My Identity
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” 24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”John 1:19-26
A Thought From the Pastor
Our identity in Christ is often shielded by our human nature. It’s hard to see Jesus in us when our pride, greed and self-ambition all get in the way. Perhaps it’s why Jesus attempts to impress upon His disciples, when they had acknowledged Him as the Christ and the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16), that they must deny themselves and pick up their crosses (Matthew 16:24) and follow Him.
Some of the greatest servants of God knew exactly who they were and who they were not. Moses is said to have been the humblest man on the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3). If there was someone who might have been inclined to puff out his chest and say, “Look at me”, Moses is your guy. His ability to lead a nation out of slavery, through the desert, and to the mountain of God to receive the Law was achieved by knowing who and what his role would be – and what it would not be!!
John the Baptist clearly knew who he was as well. He wanted to point his adversaries, seekers, and disciples to Jesus. The presence of God (through the Spirit) was prevalent in John’s life. Acknowledging and practicing the presence of God in our lives can be similarly effective for people to see Jesus in us. When you walk, walk with the Lord by your side. When you talk, talk as if the Lord is sitting next to you. When you work, work with the Lord constantly on your mind and in your heart. Practice the presence of God in your life and you will soon discover who you are and who you are not
– Tom Rellinger
Purpose For This Week
- Pray that we would seek the Gospel in our lives.
- Pray that we would share the Gospel with our words and actions.
Praise Reports & Prayer Requests
- Praise God for the continued ministry of giveRecovery. Praise God for lives of recovery in Christ and the impact that this ministry has in our church and the Petoskey community. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
- Please pray for Ruthie Eby and her continued health problems. Please pray that they can determine causes and that Ruthie will return to her previous health. Please cover the Eby family during this time as well.
- Please continue to pray for additional ministries that PCoC has the opportunity to particpate with in the future.
- Please continue to pray for Trent and Myrissa and health related issues and guidance in their next steps in family reconciliation.