Sermon Central
-
Belong To God Three Ways!
Contributed by Tony Abram on Oct 8, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: How we belong to God by His creation, His purchase of us with His blood and by us giving ourselves to Him.
We belong to God 3 ways!
I. We belong to God by Creation.
(Gen 1:27 KJV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
(Gen 5:1 KJV) This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
A. We were created for God but we were made in His own image.
1. We did not descend from apes.
(Deu 4:32 KJV) For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?
(Deu 4:35 KJV) Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.
B. Creation seems to know that God created them.
The beasts of the field say: "Love made me." The birds of the air say: "Love made me." The creatures that swim in the rivers and the sea say: "Love made me." Only man, his back turned to the sun, does not say "Love made me." But when he turns round in the light of Christ, then he too knows in his heart "Love made me" and he cries out with every living creature, "Love made me! My Father in heaven loves me.
God creates out of nothing. Wonderful, you say. Yes, to be sure, but He does what is still more wonderful: He makes saints out of sinners.
Jessica, age five, and Stephanie, age three, were chatting with their mom when Stephanie asked, "Mommy, does God really make rainbows?" "Of course he does," my sister replied. Jessica nudged Stephanie and explained; "Only God has such big crayons."
God created man something on the order of a rubber band. A rubber band is made to stretch. When it is not being stretched, it is small and relaxed; but as long as it remains in that shape, it is not doing what it was made to do. When it stretches, it is enlarged; it becomes tense and dynamic, and it does what it was made to do. God created you to stretch.
II. We belong to God by redemption!
Ps. 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
A. God bought us back with a great price.
(Col 1:14 KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
1. It took the blood of Jesus Christ.
(Eph 1:7 KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
B. We are to look up, for more is coming!
(Luke 21:28 KJV) And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
1. Jesus is going to return soon.
C. Even our Bodies will be redeemed.
III. We belong to God by surrender and dedication.
(Rom 12:1 KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(Rom 12:2 KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
A. When we come to Christ and fully surrender and dedicate ourselves to Him, we give ourselves to Him.
B. Isaiah was a good example.
(Isaiah 6:3 KJV) And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
(Isa 6:4 KJV) And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
(Isa 6:5 KJV) Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
(Isa 6:6 KJV) Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
(Isa 6:7 KJV) And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
