We are looking at the spiritual aspects of the cross.

  1. We are in Christ when He died, rose and was given authority and seated in heaven

  2. Because of the Blood of Jesus we have hope, we are near Jesus, and can trust in Him

Believe Jesus died for our sins, but we have a hard time believing these things about the work of the cross.

Boxed in and restricted in what God is able to do through our lives.

EXAMPLE: 1870’s church conference in Westfield College Illinois. President of college spoke prophetically “We are approaching a time of great inventions. For example, I believe the day is not far off when men will fly through the air like birds. On bishop accused him of heresy. The Bible tells us that flight is reserved for the angels! The bishops name? Wright. His two sons Orville and Wilbur. Where would we be if not for children who challenge our assumptions

Goal is to begin to to believe who we are in Jesus.

Ephesians 2: 10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

  1. GOD’S SPIRIT

Created = creation, shape, completely transformed or changed.

Masterpiece = that which has come forth. Idea here is that there is a vision of what God wanted to see happen and it is spoken forth. Then we become who is spoken forth.

We literally created into what God intended us to be.

John 16: 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.

One of the works of the results of the cross is the Holy Spirit coming to us.

There are 32 names of the Holy Spirit to show us what is his character.

Spirit is creator Genesis 1: 2 Spirit hovered over waters and spoke, and created.

Same as what He is doing in our lives.

Spirit moved to shape us and transform us.

John 14: 18 I will not abandon you as orphans.

Orphans are beyond help to change ourselves or our circumstances

We are orphaned without his work in us.

  1. GOD’S WORKS

Ephesians 2: 10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

We are only able to accomplish works if God is able to create in us what He wants through his spirit.

Anything done in our own is powerless and ineffective.

Law of inertia = object will maintain it state of rest or motion in a straight line unless acted upon by external force.

We are active, but are we getting things done?

Kierkegaard “ Business that state of constant distraction that allows people to avoid difficult realities and maintain self deception”

Inoculation = small amount of a real thing that makes the real thing impotent

  • Resist the Holy Spirit
  • Past experiences good enough
  • Sons of Sceva as an example(See Acts 14: 13 – 16

Without his work we are orphans, but God has prepared works for us to do. God moving upon our inertia to change the direction of where we are going and what we are doing, and who we are becoming.

  1. CHURCH ALIVE

Spirit has come to give us life Key Verse at HTC (John 10: 10 I have come that you would have real and eternal life)

2 Timothy 1: 15 turned away from me. Put their sword back in their sheath Lost their allegiance

Doesn’t mean they quit the church, but cut themselves off from the Life of the spirit.

Not leave you alone but will send a helper that I can become the creation I am meant to be.

Key Point: Never too late to become who you might have been.