This morning I awoke and started thinking of the words to the song, "He Knows My Name." This led to my humming the melody.
When I was thinking about what to post here on this blog this morning, I thought of all of the prayer requests I have heard over the past few days. The range of the prayer requests included prayers for healing from illness, overcoming depression, prayer for a ministry outreach, traveling safety, protection from danger in the military, relief for stress, the Katrina disaster, the Gaza pullout situation, the confirmation of our new Supreme Court nominee, job situations, family situations and the list could go on and on.
As I thought about all of these prayer needs and was humming that song, I thought about a sermon I had heard by a guest pastor named Bill Sy. The sermon was on the fact and privilege that Jesus knows my (yours/our) name(s) and what a comfort that is to know.
After locating the sermon, re-reading the notes and being blessed by it, I decided to share that sermon right here on my blog. I pray that it speaks to your heart and blesses you, today, too.
Christine
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He Knows My Name
Guest Speaker: Bill Sy
April 18, 2004
"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." John 10:31.
1. He Knows My Name When I'm Sad
"'Woman,' He said, 'why are you crying? who is it you are looking for?' Thinking He was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni' (which means teacher)" John 20:15,16
Jesus loves us even in our hard times, even in our sadness.
Notice that Jesus asks Mary why she is crying. Did he not know? Of course he did. He asked her as a way of showing compassion for her in her sadness.
Are you sad today? He is with you. And, Jesus can speak to us through other people. Is he calling you in the midst of your sadness?
2. He Knows My Name When I'm Lost
"He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?...Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus who you are persecuting.' he replied." Acts 9:4-5
People who are lost seldom know that they are lost. We sing "Amazing Grace" AFTER we are found. Do you know of anyone who sings it before? Jesus comes looking for you...even when you are not looking for Him.
Even as Christians we can be lost...backsliding away from the Lord. He wants to bring you back. When you are lost, be careful who you talk to. Jesus will come looking for you and get you on the right path. Sometimes he uses other people to bring you back and can speak to us through other people.
3. He Knows My Name When I'm Old
"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless...No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations." Genesis 17:1-5
This tells us that you are never too old for God to call your name and say, "I've got something for you to do." Abraham was 99 years old! You're never too old for God to use you. Noah, Anna, Simeon were old. God can still use you for His purposes.
4. He Knows My Name When I'm Young
"The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Ah, Sovereign Lord, I said, ' I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 1:4-8
What is the right age? God can use you for His purposes at any age. Samuel, David, and Ruth were young, yet God used them mightily.
5. He Knows My Name When I'm Afraid
"But now, this is what the Lord says, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. '" Isaiah 43:1
Fear is simply thinking you are all alone. What if something happens in my life and I don't know who I am? No matter how many times you fail Him - he can still reach out to you and call your name. He will never give up on us! Pour out new courage! You, Lord, still know my name!
6. He Knows My Name When I'm Tempted
"But Jesus asked him, 'Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'" Luke 22:48
This was the last time Jesus called Judas by his name. It was his last chance for redemption. Jesus won't force himself on us - but will call our name. If Judas had held on 3 more days! Don't push Jesus away...grab ahold - he'll pull you through!
7. He Knows My Name When I'm Excited
"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, 'Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.' He replied, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'" Luke 10:17-20
We usually get excited when we do something for God. What happens, though, when that excitement wears down? Instead, be excited for what God did for you! It's about what Jesus has done!
8. He Knows My Name When I'm Disappointed
"He asked them, 'What are you discussing together as you walk along?' They stood still; their faces downcast...but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.'" Luke 24:17,21
The disciples were discouraged. Jesus knew what they were discussing, but he invites us to share our disappointments. When your expectation of God doesn't match up with God's plan, do you get disappointed? Of course you do. The Jews wanted their Messiah to be a conqueror, not a suffering servant. God's thoughts are not our thoughts. What to do when disappointed? The Lord instructs us to get back into His Word and keep our eyes on Jesus.
9. He Knows My Name When I'm Waiting
"When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!; And Moses said, "Here I am'... 'So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.'" Exodus 3:4, 10
Read Acts 7:23, 25, and 30. Moses was 40 years old. He knew his Jewish identity (unlike portrayed in the Ten Commandments movie). In verse 25 we learn that he thought the people would realize that it would be him. It would be 40 years from when he thought this to the time when God used him for this purpose.
10. He Knows My Name When I'm Bad
"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord, ' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.'" John 21:15
We all know that Peter denied Jesus 3 times when Jesus was taken away to be crucified. Even though Peter stated that he never would deny Jesus (at the Last Supper), he did just that. Jesus is aware of our weakness...and even when we're bad he calls our name.
We can't do it in our own strength. Asking for help from the Holy Spirit should be our constant prayer. Staying in His Holy Word and keeping our eyes on Jesus and ears open to the direction of the Holy Spirit should be our focus. Everything that happens...God will use. Even the bad in our lives. Let it be enough that I hear you calling my name, Lord Jesus!
Amen!!
Christine
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5 comments:
Oh, yes, Christine - what a good message. I have been in each of these situations. While going thru these difficult times with Kristin, I can only be reminded of Job, Joseph, Daniel and others who just kept believing that God was working. God promises to bring good out of all things - so even when I am burdened, I have to keep trusting and believing that He is at work and doing things I cannot even begin to understand right now.
Our local bookstore cannot get the study for about a week or 10 days. Do you have an extra one or should I just wait and order thru them?
Hi Jojo,
It certainly is a wonderful message that lifts me up through hurtful/difficult times and reminds me of the awesomeness of my (our) relationship(s) with Jesus!
What you said here is key: "I have to keep trusting and believing that He is at work and doing things I cannot even begin to understand right now."
Do you remember the movie, "The Prince of Egypt"? Remember the part where a mosaic is created, shown on the screen as incomplete, but being added to constantly? That image was like a lightbulb turning on in my mind! It was a great illustration of your words above!
No worries about the delay in getting your book. You can still order it or just go to my new blog! I 'created' it today...heh heh...how apropos! I gave it the same name as the study: "God's Creative Call."
Please feel free to share any ideas about how to proceed.
We could each answer every question and post it in a comment thread. Or, we could divide up the questions and also answer the general question at the end. What do you think might be best?
I'm so excited about this! It will be fun and a wonderful blessing!
Thank you for your kind words Roger Lordblessed! Welcome to the blogosphere!
Yes. I too, have experienced being "on the wrong path". Haven't we all?
I am so grateful to God that he didn't leave me on that path and brought me out of it into his loving arms and saving grace!
Roger Lordblessed stated, "My life is transformed in the light of the Lord!"
I couldn't have said it better!
Love in Christ,
Christine
Hey Jojo,
FYI
Just go to my profile page and you will find the link to the new blog (God's Creative Call) under the 'Talkwisdom' one!
Hi RogerLordblessed,
I hear ya! Yes. Aren't we ALL pawns of satan until the Lord enters our hearts and indwells therein?
I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, which I now consider a mix of the Truth with a large dash of falsehood through the errors of tradition.
I have been approached, many times, by both Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses at my door! It is indeed, a miracle that you were taken away from the falsehood of Mormonism and into the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! They are two of the most difficult cults (IMO) for people to break free from. They are often very nice people with a detailed knowledge of the Bible. Often, they soar high above the average Christian with their biblical knowledge. However, both religions have twisted the Scriptures, in their own way, to support the beliefs of their respective founders. In the case of Mormons, they have added to the Bible through their Book of Mormon. In the case of the JW's, they have distorted what is in the original Bible by created one of their own (The New World Translation) plus, have elevated their own words through the Watchtower publications.
Thank God that you have broken free!
Yes. I totally agree with you that it can be very difficult to witness to Mormons. They have been so trained and brainwashed in their religion that it is often difficult to get through. All we can do, as Christians, is encourage them to focus on the Bible (not the Mormon book), pray for them to have their eyes opened by the Holy Spirit as they read Scripture, and plant that seed of wisdom and knowledge of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. It may require a lot of patience on your part, but know that it is the job of the Holy Spirit to do the actual conversion. All we can do is share.
The Lord would not plant the plight of the Mormon deception upon your heart unless He planned to equip you with the 'weapons' to share the truth. Remember the Scriptures say:
Ephesians 6:10-20
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of *the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
God bless!
Christine
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