Dear Church,

Yesterday, we were reminded that identity comes before activity. As believers, we are God’s special possession, chosen, Holy, and ordained as royal priests (1 Peter 2:9).  This means, you and I are not trying to become someone God might use someday; you and I already are someone He has chosen. This morning, let’s make this a part of our hearts. That means we are owned, loved, and guarded by God.  We’re not up for grabs.  He purchased you with Jesus’ blood, put His Spirit within you, and stamped you with His Name.  And all this is for one reason:

“That you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”  God didn’t just save you to be part of a Church and sit between pews. He saved you to “send” you as a church. (Great Commission) Our identity fuels our purpose.  So, we are to declare His praises.  With our lips, tell the story of God’s goodness. Keep it short, plain, and personal. Try: “Here’s what Jesus has done for me —He healed my anger, restored my marriage, carried me through grief, gave me peace in anxiety.” Again, as I reminded you yesterday, keep it about Him, not about how awesome you are. With our lives, we live so beautifully that the gospel looks believable.

Honor at work, kindness on the road, integrity with money, faithfulness in marriage, patience with kids, these are megaphones that proclaim Jesus louder than any microphone ever could.

If there’s no story of praise on our lips or in our lives, that’s not a sign to ‘try harder’, it’s a sign to go back to the cross. Maybe you haven’t yet been truly rescued.  Because the gospel is not about self-improvement, it’s a rescue story.  He has rescued us from something (the Kingdom of Darkness) into something (into the kingdom of Jesus).  Keep naming the from and the to: From bondage to freedom. From guilt to grace.  From gloom to everlasting joy.

We were called out of darkness and into His wonderful light.  Let’s walk in it and don’t forget to tell the story.  Also, many of you didn’t get my sermon notes.  Attached is a copy of the notes from yesterday’s sermon.

Be Encouraged,
Mathews