Phil brought our series looking at the book of Acts to a close by looking at the lie of insignificance.
It was encouraging to see so many respond on Sunday and it would be good to hear any stories from your groups of what God is doing.
Introduction
• As we have looking through acts at all the amazing thing done by God through the Apostles, I realised that for most of us that’s not our experience and that we can feel inadequate and insignificant, that’s a lie the enemy uses to hold back and even stop the people of God being who they are and doing what they have been called to do.
• We cannot fully enter into his presence if we don't know who we are in him, God invites us to know him
• God wants you to be the best version of yourself, the you He made you to be.
• You are not smart enough, successful enough, skinny enough, strong enough, good enough. Fill in the blank, you are not enough. And because you aren't enough, you are not significant. The world tells us the only way to become significant is to become enough.
• The world is cruel and harsh and someone is always ready to tell you
• I’m Not Enough: Overcoming the Lie of Insignificance, this lie often negatively impacts us in our roles as spouse, parent, pastor, counsellor, leader, etc.
Last week we looked in Acts where Peter did amazing miracles that even in his shadow people would be healed, yet he denied Jesus 3 times, he was era often spoke out of turn and Jesus rebuked him.
Jesus gently restored Peter over Breakfast dealing with his failure and insignificance
When the Holy Spirit came on him he found who he was meant to be no didn't look back, he found his significance in who God had made him to be.
We need to learn how to embrace the truth that affirms
• that you ARE enough and
• you ARE significant.
It's not based on,
• what you've done,
• how you look,
• how good you are.
It's based on,
• Who made you, and
• what He says about you.
Who Am I?
A question maybe you have asked, it’s seems that everyone called by God asks that question, Moses did David did, Gideon did,
It’s a popular question one that seems to be OK to ask , when Moses asked this question it seems God was neither disturbed by it, or impressed with it as though it was coming from humility. In one sense it seemed non essential, God simply affirms “I will be with you”
• Any time we look to ourselves we buy into the Lie of Insignificance, we all have flaws and failings, we all have said and done things we wished we hadn’t, we all have at some point felt inadequate, insufficient.
• God chose you not based on you knowledge, gifts, qualifications etc
• You may not know who you are but he chose you knowing exactly who you are
• God first chose you because he loved you
• God chose you before the foundation of the world
• God chose you to be in Christ, relationship, intimacy with God himself
• God chose you to bless you, show you favour
• God chose you to reveal himself to others through you that in you he might show his love, grace and mercy
The Lie of Insignificance
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10
One of the most powerful lies of the enemy is the lie of insignificance. The lie that steals your self-worth, kills your dreams and destroys your life.
The Truth of Significance
There is always a greater number of truths to counteract the Lie. The worth, dreams and life of Christ say:
• You have a name and it is written in the Book of Life.
• You have a purpose.
• That purpose is likely to be different than what you think it is. So, don’t worry about it.
• You were wonderfully and perfectly made for such a time as this by God (Psalm 139:14 and Esther 4:14).
• Stop wishing you were someone else or doing something else.
• Stop paying attention to those who wish you were someone else or doing something else. Be the you, you are called to be by God and Live out your calling without apology.
• Rest in
