I remember on visitation in Sutton, WV when Rodney Hickman and I
visited a fellow who lived up “Old Woman’s Run.”
After we told him the gospel story we then asked him if he wanted to
become a Christian. But, sad to
say, this fellow rejected the Lord’s will for his life.
He said that he felt that he couldn’t be who God wanted him to be.
He said that he couldn’t live it.
He wasn’t ready to try. Without
the Lord no one could ever measure up to becoming a child of the King.
That is why Jesus came. This
message seeks to answer that problem. How
can we ever become the person that God wants us to be?
Our mission as a church is “To live our lives everyday, so that
others can see Christ living in us.” How
can we live our lives everyday? How
can others see Christ living in us? How
is this possible when we know who we are, we know what we have done, and what
we are capable of doing? How can
we do it? Just do it says the
popular advertisement for Nike Tennis shoes?
But if you can’t do it, then you can’t.
We know that there are people in the Bible who have done it. We know people that live for the Lord on a daily basis.
They have made a reputation for themselves and a difference in our
lives. What is their secret?
Scripture
Text: Isaiah 41:8 "But
you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of
Abraham my friend, 9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest
corners I called you. I said, `You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have
not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with
my righteous right hand. 11 "All who rage against you will surely be
ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. 12
Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war
against you will be as nothing at all. 13 For I am the LORD, your God, who
takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
14 Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help
you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
How
is it possible to do the will of the Lord?
How is it possible to be who God wants you to be?
Who
are you? If you have invited the
Lord into your heart then:
You
have the only true, living God. He will strengthen you, He will help you, and He will uphold
you with His righteous right hand.
You
are the servant of the Lord
You and the Lord are an Army of one.
One Thing God Can’t Do
A Sunday school teacher was examining her
pupils after a series of lessons on God’s omnipotence. She asked, “Is
there anything God can’t do?”
There was silence. Finally, one lad held
up his hand. The teacher, disappointed that the lesson’s point had been
missed, asked resignedly, “Well, just what is it that God can’t do?”
“Well,” replied the boy, “He can’t
please everybody.”—Together[1]
You
can be a friend of the Lord
(e.g. Abraham)
You
have been called by the Lord
and you have answered.
You
have been chosen by the Lord. He has not rejected you.
How do you know that you have not been rejected?
John 3:16
You
have no fear when you go with the Lord.
How can you find out? Try
the Lord. Stand up and step out for Him.
He is waiting to stand up for you.
The Rock Didn’t Move
A sailor in a shipwreck was thrown upon a
rock where he clung in great danger until the tide went down. Later a friend
asked him, “Jim, didn’t you shake with fear when you were hanging on that
rock?”
“Yes, but the rock didn’t,” was the
significant reply. Christ is the Rock of Ages.
—Sabbath Reading[2]
You
have no concern or worry for the unknown,
because God is already there.
You
have no enemies.
Those who oppose you will be taken care of.
The Lord is your strong man and your right arm.
He will take care of all those who would choose to oppose you.
You
have a companion
who will take you by the hand and walk with you.
The Lord Himself will help you.
You
have a Redeemer.
He has paid the price for those who were held in captivity of sin,
death, hell, and the grave. He
has set you free.
He is
the Holy one of Israel. He is your Lord.
You must
experience Him before you can see Him at work.
It is called faith.
Will
you Experience Him in your life?
[1]Tan,
P. L. Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : [A Treasury of
Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and
Christian Workers]. Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979.
[2]Tan,
P. L. Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : [A Treasury of
Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and
Christian Workers]. Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979.