Elevating Your Relationship With God

Damon Hopkins    The Altitude of Gratitude, Elevating Your Relationship with God  November 6, 2022
It was a privilege to hear Brother Damien preach on how to improve our relationship with God.  His enthusiasm and love for Jesus comes through loud and clear in every story he shares.

The chosen scripture was John 14:15-21 with 21 being the key verse (our memory verse for the week). 
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Damien asked us, how do you show your appreciation for Jesus and all that He has done, is doing and will do in your life?   Are you proud of your Savior and desire to speak about Him?  

​Damien reminded us of Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  

Jesus has the authority to tell us to go, to talk about him, talk about his saving power, talk about his transforming love, talk, talk… and I will be with you always is his promise.  We are God’s plan A until He returns.  He does not command us to go without power.  In our passage Jesus assured his disciples that he would send a comforter, an advocate to help us, to indwell and empower us, His Holy Spirit.  We are not doing this alone; He is with us.  Damien gave multiple examples of how he seeks to follow this command from Jesus.  He avails himself of opportunities and trusts God to bring whomever He desires to hear his words of truth from God’s Word.  He is not preaching on street corners or in a pulpit but sitting, walking, going about his life waiting and ready for God’s divine appointments to come. 

When God does bring people across his path, Damien speaks about what God is doing and has done in his life.  He is open to answer questions about Jesus and is not intimidated.  Why is he not afraid?  Because he knows that God is with him and will give him the words to speak.  His job is not to save someone but to present Jesus.  God does the saving not us.   I was reminded of 1 Peter 3:15 while Damien was sharing.  “ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”   Paul exhorts us to be ready to talk about the hope we have in Jesus and to do it with love and respect.  No one is bullied or argued into the kingdom of God.  They are brought in with genuine love and gentleness of spirit.   Are you ready to share your hope today?  What would you say?  Why are you hopeful about your future no matter what the circumstances?

If you don’t have a ready answer to that question, look into God’s Word.  Seek to know Him better and claim His promises in and over your life.  Here are a couple verses to claim:   

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  Jesus is the only way to God. 

Deuteronomy 31:6 ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Jesus will always be with you. 

1 Timothy 2:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”   Jesus empowers us with His Spirit to witness for Him.

My biggest take away from Damien’s message was that I need to speak up and live like I believe that Jesus’ message of love, redemption and salvation is the most important message I have to say or give to anyone at any time!  Jesus is the reason for my hope.  I have a cross stich plaque that hangs in my office of

Psalm 107:2  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,   whom he has redeemed from trouble.”

Has God redeemed you?  Has He shown Himself powerful in your life?  THEN SAY SO!
Be ready for a God opportunity with an open mouth and open heart of love.
Linda

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The Altitude of Gratitude | Elevating Your Relationship With God
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Sermon series, "The Altitude of Gratitude" Today Damon Hopkins teaches from John 14:15-21

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