Good Morning Church!
Welcome back to the house of the living God, His name is Jesus and He is good! We are happy that you are all here today, be assured that it is not because you wanted to be here, but because God wanted you to be here.
Today again we will continue with our ongoing series, “You are chosen for a purpose“, with it’s Part 2, in continuation to the session from last Sunday.
Let us checkout again the base verse for our ongoing theme…
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
Revelation 13:8
Who is this Lamb of God? Bible explicitly affirms that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who was slain.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29
If we look at the life of Jesus, we will notice that it wasn’t an easy life that we expect. Here are few examples:
1: First thing we notice that Jesus, the child, was in danger to get killed.
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
Matthew 2:16-17
2: When John the baptist baptized Jesus, after that satan tried to stop Jesus to move away from the ministry by temptation. However Jesus overcame that temptation.
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.'” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'” And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Luke 4:1-13
3: Thirdly we can find while Jesus was healing people and performing wonders and miracles, Jews tried to stone Jesus and tried to kill Jesus.
The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
John 10:31-33
4: Jesus was rejected by his own people.
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
John 1:11
5: Jesus’ ministry was disrupted by satan.
Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.
Luke 22:3
This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Acts 2:23
Understand, we are a chosen generatjon and when we are the chosen ones, there will be opposition just how it happened in the life of Jesus Christ. There are many examples in the Bible that we can find where there have been trials and persecution. Nevertheless, every time, God was in control. He is in control even now!
To do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.
Acts 4:28
And all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
Revelation 13:8
When you feel that your life is standing still and nothing is moving forward, be assured that God is at work even when you feel He isn’t working.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
1 Peter 3:18
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”
Galatians 3:13
If you think God has kept us to be always healthy, prosperous, away from troubles etc., then you are deceiving yourself.
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Timothy 3:12
Even the Psalmist affirmed this aforementioned verse. God is promising you Himself, not the world!
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
John 17:3
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Jesus is speaking this (John 16:33) right before His crucifixion.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19
Foxes have homes, birds have nests and Son of Man has nowhere to go? No… Jesus gave His life not just for being a law abiding person and sake for it, but He became a blessing for His people and their generations to come.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31
Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Psalm 34:21-22
There are similar references…
So death is at work in us, but life in you.
2 Corinthians 4:12
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10
God has a purpose for you. In order to see that purpose, there is a journey. There are troubles and you need to hold on to God.
That no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
1 Thessalonians 3:3-4
Few more references…
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Psalm 34:19-20
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
Be assured and say loudly that “I am a child of God and I have a purpose!”
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:12
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
Throughout the Bible we can see that we can cryout to God and God will fulfill His purpose in our life.
I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
Psalm 57:2
Do not live life without a purpose, but ask God to help you find your purpose if you haven’t yet. Why? Because you are a God’s child and belong to His chosen generation.
We hope you are encouraged with today’s message and looking forward to seek God to reveal His purpose unto you, only because you know that you are the chosen one. We look forward to see you again next Sunday… God bless!