As a church we are on a series called baggage. We are learning to let some things in our lives go that are holding us back from God’s best. Issues creep up in our lives, and some times we do not even notice it. We have to learn to acknowledge them, let them go, and move forward.
Yesterday I spoke about the labels that bind us. This morning when I woke up, I still had this message running through my mind, and I wanted to share it. I know as people we are so hard on ourselves, at least I know I am with me. We analyze everything we say or do, and we question are value and our ability to change. Thank the Lord, we do not have to do this alone, and we are not on this journey alone. God is so patient with us, and he never gives up on us.
One of the points I mentioned in yesterdays message, was God wants to give us a new name. With this new name, he will give us a new purpose and future.
When Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter in Matthew 16:17-18closeMatthew 16:17-18 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (ESV) closeMatthew 16:17-18closeMatthew 16:17-18 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (ESV) 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (ESV) , it changed him. Simon means undependable and wish-washy, and Peter means Rock. But the big question in my mind this morning, that I feel so deeply in my heart. Did Peter always live like a ROCK from that moment on? The answer is NO. It took time for Peter to grow into that new name, but through time he did. He ended up preaching an amazing sermon, that reached 3000 people for Christ. He also died a martyrs death upside down on a cross. He was not born a rock, but he died a rock.
I want to encourage you to receive that new identity through Christ, and get your new name in Him. But, be patient with yourself, you will grow into that name in time. Don’t give up…you are not who Satan or others say you are, you are who Christ says you are.
Hope to see you this Sunday Morning @ 9 or 11am @ New Heights Church. Helping people breakthrough to next level.
