Transform For Mission

SUSermon Reflections from Transform For Mission | Alex Hardt | August 6, 2023

Pastor Alex sought to answer the basic questions we all have: Who am I? Where do I belong?  Why am I here?   When we succeed in answering these questions basic to life, we become more self-assured, hopeful and motivated.  We can all agree that without the answers to these questions we will be doubting life, drifting, not connected and without purpose.  Those without Christ seek answers in the world with things, people, projects, education, etc.  Those with Christ know He holds the answer to each questions providing us with hope, motivation and value.

Pastor Alex began with Who am I?   He wanted us to see how God sees us and gives us value. Our identity and our value is given to us by God.   God was intentional in our design and loves us even when we do not love Him!  I particularly liked Ephesians 1:4-6 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”  We are loved and valued by God and He made a way for us, sinful man, to be blameless in His sight through Jesus. Our value and identity come though Jesus as God loved us so much He made the ultimate sacrifice in sending His Son to redeem us. “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16.   God’s motivation was LOVE.  He desires a relationship with us and He made a way for that to happen. My heart is always gladdened when I read Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in his: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   God loved and valued me even before I came to Him.   How wonderful is that?!!!

Next, Pastor Alex tackled the question of Worth with the concept of where do I fit in?  Where is my place in this world?  Where do I belong?   Our worth comes from God.   We are His treasured possession as proclaimed in Exodus 19:5 “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,”   How does that make you feel?  The God of the Universe loves and treasures you!  Jesus also spoke of his family and our adoption into His family. Romans 8:15 tells us that we belong to Him and can call God our Father.  “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.”  We are adopted into His family.    Mark 3:34-35 “ Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”  Each and every believer Jesus considers His brother and sister.  How much more valued can we get?  Belonging to the King is a special place and honor. Galatians 4:6 tells us how we can know for sure we belong to Him. “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  His Spirit within us is our proof.  I claim the truth of Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”  Praise God we can know and feel His presence in our lives and know for certain we are loved by Him!

Lastly, Pastor Alex answered the question, Why am I here?   The basic answer is God created us for a purpose to glorify Him and for His pleasure.  His pleasure will bring us pleasure too. His purposes will give meaning and definition to our lives.  One of my favorite scriptures I claim is Jeremiah 29:11-12   “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.”   We are made for relationship with him.  He promises direction, a listening ear, hope, a future and plans that are for my benefit.   There are multiple scriptures that guide us in seeing God has a plan and a purpose for which we were made.  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.’  God has a purpose and plan for all things.  Colossians 1:16  “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.“  This gives me comfort in knowing God has a plan for our world and nothing happens without His allowing it. 

We know that God has a plan and purpose for us but how do we know what that is? 1 Peter 4:10 gives us a glimpse into this. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”   We are to use our gifts given though the Spirit in addition to His Word as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 suggests. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”   He has good works for us to do that will benefit the body of Christ. “  How personally are we to take this work God has for us.  Here is Paul’s perspective in  Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”   How serious are you about serving, using your God given gifts, studying the Word for direction and guidance and prayer?
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Blessings as you ponder life’s questions and the answers God gives through Jesus.  Comb the scriptures and you will see abundant proof of His LOVE, Your WORTH in Him and Your PURPOSE! 
Linda
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