Have you ever stopped to think that God, before you were ever even born, had a preferred life and purpose for your life? That He planned and crafted you to live your life in a way that would not only benefit you but all those around you? But what if we’ve messed up in the past? Or what if we haven’t been interested in all in what God wants for us and instead are interested more in what we want. This week in our series This Is Us, we talk about the value our church places on every person being personally involved. We talk about how you can begin to live the life God has planned for you regardless of your past and what are some small steps you can take to get started.

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MESSAGE NOTES

  • Ephesians 2:1-10

    Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

    But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

    God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

    1 Corinthians 12:12-21 b

    The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,[e] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.[f]

    14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

    18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

    Gates are for defense because the church is supposed to be playing offense.”

    God thinks that you are a  necessary part of this church family.

    • Are you playing your part the best that you can?

    You have ONE SHOT oat life. If you’re a follower of Jesus, you believe that some day you will stand before Jesus and give an account of what you did with your money, your ability, and your time.

     

    • Is God pleased with your current level of participation in His mission?

     

    Friends And Family Check-in

    • Go to thatsgrace.org/checkin
    • Please let us know where you’re at in your walk with God
    • Tell us how we can help you take your next step.