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Al In This Year, Part 2

Fellowship in the Word / Bil Gebhardt
The Cross Radio
January 1, 2021 7:00 am

Al In This Year, Part 2

Fellowship in the Word / Bil Gebhardt

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January 1, 2021 7:00 am

Happy New Year!

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Today on Fellowship in the Word poster Bill Gebhardt challenges you to become a fully functioning follower of Jesus Christ, child of God you got same. You say your child of God, then act like a child of God is the whole point of this and it is only logical that you would and it's not only the all that God did for us in the past because he's done everything for granted Jesus and about to leave your own numbness and host personnel not to be in the Temple in Jerusalem is going to be a new number.

Temple God is my truth always been a contributor. Since the Holy Spirit will empower you to live your life joining us today on this additional fellowship in the world. Pastor Bill Gebhardt Fellowship in the Words the radio ministry of Fellowship Bible church located in Metairie, Louisiana Pastor Bill Gebhardt now again he shows us how God's word meets our work when the theological see it makes sense. That's it. I'm asking you something makes no sense at all. This makes a great deal of sense is that your spiritual service of worship were worship there is work. The trio be translated service. I will paraphrase and educate this way, you child of God. If you got your head yes I'm telling you act like one child of God.

You act like a child of God is a God saying here you say your child of God, then act like a child of God is the whole point of this and it is only logical that you would and it's not only that all that God did for us in the past because he's done everything for everything. For present Jesus in a mug to leave you alone. I'm gonna send the Holy Spirit to you host personnel not to be in the Temple in Jerusalem is good to be in you. You now the temple of God, the Holy Spirit will teach you my truth, the Holy Spirit can forgive your sins and the Holy Spirit will empower you to live your life.

So I even provide for everything you need now all I need for you is to present yourself as a living and holy sacrifice. See, I need you to say MON. That's what I need from you. That's the part that yours, although the rest of this. So why should we be owing because what is done for us what must I do, I need to offer myself. Third question, how do we know overall and is there any way of knowing if your owing yes first two he says in verse two, two things. First, the negative and then a positive and do not be conformed to this world, do not be conformed to this world. That's the first negative is an interesting word that that word there conformed is the word Sue gave Mike to so we can we get the word scheme from it. It means don't be put into the world pattern, JB Phillips, the great Greek scholar will paraphrase the New Testament when he came to this verse said don't let the world squeeze you into its mold that happened. Unfortunately, it has happened in just enormous numbers. If you read George Barnett or anyone like that is taken. Surveys of the evangelical Christian in America today. He comes the conclusions that are shocking and he says when you look at the life of Christians today evangelical Christians and you look at the life of the unsaved are identical. Everything they do. We do we divorce at the rate we abuse our children.

We do everything they do. We live for money, just like they do are values of their values is easy. Don't let that happen. Don't let the world squeeze you into its mold because it will see those are extremely important things to us not to allow that to happen. The world world there is not the word cosmos, which is normally the word for the organized world is a world I nine and I nine means the age. It means the spirit of the age that you and I live in the value of the spirit of the age. Second Timothy chapter 3, the apostle Paul writing to Timothy said look Timothy were in the last days and you know what it's gonna be like in the last days. He said I'll tell you what is to be like men are gonna be lovers of themselves will be narcissist. He said to be lovers of money will be materialist in the be lovers of pleasure will be hedonists is sort of a description of our culture that's a description of the culture in which we live is it's all about us. We just think of it in my books for the last 50 years. You look out for number one that you when used in the greatest love of always love me as the greatest that's what our culture teaches. We end up embracing it.

Culture teaches is a book there's nothing better than more, nothing better than more, you need more you need more stuff, you need more. That's how we measure how good we are as people. How much do we get doesn't come in the word of God. The consumer culture and because we were not culture if it feels good do it. I mean come on, that's the world squeezing you into its mold.

That's why the first thing he said look of your owing for God. You know all the world to squeeze you into that mode. If the world has squeeze doing that mold I can tell you this, you're not owing to God.

That's the point you're not all in. Secondly he says no do not be conformed to this world but be transformed when a great word that is be transformed. The word is met, Morpheus or metamorphose all in the verb form is metamorphosis. It's how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. He said you need to be transformed.

The word means that you need to be changed in the inside out. You see what I know I am and you are on the inside of the child of God. He said you know you need to be transformed so that not only do I know I'm a child of God, but you'll know I'm a child of God is a you know that you see it with me here come from the inside in a work its way out. Second Corinthians chapter 3.

The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that whenever this happens, you and I will move from glory to glory to glory as re-as we grow and change all the time, were becoming more more like the Savior.

Paul said to the Romans that we are being conformed to the image of his son were changing. People should see the change. Each year goes by. Each decade we change, we become much more like him. And much less like the world and the way we used to be is the way it works. Metamorphosis were transformed. The best example you can think of is Matthew 17 Jesus takes the three disciples up to the mount, and it's called the Mount of Transfiguration is a big word right you know what the word is metamorphosis the exact same word is not trance is not a different word. Why what did Jesus do when he was transfigured. He said the guys you want to know what I really like doing what I'm really like on the inside watch their IM that's who I really am. He sees transfigured from the inside out.

He's transformed into the son of God that he is in a panic there, tired, terrified anything they should build Tabernacles look at him.

That's what the word says happens to you and me once I'm all in. I am transformed, I become transformed. I look different than those around me. The question is how do I get transformed though. Now I know I should be conformed to the world and get transformed. But how does this work next part of the verse, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

I have to renew my mind I have to.

In that sense, think differently, that's what he saying that's what your faith is. Before I became a Christian who shaped my thinking. My parents, my friends way too much, my friends, my parents, my friends, teachers, a lot of people shape my mind since I became a Christian when God says is now let me shape your mind. I want to renew your thinking.

I want to change the way you think I want your thoughts the change and what your values, the change Cialis works, when that'll happen, but I'm not just what it will never happen.

I'll continue to have the same values have been squeezed into the world. The world mold and I'm same as of always been an interesting transformation you think about nine other some of you. I believe a winemaker's almost impossible. Some of you say yeah yeah that's good pass but you know I been on the road a few miles I'm moving up in years here, I'm fixed in my ways. I just think the way I think that's a lie is no truth in that, not all, wait, wait, I don't think it's in the Bible but you can't teach an old dog. It's not in the Bible is not true. We believe it but it's not true.

And not only is it not true, as the Bible says not to, but now science says is not true. There's a whole new field of study this going over the last 50 years, called neural plasticity neural plasticity is that the idea is what is a study of the brain and its capacity to change and they found out that the brain has an enormous capacity to change just for how long.

For as long as you're alive the boring diseases or something, but I'm same as long as you're alive what they came to the conclusion was is that that the brain has an Exodus before the Bible study, but you probably forgot it, but the brain has about 100 billion neurons.

That's how you think that's how you're trying to think right now for some of you there's more activity in their and for some of you there's less your you're thinking these are neurons. The neurons think they connect each other and create thoughts the connection is called synapses. It's between the neurons in your brain. The average person goes through 100 trillion synapses in a lifetime hundred trillion just a number that's ridiculous with how they measured it but that's what they come up with but the ideas that's the connection and what they found out to all the research of the gun is that the research is that once neurons connect and they keep connecting in the same way over and over and over and over again. They create a path and that becomes your default thought that's the thoughts of you. That's a default for you. That's the way this works once and it you ever notice how strange it is, you know, if you're married, you know how strange it is the things your wife remembers and the things you remember those are two different things are going. You know sure something really important about a day or a family member say I don't remember that but I can tell you what somebody batted for the Chicago White Sox in 1962, a piece of meaningless information, but is there is, it's what it's how you think.

In fact, Norman Doherty wrote a book called the brain that changes itself.

He said the brain is not an in Adam and vessel. We feel rather it's more like a living creature with an appetite, one that grows and changes itself. Winners proper nourishment exercise and the key repetition. He said I can think about things in a different light. For my whole life. The book of Proverbs says basically this you are what you think you are more than you think you are. In other words, our thought process becomes crucial and age has nothing to do with it that's taught by culture, not by the word of God and replace and go with me this to Psalm 92 Psalm 92 as a guard over these become some of my favorite verses in the entire Bible. And the reason is this is never what our culture teaches.

This is more spiritual perspective. Verse 12. The psalmist says this the righteous man will flourish like a palm tree, he will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. These are images. If your righteous man you gonna be great to be solid deep rooted able to resist the storms like a palm tree or the cedars of Lebanon.

He said planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the courts of God. This is good know what's what he says next they will still you yield fruit in their old age. They shall be full of sap and very green, but it but I don't like spiritually noted green sap notices as clear as can be. There still your fruit and arrange our culture doesn't teach that look your 65. Don't let the door hit you on your way out. Time to get out of here you have any luck offer anybody you're done is often the word of God to that's on the way works. Paul picked up on this idea. In the New Testament and I love the way said as he was aging. The outer man is decaying, but the inner man is being renewed. You see, the whole idea that I can be transformed at any age of my life is a biblical fact, this is nothing to do with all your younger older law. This whole idea of transformation takes place by the renewing of my mind back to Romans 12. Why should I be all in because what God is done for me. What must I do to be all and I need to offer myself to God is logical. How do I know, following not conform to the thinking of the world. I'm transformed by the renewing of my mind and thinking about my life in a different way.

It answers all the questions. Meaning of life work. The people all those things.

So you see it all the time.

Once my mind is renewed, everything changes. How many of you been really hurt by somebody really heard and what we do have two choices right.

This was a real teacher, one getting back or to avoid them but was word of God say forgive them.

Is this crisis for you and you that's completely different. While the word of God doesn't realize how deeply they hurt me yet does because is just as Christ forgave you. And how depleted we heard him on the cross so your heart doesn't measure up to see who you listen to. Once you do, your mind begins to be transformed.

You begin to be transformed in the last question is this one of the results when were all in. He says here so that you may prove what the will of God is that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

WordPerfect is telling us or complete. You could say while you will prove it's a result clause with the will of God is what that is. It's what God has in mind for you.

This is what gotchas have always had in mind for you.

This is what I want to do for you Jesus that I come to give you life and you give it to you how abundantly I want to give it to you but I can tell you this. If you're not owing you never get it at ever you have no idea. And Jesus said the abundant life that he talks about is a life filled with peace, no matter what the circumstances. Joy no matter what the circumstances hope even in the midst of the despair and meaning and purpose in life. Now let me ask you who want one that your life you seek. How many of you would want have peace and joy and hope. No matter what the circumstances are like the rest of your life. Anybody would see our peace and our joy and our hope depend totally on the circumstances of Bernardo and you see the circumstances are good. I'm happy the circumstances are bad man I'm under it. This is terrible.

The circumstances decide whether to be happy or not happy gotchas.

I don't want to live like that. I want to live above that.

Not only that, but when you live that way. Look at the benefit you are to others to.

That's one of the reasons he wants us all in because not only can I tell people what the gospel was. I can show people what the gospel with. I can only tell people that Jesus is the way the truth and the life, but they can see it in me.

You see, they see. My life is different than all their lives. Who doesn't want that. You see, everybody wins. In that scenario, he said to prove he said exactly what the will of God is the whole problem with this whole idea of being all we know is simply this is not automatic. This is the one part of the equation. It's up to you gotchas. I'll do everything I do everything you all and for so many of us and said no. Some of you are barely in similar sort of in similar half in. That's another to be all and by the way, another radio know if you are all winners.

When the circumstances of the really change your piece. You know I'm telling you not owing.

See that's the issue right there your letters we reveal to us once while the weather were all in. This is God's will for all of us. It's a resolution that he has for each of us want to close by discipline, giving you a story of what it means to be all and probably one of the most famous Christians of ever live in America is a man named Jonathan Edwards he is truly an amazing human being.

He lived in the 1700s. He graduated from Yale University when he was 12 years old is a very bright man. He became the president of Princeton University and he became one of the most famous pastors ever America.

He led what was called the great awakening the whole country went into revival because of Jonathan Edwards priests a particular sermon. You can find it online.

It's called sinners in the hands of an angry God in the whole country changed because of Jonathan Edwards to an amazing thing that he did and you think that's pretty impressive. Nowhere near as impressive as his legacy. Weatherly behind 300 ministers and missionaries, full-time descended from Jonathan Edwards 300 full-time pastors and missionaries 120 of his 120 people in his legacy became University professors hundred and 20 6 PM became authors 30 of them became judges. 14 of the became college presidents. Three of became members of Congress and one of them became vice president. United States is a legacy of one man how to solve it started when January 12, 17, 23 he wrote this in his diary he said today.

I make a solemn dedication of myself to God giving up myself and all that I had to God to be for the future. In no respect my own to act as one who had no right to himself in any respect, and I've solemnly vowed to take God for my whole portion and felicity looking on. Nothing else has any part of my happiness and I will never act as though something else.

Whatever be that way when he do when January 12 he will dynamo in a moment think what happened. A whole country. You see there's no telling what God can do to a person was all it is is no telling, but the decision on whether you're going to be all in or not is completely up to you. This is the one area were God one course you believe it's God's resolution for you and certainly my prayer for you 2019 owing spring.

Father, I simply say in my prayer that for those of us who know that were not all in. We know were not owing and you know were not owing that we at least ask ourselves why is because I treasure the values of a fallen, evil world do I find myself much like those who don't know Jesus Christ in love with myself to give me first in love with more in love with anything that I can feel it gives me pleasure father.

That's the spirit of the age. But that's not the spirit of God. Father I pray that we at least wrestle with this idea that we give ourselves to you as a living and holy sacrifice, because when we do that father will realize there was no sacrifice at all just became a venue in an avenue by which you blessed us that when we do this we live for your glory, and all of it is for our own good father would come to you and approach because of pastoral gift card on the radio ministry of fellowship in the world. If you ever miss one of our broadcast or maybe you just listen to the message one more time. Remember, you can Google a great website called one place.com that's one place.com and you can listen to Fellowship in the Word online at that website you will find on with today's broadcast but also many of her previous audio programs is that Fellowship in the Word.

We are thankful for those who financially support our ministry and make this broadcast possible.

We ask all of our listeners to prayerfully consider how you might help his radio ministry continuous broadcast on this radio station by supporting us monthly with just the one time support for ministry can be sent to Fellowship in the Word. 4600 Clearview Pkwy., Metairie, LA 7006 if you would be interested in hearing today's message in its original format that is is a sermon, the pastor will deliver during a Sunday morning service of fellowship monitored visit our website FVC Nola.org that FVC and oh LA.O RG at our website you will find hundreds pastoral sermon you can browse through our sermon archives to find the servicers are looking for. You can search by title. Once you find the message you're looking for. You can listen online or if you prefer, you can download the sermon and listen at your own. And remember all this absolutely free of charge. Once again our website FVC Nola.org for pastoral gift card countries and thank you for listening to fellowship in order