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Feb 07, 2021

His Masterpiece

His Masterpiece

Speaker: James Gallaher

Series: Building Identity

Category: Sunday Morning

How can we become God's masterpiece?

When looking at artwork, do you wonder what the motivation was for a particular piece? Sometimes flaws have tremendous intent given by the author or creator. Pastor James has intent on his building of this chair, from the piece of wood chosen to the pieces hidden in the process – each thing makes it unique to Him. Have we felt that way about our own lives? Like God misplaced something, like we are inconvenient, or have no value? Like every masterpiece, we need to talk to the Master to understand the intent of each piece.

I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.  

Identity:

  • Apart from community will leave something lacking. God told Adam it was not good for man to be alone in Genesis 2:18. Being part of a community gives our identity meaning.
  • A chosen generation – God chose us as we are without form or value. The Father knew what He was choosing.
  • A royal priesthood – The royal and priestly lineage are put together through Jesus Christ.
  • A holy nation – Holiness is the refining of the Lord over our lives.
  • God’s masterpiece… 

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Are we focused on our own works rather than God’s works in us? If our identity is based on what I can do alone, we will come up short of real value. The source to accomplish is found in the one who created us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Everything needed for God to build on is already in me. He will take away all that is not required as we allow Him. We then reflect more of God – we are His workmanship. It’s not the product that brings forth the value – it’s the creator.

Do we try to replicate other people’s lives and works thinking we don’t measure up? We become a counterfeit of what God wants to do with us. Regardless of where we come from, regardless of our experiences, or state of brokenness, we are His workmanship. He didn’t make a mistake. He has purpose for us.

Our own form and function can be lacking. But that lacking can bring us to relationship with God requiring a sacrifice that we cannot make. Jesus was that sacrifice for us. Jesus lays down His life in payment for our debt.

Isaiah 61:10 …For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness…

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

When we accept the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we become the righteousness of God. Sometimes we are like the prodigal son (Luke 15) and base our worthiness on how we feel. We are not ever worthy apart from God. Even in the church, we can feel a long way off, feeling as if we are unable to be seen by the Father. But like the prodigal son’s father, He is looking for us. Our Father will cover us with His robe to identify us as His child. Jesus’ righteousness gives us access to the Father. 

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Our entire purpose in this life and our entire identity is to create a place for God to dwell. He wants to come, sit and be present in our lives. He wants to reign as King from the place that we prepare for Him – a permanent place to inhabit – to dwell. We have a choice on who and what we allow to be in this place.

Jesus made us right by His death on the cross. We then choose to receive Him, to put aside our desires, and receive what He has done for us. Our identity - our lives are not mistakes – we are part of His purpose. Like Pastor James created the beautiful chair to sit and spend time in, our Master Creator creates us for His dwelling place and purpose.

What areas of our lives have we not allowed Jesus to have full authority over?

How do we become righteous?

How has God built your identity through this series? a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.