Called By Name
Sermon Note
A lot of VOICES compete for your attention, but only God calls you by name and sends you on MISSION.
[Isaiah 43:1] Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
[John 20:11-14] [11] Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. [12] She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. [13] “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” [14] She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.
The loudest voice isn’t the TRUEST voice, GOD’S voice is.
[Luke 8:1-2] [1] Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, [2] along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons;”
[John 20:15-16] [15] Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought He was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”……..[16] Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
When His VOICE gets clear, your NEXT STEPS gets clearer.
[2 Corinthians 5:17] This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! The enemy knows your name, but calls by you SIN, Jesus knows your sin, but calls you by your NAME.
[Romans 8:1] So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
[John 10:14] “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,”
[James 4:8] Draw near to God, He will draw near to you.
God speaks through His WORD, by His SPIRIT, and He gets clearer with CLOSENESS.
[John 10:10 NASB] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.
[John 20:17-18] “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them His message.
When the resurrection is TATTOOED on your heart, boldness becomes NATURAL.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: What is one of your nicknames?
Read John 20:11-18 NLT & discuss what stands out.
What “label” are you wearing that Jesus didn’t give you?
What's the loudest voice in your life right now and how is it shaping your next step?
What is one simple step you can take this week to hear God’s voice?
Is there anything this group can pray for?