Teaching Notes

We took a picture of the clouds on our way to Washington, DC and we watched them make shapes and do strange things.  They simply just reminded us of God's handiwork.  That is what people should think about when they see us.  They should see the many different sides of us (all the gifts in us being used) and simply be reminded of God's handiwork on display in us.

Things About God

He is Pure

1 John 3:2-3 (The Message)

2-3But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own.

Notes: What is so wonderful as shared in this scripture is there is a reward promised for those that wait on God.  To wait on Jesus' return we are promises to be just like Christ.

Question: What is meant by "glistening purity of Jesus' Life as a model for our own"?

Answer: The writer is telling us that Jesus is pure.  He walked this earth without any sins.  His life was pure and so it is glistening, the light of that purity shining from him. This life then becomes the model for us to live our lives.  You might say but we cannot be without sin or we cannot be faultless.  That is the beauty of why Jesus came, he came to give us the strength through his Spirit to live a  holy life.  You and I cannot live for God his way without His Spirit equipping us to do it.  So you and I can glisten like a bright light if we allow God's Spirit in us to show us in the image of Christ.

Prayer: God, we seek you today to help us live a holy life because you are holy.  Help us to be that glistening example of Christ as your Spirit dwells within us.  May we be the light that is sat on the hill, shining before all me.