This next Sunday we am beginning a new sermon series on the seven “I AM’S”  of Jesus.  If you have been in church all your life, you have heard of this series before.  After all, Solomon is correct when he wrote that there is nothing new under the sun. 

 

Therefore, let me just state this.  Jesus made some brash statements during His life.  These seven statements are the most assertive.  He makes claims that no other prophet has ever made.  Not even the great King David uttered these words.  Yet, Jesus comes on the scene and makes claims that drives the religious leaders crazy with anger.

 

All these statements begin with two words, “I AM.”  These words are the used for the name of God.  Remember, Moses is standing at the burning bush and he asked God who do I tell them who sent me?  God’s response is simple but very profound, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”

 

When Jesus used these words, the religious leaders were anger.  But to us as Gentiles, we look at these words and then the actions of Jesus with understanding that Jesus is God.  Think about it.

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

 

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

 

He said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Choose Life’ license plate holder, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday-School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, Naturally… I assumed you had stolen the car.”

 

Think about it.  Have a great day.

 

I have a overcoat that was my father’s.  Occasionally I put it on, just to remember him.  Yes Karen it fits me.  It is a full length overcoat.   It covers me from my shoulders to my knees. 

 

In my devotions this morning, this verse stood out:  “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have PUT ON CHRIST.” (Gal. 3: 27)  Like that overcoat, when we submit to the commandments of the Lord and are baptized, Christ covers us.  He is then all that people see.  He is not only in us, but He COVERS US. 

 

Today, who covers you?  Have you put on Christ?  Think about it.

Have you ever noticed that the New Testament repeats itself?  Read the epistles and letters and you will notice that the apostles repeat themselves.  Why?  Because as humans we do not get it the first time.  Sometimes we don’t get it the second time.  Maybe three times.  Please do not say more than that.  Yet, it is true.  Learning is built on repetition. 

 

So what I will write this morning is repetitious but I need to hear it.  There  are some people that bring joy into your life.  They pray with you.  They encourage you, protect you, build you up.  These are the people you cherish.  They want your best and the best for you.

 

Then there are people that are all about themselves.  They want what they want for themselves.  They don’t care who they hurt.  They don’t care what they destroy.  It is all about their own ways, their own advancements, their own control.  These people let go of.  Sooner or later they will hurt the people around them.  Why?  Because they were hurt at one time, so they hurt others.   These people are the ones that only God can help, heal, and grow.  Let them go.

 

We keep toxic or controlling people in our lives thinking we can help them.  Often times that is not true.  Let them go to God’s care.  Watch what He will do with them.  Think about it.

Our society is in full chaos mode.  Trans genders, homosexuality, liars, politicians, “green deal”(which is just as harmful to the planet as fossil fuels), confused churches leaves one wondering what is going on?  Then the question that is asked “who is in control?” 

 

Sadly, every generation since the beginning of time has asked this question.  Who is in control or who is running the show?  At a quick glance one would say each individual.  To some degree that is true.  However there is an entity we do not discuss and that is Satan.  The antithesis of God who is good is Satan who is evil.  Yes there is good and evil. 

 

However, evil is not running the show.  God is letting us reap what we have sown.  He is doing this because we have walked away from Him to chase our own desires and wants.  We will not surrender to Him and let Him take care of us.  So, evil which is not following God at this time seems to be in control.  Seems to be.  God is letting Satan have what he thinks is his way, only for a time and within limits.  Read Job.

 

So do not despair, when things seems crazy.  Rest in the Father.  He will protect you.  Think about it.

Often we wonder what is God doing?  We have problems with family members, fellow co-workers, friends, people in church, or neighbors.   Every effort is made to try to get the other person to see our view point, to see that we have change or to see that we are hurting..  Most of the time it fails.

 

First, all that effort is for not.  As followers of Jesus, we are in Him.  Since we are in Him, it is His responsibility to show others and change their minds.  It is our responsibility to live in HIM.  Stop trying to change people’s minds.  I know from experience it does not work under my own effort.  However when I live my life in HIM, HE changes their minds. Jesus does what needs to be done.  I rest, live, walk, and stand in HIM.

 

Let Jesus be your life.  You will have life.  You will live life.  You will live a life you would have never imagined.   Think about it. 

Your in my prayers and rest in HIM AJ.

This past weekend was a great experience.  A very good friend, was baptized into Christ.  After being baptized, he then baptized his wife.  One of the most powerful events I have been in a while.  A couple diving deeper in their walk with Christ.

 

It was so rewarding to baptize my friend.  We have been over Scripture.  Spent hours talking, learning, and even debating.  Finally, he and his wife dove deeper into their relationship with Christ.  The feeling of being a part of that was indescribable.  It was also humbling.  God used me to bring someone into His family.  Quite, humbling.

 

It brings me to this saying I heard sometime back, “If you are not bringing someone to Christ, you must question your relationship with Christ.”   Everyone who is a follower of Jesus must be bringing someone to Christ.  It is not a suggestion, it is a result of your relationship.  It is a result of the forgiveness you have received, the joy, peace, and love.  Think about it.

Last year is in the past.  Sadly, many will pick it up and carry it instead of letting it go.   The most important lesson of life is letting go of the past and looking forward.  Yet it is difficult.  The past is easier to play with than the future.  By playing with the past, we think that we can fix it.  Correct it.  Beat ourselves up with it.

 

This past year was not a good year for me.  There is one lesson that I have learned, it is in the past.  Since it is in the past the people, the situations, the hurt can not dictate this day.  When I accept that simple point, there is closure, there is life.

 

Life looks ahead with positive anticipation.  Life looks forward at the possibilities.  You begin to live again. 

 

Let the past go.  Focus on this day.  Focus on what God has given you this day.  See what happens.  You will live again.  Think about it.

A friend of mine was let go of his job.  It was a bummer.  Bills. Rent.  You know the drill.  He went through it.  People helped him.  He was very grateful, but no job.  Everyone was praying for him.   God seemed silent.

 

Then God showed up.  Interview of a job not far from a home.  A job at a company everyone liked working at.  Before he was home, he was accepted.  Afternoon paperwork.  Evening drug screening.  Starts Monday.  What happened?  God showed up.

 

It is ironic that sometimes, God answers prayers very quickly, super fast.  It is difficult to keep up with Him.  I believe it is at these times, He is showing us when we need it the most, He is still in control. 

Other times, He is slow to answer.  Sometimes it is to get our attention, grow our faith, stop our useless endeavors, or just for us to get to our knees and give up.  Whether we want to admit it or not, He always answers prayers.  Always. 

 

Today, pray.  See what happens.  No matter what He will answer.  Think about it.

I try to come up with something new everyday.  It is tough.  Because, let’s face it, there is nothing new under the sun.  All the wisdom that has been discovered has been discovered.  What we do today is reword it.  That includes bad “wisdom.”  People millenniums before us invented terrorism, racism, and all the other isms.  They just had different names for it.

 

There is one truth that has not changed:  There is no one like God.  No one.  Nothing.  Wisdom comes from God.  Life comes from God.  All the resources that we “discover” was placed there by God.  He formed us.  He created us.  He gave us life.  All life comes from God.  This God is the source of love.  He is the source of relationships.  He is the foundation of all that we see.

 

Things will come and go this year.  God will always be the same.  He will always be here.