Don’t Make This About You

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message reminds us that our identity, worth, and purpose in life are not based on our own achievements or failures. Rather, we must recognize that everything is about God's sovereign plan and His love for us, which predates our existence. We often try to make things about ourselves, but the truth is that it's never about us when it comes to salvation, redemption, and forgiveness.

Key Scripture References

• Ephesians 1:4-5 - "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the purpose of His will." This passage emphasizes God's sovereignty and election, reminding us that our salvation is not based on human merit or effort.
• 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - "Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the message of reconciliation." This passage highlights the work of Jesus on our behalf, demonstrating that our sins are forgiven and we have been made new creations.
• 1 Peter 2:9-10 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. For you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." This passage reminds us of our new identity in Christ, emphasizing that we are no longer defined by our past or circumstances.
• Romans 8:29-30 - "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." This passage underscores God's sovereign plan for our lives, emphasizing that we are being conformed to the image of Christ.
• 1 John 4:10 - "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." This passage highlights the depth of God's love for us, demonstrating that our salvation is a result of His initiative and mercy.
• Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)." This passage emphasizes the extent of God's love for us, reminding us that we were dead in our sins but have been made alive through Christ.

Key Takeaways

• We must recognize that our salvation and redemption are not based on human merit or effort, but rather on God's sovereign plan and election. This means that we can't take credit for our salvation; it's all about God's initiative and love.
• Our identity is no longer defined by our past or circumstances, but rather by our new life in Christ. We are now a people of God, chosen and called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
• We must not make things about ourselves, but rather recognize that everything is about God's sovereign plan and His love for us. This means that we should focus on serving others and glorifying God, rather than seeking personal gain or recognition.
• Our sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus, and we have been made new creations in Him. We must remember this truth and live accordingly, walking in the light of our new life in Christ.

This Week's Challenge

This week, take time to reflect on your identity and worth. Ask yourself if you're making things about yourself or if you're recognizing that it's all about God's sovereign plan and His love for you. Then, take action by serving others and glorifying God in your daily life. Here are two specific steps:

• Take time to write down the ways in which God has forgiven you and redeemed you through Christ.
• Identify one area of your life where you can serve others and bring glory to God, and take concrete steps to make it happen this week.

Reflection Questions

• What are some ways in which I've been making things about myself instead of recognizing that it's all about God's sovereign plan? How can I change my perspective and focus on serving others?
• How can I better proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light to those around me, whether through words or actions?
• In what ways am I still trying to take credit for my salvation or redemption? How can I surrender this and recognize that it's all about God's initiative and love?