Are You There God?

Sermon Reflections from Are You There God | Alex Hardt | May 4, 2023
 
The topic of Pastor Alex’s sermon poses one of the most critical questions each of us faces in life- Who Am I? Then the follow-up question: why am I here?   Once we know who we are then we can go about seeing why God created us at this time and in this place.  Who am I is the question that has been asked by every generation.  Since we believe that the answers to life’s questions are found in the Bible which is our guide, Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,”  we can look to God’s Word for our answers.  

Pastor Alex said that it is not about what we have done or are doing in life but about what God has done that will help us see who we are.  Here are a few things we know from scripture that tell us who we are that could not be accomplished by anything we can or will do.  I am reconciled to God. Romans 5:10-11 “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”   No way could we reconcile ourselves to perfect and holy God without His help.  I am justified or declared not guilty. Romans 3:23-24 and Romans 5:1 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” and “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  There is no way we could declare ourselves not guilty of sin without God’s intervention through Christ Jesus.  I am forgiven.  Colossians 1:13-14 and Isaiah 38:17 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. and “Surely it was for my benefit  that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.”  Never could we become forgiven by anything we said or did, only God can make us new and forgive our sins!

Pastor Alex pointed out an important point about our identity in Christ that we are loved by God.  We are his children and He is our heavenly Father.  Here are a few things about God’s loving us that will warm your heart and cause you to be thankful.  I am a child of God.  John 1:12-13 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”   Through our faith in Jesus we are ushered into God’s forever family and are adopted as His sons and daughters.  I am loved by God. Jeremiah 31:3 and Ephesians 2:4-5  ““I have loved you with an everlasting love;  I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’ and   “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”   We can love God but cannot make Him love us.  He initiates the loving and loves us eternally. His love makes us alive in Him.   

Lastly, Pastor Alex reminded us that we are a gift because God created each of us for His purpose.  Our memory verse for this week speaks to this fact in Ephesians 2:10. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.  We were not made at random but created by God as his handiwork.  Other translations use the word masterpiece.  He did not make a mistake when he made you!  You can also take heart as you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14 and Genesis 1:27 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.” and “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”   God took time and care creating each of us and we reflect or bear Him image.  We are His masterpieces! 

This week take some time to reflect upon what you have in Christ and how it makes you, you!  Each believer is unique in Christ and yet is to reflect the things given to us by and through Christ.  As you meditate on Christ and what He has given you, God will give you clarity on who you are in Him and then will reveal what He has for you to do.  In all things we are to glorify Him. Seek Him and He will show you how you are His masterpiece and what purposes He has for you!
Linda
 
Romans 15:5-6 “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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