Do you know that you are approved? Do you know that you matter? Do you know that you are loved?
The story of Jesus throughout the Bible allows us to answer “Yes!” to all of these questions. If you’ve grown up around the church, you likely heard this referred to as the “Gospel.” It’s the Good News that Jesus loves you.
6 While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people. 7 It isn’t often that someone will die for a righteous person, though maybe someone might dare to die for a good person. 8 But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5)
Jesus did not choose to give His life for yours because you do not matter or because you are “just a sinner.” He chose to give His life for yours because He knows how much you DO MATTER!
Through His work, we are made new, to love as He loves.
We often forget this. We forget that we matter to Him. We forget that He loves us. We forget that we are approved by His work, seen by God as holy and righteous.
When we forget this, we often look for approval elsewhere. This past Sunday, with our new sermon series “Approved IF…,” we talked about how some people seek to find their approval through sex.
Too many people feel they are “Approved IF…“
Someone likes certain pictures of me.
Someone thinks I’m attractive.
Someone is willing to be with me.
Someone is willing to make me feel a certain way.
All we have to do is look around at life experiences and news stories to realize that finding our approval here doesn’t last. It’s finding our approval in something or someone that may be here today but gone tomorrow.
Instead, Jesus reminds us that He was willing to give His all. Why? Because He loves you.
You are loved. You matter. You are approved!
Blessings,
Pastor Matt
PS - This weekend we spring forward as Daylight Saving Time Begins. Before going to bed on Saturday night, be sure to turn your clocks one hour ahead. See you Sunday morning!
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