-60)  What are the two meanings of holy?  Why do we tend to suppress God’s revelation of himself?  How does your view of God need to change in order for you to worship him more fully?  Does God’s holiness convict, challenge or comfort you?