Sunday's Message, July 4, 2021 - Setting Jesus as a Seal

  Hello Family of God,  

We are living in an hour where it is needful for the Body of Christ to place Jesus as a seal all over.  Doing so, will enable us to live a life that is courageous, unaffected by the world and fulfill the commission over our lives to bring God's Kingdom here on earth ruling and reigning; making disciples of the Kingdom.  We are already sealed by God, now let's play our part by setting Jesus as Lord over our lives.

God Bless!

Scripture References & Highlights

Prayer for 2021:  This year will be a year of Light; that Light will shine and darkness will not dispel it. 

In Jesus' Name

Message Scriptures

• 2 Corinthians 1:21-23
• God enables us to stand firm in Jesus
• God commissioned us for a purpose
• definition of commissioned - give an order for or authorize the production of something 
• Genesis 1:26-31 - God's first commission 
• Matthew 28:18-20
• activating/engaging/using your own faith will enable you to stand firm
• God anointed us
• God is constantly strengthening us together with Christ
• God has stamped His seal of love over our hearts
• God has given us Holy Spirit like an engagement ring
• Song of Songs (Solomon) 8:6-7
• the seal of fire will seal us as prisoners of love with Jesus Christ
• rivers of pain and persecution will never extinguish this love
• everything that attempts to block this love will be consumed, hindering it no longer
• yielding to this love will transit from sacrificial to seamless and willing
• 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
• we're partners with Christ
• through us the knowledge of God is spread like a fragrance or aroma
• we are the sent ones with pure motives, speaking from one that is in the Presence of God, speaking His heart, not caring about the reactions of the people
• Joshua 1:5-9
• no one will be able to stand against you
• the Lord will not fail or abandon you
• be strong and courageous
• you will lead people to receive the promises of God
• be careful to obey God's commandments
• do not deviate from the Word
• you will be successful in all that you do
• study the Word continually
• meditate on it day and night
• do not be afraid or discouraged
• God is with you wherever you go

 Nuggets for the Week

• definition of seal 
• (noun) - a device or substance that is used to join two things together so as to prevent them from coming apart or to prevent anything from passing between them.  A piece of wax, lead, or other material with an individual design stamped into it, attached to a document to show that it has come from the person who claims to have issued it
• (verb) - fasten or close securely, apply a nonporous coating to a surface to make it impervious
• definition of impervious - unable to be affected by
• God's Seven-fold seal
  
• Seal of Security - sealed tightly in God's love
• Job 14:17, 1 Peter 4:8
• love sealed our sins
• Matthew 27:66
• if the seal was violated the offender would face death
• Seal of Authentication - marks us as God's very own
• 1 Kings 21:8, Esther 8:10, 
• John 6:27 - because we are God's own, He will provide
• Seal to certify genuineness
• Esther 8:8, John 3:33
• Seal of Ownership
• Jeremiah 32:44, 1 Corinthians 1:22
• Holy Spirit is our sign of ownership
• Seal of Approval
• Ephesians 1:13-14
• Seal of Righteousness
• Romans 4:11
• because of our faith righteousness was made ours
• Seal denoting a promise to be fulfilled
• 2 Corinthians 5:5, Ephesians 4:30
• Setting Jesus as a Seal over our own hearts
• Definition of bridegroom - a man just married or about to be married
• we know...
1. Jesus was promised a bride (2 Corinthians 11:2)
2. Jesus is the Bridegroom (John 3:27-30)
3. a wedding day is coming (Revelation 19:7-9)
• "His wife has made herself ready" - How?
• Matthew 25:1-13 - have enough oil in our lamps.  Oil in scripture oftentimes mean Holy Spirit.  The bride will have His Spirit
• Hosea 2:14-23 - allow 
  God to remove every idol from our hearts
• Ephesians 5:22-33, - submitting ourselves to Him and His leadership
• Zechariah 8:23
• there will be a turning of hearts towards God by His people
• other nations will see the faithfulness of God to His people and want Him

Reflections

• God has given us so much in terms of setting His seal on us.  How then do we respond?
• "like an engagement ring"  - 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:5, Ephesians 1:13-14
• an engagement ring is symbolic of an impending wedding and marriage
• it is given to the bride-to-be
• it adds more weight to the grooms intention
• it is a sign to all other potential suitors that you are taken, spoken for, and off the market
• you don't wait until the wedding to receive it, it's already given

 Key Takeaway for the Body

• Oh that we would be a people that lived as if we were off the market or one that has a bridegroom
• The Bridegroom is saying to the bride "fasten me upon your heart as a seal of fire forever more.  It will seal you as my prisoner of love".
• Set Jesus as a seal over our heart, mind and body causing us to follow the first and greatest commandment of loving the Lord with all of our heart, soul (mind), and strength (body) and then loving others

Prayer Time

In your times of prayer this week (9am,12noon, and 6pm) we encourage you to include the following scriptures located below and in the article 7 Verses and 7 Prayers for your Pastor/

Ephesians 1:17-19, 3:16-17

Philippians 1:9-11

Colossians 1:10-12

Worship Highlight