Sunday Message, 26/3/2023, 9.30am

 

Identity, Freedom and Mission that are Lost and Found

<Isa 6:9-10; Ro 11:11, 20; 1 Jn 3:2, 10; 1 Th 5:16-18>

 

1.   What is the most important thing that a person can lose?

1)   Losing his life

       ①  When a person dies, is everything over?

        ②  Why do humans have to die?

 

2)   Losing the intimate relationship with God

       ①  Everyone cannot see, hear or honour God

       ②  People are living and busying themselves with the material world and its temporal things

 

3)   Losing the Word of God

·       Read <Isa 6:9-10>

·       Refer to <2 Ki 22:3-20; Deut 17:18-20>

 

2.   How can we find back the important things that are lost?

1)   Humans ought to restore their relationship with God, but they go into religion

·       What are some characteristics of man-made gods?

①  Humans usually create more than one god  

② Humans created gods according to their needs

③ Humans will need to give up something

 

2)   Humans can restore relationship with God, only because God first proactively sought us out

·       <Luke 15> 3 parables of Jesus: Lost sheep, lost coin, lost son

·       Read <Ro 11:11, 20>

 

3.   What is the true meaning of becoming a Christian?

1)   By faith, we have become the children of God <Jn 1:12>

①  The promises in the Bible are what God has written for His children

② God will surely listen to the prayers of His children, and give them the Holy Spirit

        Read <Lk 11:13>

③  Children of God will become more and more like Lord Jesus (sanctification)

 Read <1 Jn 3:2>

④   Children of God will surely pursue the righteousness of God

       Read <1 Jn 3:10>

 

2)   After becoming Christians, we must be set free

① We are no longer slaves to sin
② God’s children can do all things

③ Can rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances <1 Th 5:16-18>

 

3)   God’s children have the greatest mission on earth

① Always preach the gospel, in season and out of season
② Evangelism is not something only church leaders or pastors can do

 

4.   Conclusion and prayer topics

1)   What was our original and current state?

① Do I often enjoy the gospel given by God?
② Do I only come before God ritually and habitually?

 

2)   How should you pray for yourself and people around you?

① How to pray for yourself?
② How to pray for people beside you?