The Powerful Toolof a Painful PastPastor Mark Schwarzbauer PhDFamily Worship Center 10/1/17Text: Ephesians 2:8-10

Part One: The Shape You’re InI. Ephesians 2:8&9 give us a solid foundation in grace.

A. It’s not about our ability- It is all about God’s ability.B. Accept the gift and THEN OPEN THE GIFT Vs. 10.

II. Another version translates vs. 10 as “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10).

III. Masterpiece~A. It’s from the Greek word ποίημα (poiema) from which we get our English word

“poem.” B. The word is used to describe a “work of art,” as in a uniquely woven fabric design. C. You are an artistic Poem of God.D. You are a masterpiece to do GOOD!E. “Instead of trying to reshape yourself to be like someone else, you should celebrate

the shape God has given you.” Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven® ChurchF. “Da Vinci painted one Mona Lisa, Beethoven created one Fifth Symphony, and God

made one version of you. You’re it! You’re the only you there is. And if we don’t get you, we don’t get you. You’re the only shot we have at you. You can do something no one else can do in a fashion no one else can do it. You are more than a coincidence of chromosomes and heredity, more than just an assemblage of somebody else’s lineage. You are uniquely made.”  S.H.A.P.E.: Finding & Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life Zondervan, 2006 Erik Rees.

IV. Your S.H.A.P.E. (acronym by Pastor Rick in Purpose Driven Life). Spiritual Gifts - A set of special abilities that God has give to you to share his

love and serve others. Heart - The special passions God has given you so that you can glorify him on

earth. Abilities - The set of talents that God gave you when you were born, which he

also wants you to use to make an impact for him. Personality - The special way God wired you to navigate life and fulfill your

unique Kingdom Purpose. Experiences - Those parts of your past, both positive and painful, which God

intends to use in great ways.

Part Two: Recycling Your Painful PastI. Romans 8:28 promises that God can use every experience in your life for good, even the

sad, painful and difficult ones.II. Your painful past can be your most powerful tools.

A. Your Painful Past gives you the ability to truly understand and identify with others who are hurting.B. Your Painful Past gives you an open door to speak into some people’s lives that others will never be able to.C. “The scars of your Painful Past PROVE you are stronger than what tried to destroy you. They prove you are a survivor. They are beautiful tattoos of victory.” PMD. Your Painful Past has the power to propel you into greater things ahead.E. Your painful past has the power to lead others to victory too.

III. Stop hating and hiding your tools.A. Tools… Your rejection in your painful past can become someone else’s inclusion.B. Your painful past brokenness can be someone else’s reason to have hope to go on. C. Your painful past mistake can be someone else’s power for prevention.D. Your painful past can be the light someone needs to find their way to Jesus.E. Stop hating and hiding your hurting. That only stops healing and leads to repeating.

IV. Instead, surrender everything to Jesus and ask Him to use every tool in your life to His glory.

Closing: Altar Call to Surrender Your Painful Past and Become the Most Amazing Tool You Were Created to Be.

Discussion Items for Home and Small Group1. In your own words, share what it means to you to be God’s “poem”. 2. Take just five minutes and summarize the meaning of “S.H.A.P.E.3. Explain how your painful past can be your most powerful tools.4. Identify specific painful past experiences and talk about how God could use these in

your life.5. Pray for each other.