Reality 7:
You come to know God by experience as you obey Him, and He accomplishes His work through you

• WE EXPERIENCE God when we are with Him in relationship
• In that relationship, He reveals Himself and we join Him in what He is doing
• We cannot experience Him if we won’t surrender to Him – allowing Him to save us from the penalty of sin and the control of it in our lives
• Sin is to choose to do wrong or choose not to do right
• The gospel is the message that delivers the terms of surrender

Acts 2:38 (NIV) — 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:5 (NIV) — 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.

1 John 1:8-2:6(NIV) — 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

John 14:22–24 (NIV) — 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

Some key takeaways from this series about spiritual maturity:

1. The why? A disciple of Jesus desires to be used for the Lords will rather than the things of the world (Matthew 6:10)
2. Gods will is more about who you are and about your character than your planning.
3. When we are faithful with the things that seem small He gives us larger things to do
4. He won’t tell us what to do next when we refuse to do what He said last.
5. In order to be of use we will need to have margin (holiness – set apart)
6. Just because you are walking with Him doesn’t mean the way will be easy. But its eternally good.

Luke 16:10 (NIV) — 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

2 Timothy 2:19–21 (NIV) — 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Biblical reproducible process-pattern – Jesus and the early church.

•  The Share, Connect, train for Ministry, release to make Disciples process of Jesus

Matthew 4:19 (NIV) — 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Acts 2:42–46 (NIV) — 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

1. Understand the will of God – relationship restored – you have accepted and you share the good news
2. Connect in relationship with other believers –the community lifestyle
   • Weekend services – life group – one on one
   • My concern after the pandemic and the great migration
3. Minister – we serve others as an attitude – and in specific ways designated by God
4. Disciple – We make disciples in every sphere of our influence – home and world and within the church

What is your next step of adjustment and obedience?

For Small Group Discussion:

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12, Col. 4:5-6, 1 Cor. 9:24-27, 1 Peter 4:7-11, 2 Tim. 2:19-21 Questions:

1. What promise in Scripture has been most significant in your past?
2. What’s been the scariest step of faith so far in your walk with God? How did God prove faithful?
3. How has your character been conformed more to the likeness of Jesus through steps of obedience?
4. In what areas of your walk with Jesus are you tired, discouraged, or distracted?
5. Read Hebrews 12:1. What weight or hindrance do you believe God is asking you to lay aside?
6. What practical steps will you or are you taking to continually rely on the Lord’s power and wisdom?

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Experiencing God Week 7 Jim Putman