8/3/2019 The Schnoz Berries Should Taste Like Schnoz Berries

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The Schnozberries Should Taste Like SchnozberriesThe schnozberries should taste like schnozberries. It was 1 a.m. and I couldnt sleep, so I wasdiscussing with the Lord what I should talk about this Friday at the Vault and He said, Theschnozberries SHOULD taste like schnozberries. Now, that may sound funny, but I knewexactly what He meant. A schnozberry should taste like a schnozberry; an orange should looklike an orange, a duck should quack like a duck, and a Christian should act like a Christian! Sotonight I want to talk to you about how the gospel should be transforming our lives and the lives

of those around us and for that well start in Matthew 7:15-20.

I will touch principally on three points tonight:

v15 - The Inward Change:The gospel sets us free from being ferocious wolvesdevouring one another and seeking afterour own selfish ambitions and vain conceits. Philippians 2:3.

v16 - The Outward Change:The gospel sets us free from our prickly behaviorthe way we treat others when were less thancourteous to them. James 3:8.

v17-18 - The Upward Change:The gospel fills us with a desire to advance the kingdom of God, not the kingdom of menwebegin to bear good fruit. Colossians 3:17,23.

Mark 5:1-20 - the best way to examine these changes is with a biblical example:v1-5 - this man is stark, raving mad. He is demon-possessed and needs an inward change. Heis violent toward others and needs an outward change.

v6-7 - He resists God and speaks poorly of His character (dont torture me). He needs anupward change.

A perfect candidate for the gospel! But you may be thinking - Im not like him. Lets compare

ourselves to the inward, outward, upward changes that occur in this man when confronted byJesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - change comes from God, not human effort.

v11-15 - (Inward - right mind) The gospel of Jesus Christ should transform your mind!(Romans 12:2) speak: I can do all things..No weapon formed..Greater is He...I am a child ofGod...Ive been blessed...etc. Think properly about God - do you doubt Him? Accuse Him? Tellstory about praying that Elise would sleep and not accusing God.

v15 - (Outward - sitting, not violent, and dressed) The gospel of Jesus Christ should change theway we relate to people. (Ephesians 4:2). Bless those who curse you.

v16-20 - (Upward - excited to advance the kingdom) The gospel of Jesus Christ should exciteus to be witnesses of all Hes done for us. (You will be my witnesses). 50% of the churches inAmerica dont see more than one new convert a year. Perhaps its because were not amazingpeople with an inward, outward, upward change. Tell testimony.

If we refuse to undergo the inward, outward, upward changes:Matthew 7:18-23 - Cut down, thrown into fireHow do we know if God knows us? 1 Corinthians 8:3 - by loving Him. What does it mean tolove God? 2 John 1:6 - by obeying Him. There must be an inward, outward, upward change.The schnozberries should taste like schnozberries.