Derek Smith
Lead Pastor
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
When I was growing up in elementary school we used to play a lot of sports at recess. We played football, basketball, dodgeball, wiffleball, soccer…..if it included a ball we played it! Whenever it came time to pick teams, two guys would step up and declare themselves to be team captains and would then pick who they wanted to play on their teams. They would almost always pick their best friends and the best athletes first, and the smaller less athletic kids would be picked last. Oh the embarrassment of being the last one picked!
Paul says here that as Children of God we have been chosen by him. That means you and I are on God’s team! The neat thing is that there are no last picks on God’s team. We know that because of the reason He chose each of us: His steadfast love and grace. We are not chosen because of our talents, abilities, or potential. We are chosen by God because we are loved by Him. Scripture says that we did not love God first, but He first loved us and sent Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10). In eternity past God looked down and He saw you and me and said, “I want him” and “I want her”. What incredible value we have that God would desire to have a relationship with us! He chose you and I for salvation and has filled us with His Spirit for the purpose of fulfilling His Kingdom mission.
When the devil tries to intimidate, attack, accuse, or defeat you, just remind Him that you are a chosen member of God’s team! You rest in the love of God and your life is incredibly valuable to the King! Every day we have a game plan to carry out and souls to win for Christ! You may have been the last one picked in life, but you were God’s first choice in salvation! So suit up with the love of Christ as your uniform and let’s get out there and play the game for Christ!