Ephesians 1:1-14. Had the privilege of teaching at a youth group in April on how God’s love lead to his adoption of us as His children. Our adoption was planned before the foundation of the world, through this adoption we have the privilege of calling our God, Father.
Luke 9:23-25 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? “
Maybe we should just let that verse sink in to our hearts and minds. Are you willing to loose your life for Jesus Christ? Or are we trying to gain the world? I ‘m preaching tonight on Empathy, but I believe before we can truly be empathetic we need to understand sacrifice. To take up our cross and follow Him, good or bad we do it because He first loved us, He was the first to show compassion therefore true compassion comes from us becoming living sacrifices to God (Rm 12:1)
In Luke 1:38 mary says “…Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word… ” in response to God ‘s call on her life. Of course today is valentines and for many it ‘s a time of love. I want to challenge us today not to forget the love that God has shown us. In all his glory and power he choose to show us love through Jesus Christ.
So back to the verse, should we not respond the same way to the God who has shown us so much love. But do we truly view ourselves as servants to God? Do we serve and perform duties according to the Word of God as a servant of God would? God loved us so much that he sent His son to die for us, the least we could do is love and serve Him everyday.
Through all science or doctrine or evidence there is nothing greater to our hearts then the relationship we can enjoy with God. And the wonderful thing is God is the pursuer in the relationship, He will actually come after us and reveal who He is to us. “… and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Matthew 11:27 ESV) “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” (Romans 1:19 ESV)
These verse bring humility to my mind as I realize that I am not the one who initiates the relationship with God. But then we are relived to know that God in all power initiates it. “the Son chooses” and “God has shown it” both confirm this idea of God’s pursuit of us in His Love and Grace.
