Point of Grace Online Worship 1.24.21

Sermon Notes – “I BELONG … … … to Him, His Church, His Mission” Part 1 – DO I BELONG?

We all long to BELONG!

We try so very hard to find a home for our hearts, a sanctuary for our souls.

Luke 15 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Jesus reveals the Father’s heart, “We all BELONG to Him.”

We are born estranged and rebellious; now cruel imposters constantly lure us away promising “belonging”! And we are broken enough to follow – “self” trying to find belonging for “itself”. A recipe for pain.

But our Father knows where we BELONG and who we BELONG to. He runs for us … to cloak us with “BELONGING”.

John 154 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

When I am not where I BELONG I will not be able to “do” what I was meant to do.

6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

I BELONG to HIM!

- Is a reality offered freely to me, bought and paid for by Jesus and received by faith.

- Now, by faith, empowered by His Spirit, I get to live like I BELONG to Him each day, every day, all day.

Now what?

I will not be naïve – the forces of the devil, the world and my sinful nature are all marshalled against my believing I BELONG to HIM and especially against my living like I BELONG to HIM.

Living like I BELONG to HIM means ordering my daily life in such a way so I have consistent connection with Him, His Spirit, His Word and His Love!

A Prayer of BELONGING

Jesus, I come to You now to be restored in You, to be renewed in You! I need union with You! Father, I BELONG to You! Jesus, I BELONG to You! Holy Spirit, I BELONG to You! Holy Trinity - I love You, I worship You, I trust You, I give myself over to You in my heart’s search for life! Saturate me with Your love, saturate me with Your life. I need more of You Jesus, more of You! Thank you for loving me when you didn’t have to, when I didn’t love you back. I now return to You. I bring my spirit soul and body, my heart, my mind and my will – whole being to You – I am in Your hands and Your heart because I BELONG to You!

Thank you Father, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Spirit. Fill me afresh with You!

Amen

How could a group of people living like this change the world?

Afterthoughts for 2021 - Thursday @ 7

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Luke 15:1-10 Tue – Luke 15:11-32 Wed – John 15:4-11 Thu – John 15:16-27 Fri – Philippians 3:7-11 Sat - Psalm 100

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

New Book Recommendation from Pastor Weiser, “Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge