12/12/10 - Overshadowed - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Beautiful Exchange" in this Sunday service.

The Beautiful Exchange Part 2 - Overshadowed

Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, December 12, 2010

www.mylifegatechurch.com


Sermon Notes:

Luke 1:35 “The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

Matt 17:4-5 “Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”

Overshadow: to be more important or significant by comparison

Philippians 3:8 “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ”


So What?

1.   Compare: make a habit of comparing, measuring, with God’s Word.  It is the beginning of wisdom to “fear the Lord”—respect Him enough to ask His opinion.  Proverbs 24:3-4 “A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.” (Proverbs 2:4-6 –all are granted by the Lord)

2.   Use the right standard to compare:  There is one plumb line—Jesus Christ.  When we compare our plans, our desires, our ways to any other standard we miss the mark and fall short of all God has for us. Amos 7:7-9 (CEV) “The LORD showed me a vision of himself standing beside a wall and holding a string with a weight tied to the end of it. The string and weight had been used to measure the straightness of the wall. 8Then he asked, "Amos, what do you see?" "A measuring line," I answered. The LORD said, ""Look what I've done. I've hung a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel. Their sacred places will be destroyed…”

3.   Don’t believe your own press—good or bad. (Luke 5:15-16) Seek humility and living in the shadow of the Lord will become your worldview, your way of doing life.  1 Peter 5:5 “…And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”

4.   Pursue the “Overshadowed Way”—throw yourself into what God has for you.  Don’t be hesitant to discard the old way, the old choices, just because “That’s the way I’ve always done it.”  Stop making excuses and take responsibility.  Quit focusing on what you “Can’t do” and start with what you “Can do.”  There is no task too big when it is broken down into to small pieces.  Make the Beautiful Exchange. Once you have found His way, go for it!  Galatians 6:4 (MESSAGE) “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”

Psalm 91—the promise of the “Overshadowed Life”