Transformative Renewal: Embracing Life in Christ

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For He was buried and the Bible says, and we were buried with Him, but He didn't stay buried. He raised Himself from the dead and that's why we pull them up out of the water because we don't want to leave you in the water. And then we walk out of here in a new life. Romans chapter six, verse one puts it this way. We are buried together with Christ through baptism and raised to walk in a new life. [00:16:48] (22 seconds)


Back in January, we did a series called one degree and our whole premise in one degree is that if each of us could make one degree of change each month, this year, by the end of the year, a 12 degree change is radical. And we liken that to aeronautics getting on an airplane in Nashville to LaGuardia, a 12 degree shift would land in South of Baltimore in the Atlantic ocean. That's a dramatic difference. [00:27:45] (24 seconds)


When we do that, especially financially, what's amazing is, is we not only invite God into our financial well-being, but we obligate God to our financial well-being. And that's a radical truth, because you know, biblically, God has never been obligated to anybody. At any time about anything, except when he obligates himself to man through promises that he makes, not any performance that he demands. [00:29:59] (30 seconds)


And throughout scripture, he takes on the obligation of our financial security, if we take on the responsibility of just being generous towards him. I mean, you literally are inviting him in to your financial wherewithal, your financial well-being, and your financial security. So I encourage, encourage you. [00:30:57] (22 seconds)


What would you say if I told you that God has already chosen you as an ambassador? I would say, I would say, I would say, I would say, I would say, that he put you before the Senate of the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and they approved you on first passing. And then he assigned you a territory where you now have to be ambassador. [00:44:14] (20 seconds)


Every one of us has an, and maybe more than one assignment to be an ambassador. In here as an ambassador for Christ, this is easy. This ain't bad. You know, you can serve the Lord. You can be a greeter security, but when you're asked to do it on foreign soil, well, it gets a little bit difficult. [00:45:25] (21 seconds)


We want them to embrace this. So, we partake in the work of God. We partake in the work of God. We partake in the work of God. We participate in this epic mission when we embrace the role of ambassador. And the great news is, the word in the Bible is the same word that we would use. A representative. One who communicates clearly the message of that person you're representing. [00:47:51] (17 seconds)


We see them as an opportunity. You know what I mean? Not to take advantage of. It's like every human being you meet, if you will, I know this is probably not right, but as a customer. They're a potential customer for salvation. And we know they've already been saved. We know that. I mean, forgiven. The only thing that's left is that exchange, the transaction that has to happen between the sins being forgiven and a person receiving that forgiveness, right? [00:49:30] (28 seconds)


And we live in a deep sense of well-being and security because we know, we know what you're going to do. But Father, there's one driving purpose for your people and your place. And that is to replace the church. And that is to be ambassadors, ministers, and message carriers of the beautiful message of reconciliation and that you are no longer [01:11:01] (31 seconds)


He who knew no sin became sin, that we might become the righteousness of God. And that's our message. We implore you on Christ's behalf. Be reconciled to God. Well, how do I do that? He who knew no sin became sin, that you might become the righteousness of God. Can you believe that? [01:07:00] (29 seconds)


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