A message for our Unplugged service on 18th November 2012, the Sunday when Jeff Lucas is preaching at the other services during the day. A bit of a tongue in cheek title, but an attempt to look at who we are in Christ in terms of our identity.
I am not Jeff Lucas. You might be disappointed to hear this and have come expecting to hear Jeff at this service. But he is speaking at our Unbound Service and tonight’s celebration. You may have come this morning because I am not Jeff Lucas! Maybe you like church so much you’re going to all the services today!
But I am sure that you will know that it is the message not the messenger that counts.
But this morning raised a dilemma for us. When we invited Jeff (12 months ago) we had no plans for two morning services and so only booked Jeff for one morning service. The dilemma was then, “who is going to preach at the first service?” We did not want to create a kind of X-Factor popularity contest.
And so for the next while I want to emphasise that I am not Jeff Lucas!
It is interesting sometimes that in church we get hung up on image and personality. We end up trying to emulate people. Now that can be healthy if they are Godly [Hebrews 13:7].
But to really emulate someone you have to be close to them and that is not easily done with a visiting speaker.
I can recall being at a conference and listening o some people in front of me chat about the speaker for the evening. They talked of this guy, Gerald Honey from South Africa, as though they were old friends, had personal insight into his decisions, and ideas as to what he was preaching on. In truth they’d never met him, had no idea about his personal life and were basically trying to look important, or at worst, more spiritual than their friends.
To emulate someone you have to be close to them. This is why Jesus took 12 and poured His life into them. Why? Because to be Christ-like is to be like Christ, and to be Christ-like is to be Christ-near.
So we aim to be like Jesus. But it’s important to also know what does Father God say about us today, for none of us are Jeff Lucas.
I am Accepted[1]
Being accepted means lots to the Christian but here a three brief thoughts!
- I am His Child
John 1:12: Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Being part of the family is fantastic. It is hard for my children to deny paternity. Even if they say that they do not look like me a DNA test will show that I am their father.
There are some ways to enter a family:
By birth [John 3:16]
By adoption [Romans 8:15-17]
By marriage [John 3:29]
- I am Justified
Romans 5:1: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
To be justified means that all my past sins, failures and mistakes are forgiven. It means that through Jesus’s sacrifice I am now accepted before God!
Just as if I’d never sinned.
- I am complete
Colossians 2:9-10: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
I can add nothing to my salvation nor can I subtract from it.
I am Secure
Secure means to be safe, protected, and confident.
- I am free from condemnation
Romans 8:1: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Listen, we might stand accused by the enemy [Rev. 12:10], we might stand accused by the world [Psalm 109:25], or we might even accuse ourselves, but we are never condemned! Condemnation is the role of the Judge, and only God can judge the soul!
- I am Confident
Philippians 1:6: being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
He’s started so He’ll finish!
- I am not Scared
2 Timothy 1:7: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Quit being a scaredy-cat! God has given us power, love and self-discipline.
I am Significant!
I am significant, not because of anything I have done, but because of what he has done in me.
- I am a branch
John 15:5: 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
I am a branch of Jesus and therefore a channel of His love and power.
- I have a job to do
Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
God has a purpose and a design for me.
- I am strengthened
Phil 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Wrapping it up!
I am not Jeff Lucas. I am that which God’s word tells me I am.
I am accepted, secure and significant.
Who are you?
No comments:
Post a Comment