WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
What has God done for you?
(here I asked for some testimonies from a couple of people in congregation)
Oftentimes we either never realize or often overlook all that God has done for us.
This morning I want to focus on 4 things that God has indeed done for us.
2 Cor 1:21-22 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
1. HE HAS ESTABLISHED US IN CHRIST.
Establish- Create, form, build, begin.
Eph 2:8 says that “we are created in Christ Jesus”.
Maybe you don’t feel like anything special, but you’re mistaken. God loves you very much and He is at work in you to form you and shape you into the very image of Jesus Christ.
Taj Mahal-in 1631, Shah Jahan lost his wife that he dearly loved. She died giving birth to their 14th child. That year he commissioned 20,000 workers to build a tomb and gardens for his wife’s body to rest. The work was completed 12 years later in 1643 at a cost of $827 million in today’s dollars. It is called the Taj Mahal and is one of the 7 new great wonders of the world. It took great dedication and devotion to see this great work completed.
** Similarly, Jesus Christ is doing a great work in you. It is a labor of love on His part and His desire is to transform you into something beautiful and perfect. Paul said this.....
Phil 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
You may not feel like much right now, but just remember, God ain’t through with you yet and He’s going to keep on molding you and shaping you right up to when you meet Him in heaven where your transformation will be made complete.
2. HE HAS ANOINTED US WITH POWER.
The Bible is filled with passages about anointing.
* Aaron was anointed to be the first High Priest during the Exodus.
* David was anointed by Samuel to be God’s chosen King of Israel.
* God’s prophets were anointed to serve Him in OT times.
* What about today?
1 John 1:20 says that {True believers} have an anointing from the Holy One.
Anoint- officially or formally choose someone to do or be something. It is God’s “seal of approval”.
What is the anointing? The anointing is the very presence of God in our lives. Without the anointing we are powerless and ineffective.
What is the anointing for?
(1) to guide us. Life is very difficult and often confusing. We need God’s help to navigate through all the crazy/dangerous situations we find ourselves in. The Holy Spirit will guide us but we must listen.
Lighthouse- safely guides ships through dangerous waters.
(2) to empower us. “Anointing” chrisma- is related to spiritual gifts. Holy Spirits gifts us to do in the Spirit what we cannot do in the flesh.
(3) to teach us. As Jesus prepared His disciples for His ascension back to Heaven, He told them of the Helper the Father would send.
Jn 14:26 the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
So, the Spirit will teach us first of all, all the things we need to know, and, second, remind us of all the Truths and promises of Jesus Christ and the Word of God. Remembering God promises brings us comfort in the valley of despair, courage in the dark places of fear, and faith in the stormy seas of doubt.
3. HE HAS SEALED US FOR SALVATION .
Eph 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Seal- It was a wax stamp placed on a scroll or letter to indicate authentic ownership and protection of what is inside.
** My Power tools- I loaned out so many and never got them back so I started writing my name in bold marker so the borrower will be reminded whose it is every time they use until they return it.
** My Vacuum Sealer- Meat and fish will freezer burn in a short time if just wrapped in plastic or paper. Our Vacuum sealer pulls out the air and excess moisture so that I’ve opened deer meat frozen for 2 years that was just as fresh as when I put it in the freezer.
** God has sealed us with the Holy Spirit. He places His mark on us to declare His ownership of us. His seal also guarantees our salvation..... but not just for a couple of years, but forever!
2 Implications of the Holy Spirit’s seal on believers.
(1) If we belong to Him, we ought to live like we are.
* too many church folks live so much like the world, it’s hard to tell!
(2) If He has guaranteed our salvation, we ought not live in fear.
* As a baptized, born again, Spirit-filled, believer in Jesus Christ remember “If God is for us who can be against us?”!!!!
4. HE HAS FILLED US WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Being sealed with the Holy Spirit is not just about His ownership or our going to heaven when we die. Being Spirit-filled is also about how we live on this earth.
He fills us with His Spirit so we can.....
(1) Live a Holy Life
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Every day that you wake up you decide what you will do and how you will live your life..... whether you will live in the Spirit or flesh. The Spirit aids the believer in living a holy life.
(2) Serve Christ- The Holy Spirit enables and empowers us to do the work that God has called us to do. We often shy away from serving Christ in various ways He has called us because we think that we lack the ability to do so.
Phi 4:13 I can do all things through {Christ} who strengthens me.
(3) Live in Confidence- The Holy Spirit is our pledge from God of our salvation.
We know we are secure because the Holy Spirit confirms in our spirit that we are saved.
