sermons and outlines

4/18/2015 SermonsandOutlines

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WHATDOESGODTHINKOFME?

Intro: Letme ask you a question:Do you everwonderwhat people think about you? Do you evencare?Tosomeextent,mostofusdocarewhatothersthinkofus.Now,letmeaskyouanotherquestion:Hasanyoneevertoldyouwhattheythinkaboutyou?Whentheydo,youareoftensorrytheydid.Therehavebeentimes,whenapersontoldmejustwhattheythoughtofme,andIwasgladtheydid.TherehavebeenothertimeswhenfolkshavesharedtheirthoughtsaboutmeandIwasnotpleasedatall.ThatisonereasonIdonotaskpeoplewhattheythinkofme.Iamafraidtheywilltellme!

Today, Iwant to lookat thismatter fromaspiritualperspective.Ifyouwere toaskSatanwhathethinksaboutyou,hewouldprobablysay, Youareafailure!Ifyouaskedsocietywhat they thinkofyou,theymightsay,Youareafool!Ifyouaskedself,thatis,yourownheart,selfmightsay,Youareafake!Haveyoueverheardthesethings?Manyhaveandonadailybasis!

But,does it reallymatterwhatSatan,societyandself thinkaboutyouandme?No!All that reallymatters, in theend, iswhatGodthinksaboutus.Haveyoueverwondered justwhatGod thinksaboutyou?IsitpossibletoknowwhatGodthinksaboutus?DowereallywanttoknowwhatHethinksaboutus?Well,thispassageclearlyrevealsexactlywhatGodthinksaboutus.

PauliswritingtoTitus,ayoungPastorontheislandofCrete.Inchapter twohewroteabouthowbelievers shouldbehave in thechurch. In this chapter, he talksabouthowbelievers shouldbehave insociety.PaulcallsonTitustoputtheminmindaboutcertainthings.HewantsthesaintstorememberwhotheyareinJesuswhattheyhaveinJesuswhatGodhasdoneinthemthroughJesusandwhatGodexpectsofthemasbelieversinJesus.

Intheseverses,PaulanswersthequestionIposedafewmomentsago:WhatDoesGodThinkOfMe?Inthispassagedesignedforinstruction,wecanfindawordofencouragement.SomeofyoumaybediscouragedasyouwonderhowGodseesyou.Well,ifyouaresaved,youareabouttofindout.Ifyouarenot,thenyouaregoingtolearnhowGodwouldseeyouifyoucametoJesus.Letslookintotheseversestogetherasweaddressthequestion:WhatDoesGodThinkOfMe?

I.v.36GODTHINKSYOUAREPRECIOUS

(Ill. Satan says, God doesnt care about you at all. God says something completelydifferent.TheseversesteachusthatGodlovesusmorethanwecanpossiblyunderstand.)

A.v.3TheExtentOfHisLoveVerse3paintsavividpictureofwhatthebelieverwasbeforeheorshemetJesus.

FoolishIgnorantofeverythingtodowithGod.

DisobedientRebellioustowardanyauthorityinstitutedbyGod.

DeceivedContinuallyleddeeperanddeeperintosinbySatan.

ServingdiverslustsandpleasuresAslavetoourfleshlyappetitesandpassions.

LivinginmaliceGivenovertoalifestyleofevil.

EnvyNeversatisfiedwithwhatwehave,butalwaysgraspingformore.

HatefulThisisthenaturalfruitofalltheabove.Thiskindoflifemakesusmeanspiritedandhardtogetalongwith.



HatingoneanotherWalkingwithoutloveforourfellowman.

Thisiswhatwewere,andwhatsomeinthisroomstillare.Itisaterribleconditiontobein,yetthatiswhattheBiblesaystimeandtimeagain,Eph.2:131Cor.6:910.Eveninthatcondition,Godstilllovedus:Jer.31:3.HecouldhavewrittenusoffandjustallowedusgotoHell,butHelovedusanddidsomethingaboutit!

B.v.4,6bTheEvidenceOfHisLoveThisversessaysafterthat.Inotherwords,inspiteofwhatwewereandare,Godchose todisplayHis love forus.HowdidHe do that? Theanswerisinverse6.ItsaysthroughJesusChrist.GodgaveevidenceofHis love for fallenmanbysendingHisSonintotheworldtodieforoursins,Ill.Rom.5:68John3:161John4:910.

IfyouneedevidencethatyouareprecioustotheLord,thenlooknofartherthanCalvary!Youdontneedafeeling,justlooktothecross!LookawaytoJesusasHediesonthecrossforyoursins,2Cor.5:21,andknowthatyouarespecialtotheLord.HelovedyouandthatisthereasonfortheawfuldeathofJesusChrist.Thecrosssays,Iloveyou!YouarespecialtoMe!

C.v.56aTheEnergyOfHisLoveWhatdid thiswonderful loveofGoddoforus?Partof theanswerisfoundinthewordbutinverse4.Godknewwhatwewere.Hesawuswithalloursinsandourbaggage,yetHestillchosetobuttintoourlivesandsaveusbyHisgrace.Ill.Thebut inEph.2:4 and the but in Luke 15:22, the prodigal deserved judgment, but receivedmercy!

LookatallHisloveandgracedidforusinverse5.

HeextendedHisgraceandmercytouswhenwedeservednothingbutHell.

Hesavedusfromthepenaltyofoursins(saved).

Hecleansedusfromthedefilementsofoursins(washing).Hemadeanewcreatureoutofus(regeneration).

And,HeplacedHisSpiritwithinustoleadusdeeperinHimdaybyday(renewing).

Goddidallofthiswithnohelpfromus!Ourworks,ourreligion,oureffortscannotsaveus,theyonlycompoundtheproblem!

Godsloveforuswasnottheloveofasecretadmirer.No!HelovedussomuchthatHewenttowork to see us saved. Satan will tell you that God doesnt love you all the evidence sayssomethingquietdifferent!TheevidencesaysthatyouarepreciousinHiseyes!

(Ill.Godseesusexactlyaswereallyare,butHelovesusanyway!)

I.GodThinksYouArePrecious

II.v.7aGODTHINKSYOUAREPERFECT

(Ill.Again,theenemiesofthebeliever,Satanandthefleshwilltellyouthatyouaredirty,wickedandthatyouhavenohopeatall.Folks,thedevil isaliar,John8:44andyoucantbelieveawordyour



ownhearttellsyou,Jer.17:9!Verse7tellsyouwhatGodthinksaboutyourstanding.HesaysthatHehasjustifiedyoubyHisgrace.)

A.ADefinitionWhatdoesitmeantobejustified?Justifiedcomesfromawordthatmeans,torender righteousorsuchasheought tobe. It is aword that speaksofGoddeclaring thesavedpersontobeinaperfectandrightstandingbeforeGod.Thatissayingalot!

B. A Description Being justified is far different from being forgiven. Some people think thatjustification is just theforgivenessofoursins.Justification is farmorepowerful than that! Whenthere is forgiveness there is also the remembrance of thewrong committed. A man might beconvicted of murder and be forgiven by the victims family but everyone still knows what thatmurdererdid.

Ontheotherhand,apersonwhohadbeenjustifiedhasbeentotallyacquittedandexoneratedofallcharges.Thereisabsolutelynorecordofanywrongdoing.WhenwearejustifiedbyGod,allrecordofoursinisforeverbanishedfromthememoryoftheLord.Itisasifwehadneverorwillneversin!(Ill.Jer.31:34Heb.8:12Heb.10:1617)Thebottomlineisthis:thelawhasnoclaimsagainstajustifiedperson.ThelawofGodissatisfied,thereisnocaseagainsttheredeemedones!TherearenochargesagainstthechildofGod.

C.ADefenseSomemighthearthisandsay,Well,thatisanexcusetosin.IftheLorddoesntrememberandHehasalreadydeclaredme righteous, then Icandoas Ipleasewithnoconsequences.Ifyouthinkthatthenyouaredeadwrongandwayoffbase!Youcanbesavedandstillsin.Whenyoudo,yoursinwillnotaffectyourrelationshipwithGod.Onceyouaresavedby grace and justified by God, that condition can never be altered. However, when you as abelieversin,youcanexpecttwothingstohappen.

First,youcanbesurethatyouwillreapwhatyousow,Gal.6:78.

Second,youcanbesurethatGodwillbringHischastisementintoyourlife,Heb.12:612.

YoumightbesavedandforgivenasfarasHeavenandeternityisconcernedbuttherewillareearthlyconsequencesforoursinfulactions.Lowlivingcarriesaveryhighprice.JustaskSamson!

(Ill.NotonlydoestheLordseeusaswereallyareHealsoseesusasHehasmadeusbyHisgrace.)


II.GodThinksYouArePerfect

III.v.7bGODTHINKSYOUAREPRIVILEGED

(Ill.SatancomesbyandtellsthebelieverthatservingGodiswasteoftime.Thatitjustdoesntpayofftoliveright,gotochurch,prayandreadtheBible.Well,asyoumightimagine,Godseesthingsjustalittledifferently.Hetellsusinverse7thatweareaprivilegedpeople.)

A.PrivilegedBecauseOfOurEarthlyHopeIrealizethatasChristians,wearealllivingforwhatis coming after this life. That is when we expect to receive our inheritance. Why? Well, aninheritance isusuallygivenafter thedeathof theonewhoownsthe inheritance.TheOneWhopromisedusan inheritancehasalreadydiedand risen from thedead. I am looking forward toHeaven,butIamapartakeroftheinheritanceoftheLordtoday,Rom.8:1517.



Heavenwillbewonderful,butIvegotitgoodtoday!

TheLordisalwayswithme,Heb.13:5Matt.28:20.

TheLordhaspromisedtomeetallmyneeds,Phil.4:19Matt.6:2534.

HecaresaboutallthatIfaceinlife,Heb.4:15.HelistenstomewhenIpray,Heb.4:16.

ItseemsthattheLordisdoingHisbesttospoilme,Luke12:32!

Youcantakeitanywayyouplease,butifyouaresaved,youareaprivilegedpersonrightnow!

B.PrivilegedBecauseOfOurEternalHopeNotonlyareweprivilegedbecauseofallwehaveherewearealsoprivilegedbecauseofallthatwehavewaitingonuswhenweleavehere.WehaveahomeinHeaven,John14:13.WehaveaperfectplacereservedforusinHispresence,1Pet.1:35.Wehavethehopethatweareheadedtoacitywheretherewillbenomoredeath,parting or sorrow, Rev. 21:4. We are a privileged people! We have the best here andhereafter!WhataGodweserve!

(Ill.Heseesuslikeweare,yetHelovesus.HeseesusasHehasmadeus.And,Heseesusaswewillbesomeday.Ill.madeheirsAll thatwehaveall thatweare,andall thatwewillbecome, isbecauseofHisamazinggrace!KnowyethattheLORDheisGod:it ishethathathmadeus,andnotweourselveswearehispeople,andthesheepofhispasture,Psalm100:3.

Weareapreciouspeople.HesavedusbyHisgrace,apartfromanyworksatallHehasmadeusaperfectpeople.HeblessesusinmarvelouswaysandpromisesusahomeinHeavensomedayweareaprivilegedpeople.)


II.GodThinksYouArePerfect

III.GodThinksYouArePrivileged

IV.v.12,8GODTHINKSYOUAREPROFITABLE

(Ill. Satan, or the flesh, often says, God cant use you! You will amount to nothing as aChristian.Lookatthethingsyoudo.Lookathowyoulive.Youareafailure.Youeverhearthat?Well,thetruthisadifferentmatteraltogether.TheseversesremindusthatGodsavedusforapurposeandpartofthatpurposeissothatHecanuseusforHisglory!)

A.v.1HeCanUseYourWalkPaulistellingthesefolkstowalkinadisciplinedmanner.Theyaretoobeythelawsofthelandandsubmittothepeoplewhoareinauthorityoverthem.Heistellingthemthattheirsimplewalkoffaithisproofthattheyaredifferentfromtheworldaroundthem.

Justthewayyoucarryyourselfdaybydayisapowerfulwitnesstotheworldaroundyou.AsyoulivefortheLordanddemonstrateHisloveandgrace,youareallowingHimtolivethroughyouandGod uses that to touch hearts. A disciplined, holy life is a power tool in the hand of theLord,Matt.5:16.



Youmightnotthinkthatbowingyourheadoveryourlunchisalot,butGodcanuseit.YoumightnotthinkthatreadingyourBibleatbreaktimeismuch,butGodcanusethattoo.YoumightnotthinkaboutitbutjustshowingupontimeanddoingadaysworkforadayspayisapowerfultestimonytoGodssavinggraceinyourlife.

B. v. 2 HeCanUseYourWitness Paul tells thesepeople that theway they treatothers isatestimonyinthehandsofGod.Theyaretoldtoavoidfightingandgossipingandjusttreatpeoplewith gentleness andmeekness. He ismerely telling them to have the testimony that they aredifferent.

Thewayinwhichweconductourselvesaroundothers,andthewaywetreatothers, isaspowerfulawitnessasanywegivewithour lips.Someonehassaid,WhatyoudospeakssoloudthatIcannothearwhatyouaresaying.Thatistrue!WhenweliverightandtreatothersasJesuswouldtreatthem,Luke6:31,itisapowerfulwitnessandGodcanuseitforHisglory.Ofcourse,whenwedonttreatothersright,itisapowerfulwitnesstoo!

C.v.8HeCanUseYourWorksWhenyousetyourhearttogoafterGodtheresultwillbegoodworks.YouwillsoondiscoverthatGoddidnotsavejusttokeepyououtofHellHesavedyoutoputyoutoworkforHim,Eph.2:102Cor.9:8Col.1:10James2:18.YoumightnotthinkthatHecanuseyou,butHecan.

If He can useamurderer namedMosesa blasphemer named Saul ofTarsus anadulterernamedDavidarebelnamedJonahoraloudmouthlikeSimonPeter,thenHecanuse you. If you will do what He tells, your life will be a life of immense profit fortheKingdomofGod!

SatanmighttellyouitisnttrueyourfleshmighttrytostandinyourwaybutGodsavedyouknowingwhatyouwereandwhatyouwerecapableofbecomingbyHispower.HesavedyoutouseyouandHewilluseyoubecauseHeseeswhatHecandothroughyouforHisglory.

Conc: So, what does God think of you? He thinks youarePreciousPerfectPrivilegedandProfitable.ThatshowHeseesyou.WhatdoyouneedtodoinyourlifetolineupwithHisvisionofyou?HasHeshownyouthatthereisroomforimprovementinyourwalkwithHimandyourworkforHim?Ifso,gettoHimanddealwiththattoday.

ThethingsIhavementionedtodayareonlytrueifyouaresaved.WhatdoesGodthinkofyouifyouarenotsaved?Hethinksyouareintrouble.Hethinksyouarelivingadangerouslife.Helooksatyouwith loveand knows that there is awayout. There is hope for you if youwill come to Jesus andbesaved.Ifyouwill,HewillthinkallthewonderfulthingsIhavesharedtoday,andmore.Isntthatwhatyouwanttoo?

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