Series: Master Plan
Sermon: MasterPiece
Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 / John 20:19-21
ICE BREAKER: Would you rather always wear damp clothes OR always have damp hair?
REVIEW:
This week we celebrated baptisms and wrapped up our Master Plan series!
We have been looking throughout this series at the Master Plan for the redemption of humanity. We learned that Jesus came to fulfill a plan that has been in motion since before the foundations of the world!
However, the Easter narrative also shows us that the Master Plan wasn't finished after the resurrection - In fact, in a real sense, it was just getting started! Jesus told his followers before he died that they would do even "greater things" than he had done. In Ephesians, Paul tells believers that they are God's "Masterpiece" created for good works and that this plan was in place from the very beginning.
In other words:
THE MASTER PLAN
IS IN OUR HANDS!
How does it make you feel to realize that Jesus left his movement in our hands?
What does it say about God's relationship to us that He would trust us with this huge task?
John's gospel records the disciples hiding behind a locked door the evening of the Resurrection. They were afraid that they may be killed just like Jesus was. They also did not know where they stood with Jesus. When Jesus needed them most, they all abandoned him!
In John 20:19, Jesus shows up in the middle of the room and the first thing he says is, "Peace be with you." After showing the disciples his scars, he re-commissions them to start the movement that we now call the Church!
Soon, they came out from hiding and began preaching the truth of Jesus. Their first public proclamation ended with 3,000 people getting baptized!
APPLY:
There are many reasons that we lock ourselves away from our calling. Some of us are hiding because of fear based on how the world may receive our faith. Others are afraid that they may disqualified in God's eyes.
Scripture shows us that God sees us as His "masterpiece." Jesus affirmed the purpose of the very disciples who betrayed him and they went on to change the world!
YOU ARE GOD’S MASTERPIECE
CREATED ON PURPOSE
CREATED WITH PURPOSE
AS A PART OF THE MASTER PLAN
HERE IS THIS WEEK'S APPLICATION QUESTION:
What is one way you can "come out of hiding" and live as the MASTERPIECE that God created you to be?
PRAY:
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any fear that may be keeping you "locked away" from your purpose.
