Cow Tipping 3 - Grace Is Free, But It Isn't Cheap

Cow Tipping - 3
Grace Is Free But It Isn’t Cheap
Brian Phipps, GROW (Discipleship) Pastor at Westside Family Church

Big idea for this series:  Jesus expects us to examine our beliefs in the light of scripture.

... East Coast City Boy anectdotes ... college in Oklahoma  ... an automobile graveyard in Missouri ... old Pontiac Firebird ... rusting combine ... Spirital Aha ... we are created in God's image ... but that image of God is still visible in us, but is corrupted and rusted away.  We resist God's truth.  Our emotions go up and down ... crazy ... guilt and shame ... we are left broken on the side of the road ... in need of someone to come and restore us.  Talking about the American Restoration show ... transition to Jesus, the master restorer of lives. 

Big idea for this teaching: Jesus came to give you life... not just life insurance!

... He is not just a rescuere ... he's a restorer. 

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  

2 Peter 1: 3-4 (NIV)

1.  Prioritize what Jesus made possible!

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith...

2 Peter 1:5 (NIV)

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.  

Philippians 2: 12-13  (NAS)

... What do we prioritze in our life?  Our checkbooks and our calendars are great indicators of what we prioritize. 

2.  Take your next step!

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 

2 Peter 1: 5-7 (NIV)

... can get overwhelmed with the process ... can't get to the end zone tomorrow ... take little steps.  Goodness then Knowledge then Self-Control then Perseverence then Godliness ... one step at a time. 

... from preaching to meddling ... Brian shares his life with us ... we need people around us to have the same passion to be restored.  He's been in a men's group since college and he'll be in one until he dies because he doesn't trust himself.  He needs accountability. 

... You might ask, why bother? 

“Life is an uphill battle. If I am in neutral, I’m going backwards!”

... we must be going forward, taking initiative. 

3.  Never forget the price Jesus paid.

But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

2 Peter 1:9 (NIV)

... driven to restoration by Christ's sacrifice. 

Back to American Restoration anectdotes ... combined episode (entitled "The Pick, the Pawn, & the Polish") between American Pickers, Pawn Stars and American Restoration ... restoring a 57 Chevy for 70th birthday to the tune of over $70k ... Jesus went all-in. 

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 1: 10-11 (NIV)

That's what God wants for you.  That's what Jesus has done for you. 

... back to Roach, Missouri and the old Firebird (before and after pictures). 

Discipleship Pastor (GROW Pastor) is Brian's title.  Heads a team of five who fast and pray to get you into the right group.  Ask God for your next step and take.  Sign up for a Life Group this week. 

Prayer:  Jesus, all glory and praise and honor to you who though scorn and pain was coming, walked past it and through it, and the Cross and endured it ... let us be restored in your image to your glory.  Amen. 

Pastor Dan ... don't just float along.  Go for it.  If you are not in a group, why not?  You cannot do the Christian life solo.  Next Week:  My Health Really Doesn't Matter 

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Later in the week, you can watch the video of this message from Westside's website repository.