BEING KNOWN BY GOD

-as much as we want to know God more, God also wants to know us more thoroughly and accurately

-we may claim tt we know God, but does God really knows us?

there is a possibility tt in our pursuit, us wanting to do great things for God... we also have to be known by God

a person known by God

1. has identity in Christ

-one has a name, whereas the rich man name is unknown

   -this difference cos of the identity

-wealth of the rich man does not prevent him from going to paradise... but his identity

-well known on earth, but completely nameless in heaven

-dont get self-worth by works, esteem by being better than others

   -its is not sustainable... we will fall into a trap that we will feel a failure if we did not accomplish anything...and this will destroy us

one who has his/her identity remain intact even if we pursuit success

2. choose to submit and obey God's will

-do we submit the situation or do we choose to take control over the situation on our own?

   -if we are arrogant, it will not please God

a person loved by God is one who still trust and love God even if prayers is not yet answered

-Jesus chose to submit fully to God

-Jesus chose maturity over miracles

-Jesus chose to stay instead of running away

3. cares for the poor and the marginalized

show compassion to others is regarded as God as doing for Him (doing on His behalf)

showing kindness is the least we can do to show tt we are the child of God

-the Pharisees look down at the poor

-give out of compassion, out of genuine kindness...

-not give to sneer at others, out of pity

THE LOVE OF JESUS - PATIENCE AND KINDNESS

-picture of God's nurturing love for us
-El Shaddai shows the famine side of God (caring and nurturing)

-Jesus loves them till the very end even though He knew that they will betray Him
-the love to serve and benefit others

-ppl serve God, but without love!

1. Love is patience

-patience takes a long time to anger
-patience is being able to tolerate delays, problems, or sufferings without being annoyed / angry

-a lot of times, our home is the place God use to teach us patience

-being patience means accepting them
-be patience with ppl, treat them with respect

-God is slow in anger cos God is love!
   -be slow to anger!

patience = forbearance
   -forbearance = to bear with, put up with the weakness and personality of ppl

-forbearance requires forgiveness
-walk constantly in an atmosphere of forgiveness

to have boundless love, we need unlimited patience!

patience = forbearance + forgiveness

proverbs 16:32
-a man who has control over his anger is better than...…………(see pic)

2. love is kind
-kind is the action part

4 elements of kindness
1. merciful
2. gracious

-mercy = helping the weak and needy
-grace = from God

3. tenderhearted
   -tenderhearted = compassion
      -compassion = sharing other's suffering
4. gentleness
   -when we have a gentleness of heart, we will have peace in our heart

kindness = mercy + gracious + compassion + gentleness

-consider others before oneself
   -show genuine interest in other's interest / things they are excited abt
-always be encouraging

-our action and attitudes
-being patience, kind is so known to all, but its the most difficult to act on

this is the kind of resume of Jesus

we must aim to be able to pen our name in it