When Fitting in, Doesn’t Fit

English Standard Version Chapter 12

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Who here knows, God’s word is alive. It has the ability to cut straight to our heart. Changing our hearts and being transformed forever. Lets go in prayer this morning that The Holy Spirit may do that this morning.

I never saw this before but romans 12. we see this famous verse where Paul urges the church to stop walking how the world walks. He says do not be conformed to the ways of this world.

Galatians 5

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.

This is what the world wants to promote and this is what our flesh longs for…

Now follow this line of logic. Paul goes form saying to bunch of christians. Look youre a christian but youre acting like the world and youre getting in your flesh. But Paul in response to their wrong doing in being conformed to the world, he doesnt bash them over the head and condemn them. He goes right into their identity their calling, their purpose, their true identity

English Standard Version Chapter 12

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

And the same is for you guys this morning. IN a infinite big universe there is an even bigger God. The Bible say that the Earth is The Lords footstool. In ancient times foot stools were used for the King on a throne. The king would rest his feet on the footstool as he is sitting on his throne. Showing the comparison that the Earth is so small compared to God by yet He is still mindful of you. He looks into the universe into the galaxy into the world and points right at you and says,” I the Lord am going to give you gifts, talents, a purpose, a calling specific to you. No two will be alike.

Put it this way, you are a puzzle piece. And what lays before you are 2 different puzzle sets. You belong to only one of these sets. But you are relentless in your pursuit of fitting into the puzzle set that you were not meant for. So in your pursuit of life you jam yourself into the wrong puzzle. You try so hard to “fit in” that you compromise yourself. The structural integrity of this puzzle piece is now damaged. You now are bent, frayed, and tore apart. What was once this incomplete piece to a beautiful puzzle has nowhere to fit in.

So why can we never be satisfied with being part of this body?why do the patterns of this world seem to be way more enticing then the ways and words of God

Amplified Bible Chapter 12

And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance]. [

Because there is a message being spoken that our ears have been conditioned to give attention to. That our ears love. That our hearts cling to.

The message and blood Abel yelled “Vengence”

The message and blood of Jesus cried “Mercy. Lord forgive them for they know not what they do”

and this morning i have a question for you, What message are you listening to this morning? In the season of life you are in right now what is being preached to you?

i need to do these actions to be satisfied

i need to be in this group to be validadted and seen

You need to take a substance to have peace

I need to be rebellious so i can be seen

I cant be loved because i thought the most important people in my life were suppose to and they didnt

You know why im not a big fan of trends. they go by so quick and they show no forgiveness when theyre gone. If i were to go and start dabbing right here and saying bro thats swag, or saying what are thoooose” Most of yall would say “He’s really showing his age” but i thought this was popular. Trends say “if youre not in youre out. And you constantly have to stay with the times or you will not be in.

That is the message of this time,” if youre not in youre out” And so know we are wired to do whatever takes to fit in. To fit into this puzzle.

This morning i want to give you truth that every ounce of validatrion, approval, love can be found in one source and that is Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

You are His joy. You are His treasure. You are the apple of His eye. Dont settle for lesser things. Say that with me “I wont settle for lesser things”.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

So how will we not be conformed to this world? By being transformed by the renewing of our minds. This morning this message isnt about what you can do to fix it. This isnt about performance no this is about surrendering to the truths of God.

Who the son sets free is free indeed.