An Intentional God | Edward Jackson Jr | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

An Intentional God

Edward Jackson Jr

Friendship Baptist Church • Jan 11, 2026 • 110 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

God is an intentional God who initiated the effort to dwell among humanity through Jesus Christ, intentionally choosing humble and broken spaces rather than remaining distant. Because Christ dwelt among us and displayed His life-changing glory, believers are called to live out a tangible, everyday faith rather than an insulated religion. As ambassadors for Christ, believers represent Him wherever they go by demonstrating real love, kindness, and light in their daily environments.

Themes

The Incarnation of ChristGod's Intentionality and PresenceTangible Everyday FaithChristian Witness in the WorldActive Love and Grace

Pastor's Points

1.

1. He was an intentional location

2.

2. He was intentional about a look

3.

3. He was intentional about a light

Key Points

1.
1. He was an intentional location
2.
2. He was intentional about a look
3.
3. He was intentional about a light
4.
God is an intentional God who has always initiated the effort to dwell in the very midst of His people.
5.
Under the Old Covenant, God commanded a tabernacle sanctuary to be built (Exodus 25:8), but in Jesus Christ, God stepped into human flesh to draw even closer to humanity.
6.
Jesus chose an intentional location by being born in a humble manger, living in a human body, and spending time among tax collectors and sinners rather than insulating Himself in religious spaces.
7.
John spoke as an eyewitness who watched and studied Jesus with intentional focus during His earthly ministry, becoming fully convinced that Jesus was who He claimed to be.

Sermon Moments

“God has always had a desire and initiated the efforts to be in the midst of his people.”

“The king came into the world with no wealth, with no prestige, with no power, but all he wanted to do was to connect with somebody like you and me.”

“He didn't come to dwell around folks that got it all together. He said, I'mma dwell around the people that need me.”

“I ain't seen him in the flesh, but I sure enough seen him work over and over and over again.”

“Christianity was never created to be an insulated faith... It's a faith that you put on display when you walk out these doors.”

“How can you say you love God who you ain't never seen and hate your brother or your sister that you see each and every day?”

“We ain't got just a Sunday morning religion, but we got an everyday faith we got to live out.”

“When you dwell amongst folks and you do it God's way, he gets the glory.”

This Week

Represent Jesus intentionally in your daily environments, such as your workplace, family gatherings, and social settings.

Put tangible faith into practice throughout the week rather than limiting your devotion to Sunday morning church services.

Pray faithfully in difficult or messy situations, trusting that God reveals His glory when His people pray.

Show tangible love, kindness, and restraint when dealing with challenging family members, co-workers, or neighbors.

Offer to pray directly for someone in your life who is struggling or acting foolishly, rather than writing them off.

Refuse to lower your Christian standards or retaliate when people mistreat, criticize, or speak against you.

Examine your heart to ensure your professed love for God is reflected in how you treat the people you see every day.

Remember This

God intentionally drew close to humanity through Jesus Christ to dwell among us, and He calls believers to live out a tangible, everyday faith that represents Him in the world.

A Challenge for You

Let your light keep shining everywhere you go, trusting that when you dwell among people God's way, He will give you strength to be His hands and feet and use your life for His glory.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.