Who we are
Notes
Transcript
Remember the veterans.
WHO ARE WE AND WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT US?
Can we just take some time to lighten the moment. Sunday has been a special day in our country for a long time and today is no different. I did some research and these are some archaic laws that were on the books in a few cities.
Pocataligo, Georgia No dog shall be in a public place on Sunday without its master on a leash.
Hickory Plains, Arkansas No female wearing nightgown can be rescued bya firefighter while church services are being held in the community. She must be fully dressed before she is saved.
Upperville, Virginia Doctors practicing in this community have a special responsibility. An unusual piece of legislation says every women must “be found to be wearing a corset” when attending church. A physician is required to inspect each female in the congregation.
Hillsboro, Oregon When the citizens here became fed up with being rudely awakened on Sunday mornings by crowing chickens, they passed a n unique law. A rooster can still crow on Sunday, but the crowing must be done 300 or more feet away from any house inhabited by humans. Let’s hope those roosters can read.
Peewee, West Virginia It is unlawful for horses to sleep in the bathtub on Sunday… unless the rider climbs into the tub and sleeps with the horse.
Bluff, Utah Ministers are prohibited from eating onions between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM on Sunday. And in Wakefield , RodIsland , citizens aren’t allowed to attend church service within four hours after having eaten garlic.
We are all familiar with the question Jesus asks His disciples in Matthew 16:13.
Matthew 16:13–17 (AV)
13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
It took the Father to reveal who Jesus was to Peter and it takes the Father and the Word to reveal who we are. Jesus went on to tell Peter who he was and how God could use him 19th verse He will give the keys to the kingdom for binding and loosening. That is authority given to not just Peter but all those that follow Christ.
This is what the Word declares that you are.
Revelation 17:14 (AV)
14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
We are called chosen and faithful
Philippians 3:20 (NLT)
20But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
We hold dual citizenship and one day we only the kingdom of heaven will remain.
Romans 1:7 (AV)
7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are saints and it did not take some documented miracle or a committee to bestow that honor. The miracle was our conversion and resurrection. We were once dead in our trespasses and sins but now we are alive and have become a new creation. We are saints because God’s Word calls us that not a committee.
John 3:16 (AV)
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
We are loved, you are loved I am loved. I don’t care what the enemy has tried to tell you, that you cares about you, no one loves you. God loves you and He gave His Son for you to live and to show you His love.
Zephaniah 3:17 (AV)
17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
God rejoices over you! Yes you!! He is might in your midst and with joy God is singing about you!!! He is not singing some country song about your dog stealing your truck or how bad it is. He is singing a song of joy about you.
1 John 3:1 (AV)
1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
We are sons and daughters! We are part of the family of God and with that comes the benefits of sonship. When I went to my parents’ house I walked in, I had a key to enter. If I need something, I asked my parents. That is the benefits of sonship.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
11For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
God has a plan and a purpose for you, and they are to do you good. Each of us a has plan for our life and by God’s grace we are not always allowed to see it. Some of us would freak out if we saw the whole plan at once. I ma not hopeless I am hopeful in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (AV)
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We are brand new creations in Christ.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
You are healed , that is who God says you are.
God arms me with strength,
and he makes my way perfect.
You may say you are weak but God says you are strong.
Colossians 2:10 (AV)
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
You may think you are broken, but God declares you are complete in Him
Isaiah 43:1 (AV)
1But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.
You may think you have been rejected but God says you are His, redeemed, He has called us.
Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
You are not alone, you are in the company of the almighty. His angels go before you preparing the way.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
God say you are created for such a time as this. Church I have felt this as the beginning of this pandemic started that this was our chance a s a church to shine. This is could be our finest moment for the kingdom. You are and have been created a purpose.
Your own ears will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left.
The Lord says you are not lost you are found and under His guidance saint of the most High God.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
The Lord says He gave you the gift of peace, He has not given us the gift of fear. God calls us to be fearless, not stupid but fearless in Him.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
The says you joy is full. The enemy tries to convince you that you are unhappy but God says you joy is full. Yes we may not like the circumstances but that does not change that we are to be full of joy. Maybe is we tuned up some praise and worship music, tuned off the TV and the social media and all the drama we would feel that joy.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
God says we are not crazy, we are not losing it we have found it. We are not powerless but powerful. This what God says about you. Hear the word of the Lord.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
God says you are not junk but you are a marvellous work, a work of art . You are wonderfully made there is no other person like you. He made you because the world needed you.
John 2:12 (NLT)God says you are forgiven,
He does not see you as a sinner.
Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
5God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
We were abandoned, but not we are adopted!
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)
57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are victorious!! You are not a loser; you are not defeated. You are a winner a champion. Stop listening to the enemy and start listening to the Lord. God sent His son Jesus Christ and He has handed us the trophy of victory.
Matthew 5:13 (NLT)
13“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
You are the salt of the earth. Salt preserves and keeps, it makes you thirsty, it provides needed minerals for the body. Salt adds flavor. You are an important part of the kingdom.
Matthew 5:14 (NLT)
14“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
You are a light to a dark world and light drives out darkness. A light like a city on a hilltop, you are light that can be seen from long distance.
Zechariah 2:8 (AV)
8For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
Deuteronomy 32:10 (NKJV)
10“He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.
Psalm 17:8 (NKJV)
8Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
That word apple really means the pupil of His eye. We are the focus of God’s attention.
