A good word from the weekend <3
Our church is starting a new series and I hope it proves to be as profound as the introduction was yesterday. I will share a link when available for the series. For a number of weeks we will be looking at “I AM” – the name God gave Himself when sending Moses back to Egypt to free Israel from slavery.
Fair warning, I may be musing on this further in the week, but for today I wanted to touch on just the opening portion of our teaching pastor’s message. He talked about ways we try to nail down our identity. He used examples of profiles from social media where we try in a few words to be humorous or deep in describing who we are.
My favorite line from this segment was when he asked us if we really do know who we are. And do we really know who God is? Do we take the time…do I take the time…to know Him and to allow Him to help me understand who I am?
With verses from John, Exodus, Colossians and Romans, Adam talked to us about how all things were created and are sustained by Jesus; who called Himself “I AM.” He reminded us of the great expanse of creation from the largest star to the largest animal on planet earth. These were created and sustained by Him and so are you and I.
At the end of the teaching, we prepared for communion and were given time to meditate on who we think we are and to remember who Christ is and what He has done for us.
I have to say as I bowed my head, there were a lot of phrases that rose to the surface as I asked myself how I would answer the question, “Who are you?”
It started off with things like Russ’s wife, Rachel, Sarah and John’s mom, a grandma, a sister, a friend. There were things like teacher, volunteer, neighbor. And then other things rose from my heart and mind. Someone who tries hard and fails frequently. Someone with a temper and quirks.
There were more things that ranged from positive to negative. But as the music played and I listened to the words of the song; I remembered the most important things.
I am a sinner saved by Grace.
I am loved by my Father.
I am forgiven and redeemed.
I am His child.
I am a work in progress.
I am free from condemnation by His blood.
I am part of His family.
I am set apart for good works purposed for me before time.
And thus….
I am so very grateful today that who I am is transformed because of who He is.
He is I AM and I am looking forward to growing in the knowledge of this in the coming weeks <3
Here are the verses from the sermon:
Jesus said to them, “Most assurdedly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
John 8:58
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
John 1:1-3
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things and in Him all things consist.
Colossians 1:15-17
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2