REAL POWER FOR CHANGE!
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RESURRECTION: REAL POWER FOR CHANGE!
Ephesians 2
2And you, although you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all formerly lived in the desires of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of the mind, and we were children of wrath by nature, as also the rest of them were.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, 5 and we being dead in trespasses, he made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), 6 and raised us together and seated us together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that he might show in the coming ages the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we may walk in them. [1]
THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION CREATES A CHANGE IN (v.1-4):
CONDITION. No longer captured in the power of sin. (1-4)
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
CITIZENSHIP. He claims you as His own. (5-6)
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
COURSE. You are heaven bound. (7-10)
HOW TO OVERCOME THE PULL OF THE WORLD.
1. DEVELOP THE HABIT OF FOCUSING ON GOD.
According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan Addiction Research Center, participants who reported “increases in day-to-day spiritual experiences” were less likely to engage in drinking episodes three months later. A similar study found that individuals who were still sober after treatment showed greater levels of faith than those who had relapsed.
Religion can also provide the mental and emotional support that is essential to sobriety. Instead of facing recovery challenges alone, you can look to a higher power for guidance and encouragement. When you give your fears and uncertainties up to God or a higher power, you may find that he or she already has a plan for you.
“Knowing that we have a place in the world is inspiring, but also humbling,” says Dr. Brooks. “It helps us to know that just because something is a problem today, there is always hope for the future.”
2. BE HONEST ABOUT THE PULL OF SIN.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Nearly 1 in 10 Americans aged 12 or older (20.1 million people) have a substance use disorder (SUD), involving alcohol or illicit drugs (see Fig. 1). This includes an estimated 2.1 million people with an opioid use disorder, which includes 1.8 million people with a prescription pain reliever use disorder, according to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2018) of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
3. HONOR GOD EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT.
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
a. Memorize 4 or 5 meaningful verses.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
b. Meditate on God’s Word.
c. Make it personal.
d. Evaluate if you are Moving toward God or not.
Pick 2 verses above to memorize.
Practice meditating during down times at work and school.
Serve someone as unto the Lord this week.
[1] W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Eph 2:1–10.