What do you think about Jesus being a carpenter? Why would the Son of God limit Himself to a human body, a geographical location and a point in time for you and me? Why would He choose to spend some of the time on earth as a carpenter? Why not a kingship? Why not a fisherman? Jesus’ occupation as carpenter in so many ways paints a picture of what He does for each one He redeems.

Mark 6:¹ And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

²And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

³Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

⁴But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

⁵And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

⁶And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

What does a carpenter do?

A carpenter build and repairs

What is required to build something?

Building requires a design for the completed project; a plan on how to implement that design; a craftsman to complete the project.

-Design=combination of details for the form and structure of a work

Romans 8:²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Image = likeness of a person

Christ= Matthew 16:¹⁵ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

¹⁶And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

-Plan = a method of proceeding, developed in advance

Jeremiah 29:¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

-Craftsman = a highly skilled person

Romans 11:³³ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

³⁴For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

³⁵Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

³⁶For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Jesus designed the finished person you will be!

Jesus has a good plan for making you into that finished design by His power.

Jesus has the skill to complete His design for you!

Since Jesus came into your heart, what difference do you see in your behavior?

Since Jesus came into your heart, what difference do you see in your thoughts?

Since Jesus came into your heart, what difference do you see in your choices?

Since Jesus came into your heart, what difference do you see in your relationships?

What is required to repair?

Repair requires knowledge of the original; knowledge of the depth and scope of the brokenness and a craftsman to make the repair.

-Knowledge of the original-

Psalms 139:¹³For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

¹⁵My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret,and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

¹⁷How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

¹⁸If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

-Understanding of the brokenness

Psalms 139:¹(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

²Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

³Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

⁴For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

-Craftsman = a highly skilled person

Romans 11:³³ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

³⁴For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

³⁵Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

³⁶For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Jesus knows everything about you; why you think the way you do; why you do what you do; each of your life experiences. He knows and He understands.

Since Jesus came into your heart, what difference do you see in how you manage your emotions?

What hurt you in the past?

How do you see Jesus working to repair that hurt?

Do you know this song?

There really ought to be a sign upon my heart
‘Don’t judge him yet, there’s an unfinished part’
But I’ll be better just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master’s loving hands

Chorus:
He’s still working on me To make me what I need to be
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be ‘Cause He’s still workin’ on me

In the mirror of His word Reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me
But He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He’s the potter; I’m the clay

Repeat Chorus

Our focus = Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge = Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good  plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti