Labels
Ripping the Labels
August 28, 2011 • Chris Edmondson • Matthew 16:17–18, 1 John 3:1–7, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 5:17–19, Isaiah 62:2
Many Christians are confused because of the difference they see between who they are (their new identity in Christ) and what they experience in their daily lives. We have been programmed by our experiences and environment to believe certain things to be true about ourselves whether they are true or not. As Christians, we entered into a new relationship with God that guarantees us a new identity—a new label. For many, their lifestyle and behavior reflects more of their old label than their new label in Christ. This is because we must know and believe who God has made us to be in order to change what we do.
Member’s Only
August 21, 2011 • Chris Edmondson • Luke 12:1–34
At one time or another, all of us have based our self esteem on the labels sewn into our clothes. Member's Only. Izod. Abercrombie. Labels identify things…and people. We can choose to base our identity on the labels sewn into our jeans, what kind of car we drive, or where our house is located. When we allow our stuff to define us, we don’t experience the life that God wants us to experience. We don’t experience satisfaction. Ecclesiastes 5:10. In that verse we read, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” Jesus knew this. That’s why so much attention is placed on money and stuff. Jesus talked more about that topic than He did heaven, hell, prayer, or faith combined!
Can of Soup
August 14, 2011 • Chris Edmondson • Colossians 2:6–10
It bothers some people when cans have no labels. Without labels, we have to take the time to open and discover what’s in there. We label people because we don’t want to take the time to see what’s really inside. Labels identify things…and people. We can choose to base our identity on words spoken about us and relationships built with others, or we can look deeper into our souls and see the label God has etched into each of us.
Born to Be Mild? No Way!
August 7, 2011 • David Foster • Ecclesiastes 11:4–6, Luke 9:12–17, James 4:13, 1 Samuel 17:32–33, Psalm 139:13
Most labels are libels which limit our capacity to dream, aspire to greatness, or even feel worthy enough to know God. And the deadliest label of them all is mediocre. But no one has to settle for mediocre or average as his or her lot in life. You are a one of a kind creation of God and there is nothing average about you.