CHOSEN

Certain moments set you apart so that people sit up and take notice. One of those moments for me was my ordination service in Ft. Collins CO, back in…a long time ago.

Graduation season is a great time to point out the unique life God has prepared for those that follow Jesus. We are reminded that this life is a treasure entrusted to us by God. Your life is meant for greatness.

In , the Apostle reminded God’s people of their position in Christ. Those that reject Christ find him to be a stumbling block…because they are lost. But to those that surrender their lives to Christ, Peter has this to say:

1 Timothy 1:5 NIV

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

2 Timothy 1:5 NIV

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

…chosen generation..royal priesthood…holy nation…peculiar people (KJV)

Prayer

It is humbling to realize we are chosen: we know we could never be good enough to fit that description on our own. Why has He chosen you or me?

Big Idea: Because of His love, God chooses you and provides everything you need to be everything you can be for His glory

Transitional: Sometimes it is very hard to grasp how God could or would even want to bless or use you for good.

When you feel inadequate…God’s strength will take you to victory

Exposition

In the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery toward the Promised Land, Joshua emerges as Moses’ right hand man — a faithful and faith-filled man of faith. But Joshua was not in the forefront much — mostly in the background supporting Moses and worshipping God

However, when Moses died, Joshua faced graduation day: from trusted assistant to God’s leader over Isreal. Needless to say…He probably felt really overwhelmed — Could anyone ever measure up to Moses, the servant of the Lord?

When you feel inadequate…God’s strength will take you to victory

Read

Joshua 1:6–9 NIV

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:6 NIV

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

...when you feel overwhelmed or inadequate the best thing you can do is

Listen to what God says

Be strong and courageous (v. 6)

Be strong and very courageous (v. 7)

Have I not commanded you: Be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will be with you wherever you go (v. 9)

LISTEN!

...when you feel overwhelmed or inadequate the best thing you can do is

Obey what God says

Fine…how can I know what God says?

Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. NLT

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

...when you feel overwhelmed or inadequate the best thing you can do is listen, obey, and...

Watch what God does

In the first few chapters, Joshua was able to see what God would do - ultimately leading the people across the Jordan, into the Promised Land

Joshua, inadequate as he probably felt, took God’s words seriously and walked in the courage of God, obeying what God told Him to do

Transitional: When you feel unqualified or inadequate, or when others seem to look right past you (or through you)...

When others look right past you…God chooses you to change the world.

Graduation is a great feeling — and rightfully so — you worked hard to get there

However, life after our milestones can become almost overwhelming at times, causing us to wonder if we have what it takes to succeed

Listen to God - be strong and courageous…I will bring success to you

Obey God’s Words — hide them in your heart — meditate on them — practice them

Expect great things from God

Transitional: When you feel unqualified or inadequate, or when others seem to look right past you (or through you)...

When others look right past you…God chooses you to change the world.

Exposition:

Just as God chose Joshua — He also chose David…the greatest king in Israel’s history.

David was not always in the limelight — he was a shepherd boy that spent most of his time isolated from the rest of the world…just him and the sheep

When Samuel asked David’s father Jesse to present all of his sons because one of them would be anointed king....Jesse didn’t even call David in or mention him. But God...

Ps 78:

Psalm 78:70–72 NIV

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

No matter what others think or say…God chooses you - so...

Faithful no matter what

tending sheep in the middle of nowhere

fighting bears and lions with no one to witness your victory

serving people that don’t think you are worth anything

Ready for anything

Let God use your time in the middle of nowhere to prepare you for your time in the middle of the biggest challenges of your life

Ready for anything

When the giant emerges — you won’t hesitate to step into the battle

Even when things don’t come together the way you would expect…stay faithful and ready

Use whatever God gives you

Shepherding — fighting — worshipping — leading

David served God with skillful hands…God had blessed Him with the abilities he needed

Keep your heart pure

David shepherded them with integrity (purity) of heart

sincere, humble, willing to do whatever it takes with the Lord’s help

Challenge

Graduation is a great feeling — and rightfully so — you worked hard to get there

However, life between the milestones can become almost overwhelming at times, causing us to wonder if we have what it takes to succeed

If you are struggling, doubting, or just feel like quitting...

Listen to God - be strong and courageous…He will bring success to you

Obey God’s Words — hide them in your heart — meditate on them — practice them

Expect great things from God

If you feel unimportant or underappreciated, remember this: God has chosen you for great things

Stay faithful — listen to God — Obey God’s word — watch what He does

O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,

2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Because of His love, God chooses you and provides everything you need to be everything you can be for His glory

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