West Side Church of Christ - Elkton Ky

• Background: Peter Tomechi, a Franciscan friar and teacher in a remote Kenyan school, dedicated his life to educating children in extreme poverty. His school was so underfunded that Peter gave 80% of his salary to buy school supplies for his students, ensuring they could participate in their education.
• Recognition and Impact: 
  • In 2019, Peter was awarded the Global Teacher of the Year Award, which included $1 million in prize money.
  • Despite the recognition and wealth, he chose to remain at the same school, using the funds to improve the institution and provide better access to education for the children.
• Lesson: Peter exemplifies selflessness and the power of choosing others’ needs over personal comfort. His story mirrors the sacrificial love that God shows toward humanity.

• The Power of Being Chosen: 
  • The sermon compares being chosen by God to the joy and validation felt when being picked for a team or adopted into a family.
  • It challenges listeners to consider what it means to be chosen by the Creator of the universe, who knows all our flaws yet still selects us out of love.
• Scriptural Foundation: 
  • Ephesians 1:3-6: God has blessed believers with "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" and chosen them "in Christ" before the foundation of the world.
  • 1 John 4:16: God’s very nature is love, and His love motivates His choice.
  • 2 Peter 3:9: God’s desire is for all to come to repentance, highlighting His patience and love for humanity.

• Transformation Through God’s Choice: 
  • Being chosen calls believers to a life of holiness and blamelessness (Ephesians 1:4). It’s a call not just to belief but to a transformative relationship with God.
  • This transformation impacts every aspect of life, making believers more aligned with God’s will.
• Living in God’s Presence: 
  • To be chosen is to stand in proximity to God, living with the awareness of His presence and care.

• God’s Open Invitation: 
  • The parable illustrates God’s invitation to all people, regardless of their status or past. However, only those who respond with preparation and intentionality are welcomed into the Kingdom.
• The Importance of Readiness: 
  • The distinction between the "good" and "bad" guests lies in their preparation. The unprepared guest, lacking the wedding garment, symbolizes those who take God’s grace for granted without aligning their lives with His expectations.
• Key Message: While many are invited, only a few are chosen—those who actively respond and prepare themselves for the Kingdom of God.

• A Lifestyle of Growth and Preparation: 
  • Faith is not a one-time decision but a continual journey of growth, repentance, and aligning one’s heart with God.
  • Scriptures like 1 John 1:9 emphasize the importance of confessing sins and relying on God’s faithfulness for cleansing.
• Reflecting God’s Love in Relationships: 
  • Believers are called to embody kindness, humility, forgiveness, and love in their interactions (Colossians 3:12-17).
  • By living out these virtues, they demonstrate God’s love and open the door for others to see their own value in His eyes.
• Evangelism Through Actions: 
  • Many people, especially those who feel unloved or unworthy, may first encounter God’s love through the actions of His followers.

• Responding to God’s Choice: 
  • While God has chosen everyone, individuals must choose to respond to His call. This involves living intentionally, preparing for eternity, and prioritizing God in every aspect of life.
• New Year Reflection: 
  • As the congregation approaches 2025, the preacher encourages them to reflect deeply on their commitment to God, asking, “What are you going to choose this year?”
  • This is more than a resolution; it’s a transformative decision to align life with God’s will.

• Predestination in Scripture: 
  • Romans 8:29-30 explains predestination not as a deterministic fate but as God’s declaration that those conformed to Christ’s image will inherit eternal life.
  • The concept emphasizes that while God calls everyone, the ultimate choice to follow Christ remains with the individual.
• Implications for Believers: 
  • Being chosen by God brings immense responsibility. It requires faith, obedience, and a life devoted to His service.
  • Believers must also see their interactions with others as opportunities to reflect God’s choice and love.

• Changed Lives: 
  • Knowing they are chosen by God should inspire believers to live differently, embracing holiness, love, and gratitude.
  • This change not only strengthens their relationship with God but also influences others, helping them see that they, too, are chosen by God.
• A Heavenly Family: 
  • Believers are adopted into God’s family, gaining a spiritual community bound by the blood of Christ.
  • This family is a source of encouragement and support, demonstrating the unity and love God desires for His people.

• A Call to Action: 
  • The sermon concludes with an invitation to reflect on the gift of being chosen by God and to respond with a life of faith, growth, and preparation.
  • The preacher encourages listeners to seek help, whether by becoming a Christian, overcoming struggles, or taking the next step in their faith journey.

• God’s Choice Reflects His Love: Before the foundation of the world, God chose believers out of His infinite love, desiring their transformation and relationship with Him.
• Being Chosen Requires a Response: Faith is an active choice, involving preparation, intentionality, and a life aligned with God’s will.
• Believers Reflect God’s Love to Others: By living out the love and grace of God, believers can inspire others to see their value and purpose in Him.
• A Life of Faith is Transformative: Knowing they are chosen should change how believers interact with God, others, and the world around them.