How To Be A reMARKable Christian

How To Be A reMARKable Christian

Introduction

Galatians 6:17

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

Galatians 5:22-26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

ILLUSTRATION:

Mother Rescues Son From Alligator and Leaves Scars on His Arms

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother, in the house and looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug of war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much to passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

After weeks and weeks in the hospital the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. On his arms, were deep scratches from where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pants legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But, look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms too. I have them because my Mom wouldn’t let go.”

I. Source of the marks

A. Types of Marks

B. Birthmark - birth

C. Watermark -printed material

D. Benchmark - performance testing

E. scars - surgery, injury

F. Spiritual – Christ

G. 1 Peter 2:24(NLT) 24He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

II. Cost of the marks

A. It cost Jesus pain, suffering, blood and ultimately His life

Eph 1:7. In him we have redemption through his blood,

B. What will it cost you?

C. Are you willing to pay that price?

III. Attributes of the marks – The fruit of the Spirit

A. Love:agape (ag-ah'-pay): The ability to accept others; to give ourselves in service to others without expecting anything in return.  (John 3.16, 13.34-35; Rom 13.10; 1 Cor. 13.4-7, 13; Phil 2.2)

Romans 13:10.

10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

B. Joy: chara (khar-ah'): A deep, inner gladness that comes from your relationship with Jesus Christ. (Luke 24.52; John 15.10-11; 17.13; Acts 13.52; Rom 14.17-18, 15.13)

C. Peace: eiréné (i-ray'-nay) An inner harmony and sense of wellbeing based on our faith that God is in control no matter what happens. (Jn 16.33, Rom 5.1; 2 Cor 1.2; Phil 4.4-7)

D. Patience: makrothumia (mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah)   The ability to show restraint and calm in waiting on God, despite circumstances that may cause us to get angry. (Col 3.12-13, Eph 4.1-2; 2 Tim 4.2; Hew 6.12)

E. Kindnesschréstotés (khray-stot'-ace) The ability to treat others with openness, sensitivity, and love, and to share the kindness that comes from God. (Rom 2.4, 11.22; Eph 2.6-7; Col 3.12)

F. Goodness: agathosune (ag-ath-o-soo'-nay) Having the nature of God, able to tell right from wrong, doing good to others and avoiding evil. (Rom 15.14; Eph 5.8-11; 2 Thes 1.11)

G. Faithfulness:pistis (pis'-tis) Unshakable loyalty, shows in being trustworthy, reliable, responsible and carrying out our commitments to God and others. (Matt 15.28, 21.21, 23.23-24; Luke 22.32; Acts 6.8; 1 Cor. 13.13; Heb 10.22)

H. Fruit of the Spirit Assessment

IV. Results of the marks

V. Serenity of the marks