FULLY ALIVE

“Getting More Life From God’s Word”
April 16, 2023

1. Believe that the Bible can produce more of God’s LIFE in you, even when you don’t feel it or fully understand it.
   
   2 Timothy 3:16 — Every part of Scripture is God-breathed…
   
   Genesis 2:7 — Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.
   
   Psalm 19:7 — The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
   
   Matthew 4:4 — Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
   
   There is a connection between how full of life I am and how full of God’s Word I am.
   (Also see sermon from October 10, 2021 - “Standing Confidently On God’s Word” posted on our New Life Church YouTube Channel)
   

2. Discover that the Bible reveals the ultimate source of LIFE, Jesus, and how He wants to have a growing relationship with YOU.
   
   John 1:1-5 — In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
   
   John 10:10 — …I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
   
   Revelation 3:20 — Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
   

3. In the Bible, you can find out who YOU ARE in Christ; which enables you to live in sync with your true AUTHENTIC self.
   
   Ephesians 1:11-12 — It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.
   

   A Partial List of Who You Are in Christ

   • God’s child (1 Peter 1:23)

   • A new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

   • The temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)

   • The head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13)

   • More than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)

   • A joint heir with Christ (Romans 8:17)

   • Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)

   • Free from condemnation (Romans 8:1)

   • The righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)

   • An ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)

   • God’s workmanship created for good works (Eph. 2:10)

   • The apple of your Father’s eye (Deuteronomy 32:10)

   • A faithful steward (Matthew 25:23; I Cor. 4:1-2)

   • Complete in Jesus (Colossians 2:10)

   
   And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
   

4. Trust that the Bible can LEAD you down pathways that produce more life, and can SAVE you from avoidable problems.
   
   Proverbs 3:13-18 — Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.