Yes and Amen: Possessing the Promises of God
This past Sunday at Laborers for Christ Church, we experienced a powerful move of God's presence, filling the sanctuary with His glory. As we gathered, it was evident that the glory of the Lord was not only in the building but also within each of us. The excitement in the room was palpable as we came together to worship, honor, and magnify the Lord, knowing that His promises are sure and His word is true.
The Glory of the Lord in Our Midst
From the moment we entered the sanctuary, we could sense the glory of God all around us. It was a reminder that wherever we go, we carry the presence of the Lord. When we see our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are witnessing the glory of God in them. This corporate gathering was an opportunity for us to come together, to experience an overflow of God's expression in our lives, and to give Him all the glory.
Yes and Amen: Embracing God's Promises
The message for the day, titled "Yes and Amen: Possessing the Promises of God," focused on the importance of understanding and embracing the foundational promises that God has given us. These promises are not just words on a page; they are fulfilled in Christ and are available to us as His children.
We read from 2 Corinthians 1:20, which declares, "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." This verse reminds us that every promise God has made is fulfilled in Christ. He is the "Amen," the fulfillment of every word spoken by God. As believers, we are called to embrace these promises with confidence, knowing that they are available to us through Christ.
Foundational Promises: Love, Peace, Joy, and Rest
While there are countless promises in the Bible, the Lord led us to focus on four foundational promises: love, peace, joy, and rest. These are the promises that form the bedrock of our faith, enabling us to stand firm in the face of trials and to witness to others with confidence.
Love: God is love, and His love for us is the foundation of our relationship with Him. 1 John 4:7 tells us that God is love, and it is this love that enables us to love others. Without God's love, we cannot truly understand or experience what it means to love. This love is not just an emotion; it is a powerful force that transforms us and compels us to share it with others.
Peace: The peace of God is a promise that sustains us through every trial. Isaiah 26:3 declares that those who keep their minds stayed on Him will be kept in perfect peace. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in our trust in God. It is a peace that surpasses understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Joy: The joy of the Lord is our strength. In John 16:24, Jesus tells us that if we ask in His name, we will receive, so that our joy may be full. This joy is not the fleeting happiness that the world offers but a deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing and being in relationship with Christ. It is a joy that sustains us, even in the midst of trials.
Rest: Rest is a promise that many of us overlook, but it is essential to our well-being. Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28-29 to come to Him when we are weary and burdened, promising to give us rest. This rest is not just physical but spiritual—a rest that comes from trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross and allowing Him to carry our burdens.
Standing Firm on God's Promises
As we navigate the challenges of this world, it is crucial that we stand firm on these foundational promises. The world is filled with influences that try to distract us, to make us doubt God's promises, and to lead us away from His truth. But when we are grounded in God's love, peace, joy, and rest, we can withstand these pressures and remain confident in who we are in Christ.
We were reminded that we are not of this world; we are chosen by God, set apart to carry His light into the darkness. This world may feel strange, and we may feel like strangers in it, but we are called to be witnesses to the truth, to the love of God, and to the promises He has given us.
A Call to Embrace God's Promises
As we concluded the service, there was a powerful call to embrace these promises fully. Whether you are struggling with feeling unloved, lacking peace, battling sorrow, or feeling weary, God's promises are available to you. You are invited to receive His love, to rest in His peace, to be filled with His joy, and to find rest in His presence.
We were encouraged to stand together, to claim these promises with our lips, and to believe them in our hearts. God is faithful, and He desires to pour out His glory in our lives, to fulfill every promise He has made.