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“NO LITTLE PEOPLE” 1 PETER 2:9-10 MARCH 12, 2006
INTRODUCTION This morning we continue along in our S.H.A.P.E. series, examining what it means to be spiritually healthy and how to grow in that goal. In our first message, we realized that there were at least four things we would have to do if we were going to grow toward better spiritual health: it would require honesty, it would require understanding (knowledge), it would require faith, and it would require action.
Last week, as we participated in a worship experience different from our norm, I hope we were challenged to be honest about where we are spiritually (elaborate on how the service format was very different from the norm). In fact, that’s something we need to be challenged about on a regular basis. How close are we really to our heavenly Father... why do we do the things we do... are we truly living as disciples of Jesus Christ?
This morning, as we continue on our journey, I believe it is important for us to understand that God truly wants us to be growing spiritually- even more than we do ourselves!- and He has reasons for wanting this growth. He truly wants what is best for us, so we can live the life He has always intended we live. Now, there may be some of you today who don’t really think God could be that interested in you: “I know my past, my present, my heart, my circumstances- what could God possibly want with me? What could I possibly bring to Him of any use or value?” The truth is, we all experience these same thoughts and emotions at times, and that is why the study we are going to look at together this morning is so important. As we seek to grow spiritually, we need to understand that- as cliche or trite as it may sound- God really does have a valuable role for us to play in His plan to make a difference in the lives of others and to bring glory to Himself.
GOD MADE & CONTINUES TO S.H.A.P.E. US When you are building a home or similar structure, you must begin with the foundation. If that isn’t solid and structurally sound, then no matter how fancy or appealing the rest of the building may be, it will not be safe... it will not survive the first strong wind that comes up (the 3 Little Pigs is a good story to remind us of this!).
One of the foundations stones for understanding spiritual health- and our relationship with God- is the truth that God made and continues to shape us. As we travel on this journey of life, experiencing struggles as well as joys, failures as well as triumphs, we will need to be reminded through it all that we have been uniquely made by God, and are still in the process of formation under His watchful care. We will be tempted to think that we are of little consequence, that we are mistakes, that we are too flawed to have anything positive to contribute... but that isn’t the voice of God speaking to us.
Psalm 139:13-16 says- You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Now, this doesn’t mean that we can blame our faults or failings on God, or our misuse and abuse of abilities, resources, etc. Every part of who we are has been affected by sin, and we too often bring further damage to ourselves by living in ways that contradict God’s desire for us. What it does mean is that when we enviously see how others appear to be going through life and don’t feel as if we measure up to them, we need to remember it is because we are not them! When we start wishing that we had the abilities or circumstances or influence that others have, we need to be reminded that God does not need two of them- He needs us to be who we are! When we fail, or feel we have nothing to offer God and others, we need to be reminded that God has shaped and continues to shape us as He desires so that we can be the unique individual He has intended us to be since before time... and God knows what He is doing!
Do you believe that today? Do you believe that you are more than a chance combination of atoms and molecules and cells... that there is an All-powerful Creator who has a design and purpose in your existence? Without this understanding, life really has no purpose or meaning!
GOD MADE & CONTINUES TO S.H.A.P.E. US FOR A REASON Once we understand that basic foundation stone of truth- the fact that God has made and continues to shape us according to His design- we then move on to the next foundation stone, which is: Why? Why did God make me the person that I am? The following verses of the Bible give us a picture that at least partially answers this question in a general sense:
Ephesians 2:10- For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
John 15:14-16- You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
Romans 8:29- God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters.
Ephesians 1:11-12- because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. God’s purpose was that we who were the first to trust in Christ should praise our glorious God.
Most if not all of us have had the experience of walking into a room of people, or being a part of a gathering of some kind, and feeling out of place- feeling as if we really don’t belong, because we seem so insignificant compared the rest of the people around us. I’m sure all of us have wondered at times if our existence is really of any consequence in the big picture of history, humanity, and the universe.
While we should not go to the extreme of over-inflating our egos, I think it is important for the Church today to present in a balanced and biblical way the truth that each and every individual person has something unique and valuable to offer God, the Church, and the world- not as a result of our own effort, but because God is the one who created us and is shaping us to be that offering. God has made you who you are, and God doesn’t make mistakes. Because we are each unique individuals with unique gifts, abilities, experiences, personalities, passions, etc., we have something unique to contribute to the life of the Church, the lives of those around us, and to the witness of Christ. You have been made for a purpose that only you can fulfill!
Does God need you? No- He doesn’t need any of us, in the sense that He is complete in Himself, and has the ultimate power and authority to do as He wishes. But in His relationship with His creation, He has chosen to create a unique opportunity for you and me to be involved in what He is doing in the universe. The details of how this works out in each of our lives may be different, but the common threads are the truths that God is working, He has a design, and His plans for our lives have an impact on the lives of those around us.
WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW THIS? This brings me to my last point for this morning (don’t say “Amen!” too loudly, now!), so here we go: We know that God has made and is shaping us... we know that we have something to contribute to the kingdom and to His glory because of what God has done and is doing in us: The next question is- So what? Why is this important? Do I really need to spend time and effort to work through this stuff?
Listen to what the apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:16- Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Much to the dismay of some of our family members, I enjoy watching football, and just this past season started learning about some of the intricacies of the game. While some players and positions on the team are very visible (quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs) other players don’t really stand out- but if they don’t do their job and do it well, the rest of the team suffers. If a quarterback doesn’t get protection from the offensive line, he won’t have time to make the spectacular throws; if the running back doesn’t get block protection from his teammates, he isn’t running anywhere!
Here is a truth that the Church of Christ in the Western world especially needs to hear and allow to shape our priorities and lives: If we as individuals aren’t playing our part, our part simply isn’t being done. If you aren’t being you, no one else is because no one else can. If you aren’t fulfilling the role God made you for, that role simply is not being fulfilled... and everything else is lacking because of it. The kingdom is missing out, those around you are missing out, and you are missing out (elaborate). Someone might try to step in and fill the gap, but they can’t do it the way you were created to do it... and they aren’t able to fully carry out the role God created them for!
WRAP UP... We can spend so much of our lives wasting time and energy and resources in things that really have no value. We can seek fulfillment trying to live the lives of others, trying to “be like Mike” as the commercial slogan said. But until we understand who we are and seek to live the life God has always had planned for us in our faith community and the lives of those we touch in the workplace and our families, we will not be complete or whole:
- We will not find peace and contentment. No matter how busy we may be, that nagging emptiness simply will not go away.
- The lives we come in contact with will be diminished because they are not interacting with who we were made to be.
- The joy God experiences when His children are experiencing the life He sacrificed so much in order for us to enjoy, will not be brought to His heart in our living.
That’s why we are working through this S.H.A.P.E. series together in our congregation. That’s why we have provided this opportunity to work through the S.H.A.P.E. material in various small groups. We want everyone here to know how God has made them, and how to live life to the fullest with the most impact by being the people God has created us to be. God wants to do so much through us... God has so many lives He wants to change for the better- including yours and mine. As we continue in this journey of discovery and commitment, let us remember that God has made us, that He has designs for our time on this planet, and that no one else can take our place. Ephesians 5:15-17 says- “So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.” That’s what we want to be able to do more faithfully and effectively. May that be a commitment we make to the Lord and to each other. Let’s pray together. |