Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Remember Who You Are
by Tom Goodman
October 29, 2014

Kingdom of Heaven was an average film with one above-average line.

In one scene, Jerusalem is besieged by a Muslim army that far outnumbers any Christians fit to fight. Balian, played by Orlando Bloom, prepares the city for the coming onslaught. One action he takes is to knight dozens of men on the eve of battle. He can't find any experienced fighters, so he commands servants and farmers and craftsmen to kneel. He commits them to the task and proclaims, "Rise a knight!"

Watching this, the discouraged Patriarch of Jerusalem mockingly asks him, "Does making a man a knight make him a better fighter?"

Balian turns slowly to face the cynic and says simply, firmly, "Yes."

No apology, no explanation, no defense for his actions.

"Yes."

It's a great film moment.

Remembering who you are in Christ makes you a better person. From time to time our choir sings This Is My Destiny. The song lists all the ways God identifies who we are:

He calls me child.
He calls me to His side eternally.
He calls what once was lost now found,
once bound to sin set free.
He calls me holy, calls me righteous,
by the blood redeemed.
He calls me overcomer,
crowned with victory.
This is my destiny!

A cynic may ask, "Does simply calling a man these things make him a better man?" Like Balian, we have no other argument, explanation, or apology. We simply say, "Yes!"

We need constant reminders of who we are in Christ, because Satan works hard to strip us of this exalted identity. Today, remember who you are -- and live accordingly.

Trunk or Treat. Every Halloween we throw a party for the kids of our community. We park our cars at the front lot of the church, decorate them in goofy ways, and hand out candy. In addition, we set up booths with lots of games and goodies. You can decorate your own car or offer help at the booths. Or just ask a family to join your kids and join in the fun! There's more information on our website. Contact our Children's Minister, Karen, if you want to serve.

Malawi Trip Challenge. Hillcrest will serve 200 missionaries and their families in Malawi next March. Do your part to make this trip possible! Give to the Malawi Mission Trip by the end of November. There's more information at HillcrestAustin.org/Malawi.

--Tom

Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here.

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Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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Remember Who You Are by Tom Goodman October 29, 2014 Kingdom of Heaven was an average film with one above-average line. In one scene, Jerusalem is besieged by a Muslim army that far outnumbers any Christians fit to fight. Balian, played by Orlando Bloom, prepares the city for the coming onslaught. One action he takes is to knight dozens of men on the eve of battle. He can't find any experienced fighters, so he commands servants and farmers and craftsmen to kneel. He commits them to the task and proclaims, "Rise a knight!" Watching this, the discouraged Patriarch of Jerusalem mockingly asks him, "Does making a man a knight make him a better fighter?" Balian turns slowly to face the cynic and says simply, firmly, "Yes." No apology, no explanation, no defense for his actions. "Yes." It's a great film moment. Remembering who you are in Christ makes you a better person. From time to time our choir sings This Is My Destiny. The song lists all the ways God identifies who we are: He calls me child. He calls me to His side eternally. He calls what once was lost now found, once bound to sin set free. He calls me holy, calls me righteous, by the blood redeemed. He calls me overcomer, crowned with victory. This is my destiny! A cynic may ask, "Does simply calling a man these things make him a better man?" Like Balian, we have no other argument, explanation, or apology. We simply say, "Yes!" We need constant reminders of who we are in Christ, because Satan works hard to strip us of this exalted identity. Today, remember who you are -- and live accordingly. Trunk or Treat. Every Halloween we throw a party for the kids of our community. We park our cars at the front lot of the church, decorate them in goofy ways, and hand out candy. In addition, we set up booths with lots of games and goodies. You can decorate your own car or offer help at the booths. Or just ask a family to join your kids and join in the fun! There's more information on our website. Contact our Children's Minister, Karen, if you want to serve. Malawi Trip Challenge. Hillcrest will serve 200 missionaries and their families in Malawi next March. Do your part to make this trip possible! Give to the Malawi Mission Trip by the end of November. There's more information at HillcrestAustin.org/Malawi. --Tom Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here. Check out my weblog here. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.