Sermons

Introduction:

Who do I belong to?

It is a question we should ask ourselves, as disciples of Jesus, every day and sometimes more than once a day. We all belong to someone or something. None of us are free. We can belong to the dominant worldview, the popular culture, the local bowling team or anything that dominates our lives. We can belong to guilt from past sins we have committed or anger from past sins committed against us, letting the guilt and anger dominate our lives to the point where nothing else matters. We can belong to that inner voice we heard from our family when we were young, telling us we are no good and we will never amount to anything. We can belong to that voice so much that we claim it as our own.

Or we can listen to another voice, which is always there, in the background of our lives, calling us back to belonging to God. The voice from Isaiah saying, "Do not be afraid -- I will save you. I have called you by name -- you are mine." The voice of Jesus, who is love and healing and mercy. And the voice of the Spirit of God, that incredible gift which is available if we will only surrender.

This morning, as we worship God together as the church, please let this question roam around in the back of your mind. "Who do I belong to? Really, truly, honestly? Who do I belong to?"

You might be surprised by the answer.