Emphasize the profound nature of God's love for us, reminding us that we are chosen by Him and called to respond to His love by praising, reverencing, and following Him.
Good morning, family! I trust you're all feeling blessed today. Today we're diving into some powerful passages of Scripture that remind us not only of our identity in Christ, but the profound nature of God's love for us. Yeah, you got that right. He chose us! We'll be looking at 1 Peter 2:9-10, Jeremiah 32:38-39 and Acts 9:3-5.
As Francis Chan puts it, "The very fact that a holy, eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, merciful, fair, and just God loves you and me is nothing short of astonishing." That's what we're delving into today—this astonishing love.
Let's take a glance at our scriptures for today:
1 Peter 2:9-10 says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Jeremiah 32:38-39 reads, "They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them."
And in Acts 9:3-5, "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' he replied."
These are not just words, folks. This is our reality. We are chosen. We are loved. And in response to this incredible love, we are called to praise, to reverence, and to follow our Savior.
Let's pray together as we start.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for choosing us. Help us to truly grasp the depth of your love for us. Open our hearts and minds to your word today, Lord. In your precious name, we pray. Amen.
Let’s dive in!
It is not a matter of us choosing God, but rather, it is God who has chosen us. This is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and it is a fundamental aspect of our faith. It is not about our worthiness, our righteousness, or our good deeds. It is about God's grace, His mercy, and His love.
1 Peter 2:9-10: The apostle Peter tells us that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's special possession. This is a powerful declaration of our identity in Christ. We are not just random individuals wandering aimlessly through life. We are chosen by God, set apart for His purposes, and precious in His sight.
Our collective identity as the people of God: In the Old Testament, God chose the nation of Israel to be His special possession. In the New Testament, this concept is expanded to include all those who believe in Jesus Christ. We are all part of the chosen people of God, regardless of our race, nationality, or social status.
A call to action: As God's chosen people, we are called to declare His praises and to shine His light in the darkness. We are called to live out our faith in a way that reflects God's love and mercy to the world around us.
Jeremiah 32:38-39: God promises to give His people singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear Him and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. This is a promise of God's guidance and provision for His chosen people. God does not just choose us and then leave us to fend for ourselves. He promises to be with us, to guide us, and to bless us.
Acts 9:3-5: Saul was a persecutor of Christians, but God chose him to become Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. This is a reminder that God's choice is not based on our past actions or our present circumstances. It is based on His sovereign will and His amazing grace.
A privilege and a responsibility: As God's chosen people, we are called to live lives that reflect His love and grace. We are called to be a light in the darkness, to declare His praises, and to share His love with the world.
Not about us: It is about God. It is about His love, His grace, and His mercy. It is about His plan and His purposes. It is about His glory.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about when God made it clear that he wanted you to follow Him. How did you know he had chosen you?
Our response to God's choice is not just about acknowledging that we are chosen, but also about how we respond to this divine selection ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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