God Redeems, Refines & Realeses Us!

THIS IS MY STORY SERMON SERIES:Psalm 90

Some of you know who i am, but for many of you this is our first time meeting so let me tell you a little about myself. As you know Im Nick Oliver married to my high school sweetheart Robyn (yes we've been together since we were 15) we have 3 crazy and amazing children in Gabi (14), Mikaela (9), and Lukas (8). I am the former youth pastor here at Lifepoint back when we were called Epic! i am currently the pastor of a church Plant called Avert which launched 1/2022

Im super competitive, i love Football, MMA, and all things star wars and marvel.

I didn't grow up in the church, had a pretty rough up bringing lots of abuse and me always getting in trouble, until i finally gave my life to Jesus when i was 22. My wife likes to point out how my life completely changed when i gave my life to Jesus (which it should)

Before we get to far though i like to always open up with scripture and prayer in case this flawed man messes everything else up.

1 Corinthians 1:26–30 (CSB)

Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence. It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption

PRAY!

You guys started this series “This is My Story” last week with Pastor Natalie, it helps us understand that God is the ultimate storyteller, invites us to participate in his story, and includes us in the story making of others’ lives. Another way to think of the theme of this series: “This is my part in God’s story.”

this week we are going to look at our stories through the lens of our past.

I love to write a lot and put my thought and experiences on paper so im gonna share some personal stuff with you i have written over the years if that ok.

THE LETTER PT.1 Life Was Dark:

Dear Little boy I don’t remember,

We’re still standing. I know your mother stole your identity from you at such a young age. I know you father never protected you or cared what happened to you. I know you were so young and just wanted to be a little boy who was loved and able to be a little boy. I know you still feel worthless and had your innocence striped from you without ever knowing what happened.

Manipulated, taken advantage of, abused in so many ways. Being told you are hated and disgusting one minute because of who you looked like and then being told you’re loved. I know that’s so confusing and destroyed your innocent mind and left you not knowing the difference between true love and false love and hate.

It’s no surprise you died at the age of 5 and went cold….I know you are terrified and are protecting you heart. I see you desperately clinging to that heart of stone. I see what you are protecting, I see the little flesh at the bottom of that stone covered heart. You don’t want to let it go and be exposed because it’s all you have left. You are so afraid of that little bit of flesh that is left will be taken and broken once again and made to feel you are forever worthless.

I do need you to know mom never stoped until we hit 18 and moved out. She did die and got escape all this chaos she put us through. I do want you to know that dad hasn’t changed a bit… still loves his bottle more than us, he never became the protector and the example of what manhood looks like and now he’s gone as well.

We had to figure out what manhood looked like on our own and we failed so much trying to figure it out. Everything was distorted for us for so long. We have been left with all This devastation , pain, trauma and we are still struggling to know who we are. We fell down, and fell hard. We would question if we were ever actually standing at all.

the invisible scars I wear are reminders of the war this life has been and the many battles I have won and lost against this sickness. Oh how well we are acquainted.

Depression you and me have been through this for 20 years now. You must really love me and care for me to come back for me as often as you do.....

Now I’m lying here restless wanting to sleep...but instead now my thoughts are drowning me, I’m gasping for air now, my heart is racing as I’m not able to turn my thoughts off.

Memories good and bad running rampant with in my mind. How I wish I could shut them off and find some rest. I’m tired of this night in and night out.

Turn them off, please turn them off. I don’t want them, they don’t belong here...or is it me that doesn’t belong here? Jesus where are you right now?!?! This silence is deafening as I lye here slowing losing my life and hope.... do you see me and hear me in this agony?

Now I’m left with asking myself what I want... Sleep peacefully or eternally? I don’t know either anymore it feels like.

A liar? A coward? A fraud? A joke? A mistake? The problem? A failure? A loss cause?

What’s wrong with me...why can’t I move past all that was. Why do these dark memories continue to inflict damage upon my mind as night falls.

Will I be set free from this? Will I ever find the peace my soul so desperately seeks?

Jesus is your love truly for me? Do you see me? Can I really be free? I want to embrace all of You, but do You embrace me?

Have you called me by name? Or is it all in my head? Ive messed up more things than I’ve fixed. I’ve survived most of my life with the self hatred from this.

I’ve had my back up against the wall, all the while having my very life choked from me..I’ve felt my life slip away as I do again now.

Suffering seems to be the normal for this often tormented soul

Just a waste of space, no purpose or reason for being here other than being a door mat for more worthy people to walk over to get to where they are going.

I’ve been in the silence where I can’t tell if I’m deaf or you’ve gone mute and abandoned me.

I’ve felt abandoned and hopeless, and now those feeling are creeping in again. Those closest have broke me the most

I’ve felt the grip of a noose around my neck from a place that’s Supposed to bring most children joy.

The enticing allure of not feeling anything over living in this constant war zone of my mind and life.

I’ve know the feeling of not feeling at all and the scary places that it takes you to. Tip toeing the edge of sanity and insanity

Buying into the idea that was instilled in me from and early age that I’m the problem and that everyone else will either abandon me, hurt me, or use me and that I’m not worthy of love, joy or anything for that matter.

I’m the problem.... so much to live for, yet I don’t wanna be here anymore. All I do is disappoint those around me. And in the end everyone will be better off without me…Ive feel i have only ever survived and have never been able to truly live....What does that even look like wiht someone like me who is filled with so much

Anger, fear, anxiety, loss, sadness, hopelessness I’m done with all this...

The Letter PT.2 Life Was Redeemed, Refined & Released:

When preparing this sermon Psalm 90 stuck out to me alot to help us walk through this.

Psalm 90 This psalm, written by Moses, provides us with a profound perspective on the brevity of life, the eternal nature of God, and the significance of our days on this earth. As we delve into this sacred text, let us open our hearts and minds to the lessons it offers us.

READ PSALM 90

I. The Brevity of Human Life (Psalm 90:1-6)

Psalm 90 begins by emphasizing the eternal nature of God: "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations." This verse sets the tone for the entire psalm, highlighting God's unchanging and everlasting character. But in stark contrast to the eternal God, we are reminded of the brevity of our own lives.

Moses describes our lives as a mere "watch in the night" or "like grass that is renewed in the morning but withers in the evening." This imagery serves as a powerful reminder that our time on Earth is limited and fragile. We are here today, but tomorrow is uncertain.

II. The Prayer for God's Compassion (Psalm 90:7-12)

In verses 7-12, Moses acknowledges the sinful nature of humanity and pleads with God for His compassion and forgiveness. He recognizes that the consequences of sin often lead to a life filled with suffering and hardship. Yet, even in the face of our shortcomings, Moses reminds us to "number our days" and gain a heart of wisdom.

This call to wisdom challenges us to reflect on how we use the limited time we have been granted. Are we using our days for meaningful and righteous purposes, or are we squandering them on frivolous pursuits?

III. The Hope of God's Steadfast Love (Psalm 90:13-17)

The psalm takes a hopeful turn as Moses expresses his desire for God's favor to shine upon His people. He prays for God to satisfy us with His steadfast love and to make our efforts meaningful. In these verses, we see the promise of redemption and renewal, even in the face of life's brevity.

Moses's prayer reminds us that despite our frailty and limitations, God's love and mercy endure forever. It is in Him that we find our hope and purpose. We are called to seek His guidance and trust in His unfailing love as we navigate the transient nature of our existence.

Psalm 90 is a timeless reminder of the dual realities of human frailty and God's eternal nature. It challenges us to make the most of our limited time on Earth, seeking wisdom and purpose in our days. As we reflect on the words of Moses, let us remember that our lives gain their true meaning when they are lived in alignment with God's will and filled with His steadfast love.

God Redeems US!

no matter how broken or burdened our past may be, it does not define who we are in the eyes of God. Our journey through life is marked by trials, failures, and mistakes, but through God's grace, we can be transformed into vessels of His love and redemption.

I. Acknowledging Our Brokenness

We all have moments in our lives when we feel broken and defeated. We may carry the scars of past mistakes, hurts, and regrets. It's easy to let these experiences define us, to believe that we are unworthy or beyond repair. But the truth is, we serve a God who specializes in redemption. In Psalm 34:18, we read, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

II. The Power of God's Redemption

In the Bible, we find countless examples of individuals who were broken and flawed, yet God used them in mighty ways. Consider the life of David, a man who committed adultery and murder, yet was called "a man after God's own heart." (Acts 13:22) Or think about Peter, who denied Jesus three times, only to become a pillar of the early church.

These stories remind us that God's redemption is not limited by our past mistakes. His grace is sufficient to transform even the most broken among us. Romans 8:1 reassures us: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." When we surrender our brokenness to God, He redeems us, forgives us, and sets us on a path of healing and restoration.

III. Embracing Our Identity in Christ

To understand how God redeems us, we must also grasp our identity in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are made new. Our past sins no longer define us. Instead, we are defined by God's love, grace, and the work of redemption He has begun in us.

When we accept Christ, we become heirs to the promise of eternal life and children of a loving and forgiving God. Our past may shape our story, but it does not determine our destiny. We are called to walk in the freedom and hope that come from being redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

Conclusion:

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (NIV). This verse tells us that God uses our grief, our joy, our loss, our gain, our trials and our triumphs. Nothing is wasted

Through Christ, we are made new, and our future is filled with hope and purpose. Let us embrace this truth and live as redeemed men and women, sharing the good news of God's love and redemption with a broken world.

And to close out my letter from earlier:

But for some reason you keep trying to remind me that I am not these things......this is what satan would like me to believe I am, so that he can try and derail me from the path you my God have laid before me....

God it is in these moments of self induced darkness where I see how much I need you.

I am reminded that you never asked me to clean myself up before I come to You.

No. You told me to simply come...

My hands have been cleansed by the blood of your Son.... not by anything I can do...

I can now walk in freedom with you, and not be burdened by thinking I have to work harder or clean myself to be loved by you...

Lord Your Love is free and unconditional .... and I can't thank you enough for that...But I want to tell you it’s ok. We grew up not to be a perfect 33 year old man…far from it.

We met the woman of our dreams and little man she stuck around with us despite being broken and chaotic little boy. We married her and had 3 beautiful kids of our own. I must say we were terrified of being a husband and a father because we didn’t ever see what that looked like growing up. But we did find the perfect Father in heaven who loves us so much. He wants to mend us and care for us fully. He wants us to be healed of all of this. But I’m going to need you to stop clinging to that heart of stone…I’m gonna need you to let it go. I’m gonna need you to trust me with it now. We have been cold for far too long. Yes it’s terrifying to allow that little bit of heart we have left to be exposed and vulnerable. But it’s time. I’ve let you hold it for too long and that was wrong of me. I got it from here. And you’re gonna be ok. We can now be free and truly love ourselves and truly love others. God has healed us and is now using this unlikely person to help others and move His kingdom forward

We know that God was working throughout the past, and we trust that he will

continue to work into the future. Because he knows our end from our beginning,

and he promises to have good things for us even when we’ve been stubborn, he

will carry us and give us a good future. Sometimes we see that good future

during our lives. Other times, we see the good future in eternity.

Questions:

1.What stuck out to you from tonights sermon or what stuck out to you from Psalm 90?

2.Do you ever feel like you are to broken or have been through to much to be loved by God? Do you have a tendency to get stuck in negative thinking?

3.Do you feel like your past mistakes, hurts, and upbringing will prevent God from being able to use you?

4.What does being made new in Christ mean to you?