We just kicked off our “Tattooed” message series at Aldersgate and we are having so much fun with it! Here’s an excerpt from the first week’s message. You can catch the whole thing here.
The world wants to label us in so many different ways – damaged, ashamed, worthless. But God gives us a new name and a new identity – innocent, glorious and beloved. The question is, “Who are we listening to?” Here’s who God says you are:
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. (1 Peter 2:9 - The Message)
GOD SAYS YOU ARE CHOSEN!
- The world may ignore you, neglect you, or reject you but God chooses you!
- You may be picked last on the playground, but God has no favorites!
- You may have been abandoned by your parents, spouse, or best friend but God says you are His!
- You may have been rejected by the world but God says you are accepted by Him!
GOD SAYS YOU ARE ROYAL!
- The world may push you to the bottom of the totem pole, step all over you, or make you feel worthless, but God says you are royalty!
- You may think you are ordinary, but God says you are priestly!
- You may be labeled as low class, bad class, or no class, but God says you have a high calling!
- You may have been called a bum, hood rat, or white trash, but God says you wear a crown!
GOD SAYS YOU ARE HOLY
- The world says you’ll never measure up, never be good enough, or never have it all together, but God says you are holy!
- You may think your past determines who you are, but God says He defines you!
- You make think you’ll never be worthy enough, but God says He set you apart!
- You may think future is bleak, but God says He has big plans for you!
GOD’S SAYS YOU ARE HIS SPECIAL INSTRUMENT
- The world says you’ll never be pretty enough, skinny enough, smart enough, or rich enough but God says you are His special instrument.
- You may think you will never be seen or noticed but God says he even keeps his eyes on the sparrow!
- You may think you will never be heard and understood but God says call to me and I will answer you!
- You may have been told that you will never amount to anything but God says You are God’s masterpiece!
So, who are you listening to?
Ryan Smallwood
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