Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Introduction
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.
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
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
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.
But God saw Paul’s potential.
We are given Mercy
Paul was given mercy by God
Even though he was a persecutor of Christians God showed favor and saved his life
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
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