Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1)
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Sermon Notes
BIBLE REFERENCE: 2 Corinthians 5:20 - "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
BRIEF INTRO FROM PART I:
Last time, we discovered our identity as ‘We the People’ of God—a royal priesthood, a holy nation, chosen and empowered by Him. But this identity isn’t for our benefit alone. Such a high calling comes from a place of deep love and leads to a sacred responsibility. Today, we explore: Why does God care so much? What does He expect from His people? And what happens when we forget who we are?
I. WHY GOD IS SO INTERESTED IN HIS PEOPLE
God’s interest isn’t casual; it’s deeply personal and purposeful.
1. We Are His Masterpiece: He created us in His own image for relationship (Gen 1:26). He knows us intimately and cares about the details of our lives (Ps 139:1-3).
2. We Are His Heritage: We are not a project; we are His prized possession and legacy (Ps 127:3).
3. We Are His Representatives: We are Christ’s ambassadors, entrusted with the message of reconciliation to a broken world (2 Cor 5:20).
II. GOD’S EXPECTATIONS FOR HIS PEOPLE
Because of who we are and whose we are, He calls us to live accordingly.
1. Love Supremely: Love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. This is the foundation (Matt 22:37-39, Deut 6:5).
2. Reverence His Name: Live in a way that honors His holy name, never taking it—or our identity as His people—in vain (Exodus 20:7).
3. Live Obediently: Obedience from a heart of love is the true mark of honoring Him (Deut 28:1, John 14:15).
4. Guard Your Heart: Rid yourselves of all bitterness, rage, and unforgiveness. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit who lives in you (Eph 4:30-31).
5. Dwell in His Word: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, guiding your thoughts, words, and actions (Col 3:16).
III. THE ULTIMATE GOAL: WHY GOD INVESTS IN US
1. God’s expectations are not arbitrary; they are for our good and His glory.
2. To Be Holy: He sets us apart to reflect His character to the world (1 Peter 1:16).
3. To Live in Trust: To depend on Him completely, not on our own understanding (Prov 3:5-6).
4. To Walk in Unity: To be one body, one family, so the world will believe (John 17:21).
5. To Multiply the Legacy: To teach the next generation, ensuring the faith continues (Prov 22:6, Judges 2:10).
IV. THE CONSEQUENCE OF FORGETTING OUR IDENTITY
History shows a sobering pattern: when God’s people forget who they are, they face spiritual defeat.
The Pattern: We see it in Adam and Eve’s exile from Eden, in Israel’s defeats and exile (Num 16:21-33, Judges 2:11-13, Jer 12:4, Isa 1:5-6).
The Principle: Separation from our source of identity and power leads to emptiness, failure, and judgment. It is a fearful thing to forget the grace we’ve been given.
CONCLUSION
God is deeply interested in you because He loves you, He has a purpose for you, and He has invested His very Spirit in you. The question from last week remains: What will you do with the identity and power He has given you? Will you live as His ambassador, meeting His expectations through His strength? Or will we ignore the warnings of history and forget who we are?
The choice is ours. Let us be a people who remember, who obey, and who faithfully represent our King.
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for caring so deeply for us. Forgive us for taking your love and our identity for granted. Help us to understand the weight of being your representatives. Empower us by your Spirit to live a life of love, obedience, and holiness. Guard our hearts from the things that grieve you. May we never forget who we are in Christ, and may we faithfully teach the next generation to follow you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
