Without God...

Ephesians 2: 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles (czechs) by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men) — 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

If you are Separate from Christ

• You are Excluded from citizenship
• General blessing to those that belong to the kingdom
• Protections, Freedoms
• Responsibilities, (taxes, service ((military)) obedience to the laws
• You are Foreigners to the covenants of the promise (to the obedient)
• These are more specific for those that are closer to God
• Purpose
• You are Without hope
• Nothing to look forward to.
• Empty life

·         You are Without God in the world.

o   You are not supposed to be alone.

If you are without Christ you are without GOD! It’s not enough to believe in God, The devil believes in God too; every religion that believes in God but doesn’t receive Christ is separate from God!

The only thing worse than failing in life without God, is succeeding without him.

Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship with God himself. What kind of relationship? One where God is IN us!

Because you believe in God doesn’t mean that you have him IN your life.

Colossians 1: 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Any religious activity without Christ is a waste of time, You cannot be a Christian with out Christ IN you!

How do you know if you have Christ in you?

o   You have asked Jesus to come INTO your life and be your God!

§  The prayer of salvation, believe in your heart.

o   His governing words

§  wisdom

o   His governing presence

§  Power and guidance (love ((moved with compassion)), Holy Spirit)

o   His governing passion

§  fire

John the Baptist said “John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.”

Is he becoming greater inside of me or am I becoming greater?

Changing who is leading, who is in front, and who is more important. Jesus and the Father were “One” because Jesus obeyed his words, spoke his words and did his deeds. He was God inside minded.

Romans 8: 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (who have Christ in them), 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

• If you are not living in Christ you are living according to your sinful nature and…
• Your life will be full of condemnation because…
• You will be powerless against sin
• Hostile toward God
• Cannot please God
• Moving toward death

If we are only controlled and led by our own desires and from outward influences we can never please God. V:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires;

God couldn’t lead us from the outside because of the weakness of our nature. “The law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature”

So he had to find a way to get on the inside of us, to the very core of our being. But he couldn’t do that until he dealt with the sin problem. He did that through Christ on the Cross. He condemned all sin and therefore now he can enter the heart of man.

Being born again is giving this place, the leadership of your heart and life to God and him alone.

The devil has the disadvantage that he can only lead us from the outside.

12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Being led by the outside vs. being led from the inside

• Led by the Spirit
• 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Led by his Word*
• John 15: 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
• Led by Love
• John 15: 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

One man said “Don’t be afraid that your life will come to an end,”, “but instead that it will never have a beginning.”