The Search for Significance

Do you ever wonder if you life really matters?  Many Christians buy into the definitions of success promoted by our consumer culture.  We confuse "having" with "being."  What all of us need today is a new sense of who we are, not upon what we have.

I believe we can gain this new sense of significance by rethinking who we are as the people of God.  For to know God, or rather to be known by Him (Galatians 4:9) is to have one's life profoundly changed and refocused.  Here is significance that is authentic and lasting.  1 Corinthians 3:16-23 gives several metaphors of our significance to God.

    1. We are God's House.
    2. We are God's personal possession.
    3. We are God's holy place.

The real basis of self esteem is our position as the sons and daughters of God.  The basis for becoming "real" is love.  It is not having things but standing for something.  God defines what is real for us.

Text: 1 Cor 3:16-23, Gal 4:9

Galatians 6:14

Proposition: All men have need of the cross of Christ.
Objective: To show the blessings found in the cross.
Key Word: Blessings

I. The sinner's refuge
II. The sinner's remedy
III. The sinner's life

Flesh vs. Spirit

Text: Galatians 5:16-25
Proposition: Man can not serve both the desires of the flesh and the desires of God.
Objective: Enable people to see they can not serve two masters.
Key Word: Aspects
Transitional Sentence: Paul discusses the aspects of this choice.

I. Deeds of the flesh. (19-21)
II. Fruits of the Spirit. (22-23)
III. Decision must be made. (16-18, 24-25)

Spiritual Priorities

Galatians 5:6

Proposition: There are things that are of no use or worth in our spiritual lives.
Objective: To show what truly "avails" spiritually.
Transitional Sentence: What truly avails is:
I. Faith.
II. Faith working.
III. Faith working through love.

Questions About God's Promise

Galatians 3:22-29

Objective: To bring people to share in God's promise.
Proposition: All people need God's promise.
Transitional Sentence: There are questions about God's promise that you need answered.

I. Who Receives The Promise? (22-23)
II. What is The Promise? (24-26)
III. How Do I Obtain The Promise? (27-29)