Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO Created for His glory Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA January 11, 2004 Main Scripture text: Isaiah 43:1-7. This passage from Isaiah is much more than just good history lesson, or an example that God does what He says. This ancient text concerning ancient events has something to say to us today. Indeed this text, ultimately, is directed to "everyone called by [God's] name" (v. 7). That includes you and me. What does this passage say about us? We are: 1) Created by God (v. 1). We did not create ourselves nor evolve from monkeys. 2) Summoned by name (v. 1). He knows each of us individually by name and wants us to know Him. 3) Belong to God (v. 1). God takes care of what belongs to Him, so I don't mind being God's possession. But we are far more than just property to God. We are: 4) Precious, honored and loved by God (vs. 4). Indeed, in Luke 12:6-7, Jesus said we're so special to God that He even knows the number of hairs on our heads! Now let's turn to what the Isaiah 43 says about God and His purposes and intents for us: 1) God's actions are always redemptive (v. 1). No circumstance or event in our lives is for naught. God uses everything as raw material for our sanctification. He makes all things work toward ultimate good. 2) God is with us in difficulty (v. 2). Hard times seem more bearable if someone is with us. Jesus Christ is Emmanuel -- God with us! 3) God is our Savior and Redeemer (v. 1,3). He saves us from the penalty of sin and redeems us from the grip and power of sin. And at the last trumpet He will deliver us from the very presence of sin so that we live in peace and joy with Him forever. 4) God protects us (v. 2). This passage makes clear that God doesn't protect us from life in a fallen world. Rather assures us He will see us through every difficulty we face. The Holy Spirit enables to overcome. Why doesn't God put us in a cosmic bubble that protects us from all the bad stuff? The answer is in verse 7. We were "created for [His] glory. It brings glory to God when the world seeing us living overcoming lives. We make the reality of God visible to the world by: living by faith in the Son of God, and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Supporting texts: Psalm 24:1-2 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 | 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 | Luke 12:6-7 | Romans 8:28-29 | Proverbs 18:24 | Romans 8:37 | 1 John 2:2 | 1 Peter 3:15 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here. (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of the sermon summarized above is available free of charge (U.S. requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 040111a: Created for His Glory. © 2004 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us