Saved For?

Introduction

Today is September 11th. For more than half of my life September 11th was just another day on the calendar. There was nothing special about that date. I didn’t know anyone who had a birthday on that day. School had already begun. September 11th was just another day.

But 21 years ago today September 11 gained a major significance in the lives of most Americans. When those 19 terrorists attacked our country using four planes it changed our lives forever. This event sparked the longest war in US history. A war which lasted almost 20 years. Most would say that today, September 11th was a defining moment in our history.

It seems that we, has humans are often defined by our past. We are defined by what we have done, we are defined by where we come from (our family line, place of brith, place where we were raised, etc.), we are defined by our past education. It seems that what we have done in the past has formed our character and defined who we are and what we are going to do. But that is not how God sees us, and that is exactly what our passage today tells us.

Our Past Doesn’t Define us

We are always worried about what we do in our past

Job applications

Credit Reports

Internet Activity

School Records

Our humanity defines a person by their past

Even in ancient Judaism people were defined by their past.

Exodus 20:5 NIV

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

This is a product of our fallen, sinful nature

We look to punish people for the sins they commit

Disclose felony record on applications

reparations to the African American people for slavery

But in Christ we are not defined by our past

1 Timothy 1:12–13 NIV

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

God did not see Paul by his past deeds

Paul/Saul was the worst persecutor of Christians

He was present at the stoning of Steven (Acts 8:1)

He traveled from town to town arresting believers

Acts 9:1 NIV

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest

He was on his way to Damascus to investigate and arrest believers in a home church there when he was confronted by the risen Christ.

Acts 9:3–6 NIV

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

But God saw Paul’s potential.

We are given Mercy

Paul was given mercy by God

1 Timothy 1:13b NIV

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

Even though he was a persecutor of Christians God showed favor and saved his life

Acts 9:10–19 NIV

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

God did not define Paul by his past deeds

Rather than destroying Paul he transformed him

Saul —> Paul

Just like Paul we are not defined by what we have done in the past

“God does not define us by our past but by our future” - Pastor Rich

God sees our potential not who we were or even who we currently are.

He gives us mercy just as he gave it to Paul

We Are Christ’s Example to the World

We not merely saved for ourselves.

Western Christianity has greatly individualized salvation

But Jesus’ sacrifice was to redeem all of creation, not just us

Our own personal salvation is a witness

When we are transformed others will notice and can lead to their own transformation

The greater the sin, the greater the transformation, the greater the witness

Head

Adonai

Save Me from Myself

Washed by Blood

Conclusion

Jesus was not sent into the world to save just one or two of us. There is a Christian song that severely mis-interprets the parable of the lost sheep. It says that God is so amazing that he leaves the 99 to save me “the one.” Implying that the other 99 sheep are left in danger and that God loves me personally so much that He is willing to be careless with his other 99. The fact is, God has a deep love for all 100 sheep. He want to see them all saved. So he leaves the 99 together, in their pack, able to take care of each other. Think safety in numbers. Then goes and searches out the other.

The fact is God loves us, He wants to see us all saved, but he has a purpose for our salvation. And it is not just to benefit us. God wants to transform us into his perfect creation so that we can be the holy example here on earth. We, the ones that were once broken, are the witness, the holy example, that God can do what he promised. He can make us into His perfect creation here on earth if we will let him.

So next time you feel like you are not good enough, or that you have done too much in your past for God to really love you remember “God doesn’t define us by our past but by our future.” Let us pray