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I Handle My Emotions Differently Now

Matthew 5:16 (NASB95) Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-10, 12-14, 16-17, 19-20, 30-32 (NIV84) 1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. … 3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve. 6after that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. … 12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. … 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. … 30And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

The reason why:

It’s not just that I get into heaven, but heaven gets into me.

Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT) I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same might power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

We are people who are living in this world with the energy of the next.

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (NLT) 23…imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

It’s the power of God working in me, to bring my temperament into godliness.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

What’s changed:

1. I’ve got a compass surer than my feelings.

I have truth.

John 16:23 (ESV) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

James 1:19-20 (NIV) Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Psalm 43:5 (ESV) Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

2. I’ve got a perspective bigger than what’s immediate.

I have eternity!

3. I’ve got an aim higher than my happiness.

I have people I’m responsible for.

Jesus is my crown!

Romans 8:37-39 (NIV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Growing Deeper Together

Use these points throughout the week as part of your quiet time, in your small group, or over coffee with a friend to help you apply what you learned in today’s message.

What emotions do you need to yield to the Lord? Put a name and situation to them. Pray that God would provide the power, capacity, grit, and stamina to manage this area of your life in a godly way.

Shane talked about our “glory” and “terror”. What do you glory in? What are you giving weight and importance in your life? Where do you see that life as you know it would be tragic if you lost it? Turn those things over to Jesus today! Head over to the Prayer Lounge if you’d like to spend some quiet time with God or talk and pray about this with others.

Where do you see yourself growing in Christian character? Take time this week with 1 Corinthians 15:10. Ask yourself all the questions you can think of, like: What has God’s grace given me? Who I am? How did I become this person? What is the effect or evidence of God’s grace in my life? Where else do I need to surrender to God and experience his grace? Is there an area of my life that I’ve not allowed God’s grace to change? Am I extending the same grace to others that God has extended to me?