Kingsway: A People Of Praise: June 8, 2008

KingsWay: A People of Praise John Isaacs KingsWay Community Church

June 8, 2008

Created For Glory Isaiah 43:7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have

created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."

Chosen For Praise 1 Peter 2:9-12 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

1 Peter 2:9-12 (cont.) 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Created to fill the earth with His Glory! Chosen to be a People of Praise!

Jeremiah 32:38-41 They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them:

Jeremiah 32:38-41 (cont) I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. (NIV)

A People Planted in a Specific Land With a United Heart and Taking United Action!

Our Church Covenant • Glorify God as a Loving People. • Glorify God as a United People. • Glorify God as a Prophetic People. • Glorify God as a People of Praise. • Glorify God as a People of Prayer. • Glorify God as a People of Light. • Glorify God as a People of Blessing.

GOD Prophetic (Listen) Praise Prayer

CHURCH

Loving

United

God’s Chosen People

Light

Prophetic (Speak)

Blessing

THE WORLD

God has created and chosen you to belong to His own special people and planted you in a specific land for a specific purpose.

It is not to just be a people blessed, protected, cared for, and comforted. God has called you – chosen you – planted you …

To make His Name Known and Famous Throughout Our Land. • Being the Revelation of His Goodness • Being the Demonstration of His Greatness • Being the Manifestation of His Wisdom

“We covenant ourselves to be a people of praise, worshipping Jesus Christ as Lord, and committed to the faithful offering-up of sacrifices of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

Psalms 119:57-60 57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words. 58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word. 59 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.

You Are My Portion!

Psalm 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You.

You Are My Portion!

Jeremiah 17:5-8 Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 (cont) "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

You Are My Portion!

Numbers 18:20 Then the Lord said to Aaron: "You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.

What is the “portion” that you’ve hung your happiness on?

Is It Financial Wealth? • Making Lots of Money • Owning A Nice Home • Driving A Nice Car • Taking Nice Vacations

Is It Relationship Wealth? • A Happy Marriage • Successful Children • Supportive Parents • Faithful Friends

Is It Emotional Wealth? • Personal Peace • Personal Comfort • Being in a “good place” • Being happy

You Are My Portion!

God is Enough!

Lamentations 3:24 The Lord is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him!

Psalms 119:57-60 57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words. 58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word. 59 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.

1. “I thought about my ways.” (vs 59) Lamentations 3:40 Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord.

2. “And turned my feet to Your testimonies.” (vs 59) Psalm 25:4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.

3. “I made haste and did not delay.” (vs 60) 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

4. “I entreated Your favor with my whole heart.” (vs 58) Psalm 67:1 God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us.

5. “Be merciful to me according to Your Word.” (vs 58) Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

6. “I have said that I would keep Your words.” (vs 57) 1 John 2:5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

You Are My Portion!

1. I thought about my ways. 2. I turned my feet to Your ways. 3. I made haste – I got serious about it. 4. I asked for Your blessing. 5. I cried out for Your mercy. 6. I will obey Your Word.

A People of Praise

Having God As Our Portion!