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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Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.

Sermon Reflections from The Bible is A Love Letter | Alex Hardt | May 7, 2023 

Pastor Alex started this series on the Bible with a passage in Ephesians that is jam packed with lessons and truths for all of us.  As I read the portion with my name inserted as Pastor Alex asked us to do, it brings warmth, love and hope to my very being.  Alex’s sermon points of God’s story being personal, a love letter directly for me and one that connects us to His love is fully explained as we go through the handout questions he provided. We can see what God has done for each of us that know Jesus as our Savior.
What has God done for me and you?

1. God chose us.  I love Romans 5:8 when I think of how God loved me even when I was covered and steeped in sin.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  God did not have to choose to love me but He did. He desires that all come to know and love Him. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 “3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”  What is your response to God’s amazing love for you?  

 

1. God made you whole and holy.  Wow!  God wants me to be complete, not dragged down by sin of this world and fulfilled in Him.  2 Timothy 1:9-10 of how God transforms us through Jesus. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.  How are you making use of this holiness God has bestowed upon you?   Are you willing to share the knowledge of this grace with others?

 

1. God adopted you and me.  I love the verse in Ephesians 1:5 as it shows God got us ready, “he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—. And Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”     Do you feel like a member of His family? If not why not?

 

1. God sent Christ to die for us. Romans 5:6 “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.’  We were ungodly because of sin but Christ redeemed us. Galatians 4:13 ‘He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” God desired that all be saved both Jew and Gentile.  Christ’s sacrifice was complete.  Hebrews 10:10 “
   And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”  What impact does Christ’s death have upon you? Does it change how you live and think?

 

1. Christ redeemed and forgave you.  This is personal to each one of us.  Christ paid the price to restore our relationship with the Father which could only be achieved though Christ’s death and resurrection.   Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”   Colossians 1:13-14 “ 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.” Does knowing that Jesus died in your place, and has provided you with full forgiveness cause you to praise Him?  Tell Him how you feel, pray and sing His praises.

 

1. God made plans for you.  God knows us and has plans for each of us-specifically for our good and His glory!  Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Knowing that God has plans for you, for your good and His glory- does that make you want to thank and praise Him?  Does that make you want to pray and seek God more fully?

 

1. God gave you purpose.  The age old question is why do I exist?  Many people have lost many years seeking to know their purpose.  God desires we glorify Him in all we say and do.  Psalm 69:30
   I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” And again in Psalm 86:12 “I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.  1 Timothy 1:9 tells us that God has a purpose for each of us!  ‘He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,’   Does knowing you have a purpose that is valuable to God and that He will use it for His glory cause you to seeking to know Him better and walk with him?  

 
Thanks Pastor Alex for leading us through these soul seeking questions.  We can know God and know His answers for our life through His Word.  His love letter to us in complete and gives us all we need for life and godliness.
 
Linda

SERMON LINK
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Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.