That's Mine

Here we see that God makes a awesome statement in that He declares that their are some people who leaves no doubt about is his. He let us know that in order to be his or become his character is at the heart of the matter. not just anybody came have this relationship. God put high premium on “character” so immediately we as what is character? I know you know but you want me to make sure you understand so let’s go to the dictionary to difine this word. Character according to the dictionary it says that character is qualities of honesty, courage, or the like: integrity.

Do not be miss led bad company will corrupt good communication.

Sermon: Here we find God making one of the best statements of all time. God declares:

“And they shall be mine, says the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels”

So now we understand why God can make this statement that “They shall be mine, saids the lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.” God uses simile to describeHis people, Yea, I hear you pastor what is simile? Well hear again our dictionary gives us understanding as to what our father (God) is talking about. Simile is a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared. You know a husband compares his wife by saying “she is like a rose.” Two different things but we understands what he means that she is sweet, pretty and something we like. So here we see God using the word jewels to describe His people. We know real jewels are precious, expensive and often glitter and is a good investment as well.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. [1]

Church, the words of out text are a revelation of God’s estimate of character. This word estimate we use it quit frequently for the first thing we want to know upon making a purchase is those five dreaded words how much do it cost?

We get estimates on the worth of our house our cars what ever you when ever you want to know how much something cost or how much you can get for selling something there a buyer guide or a seller guide to give you some value of what you are buying or selling. Our character often times shows up when trying to sell something. That old lawn mower you want to sell sometimes you know something is wrong with it but declare it’s fine. We sell and write in the agreement sold as is knowing you are selling a lemon or a piece of junk!

Think about this although the universe is His, including all created beings, yet God expresses a very special attachment to some human beings. Did you noticed I did say “some” not all. Why is that it’s simple for every body don’t have good character! My scripture reading this morning was design to let you know that. Again I will read it too you “bad company corrupts good communication. Hanging with the wrong people will ruin you if you are not careful.

Who list do you want to be on? God said “they shall be mine no if’s and’s or but’s you shall be mine. You want that list or the other one where Divie’s can tell you is not a good list to be on for he made that list and the bible said he died and in hell he lifted up his eyes. or text is both a wonderful revelation of God who He is and what he expect’s of His children. It is also an evaluation of you and I God is looking for some true tried and tested people who he can claim as his. On this journey we call life we are expected by God to conduct ourselves in such a way that it brings a smile upon his face. We are never to embarrass him by our action or no action. As His child you are called to a higher standard life that that of the world. You see we were made in His image what image is that you ask? Well, Adam and Eve can shine a little light on this subject for they being the first humans and God in (NIV)

If you know nothing is wrong with it or if something is CHARACTER should cause you to disclose that when selling. It’s your and you know if it’s good or not God’s people should have impeckable character. That’s why God claim these people HE says proudly and loudly “THAT’S MINE!”

[1] The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. This was true in their physical appearance as well as in their nature. you see states: This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.” And that’s were we get into trouble leaving our first love and running all over the place looking in all the wrong places for what God has already given us. But for some reason we think we can find whatever we are seeking that we can find in on the street corner, in the crack house, in the club, on the job, in the bottle even in one another.

27 So God created mankind in his own image,

God uses simile to describe His people a simile is nothing more that a figure of speech in which to unlike things are explicitly compared, you know talking about you beau you say she/he is just like a rose! So God here use’s jewels to show us how much He values character. Even though the universe is his, including all created beings, yet, He expresses a very special attachment to some human beings. You did notice I said SOME and not all human beings.

This only have I found:

It’s only when you come to yourself that you understand schemes won’t get it, trick won’t get it it’s when your character lines up with the one who blew breath into you and you became a living soul. You see Gods character is impeckable no faults or short coming He is the great I am and He wants to be able to claim you as one of His but your character must imitate his. What is His character? His character is expressed in His name (NIV) 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished.” His character is seen in His Son Jesus

even in one another

in the image of God he created them;

Could it be you are excluded because your character with God is in question? Yes I know you come to church but what do you do how do you act when you think know one is watching?

7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

God created mankind upright,

The New International Version Chapter 1

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Well some of you might be saying “what is character?” I know you know but to leave no doubt character is a manifestation of those virtues that reveal godlikeness. You still don’t get it well Adam and Eve were created in the image of God: they reflected God’s character image (NIV) 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. This was true in their physical appearance as well as in their nature. How do I know that you ask well

male and female he created them.

but they have gone in search of many schemes.”

God’s character is also seen in his written word-the bible JN 39b. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life. His character is shown in his commands :So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. Finally, God character is found in His children that you and I if we been born again for you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

Peter goes on to say: 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (NIV)

These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

even in one another

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Church you need to let your light shine let the world see God in you for character of the divine nature, is the great objective of redemption. You see you been born again you been bought with a price you are now restored in the image of God through faith in Jesus. You been able to do all of this because greater is he (HOLY SPIRT) that dwell in you than he thats in the world! The Holy Spirit keeps us looking and acting like God He protect us and make sure that Satan can get you as much as he tries! So hold on and keep the faith when the strong winds blow at hurricane force when the rain comes as a flood remember God promise to never leave you or forsake you. Be like the tree thats planted by the waters that won’t be moved!

Stay there for your anchor will hold for it none other that Jesus Christ! in the end you will be all right for the bible gives us some specimens of what God’s jewels look like. You remember Joseph the second youngest son of Jacob, he revealed godliness when he was severely tested. How about Ruth the Moabitess she is another star in the constellation of God peoples who he counted worthy. What is this constellation thing preacher you are talking about namely this: A constellation is a group of stars with definite names there we have job, Daniel, Enoch and many more who name is not called but are clearly belongs to God.

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;

Your name may not be in the bible but you can surely be in that number that is called many. You see to make it you cannot allow people to stop you you cannot be easily broken. Let them talk you stay focus don’t fade away when trials come but stand boldly and say I’ll let nothing separate me from the love of God!

Wait a minute! Haven’t I heard that statement before Oh yea it was Paul who said that and no matter what came his way he hung on. Paul said i’ve learn how to be content in all things, broke content, money content, sick content, ship wreck content., in jail content why because he knew that Jesus had his back in all things. So let go and let God! trials come to make us strong so contact with the hardest and most severe test will bring out the best in you and your light will shine like the sun!

Church think of the many professed followers of Christ who have lost their luster when it was their time to be exposed to test. That’s when you find out this spiritual giant in in reality a midget in their faith and they have lost their luster and in danger of not be in that number that God said would be his!

God is getting ready he maybe already started to make up his jewels. Just as a diamond merchant picks the best pieces to make his jewery so does God! Listen to what God said when he said “I will make up my jewels.” That means that God has many jewels in the rough who need polishing. Church God and Jesus is in heaven so who is going to do the polishing? I’m glad you asked for it’s the church job the church is God’s workshop where God is preparing His jewels.

(NIV) 29 This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.” and there in lies our problem church leaving what God gave us and gone in search of schemes. God’s character is expressed in His name: The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished

in the image of God he created them;

The New International Version Chapter 5

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” e 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church

male and female he created them. This was true in their physical appearance as well as in their nature. How do I know that you ask well (NIV)

Church it’s the church with the Holy Spirit as our guide He is the tool that God will and is using. So let’s tell the world what you hear when you watch the price is right “come on down you been chosen by God. Who we are going to tell preacher? Everybody that is not saved the hooker, the liar, the dope addict the backslider, the immoral, the homosexual the shackers the divorcee Jesus said come to me all that burden down and heavy laden and “I” will give you rest!

29 This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.” and there in lies our problems leaving what God gave us and gone in search of schemes. God’s character is expressed in His name

slider,

Salvation is found in no other name under the earth it’s only at the name of Jesus that you will become one of the family one that God want to call his on. Church, are you one of the jewels that God is preparing for display in the world? Remember when hardships and trials comes, that our great God of heaven allows them for a purpose. And know this He won’t put anymore on you than you can bear. He won’t load you up and walk away when it gets to heavy for you God will lighten you load for you are his jewel and noting is to good for a child of God. But your character must be like His!

God created mankind upright,

The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished

The Lord character is expressed by His Son Jesus, by His written word, in His handiworks and in His children, (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. This is peter’s warning to all of us!

but they have gone in search of many schemes.”

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

That’s why God claims you because you now have the character of the divine nature, it is the great objective of redemption! God has restored our image of Him He has taught us to believe on His Son Jesus and we can do all that thru the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

THerefore God can righty claim us as his own. For His Jewels are or not fake The bible give us some specimens of what God’s character jewels are like. Can you find yourself among these Joseph, the second youngest son of Jacob, reveal godliness most when he was tested most severely. Can you stand or rather will you stand because you got God character. Ruth the Moabitess, is another in the constellation of God worthies? You do know constellation means more than one it means a group of stars to which denfinte names has been given. So do you see yourself among this group Job, Daniel Isaiah, Enoch just to name a few. There are many other bible characters who revealed some of the virtues that God treasure.

Is your name among those others who name has not been called but God’s jewels anyway? You see God’s discription of his jewels are not easy broken they take a licken and keep on ticking! They do not fade when storms of life blow with hurricane force for they know they are like the tree planted by the river and shall not be move! When the road gets tough the tough (God’s Jewel) get going knowing “no weapon formed against them shall prosper1” For they know “I can do all things thru Christ with strength me.” Those Jewel just shine the more you rub them the brighter they become they don’t loose their luster in fact it shines even more!

You see God has many jewels in the rough who need polishing. And guess what it’s the church which is the workshop where God is preparing His jewels. not at the house not on the street corner not down at the club neither at the ball game or the beach but in God’s house. The gift are the Holy spirit is the tool God uses :

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

So Hopewell, let us ask ourselves am I one of His jewels that God is displaying or planning to display to the universe? It’s a question only you can answer but know this there s an old song that my mommy and others use to sing when I was a little boy. It’s said Jesus is going to make up my dying bed! Know this if you are one of His jewels that’s just what he is going to do.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

When it time to leave this old world to study war no more the song writer said: dying will be easy, dying will be easy for Jesus is going to make up my dying bed. He said I don’t want nobody to moan, all I want is my friends to do is come and fold my dying arms. So I can die easy for Jesus gonna make up my dying bed.

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Meet me, Jesus meet me in the middle of the air and if these wings should fail me won’t you meet me with another pair. So do you qualify as one of those that God said “They shall be mine in that day when He make up His jewels?