Sermons

 ACCEPTED AND LOVED.

 Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

 Introduction: This is a very encouraging passage of scripture. Often we get discouraged, and it is not hard to do. Things don’t always go our way, sometimes we feel left out, sometimes we feel all alone, many times we don’t feel like we belong or have any friends in the world. People may make fun of us because we are poor, or because we may look different, or not as smart as they are, or dress like they do, sometimes we think the right friends or the right close or a diet will make us feel better, but that is not the truth, only God can make us feel better, Him alone!! One the devils favorite things is to make us feel like this.

   The devil, according to legend, once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly-shaped tool which was labeled “Not for sale.” Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, “I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful implement that I have. It is called Discouragement, and with it I can work my way into hearts otherwise inaccessible. When I get this tool into a man’s heart, the way is open to plant anything there I may desire.”

I want to share with you today How God feels about you, and how you should feel about that. God loves you very much.

I. LET US LEARN THAT WE ARE LOVED.

            A. “Accepted in the beloved”   No the term beloved comes from the word “agapao” which means dearly loved.

Now we know that God loves us, but He loves us dearly, He loves us more that we could ever love anything.

            B.  He loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus to die for us, to pay for our sins. He did it just for you.

            C. 2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

He doesn’t want any of us to die without His love, He wants us to know Him. He wants us to trust Him, He wants us to talk to Him.

II.  LET US LEARN THAT WE ARE ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED.

            A. He wants us to know that where ever we are, how hurt or discouraged we may be....we are accepted by Him, if we have trusted Him as our Savior.

            B. He wants us to know that no matter how alone we are we are part of His family.

            C. He wants us to know that we are always welcomed and wanted in one of His churches.

            D.  He wants us to know that he cares about our feelings and what happens to us. He loves us dearly and has given us a place to come.

III. LET US LEARN BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE WE CAN GIVE HIM PRAISE.

            A. If we learn to praise Him for what he has done, we can learn to praise Him for who He is.

            B.  To the praise....or adoration, we adore Him for accepting us, for saving us, for calling us, for protecting us, for making us feel wanted.

            C. For sending His Son, Jesus, who is the expression and proof of God’s love for us.

            D.  For his grace, his favor, His gift, given to us because....He just loves us.

            E. The “glory” to the splendor, the brightness , his magnificence. For lighting up our lives and giving us hope.

 Isa 60:1  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

God wants you to be happy, to be full, to shine, don’t let anyone have control of your mind. Please always remember how God loves you.