Message Notes
“God Made Me This Way”
You are God’s Handiwork
(Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.)
Sewn Together
Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Psalm 139:5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. (limitations)
(Tailoring a Suit-it fits, and it looks good!)
Sometimes we try to fix our brokenness with the newest fad instead of the old tried and true faith.
Mathew 9:16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.”
Other Illustrations
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Pottery
Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Jeremiah 18:6 He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.
Carpentry
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
You Are Awesome (Pride)
Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 KJV I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Beware False Humility
You Cannot Worship God while you Criticize his Creation
James 3:11 Can both freshwater and saltwater flow from the same spring?
Imago Dei (Latin for image of God)
You are Awesome but You are Not Perfect
Psalm 139:23-24 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Complete Confidence is the Cure for Many Human Ailments
John 13:3-4 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
When You are confident in your creation you will be immune to the criticism of insecure people.
When you don’t have a deep conviction of who you are and whose you are you will either fall for the world’s lies about you or burn out trying to prove who you are to yourself and to others.
This is God’s desire for you
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
False Identity
“Sinner saved by Grace”
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Do you identify yourself by your sin or by the Scriptures?
Love for self, balances love for others.
Mark 12:30-31 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
The Second is “like” it is connected
Your capacity to love is limited by the person you choose to love the least, even if that is yourself.
We think we can compartmentalize mare that we are capable. We aren’t Legos, we are yarn.
Mathew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
(Apply this passage to every person you meet) Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.
Self-Love leads to worship
A healthy Biblical Awareness of Your own Awesomeness leads to an Attitude of worship not arrogance.
Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.
Because my soul knows your works are wonderful and marvelous
Because I am fearfully and wonderfully made
I praise you!
Conclusion and Altar Call
John 15:4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Don’t confuse Creation with Regeneration (In Christ)
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a New Creation: The old has gone, the new is here!
