Sermon Notes
(Handed out with bulletin to attenders)
HOW TO LOOK IN A MIRROR AND SEE A DIFFERENT YOU
Wouldn’t it be exciting if we could look in a mirror and see a reflection free of all the flaws and blemishes we wear? In our bathroom mirror that may not be possible. However, in your spiritual mirror you can look and see a different you. That’s the hope of today’s message.
SCRIPTURE 2 Cor 6:15-17 (TLB)
And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For you are God’s temple, the home of the living God, and God has said of you, "I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people
1. Jesus was born K________ and Lord.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11 KJV)
2. You also are promised to be B________ a king/queen/priest.
Come as living stones, and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5 TEE)
3. You were born God’s T_______________.
"Do you know now that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? ...God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple."
(II Cor. 3:16-17 - NRSV)
4. You were born beautifully P_________________.
"Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will...through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever." (Heb. 13:20-21)
God looks at us differently than we do.
We look on the outside - Jesus sees W______________.
People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions." (1 Sam 16:7)
We look at appearances - Jesus sees the H______________.
We look at the moment - Jesus sees the F___________ picture.
Sermon Outline
HOW TO LOOK IN A MIRROR AND SEE A DIFFERENT YOU
Introduction Story of Sleeping Beauty - wicked queen with magic mirror. "Mirror, mirror on the walll, who’s the fairest of them all." Like many of us who look at the disaster in the mirror first thing in the morning, the answer didn’t please her. Wouldn’t it be exciting if we could look in a mirror and see a reflection free of all the flaws and blemishes we wear? In our bathroom mirror that may not be possible. However, in your spirituqal mirror you can look and see a different you. That’s the hope of today’s message.
1. Jesus was born KING and Lord.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11 KJV)
Not obvious while living
(Nowhere to lay head - Lu. 9:58)
Jesus didn’t act like a king; wasn’t received as a king. But he was king and the day will come when his kingship will be revealed.
I Pet 2:5 speaks of "Sufferings of Christ and glories that will follow"
2. You also are promised to be Born a king/queen/priest.
Before you were born, God knew you.
You have been chosen
Come as living stones, and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5 TEE)
John Calvin - Predestination. Luther and most of Xianity say "no". We choose every day whether to be a KING or a DERELICT. We are kings - not losers
3. You were born God’s Temple
Desecration of OT temple. Used to house pigs. in 70 AD, temple destroyed by Romans.
Do you know now that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? ...God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." (II Cor. 3:16-17 - NRSV)
4. You were born beautifully Perfect
"Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will...through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever." (Heb. 13:20-21)
God loves you ... God has a plan for your life ..... God has a way to meet that plan.
Dr. Fred Craddock, a professor of Theology and Preaching at Emory Seminary, tells a story of young boy in a small New England town whose mother’s life style resulted in no one having any idea who was his father. Always teased for his fatherless condition, the boy spent much of his early life in trouble. New preacher came to town. Everyone spoke of how great he was. One day boy ended up in front of church. Slipped in. Preacher saw him and said, "I know whose son you are!" Boy almost died. The preacher put his hand on boy’s shoulder and said, "You are a son of God. Now go ... and claim your inheritence." (Heard in Sermon by Dr. Craddock)
God looks at us differently that we do.
We look on the outside - Jesus sees Within
Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (I Sam 16:7) (NIV)
Mother Teresa holding a baby rotting with scabs and sickness
We look at appearances - Jesus sees the Heart
We look at the moment - Jesus sees the Final picture.
When my granddaughter was in the second grade, she became ill and had to miss schol the day of her class Valentine Party. Her heart was broken on that day. However, looking back at it from her present more mature age, she sees it totally differently. That’s true of all of our life.
Close: Poem: "My Life is But a Weaving..
"The Weaver"
J.B. Hernley
My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me,
I may not choose the colors, He knows what they should be.
For He can view the pattern upon the upper side,
While I can see it only on this, the under side.
"Sometimes He weaveth sorrow, which seems strange to me;
But I will trust His judgment and work as faithfully;
’Tis He who fills the shuttle, He knows just what is best,
So I shall weave in earnest and leave with Him the rest.
Not til the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why --
The dark threads are as needful in the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern he has planned.
