Art History

Michelangelo can teach us something about "sanctification."  Michelangelo carved the statue "David" at the beginning of the 1500's. He, like many great sculptures, said that the image of David is already in the block of stone, I just need to release it by removing the stone that was un-necessary. It is a process of chiseling, grinding, carving meticulously with great skill and care.

Christianity is the only religion in the world with such an audacious claim found in Galatians: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and savior, Jesus comes to live "in" you. The problem is we are still a very carnal being when that happens. Our old self still has a mind of its own. It is opposed to the things of God. The process of sanctification is the removing of all the old self, the selfishness, the anger, the strife, the unforgiving heart, jealousy, and on and on until Christ is revealed through us. We become Christ to the world as we allow ourselves to be sanctified. We must be retooled and reshaped into a useful vessel for Gods purposes. 
Isaiah 64:8 "We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hand." 

Isaiah 45:9 ""Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'The potter has no hands'?"

1 Corinthians 3:16  "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's spirit dwells in you?"

How do I allow God to transform me? Two words, Submit and surrender! You must allow God to remove the things in your life that are hiding Jesus! I mentioned some of them above but the bible has more to say about these things which hinder Jesus from shining out through us. Read the bible! Pray. Listen. Obey!

It's the Holiday season. Let Jesus shine through you each and every day because this world needs to see Him in action. Even the simplest things matter! Kindness, joy, sharing, giving, compassion.

See you soon, in the mean time, be the church! Love, pastor kent