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The grace that is given to the saints (Isaiah43: 1 - 6)
1 But now thus faith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy one of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
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In today's text God says "you are mine!". God made us as the people who belonging to God.
One's happy or unhappy is depends on who do you having relation, which country do you live, and who do you belong to. We must give thanks to God because we are owned by God.
The meaning of God's word "You are mine" is God is with us.
In addition, "he kept him as the apple of his eye(Deuteronomy 32:10)","I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness(Isaiah 41:10)." God promised to his people.
Today's sermon is about the four sections that how and why our God made us as his own.
First, God owned us as redeemed from our sins.
(V. 1) says, " But now thus faith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. "
It says here, but I had redeemed thee here, 'redemption', the word in Hebrew is 'ga-al'.
It means "Buy slaves from slave holder and give them freedom."
In Acts, God used all the firstborns of Egyptian as scapegoats to liberate Israel from the oppression of Babylon. Cush and Seba in the body of the lineage of the Egyptians, so to speak the same meaning as the Egyptians called ahead and was fine. .
Moreover, about 2,000 years ago, God sent his only Son for the redemption.
"If anyone is in Christ a new creature: old things have passed away, behold the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17) that is declared.
Because we belong to Jesus, we get redemption from all the sins and death.
Therefore in Ephesians 1:7 says, "We, according to the riches of his grace, redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."
God does not save us because we did good thing or our effort to live good and honest life, but only because his grace. 'Grace' means 'gift' which is you do not need to pay the price, it is free. Like parents love and feed their children without charge on them.
When the apostle Paul always preach the gospel ' But by the grace of God I am what I am "(1 Corinthians 15:10) says. God's grace will always be grateful.
For that reason, Apostle Paul said, "my pride is only the cross" (Galatians 6:14).
We also sing hymns like, "Hold cross and win every day." (Chapter 214 song) Always, we should thank God for saving us. (Isaiah 53:5) also says, " 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
After 800 years, the words of this prophecy was fulfilled, Hallelujah!
Second, God had called you by your name.
(v. 1c) "I have called you by name you are mine," God had declared. God gave us spell by name. He owns and has nominated us by himself. "Nominated" means "Focused to you and you".
See also, Isaiah 45:3, "who called thee by thy name will know that the LORD God of Israel."
We were nominated by God for a special purpose, have a special love to individually, and have specifically means. Chosen people of Israel who are called by this special love, as our purpose by a special love and have been called. The purpose of the people of God are worthy of love and will to live.
According to the lyrics of hymns, 'softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; see, on the portrays He's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me. "(Hymn 318), Jesus is desperately calling us to save from death, but still many people pretended like didn't hear him.
Ladies and gentlemen, Answer Amen to the call of the Lord and those people who answer the God's call, will be blessed.
We have laid the preliminary to the kingdom of heaven through Jesus Christ.
Jesus has said "" Jesus faith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. " (John 14:06)
(John 8:12)says, "Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follow me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
, (John 14:1 ~ 3) " 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
Look at Matthew 6:33, " But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Therefore give priority to the Heaven, then God will takes care about others like wealth, heath, and happiness in our lives.
But the most of people of the world give priority to the this world. By changing the order, people could not see the treasures of God and his plans.
A pastor always watching the Sun and the shadows, and wonder about the relationship between those two. Shadow always follow Sun.
The Power, reputation or status or money, and everything in the world is like a shadow.
if you follow God ever else will follow you.
Shadow of money, shadow of an honor, shadow of authority will follow you automatically if you follow Jesus. We who believe in God pray like Jesus what you want.
Even thought you don't want any wealth, any honors, and etc... those will follow you!
If we follow the Son of God which is our Jesus Christ who became only light of the world, other shadows will follows you. Hallelujah!
But If you don't follow Jesus, but follow the greed for money or flesh and honor of this world, you will never be happy.
A pastor said that, " Several times, Some saints told me like that " I'll be right back. as soon as If I made big money in my life and have a great business and I will come back to Jesus then!"
But He never told the people to bring bags of money to the pastor after they had promised. They could of never been happier.
Their situation Will come over with your hands because shallow. I went far away, tired and miserable, 'This is to repent and return. But if you are glad to do so, repent and return. Jesus life and blessing and honor and wealth and peace, is there.
Third, We are loved and protected by God.
(Isaiah 43:4) "I love you, you were wondering precious honor; I give men in exchange for you, and people for thy life shall" and told them.
God gives the nations ransom to redeem Israel did spare them the degree.
Israel was not originally present noble and precious, but ever since God had chosen to honor them.
Also the sinful nature of us as human beings, we deserve to die, but because of Jesus we have redemption. God would never let his children to be have poor life. Consider the parable of the Prodigal Son. Home, his father was dissipated when the patrol Tola and repentance, to give him new clothes and put a golden ring and the fatted the calf to begin the feast for the coming back of the son. The characteristics portrayed by the father, is just like our God.
Fourth God has chosen us to work for his new plan.
(Isaiah 43:19) "Behold! I am doing a new thing now would indicate. Do you not perceive it? Surely my way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."
In this verse 'new thing' was , primarily during BC539 Cyrus King Of Persia Era was to destroy the empire of Babylon, and elect a prisoner freed from Israel they say, refers to the salvation event.
It's just Jesus, the Son of God was to send us. How do you say this in English history?
History is a combination of His and Story in English. What a stunning interpretation, isn't it? So how do we actually divide this historic term? Before Jesus coming BC (Before Christ), After he came AD (Anno Domimi = After Lord of Christ), shortly referred to as BC or AD. What do they mean b? also come Jesus, Jesus, and he is bound to come. Jesus is center of history.
In the past time era, there was no Sunday in the world, People had to work also Saturday and Sunday. But after the resurrection, After the returning of Jesus comes they started to celebrate the resurrection every Sunday worship service on Sunday to look forward to seeing most of these countries. The grace of Jesus made us rest on Sunday. Sunday is a symbol of mankind's peace of rest and enjoy. Presidents of any country, cannot change the outcome. May we receive true rest in the grace of Jesus, we thank you Lord Please come in this place.
Because of Jesus, the flowers of democracy that the world is in full bloom. Because of the Jesus women's rights are grown. Even when I was a kid, my grandmother ate her meals on the floor, and only my grandfather ate on the table. It hasn't been long since, women had the right to vote in the United States. Nowadays in United States Children and Women go to the hospital more than men. Also the welfare of the elderly has improved in the past few years.
Dear Congregation! when you go to heaven there will be an awesome experience. The floor is made of gold, and countless jewels on the wall. A more luxurious place than any palace's in the world. Even hard to see it because of its brightness. There is no grief or tears when you go to heaven. Hallelujah!
People have asked me "Pastor, the kingdom of heaven would be very nice if went today!" but I tell them hold on our work on earth is not done yet. Hold on and wait until the time comes, we will go there eventually so don't you worry.
(Isaiah 43:19)says, "Behold, I am doing a new thing now would indicate. Do you not perceive it? Surely my way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."
Enormous and will do a new thing too colossal! Ye shall know! This, is not a secret! .Because of Jesus who is going to make things happen.
Jesus Christ will come and save us from sin, death and suffering from this life. When the future of the Second Coming of Christ, with the eternal kingdom of God and his people there, Simply will complete the return, including all that you have prophecy are composed and will keep going.
Conclusion)
In Jesus name we can do many great things in the Lord's name. I do believe so. God will use you for his big plan.
Dear brothers and sisters!
'You are mine,' he gave his word and Jesus redeemed us from our sins, and made us his possession of God by your name, thought to be for your precious honor. We are chosen pby God to do his works, be thankful to be chosen and use your gift for his name, and for his glory.
23/05/2012 ikseon |