You are Unique with a Unique Mission



All Bible verses are from NIV if not otherwise mentioned.

Matthew 10:29-31
29  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.
30  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Here is a sermon against fear.
He encourages them not to fear by two striking considerations:

1.      God took care of sparrows, the smallest and least valuable birds
2.      God numbered even the very hairs of the head.

God has concerns about even the least living thing in this world.

Psalm 139:1-24
14      I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

17      How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! (Or How amazing are your thoughts concerning me)

The Psalm conveys two messages for a careful reader.

1.      God knows everything about you
2.      You are so special among all the billions of people so that He takes a special care about you.

WHY GOD IS SO PARTICULAR ABOUT YOU?

Why cannot He let you go?
Because:

You are unique
There is no one else like you.

You are remarkable, unduplicatable, and miraculous thing.
Of all the people who have come and gone on the earth, since the beginning of time, not ONE of them is like YOU!

No one who has ever lived or is to come has had your combination of abilities, talents, appearance, friends, acquaintances, burdens, sorrows and opportunities.
No one’s hair grows exactly the way yours does.
No one’s finger prints are like yours.
No one laugh or sneeze the way you do.
No one prays about exactly the same concerns as you do.
No one is loved by the same combination of people that love you!

No one before, no one to come

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE!

You were meant to be different.
Nowhere ever in all of history will the same things be going on in anyone’s mind, soul and spirit as are going on in yours right now.

If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind.

No one can reach out to others in the same way that you can.
No one can speak your words.
No one can convey your meanings.
No one can comfort with your kind of comfort.
No one can bring your kind of understanding to another person.

No one can be cheerful and lighthearted and joyous in your way.
No one can smile your smile.
No one else can bring the unique impact of you to another human being.

YOU ARE UNIQUE WITH A UNIQUE MISSION

Psalm 139:17  How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! (Or How amazing are your thoughts concerning me)

Jeremiah 29:11   For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God has a purpose for your life, a mission to fulfill
It is unique mission, only you can do it.

It you do not do it, it will lay undone for ever!
Because No one can fulfill the mission the way you can.

SUBSTITUTE PERSON IS SUBSTITUTE WAY

God can find substitute persons with substitute ways to realize His plans.
But cannot workout in the way He could do it through you.
Because every one is UNIQUE

God's plans are not even dependent upon human beings.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem and was He hailed with Messianic references.
Jesus told his critics that if His disciples keep silent at that time, the stones themselves would announce Him if the people did not the Messianic entrance.

But in a different way, a substitute way

Luke 19:37-40
37  When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38  “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40  “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Mission for the Promised Land

The mission to deliver and inhabit the Promised Land fulfilled through three people.
One mission, three different people.

Moses was the national leader, God’s special envoy to deliver Israelites from Egypt.
Aaron was the spokesman and assistant of Moses, who later became the first High Priest.
Joshua led them into the Promised Land, led the war to conquer and inhabit the Land.

Three had different character
And different mission

Creation of Adam and Eve

God created everything on earth by His word.
But He formed Man out of the earth and breathed His soul into him.

Genesis 1:26,27
26  Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27  So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

Genesis 2:7   Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

God created more than one kind of all living things
God created only one man, one kind.

There are many different kinds of animals, birds and plants
Some can sing, others cannot
Some can swim, others cannot
Some can live in water, some live only on earth and still others can live in both water and on earth.

But there is only one kind of man.
The creation of man is unique

Queen Esther and Her Unique Mission

When Queen Esther resisted going to her husband, the Persian king, to intercede for the Jews, her uncle Mordecai told her:

Esther 4:12-14
13  he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.
14  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

God has placed you where you are now for a unique mission.

Prophet Jonah

God was insistent upon using Jonah for this mission. None other would do.

Jonah 3:1,2
1    Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:
   “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

When Jonah ran away from his assignment God did not just write him off and calls another to take his place.
There were probably several other prophets God could choose and who would be willing to preach to Nineveh.
God could have elected and prepared another prophet even the before Creation itself.
But God insisted on Jonah.

Jonah was so out of synchronization with God's heart.
Why would God insist on Jonah for this mission?

Because He wanted it done in a way Jonah would do it.

The Calling of Moses

God called Moses to His Mission 6 times in a single meeting (Exodus 3: 1 - 4:18)

God has invested in us

God has been investing in Moses for the last eighty years: 40 + 40 = 80

1.    God created him an exceptionally beautiful child.

Exodus 2:2 The woman conceived and gave birth to a son; and when she saw that he was [especially] beautiful and healthy, she hid him for three months [to protect him from the Egyptians]. (AMP)

Exodus 2:2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. (NIV)

Exodus 2:2 “And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.”  (KJV)

2.      God protected Moses from the massacre of babies.
3.      God gave food, shelter and education and training in the Egyptian Palace.
4.      God gave him exceptional training as a Shepherd for forty years.

None of Moses contemporaries, not even Aaron, his cousin had such a background.
There was none like Moses among the whole Israelites in Egypt.

Numbers 12:1-8
   (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

   But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house.

Moses or NO the mission

If Moses did not take up the mission, there would not have been an account of the deliverance of Israelites from Egypt as we have now in Exodus.

Jehu and his Unique Mission

2 Kings 9:17-20
20  The lookout reported, “He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back either. The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi - he drives like a maniac.”

Jehu ben Nimshi was in fact the son of a man called Jehoshaphat (not to be confused with Jehoshaphat king of Judah).
Nimshi was Jehu's grandfather, but he is usually known as Jehu ben Nimshi.

He was one of the leading military officers of Jehoram king of Israel , who had been campaigning against the Arameans in Ramoth Gil'ad (in the Golan Heights).

Jehu was a bold, daring, prompt, and precipitate general.
In his various military operations he had established his character.
Now it was almost proverbial.

Events Surrounding the Time Period of Jehu

Elijah is three missions

When the prophet Elijah had asked to be relieved of his ministry, God had told him to do three things:

1.    Anoint Elisha as his successor
2.    Appoint Haza-el as king of Aram
3.    Anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel (I Kings 19:16).

Elijah and Elisha
Elijah's ministry was nearing its end and so he anointed the young Elisha to be a prophet in Israel for the Lord.
It was at this time that Ahab was king over the northern kingdom of Israel.
The time period was around 850 B.C.

King Ahab dies
The Syrians begin attacking Israel, so Judah in the south comes to help fight the Syrians.
Ahab is scared of Elijah's prophecy and disguises himself as a normal soldier.
In the midst of the battle a stray arrow hits him, and later he dies.

Jehoram Becomes King
Ahab's kingdom passes on to their son Jehoram (or Joram).
But Jezebel was still the real power behind the throne.

Elijah is Taken up in a Fiery Chariot
Elijah received a word from the Lord, and Elisha came with him on his last journey.
They came to the Jordan River, Elijah struck it with his cloak and the waters parted, and both of them walked across on dry land.
Elijah asked Elisha if he had any requests before the Lord took him away.
Elisha asked to be doubly anointed as a prophet like Elijah so he could continue doing the work for the Lord.
Elijah promised him, "if you see me when I'm taken from you, it will be a sign that God has granted your request."
Suddenly a chariot of fire came down and took Elijah up in a whirlwind.
Elisha stood staring for some time, then he reached down and picked up Elijah's cloak, turned and headed back.
He struck the waters of the Jordan River with the Elijah's cloak and the waters parted again.

The Prophet Elisha
News that Elijah was gone spread quickly even to the palace of Queen Jezebel in Samaria, and she was very happy.
She began to rule Israel with an iron fist, severely oppressing the people, even the poor.
Elisha helped many including one poor woman by doing a miracle, he asked her to collect all the jars that she could, and the Lord filled every jar with the finest oil in order for her to pay the moneylender.
Elisha's fame spread everywhere and especially his generosity and kindness.

He raised the Shunammites’ son from the dead
The poisonous pottage was healed
The loaves of bread were multiplied
The axe head was made to float
Water for the armies of Israel and Judah
He healed Naaman, the leprous the Syrian General
He revealed and thus helped to overthrow the King Syria’s plot to kill King Jehoram.
And many more ….

Hazael King of Syria
During this time Elisha journeyed over 100 miles northeast to Damascus in Syria.
King Benhadad was very sick and when he learned that Elisha was in Damascus.
He asked one of his court officials named Hazael to have Elisha "inquire of the Lord" whether he was going to recover or die.
Later that day Hazael found Elisha.
The prophet told Hazael to tell the king that he may recover, but he told Hazael that the king was going to die.
Then Elisha looked at Hazael and became very disturbed and broke into tears, Hazael wondered why he wept and Elisha replied:

2 Kings 8:7-13
12  “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the harm you will do to the Israelites,” he answered. “You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women.”
13  Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog, accomplish such a feat?” “The Lord has shown me that you will become king of Aram,” answered Elisha.

Jehu is Anointed King by Elisha

God had done many miracles to show Israel that he is their true God.
But King Jehoram and his wife Jezebel continued to worship Baal and built temples to Baal throughout Israel.

The Syrians began attacking Israel again and Jehoram came to the battle and got wounded.
It was at this time that he put his commander Jehu in charge at Ramoth Gil'ad and returned to Samaria.

Jehu was approached by a young prophet of God, sent by Elisha.
According to tradition prophet Jonah arrived to carry out his secret mission, which was highly dangerous as he was appointing Jehu to instigate a mutiny against the king.
Taking Jehu into an inner chamber, Jonah delivered his prophecy and fled.

The prophet anointed him with oil and said to him "thus says the Lord, I have anointed you to be king over Israel to fight for those who worship me and to fight against those who worship Baal."
Jehu took this responsibility very seriously and went to kill Jezebel and her son Jehoram.
He asked the army of Israel if they were with him, and they got excited saying "we are with you to a man".

Jehu Comes to Kill Jehoram

Jehoram was in Jezreel when he saw the army approaching.
He noticed Jehu driving very swiftly, and thought he is bringing him news of the war.

Jehu was evidently a man of great strength with his own brand of zeal for God.
With the new power that came from his anointment by the prophet, he soon won over his fellow officers and quickly master-minded a surprise assault on King Jehoram as he lay recuperating in Jezre'el.

As Jehu rode with his band of men towards Jezre'el, the city watchman saw them in the distance.
Before the watchman could identify them, the king sent out successive horsemen to find out who they were and what they wanted.
But instead of coming back, they joined the advancing party.
Reporting this, the watchman said:

2 Kings 9:17-20
20  The lookout reported, “He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back either. The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi - he drives like a maniac.”

This phrase graphically depicts the kind of man Jehu was.

When King Jehoram himself came out towards Jehu together with his brother-in-law, Ahaziah king of Judah , who had been "visiting the sick.
He said to Jehu when he arrived, "are you bring me news of peace?"
Jehu replied "how can there be peace in Israel while you and your mother are worshiping Baal?"
Jehoram tried to escape but was killed by Jehu.
Jehu's arrow struck Jehoram between the arms and through his heart.

Jehoram's body was thrown out from his chariot into the Jezre'el field that had been the ancestral portion of Naboth, whom Jehoram's father Ahab had had killed in order to seize his vineyard (I Kings ch 21).

After killing Jehoram, Jehu now went on to "cleanse" Israel of the sinful House of Ahab.
First he killed Jehoram's brother-in-law and ally, Ahaziah king of Judah (v27-8).
Ahaziah had also followed the path of Ahab and is said to have scratched out divine names from the Torah and replaced them with the names of idols.

Jehu Comes to Kill Jezebel

Next Jehu turned his attention to the queen mother, Jehoram's mother and Ahab's widow, the accursed Jezebel, who was in Jezre'el.

Jezebel heard the news about her son, and also that Jehu was coming for her next.
She slapped on her make-up, did up her hair and called to him from her window.
She hoped to allure the man who had just killed her husband into marrying her.
However, Jehu had sufficient zeal not to pay attention to her enticements.
Jehu cried "who is on the Lord side", the servants inside the palace pushed Jezebel out the window and she died.

Elijah's prophecy had come true and Baal worship was removed from Israel.
Idols were broken, and heathen temples were destroyed, and made a place to dump refuse.

Every Call Has Untold Details

Every person has a mission assigned by God
Every call or assignment has untold details

1.    We must recognize our mission

Ephesians 4:11,12
11  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
12  to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
 
2.    Do not imitate

God has many apostles and many evangelists.
He added you to the group because He wanted the Uniqueness in you.
So do not imitate.

Jesus is your reward.
He is your master.
He has assigned you the particular task.
And He knows how hard or soft is the task.
Fulfilling it is your only mission.

3.  If you resist, the assignment for you will lay undone

Because none else can do it.
Another person is another mission.
So accept His call.

Be yourself always.
Be confident of yourself; God wants the uniqueness in you
Leave no reason to regret by looking at the unfinished task when you will be in the Eternity
Fulfill your task.

No comments:

Post a Comment