Jesus calls us by name:
You are known personally by God.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?[a] And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31
Who me? How? God doesn't write anyone....
16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8
Your Job:
Recognize the Shepherd:
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." Romans 10:9-10
God calls everyone. You have to choose to answer.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
A new You
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;" 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,"
John 1:12
We should look like we are part of God's family -- sound like Him, "Look" like him, act like him.
You were chosen
God picked you first! If you want to be first Jesus tells us to be last. 100% commitment from Jesus to you. What is your commitment to Jesus?
"16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." John 15:16
Follow the Shepherd
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." 1 John 2:3-6
Walk like Jesus walks. Do what Jesus does.
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
You're mine! I have plans for you. God wants to give us everything we need to prosper and follow Him -- everything we need to do the work He has made us to do.
Relationship, relationship, relationship.
Listen to God. Read His Word.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23