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A Place For ME! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 28, 2022 sermon, “A Place For Everyone Is A Place For ME!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  Joshua 20 & 21, Ephesians 4:1-13

I suspect that every person has times when it feels like everyone belongs except them.  After Israel had the courage to claim God’s promises and all the promised land had been divided among the tribes, there was still the matter of having the courage to make a place for everyone.  As God’s children, and as His church, we are called to live with the courage to proclaim that there exists a place for everyone in God’s kingdom.  That place is for . . .

  • Mercy.  Joshua 20:1-5, Ephesians 4:1-6
    • As Joshua continued following God’s instructions in providing a place in the promised land for everyone, he made certain that mercy would be shown to those who needed it.  We have a place to belong in God’s kingdom because of His mercy extended to us.  It’s because of God’s great mercy that we ought to present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice.  It is also our awareness of God’s mercy that calls us to extend mercy to others.  Mercy received and mercy given are key elements that are foundational to making every effort when it comes to pursuing unity through making peace with God and with one another.  We help help create a place for everyone when we establish our life as a place for mercy.
  • Encouragement/Equipping.  Joshua 21:43-45, Ephesians 4:11-13
    • As God made sure there was a place for everyone in the promised land, He allotted various towns and pasture lands to those who would be His representatives to the people — the priests and Levites.  While those who would be these special servants of God had no territory of land given to them as a tribe of Israel, God Himself was to be there inheritance, He gave them places to live throughout each of the territories of Israel.  God wanted those who would speak on His behalf to be available to everyone so that each person could be encouraged and equipped by God.  As God’s children, we are called a royal priesthood and He as placed each of us in the midst of communities that need the presence of God to be visible.  We help create a place for everyone when we establish our life as a place of encouraging and equipping.

Today, will you live as one who knows God’s kingdom is for ME?