A People For God

A People for God

(adapted from a sermon, Prayed-For Leaders, by Francis Frangipane)

Introduction/Review

Last week- looked at how- initially/eternally- the call of God in our life is first a call into relationship.

1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Too often we associate our call/identity w/what we do.

Our value to God is more than what we do for Him.

I did not have children for what they could do for me- (never do what you can get a child do)

God created us primarily, uniquely, for relationship.

Out of that relationship comes what we DO for Him.

What we DO should never overshadow who we ARE.

Corporate Calling

Today- look at the life that we share together- church.

We are similar to other churches, but also unique.

Certain types- fish swim together/birds fly together. Something unites them, as it does us.

In Rev 2-3- seven letters written to seven churches.

Each letter is different/specific to that church-

-who it is, its strengths/weaknesses, purpose

God has a purpose for His people gathered together.

Our shared life together-exceeds what we can do alone

1 Pet 2:9-10

As a gathered people, we have-purpose in God’s heart.

Incredible Calling

As people we are called into- incredible walk w/God-

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Rom 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Look with me at-

Col 3:1-4

If we want to be revealed w/Christ in heaven then we must hide ourselves in Christ in this life (v3-4).

If we want to walk in God’s supernatural power, we must die to many things in this life.

Too often we limit God by our thinking (v2).

We need to come up to God’s level of thinking rather than bring God down to our level of thinking-

Eph 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Spiritual Hope

God is calling us to be a people who are able to look at the reality of life-no matter how corrupt-and not be-

-fearful, offended, withdraw

-instead seek the heart of God and

-pray that His kingdom will come on earth-

into that situation- as it is in heaven.

We are a people who see what COULD BE and do not give up because of what life IS or what we SEE.

We are not NAÏVE, but neither are we CYNICAL-

we believe that all things are possible w/God.

Our God has given us a prayer to pray-

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done …

We need to pray like heaven is possible on earth.

Spiritual Maturity

Our path to spiritual maturity- to realize- we are called to stand in the gap and see what will bring change.

Ezek 22:30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

Our spiritual growth comes when we see what- church lacks-and grow in Christ so we-make the difference

Wherever we go in life- God is going to say- make it better- we can complain- but can we make it better.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

God’s power- working in us to bring life into whatever situation we are facing- as an individual/church.

1 Cor 2:16 But we have the mind of Christ.

-God, how do you want to make this better?

-how do you want to bring healing and hope?

-how do you want to transform the situation?

Isa 53:3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief

We may need to be acquainted w/suffering of others so we can have the heart of compassion that God has.

2 Cor 1:3-4

He gives us comfort so we can comfort others.

Our walk w/God- so much more than going to heaven-

-there is a reason God keeps us here.

We need this world, its imperfections, and the suffering it brings, so we can genuinely have

the heart/compassion of Christ toward people.

Prayer and Intercession

God is prodding all of us into that place of maturity where we can stand in- gap- for what God is doing.

We all need to be given to- bible/prayer/intercession.

There are those who pray for me/church-be successful.

When people pray for me- things are added to my life.

Through prayer I can do what I could not have done.

This is true for every member of our congregation.