Point of Grace Online Worship 2.7.21
Sermon Notes – “I BELONG … … … to Him, His Church, His Mission” Part 3
I BELONG to Him gives IDENTITY!
I BELONG to His Church gives COMMUNITY!
I BELONG to His Mission gives ______________ !
I BELONG to Him gives IDENTITY!
I BELONG to His Church gives COMMUNITY!
I BELONG to His Mission gives PURPOSE!
We long to BELONG! We try so very hard to find a home for our hearts, a sanctuary for our souls and a purpose for our lives.
What is the meaning of life? Is there more to life than this?
Matthew 4 Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
The invitation of Jesus was to belong to Him, to His band of followers and to His mission in the world.
Peters “admission” into Jesus and His band was also His “commission” as an agent in Jesus’ work.
What is the Mission Jesus is asking us to join Him in?
Matthew 1 21 … you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Luke 19 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
John 3 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. … 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— … 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
2 Corinthians 5 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
As a follower of Jesus I GET to join Him every day on His mission to redeem and restore all people to Himself.
This is the mission I BELONG to which gives meaning and purpose to everyday living.
Matthew 5 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Acts 1 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Getting Practical – The I BELONG CHALLENGE
Each Day – I will Read and Pray over the daily scripture reading from the sermon notes. Each Week – I will worship at Point of Grace online or in person. This Year – I will bring at least one person to Alpha in 2021. We get to pray for many and invite several to bring one.
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! I now confess and proclaim that if I BELONG to You Jesus then I BELONG to Your Church! I also now boldly proclaim that I BELONG to Your Mission. I have a vital role to play in your mission to redeem and restore people back to YOU to where they BELONG. I join You today Jesus on Your Mission. I get to be radically available to bring some good news and some good deeds where to people who need the good You bring. Get to use my words and my deeds for Your Purpose. Hallelujah…. I am so excited!
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 – Matthew 4:17-25 Tue – Luke 9:1-10 Wed – Matthew 5:13-16 Thu – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Fri – Acts 1:1-9 Sat - John 10:10-16
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, “Joining Jesus On His Mission” by Greg Finke
“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