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Sunday, September 19, 2021

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 19, 2021

Pastor advised that our donations for Fire Bibles this month would be to provide Bibles for Sri Lanka and Haiti. Pastor then continued his sermon series: "Walking with Jesus”.

When we accept God’s invitation to walk with Him, we have accepted His call to fulfill His Purpose. It is not as a part time, ‘in spare time’ thing. This must be a committed priority.
Pastor reiterated last week’s scripture passage Colossians 2:6-7, which tells us to be rooted in Christ.

God calls each person. We are
Called to salvation. Repent and be saved.
Called to follow. Trust God to lead.
Called to fulfill His purpose. This is our reason for being, living.

There came a time when Jesus began to preach “Repent of your sins, turn to God…” Matthew 4:16-17.
Jesus called Levi a tax collector to follow him. It would require a change of lifestyle for Levi to follow – from a probably prosperous position in the community to a less approved. But the religious leaders considered the tax collectors and other sinners as “scum”. Jesus’ response was: “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17.

Jesus called his apostles. First, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, were called to become fishers of men. They left their nets to follow Jesus. So too, James and John, left their nets, their boat and their father behind. Matthew 4: 18-22.
They had to sacrifice their current lifestyles.
His disciples (then and now) follow at different levels of closeness.

His purpose is to be the follower’s whole purpose. What was Jesus’ purpose?
Jesus declared himself the Good Shepherd. John 10:11-16. The Good Shepherd leads his sheep and expects them to follow. He protects them. Feeds them. Leads them to green pasture.
The Good Shepherd had to sacrifice – He laid down His life for His sheep. I have come so they (my sheep) may have life and have it to the full. John 10:7-10.

A full life needs to be connected to the other side of heaven rather than ‘prosperity preaching.’
He did not come so we could have a good life on earth, but in heaven. Eternal life is our full life.

If our purpose becomes His purpose, then we are here to make sure others can have life to the full too. How well are we fulfilling His purpose?
If we are disciples, are we active disciples?
Our purpose needs to be married to God’s purpose.
Have we been seeking life on the wrong side of heaven or are we actively moving others to repent and become followers?
Maybe we need to renew our ‘marriage’ to God’s purpose.
Maybe we need to get off the inactive list and get active in fulfilling God’s purpose.
The church should be following actively.

I think this video is good for today: My Soul Follows After You.
Verses for Today:
John 10:7-10 NIV
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.


God, help me to renew my commitment and action to Your Purpose.

John 10:10 Abundant Life - Free Bible Verse Art Downloads - Bible Verses To  Go

Comparing John 10:10 I came so that my sheep will have life – God's Word  Mission Society



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