Live a Better Story

Intro

There is a story that we tell ourselves about ourselves.

There is a story that we tell others about ourselves.

Cling to Our Past

When we are stuck in our past, we are stuck in a scarcity mindset.

Scarcity Mindset vs. Abundance Mindset

Scarcity mindset lives in disguise.

A scarcity mindset communicates a lack of trust in the power of God.

Scarcity is often used as an excuse.

Talk about the valley.

The valleys are always the most fertile places.

John 10:10 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

We can allow our past to influence our will for our lives.

Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Following Jesus creates a mindset shift that radically changes our view on our past.

It’s time to get passed your past.

Romans 3:22–24 NLT

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Faith in Jesus means being made right with Jesus.

Connect to Christ

Romans 6:4 NLT

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

We must start living in a reality where we are defined by our new life in Christ.

Romans 5:1–8 NLT

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 NLT

Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

Our old self can serve as a distraction from the life we are called to live.

Romans 12:2 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Being connected to Jesus creates transformation from the inside out.

Connect to a Better Story

2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:13–15 NLT

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

When we live a better story, we must tell a better story.

No one is meant to do life alone.

Life change happens in community.

Matthew 28:19 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

We must share the Gospel from our scars not our wounds.

Healed people heal people.

There is a story that we get to tell ourselves about ourselves.

There is a story that we get to tell the world about ourselves.