Introduction

Good morning, everyone! It's always a joy to see your faces and to come together as a community to worship and learn. Today, we're going to be talking about something that I think will resonate with all of us, no matter where we are on our walk with God.

Before we get into that, I want to share with you a quote from Dallas Willard. He once said, "The most important thing about a man is not what he does, but who he becomes." I love this quote because it reminds us that our journey with God isn't just about what we do, but about who we become through Him. And that's what we're going to be talking about today.

Our Scripture for today is Isaiah 1:18-19. It says,

"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land."

This passage is a powerful reminder of God's invitation to us. He's not just inviting us to believe in Him, but to become something new through Him. And that's what we're going to be talking about today. We're going to be talking about embracing that invitation, overcoming our past, and walking in obedience.

But before we get into all of that, let's start with a word of prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day and for the opportunity to gather together in Your name. We ask that You would open our hearts and minds to Your word today. Help us to not just hear Your word, but to understand it and apply it to our lives. Show us how to embrace Your invitation, overcome our past, and walk in obedience. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Alright, let's get started.

Embracing the Invitation

When we think about the idea of an invitation, we often think about it in terms of a party or an event. We receive an invitation in the mail, and it's up to us to decide whether or not we want to attend. But when it comes to God's invitation, it's not just about attending an event. It's about entering into a relationship.

God's invitation: It’s a call to come to Him, to know Him, and to be known by Him. It's an invitation to leave behind our old ways of living and to step into a new way of life. It's an invitation to experience His love, His grace, and His mercy in a way that we never have before.

But how do we embrace this invitation? How do we respond to God's call?

Firstly: We need to recognize that God's invitation is not just for a select few. It's not just for the religious or the righteous. It's for everyone. No matter who we are, where we come from, or what we've done, God's invitation is for us. He doesn't look at our past mistakes or our present circumstances. He looks at our hearts. He sees us for who we truly are, and He invites us to come to Him just as we are.

Secondly: Embracing God's invitation means letting go of our own plans and desires. It means surrendering our will to His. It's not always easy. It requires humility and trust. But when we surrender our lives to God, we find that His plans for us are far better than anything we could ever imagine for ourselves.

Thirdly: Embracing God's invitation means stepping out in faith. It means trusting in God's promises, even when we can't see the end result. It means walking by faith, not by sight. It means stepping out of our comfort zones and into the unknown. But as we step out in faith, we find that God is always there to guide us and to provide for us.

Fourthly: Embracing God's invitation means living a life of obedience. It means following God's commands and living according to His word. It's not about following a set of rules or regulations. It's about living a life that reflects God's love and grace. It's about being a light in the world and a reflection of God's love to those around us.

Overcoming the Past

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