My Next Step | Where Do I Go from Here?

Where Do I Go From Here?

My next step…

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. Philippians 3:10 (NLT)

5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Romans 6:5-11 (NLT)

Soul Tattoo: Connection and conviction are next steps to longevity with Jesus Christ.

Connection and Conviction:

Connection: a relationship where you are linked or associated with something or someone else.

• Connect with God.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 (ESV)

4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 (NIV)

• Connect with believers.

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. Acts 2:42-44 (NLT) 

• Connect with outsiders.

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19 (ESV)

Conviction: a firmly or strong held belief or opinion.

Convict: to convince of error or sinfulness.

7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. John 16:7-8 (NLT) 

You are free to make decisions in the light of a perfect and delightful friendship with God, knowing that if your decisions are wrong He will lovingly produce that sense of restraint. Once he does, you must stop immediately. Oswald Chambers

Connection + Conviction = Growth

Co-Crucifixion. Oswald Chambers

• Have you made the following decision about sin—that it must be completely killed in you?
• Are you prepared to let the Spirit of God search you until you know what the level and nature of sin is in your life— to see the very things that struggle against God’s Spirit in you?
• If so, will you then agree with God’s verdict on the nature of sin— that it should be identified with the death of Jesus?

11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11 (ESV)

• Have you entered into the glorious privilege of being crucified with Christ, until all that remains in your flesh and blood is His life? 

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

Soul Tattoo: Connection and conviction are next steps to longevity with Jesus Christ.

Knowing God is Connecting to God.

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. Philippians 3:10 (NLT)

1. Love Him because He loved me first. 

1 John 4:19 (NIV) We love because he first loved us.

2. Pursue Him with all of my heart. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

3. Give Him my life.

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Luke 9:24 (NLT)

Soul Tattoo: Connection and conviction are next steps to longevity with Jesus Christ.