DISTINCT: Week 1

OPENING ILLUSTRATION

I need two volunteers please.

I have a Coke, Pepsi, and Sprite.

I just need you to tell me which one is which.

Introduction

Two of these sodas probably tasted very similar.

Which one was not like the others?

Sprite.

The Sprite had a distinct taste.

It stood out.

The Praying Mantis

They eat only live food.

They are the only insect that can move their heads from side to side.

They have spikes on their legs to pin their prey down so they can eat them.

But the coolest thing is that they are masters of disguise.

They camouflage themselves to look like things around them.

They can look like leaves, sticks, and branches.

They can also turn black to look like the scorched earth from the wildfires.

They are great at blending in.

Blend In or Stand Out

People are kind of like this also.

Some of us like to blend in.

But some of us also like to blend in.

QUESTION: Who in here likes to blend in with the crowd? Who likes to stand out?

I know there were many times when I was a teenager that I liked to blend in so that nobody would notice me.

I felt awkward standing up for my faith because it meant that I would be standing out from the crowd.

Series Introduction

Today we are starting a series called “Distinct.”

We are going to be talking about how God made you a one of a kind.

This means that God has made you in a certain way for a certain purpose.

But if we’re being honest, I think most of in here like to stand out and blend in.

We all want to be different and unique.

We want to contribute something to this world that no one else can.

We want our lives to mean something.

But at the same time, we all want to blend in.

We wall want to fit in and feel accepted - maybe not by everyone but at least by certain people.

Tonight, we are going to be talking about John the Baptist and how he can show us what it means to be Distinct.

I want us to see how he both blended in and stood out.

MAIN POINT: God Made You Distinct

John 1:19-23

19 This was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”

20 He didn’t deny it but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?”“I am not,” he said.“Are you the Prophet?”“No,” he answered.

22 “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?”

23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord,—just as Isaiah the prophet said.”

PRAYER

1. JOHN KNEW WHO HE WAS NOT

EXAMPLE: While you were sleeping.

A lady falls in love with a man while she works the toll booth.

He falls into a coma and she pretends to be his fiance.

She spends the entire movie trying to convince his family that she is someone she is not.

By the end of the movie, she falls in love with his brother.

She stopped pretending and fell in love with the brother.

John the Baptist could have easily done this.

Everyone was asking John if he was the Messiah that had been prophesied over in Scripture.

Imagine if he had said yes.

People might have worshipped him.

They might have followed him.

But John knew exactly who he was not.

He was not Jesus.

He was the John the Baptist.

He didn’t need to steel anyone’s identity to have meaning or purpose.

I wonder how of us here tonight have claimed to be something we are not.

Have you pretended to be something just be accepted by a crowd.

Have you ever compromised, or given into a sin, just too have people see you a certain way.

You don’t need to do that.

God made you exactly as you are.

This is point number 2.

2. JOHN KNEW WHO HE WAS.

Here are a couple of things about John.

John’s life was foretold in the Old Testament in Elijah 43.

He was the cousin of Jesus.

He was only six months older than Jesus.

He lived in the desert and ate bugs for his meals.

He had a unique mission.

He was a messenger sent to prepare people for Jesus’ coming.

And he was very confident in what he was supposed to do.

We should all be like John and discover who God has made us.

Everyone in this room is unique in someway.

You have gifts and talents.

God made you that way to use those gifts and talents.

God has made you distinct.

You should celebrate it and use it for his glory.

Winter Camp

We talked about this a little bit at winter camp last weekend.

There are going to be people in your life that I can never reach.

Some people may only come to know the Lord because of the way he has gifted you.

Sports: I’m not going to get to see those kids or have influence over them like you.

Art: Some of you are creative and can reach people through your artistic talents.

EXAMPLE: Lady who cried over the art piece. “It’s so beautiful.”

Find out how God has blessed you and use those talents to show people who God is.

3. DISCOVER HOW YOU FIT INTO GOD’S PLAN

The Bible might not tell you which elective to sign up for next semester, or wether you should play soccer or lacrosse, or the name of the person you are going to marry.

But it does tell us this:

You are created and formed by God.

Your uniquenesses were created for a purpose.

You are loved by God.

God is with you.

When you believe those things, your confidence in who God made you to be will grow.

Gratitude List

I want us to take a moment and focus on the ways that God has made you distinct.

Everyone look under your chair and get the piece of paper and pen.

Take this paper and make a list of all the things you are and are not.

Then I want you to write out what you are thankful for.

GIVE THEM A FEW MINUTES TO WRITE.

Now I want you to take your paper to small group and allow some of the others to add to your list.

Maybe they see something that you don’t.

Before we go, just remember this:

You were beautifully and wonderfully made.

You’re deeply loved by your Creator.

You’re on a journey to learn more about who God made you to be.

And you weren’t designed to be just like everyone else.

God made you distinct.

PRAYER

DISMISS TO SMALL GROUPS