Message: “God First” from Merle Shenk
January 14, 2020Message: “God’s Purpose for the Church” from Merle Shenk
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CloseMerle Shenk - June 21, 2020
Father's Dream
God’s Dream for Mankind – Seen in the Garden of Eden He created you. He knows who you are! You are defined by your Father’s Dream! In todays world people try to define you based upon what boxes you fall into in society. Age Gender Ethnicity Socio/Economic standard Skin Color Your abilities or inabilities Certain life experiences I want to proclaim to you that you are more than these boxes! You are the Dream of Your Heavenly Father The Devil (and world) would like you to believe that the fullness of your identity is the sum of these predefined boxes. These boxes fail to explain so much about you! They don’t define your interests, what you love about life, your hobbies, your personality, your skills & talents, your gifts, your passions, your beliefs. These distinctions are true! but they do not speak to your value, your worth or identity! No to Discrimination To be biased and discriminate based upon these distinct attributes is wrong and a grave injustice! It should never happen! Especially in the Church! This is the injustice that the mankind is trying to figure out how to make right! The Church has access to the solution! The unity of the Body of Christ UnityThe church is to show the World what Unity looks like! John 13:34-35 Jesus Prayed - John 17:21 (ESV Strong's) Ephesians 4:12-13 Ephesians 4:1-6 What does it mean to stand in unity with our brothers & sisters? The Work of the Holy Spirit Causes Unity Acts 2:3-11 (ESV Strong's) 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” To God you are not defined by your: i. Gender though you have one ii. Abilities or inabilities iii. Age iv. Skin color v. Cultural ethnicity or family back ground vi. Experiences and History vii. Financial Socio/Economic Status These things are only descriptions of your attributes. i. They are not your definition! ii. Be Careful who you allow to define you! In Christ you are Celebrated! We are all New Creations! 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Can we transcend the stereotypical boxes that the world is trying to pigeon hole people in? Yes in Christ we can! IdentityAs Believers our identity is not rooted in ourselves and our own definitions of who we are. Our identity is rooted in God’s definition of who we are! i. Loved ii. Celebrated iii. Empowered iv. Equipped v. Blessed vi. Overcomer Unique1 Peter 2:4-5 The Overcoming Gospel In Christ you are an Overcomer! Romans 8:37-39 Your Future i. God’s Word over you defines your value & worth ii. God’s Dream over you that defines your identity! iii. God’s Will defines your destiny Transcended LimitationsThe Bible attests to God’s power to change lives not mans power to change oneself. Joseph who despite being sold into slavery by his brothers and unjustly put in prison by his boss/master, became the 2nd most powerful person in the Kingdom of Egypt and the one sent to save his family and the lineage of Christ. Jacob whose name means deceiver, who was a schemer and thought he had to scheme to get ahead in life, was changed by meeting a messenger from God and became blessed even when others tried to take advantage of him! Esther – Who her world saw as only a beautiful woman, a possession of the king, but God knew and saw her as a deliverer for her people and the one who save them from certain destruction. Who are you?The Devil will tell you that because you lost you are a loser! 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Whose Report will you Believe? Numbers 13 Do you have the Faith to Believe God’s Report about you? Do you have the Faith to Believe God’s Report about others? Do you have the Faith to Believe God’s Report about our Nation? Do you have the Faith to Believe God’s Report about our Generation? Live God's Dream Notes:
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From Series: "Church Life"
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