You've Been Chosen | Joel Osteen

the week through our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media, and you can come visit us in person. We'd love to have you be a part of one of our services. I'd like to start with something funny and I heard about this church. One Sunday morning, everything was going great until a bolt of lightning hit the sanctuary. When the smoke cleared, Satan himself was standing behind the podium. People panicked and took off running as fast as they could. Everyone that is except one lady, she sat on the front row as calm as can be. Satan was appalled. He said, "Lady, do you know who I am?" She said, "I sure do." He said, "Why aren't you afraid of me?" She said, "Not in the least bit." He said, "Why not?" She said, "Why should I be? I've been married to your brother for 30 years." Say it like "Do you mean it? This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert. My heart is receptive. I will never be the same in Jesus' name. God bless you." I want to talk to you today about you've been chosen. I grew up playing basketball and from the time I was a little boy, I loved the game. When I was 12 years old, we went to my grandparents' house to spend the day in. I took my ball and walked to the park about three blocks away and there were all these guys playing. They were in their late teens, much bigger, stronger and better. It's very competitive and I was over shooting on a goal, making sure to stay out of the way. When the game was over, the two best players started to pick new teams. There's about 15 people waiting. This one captain looked around at all of his friends. He knew everyone, all these great players. Then he looked over at me and said, "I choose that guy. I'm the only past out. He was a foot taller than me, a different nationality, 20 times better." Yet he bypassed all the people he was supposed to pick and he chose a stranger. His friend said, "Are you kidding? He's too small." One said, "Yes, plus he's white." That means he can't jump. Another said, "He's not one of us. You don't even know him." I never expected to be chosen. I didn't deserve it. I couldn't perform at their level. I didn't come from their background, but for some reason he picked me. I never forget how that made me feel valuable, approved, confident, all because I had been chosen. That's what God did for us. We were all strangers. We couldn't measure up. We didn't deserve his love, his mercy, his goodness. But the Scripture says, while we were yet strangers, while we were far off, God brought us near through the blood

of Christ. Jesus said, "In John, you didn't choose me. I chose you." God handpicked you. You may feel like I did at the park. You don't fit in. You weren't raised in this. You come from a different background. None of that stops God. He still chooses you. Thoughts will tell you, you made too many mistakes. You're too small. You're not qualified. You don't come from a background of faith. God says, "That's okay. You're exactly who I'm looking for. I choose strangers. I choose people that don't look like you'd expect. People that don't perform perfectly. People with flaws and weaknesses. That doesn't disqualify you. It's just the opposite. You're who God chooses. He sees what's in you. He knows your potential. He told Jeremiah, "Before you were formed in your mother's womb, I knew you and approved you. I've called you to speak to nations. Before you were born, God not only chose you, but He put a calling on your life. He put greatness in you. He's destined you to leave your mark. The enemy will work overtime to try to make you feel left out. Like you don't matter. You're not smart enough. You don't fit in. You're too different. Don't believe those lies. God specializes in choosing strangers. He chooses people that society wouldn't expect. He chose a shepherd boy named David to become the king of Israel. David didn't come from royalty. They were poor. His family had no influence. When he showed up at the palace, they would have thought, "Who is this stranger? He's not qualified." God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses had made a mistake and took a man's life. He had to It's been 40 years in hiding in the desert. more eloquent, but he chose a stranger." Jesus was traveling to Galilee. He told his disciples, "I must go through Samaria." It wasn't the normal route. It was the long way. He was at a well waiting when a woman came to get water. He asked her for something to drink. She said, "Sir, you're a Jew. I'm a Samaritan. You know we don't get along. Why are you talking to me?" Jesus said, "If you knew who I am, you would ask, and I would give you living water." Jesus began to tell her all about her life, how she had had five husbands, how she was living with a six man. No doubt she was the talk of the town. People looked down on her, made fun. There's that lady who she with this week. She was so amazed that Jesus knew everything about her. She said, "We know one day the Messiah will come." Jesus said to her, "I am the Messiah." The first person Jesus ever told he was the Messiah. Wasn't the head rabbi? Wasn't the chief priest? Wasn't the mayor? It was this woman, a stranger. Someone that society had written off.

Too many mistakes. Not worthy. She doesn't fit in. God doesn't choose the way we choose. He never writes you off. He never gives up on you. His calling on your life is irrevocable. That means he doesn't change his mind. When Jesus chose his disciples, he didn't go to the synagogue to find the best candidates with the best credentials. He didn't run an ad on Zippracruder to get the most qualified. He chose Peter, a fisherman. He didn't have any kind of background of faith. He never been to the temple. He was hot tempered, cursed people out. He chose Matthew, a tax collector. They were known for being dishonest. What if Jesus would have hired a consulting firm to review his choices? It would have come back something like this. We've run a test on all the men you've submitted. We're sorry, but none of them are qualified for a management position. Peter is emotionally unstable and given defensive range. Thomas has a doubting spirit that undermines morale. Matthew has integrity issues, has been blacklisted by the Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. Here's what I'm saying. Why are you disqualifying yourself? Think that you have too many flaws. You don't fit in. You don't come from the right background. You've made too many wrong choices. God knew every mistake you would make. He knew what you would struggle with. He knew the environment you'd be raised in and he still chooses you. Think about this. Jesus knew that Peter would deny him before he chose him. He knew Peter had some dysfunction, that he struggled with his temper, that he'd tell you what he thought. He knew Peter didn't look like a, quote, religious person, that he didn't fit in that mold, that he was a rough, strong fisherman. Jesus took that all into account and he still chose him. It's because God loves to choose strangers, people that don't seem like they fit, people that weren't raised in fame, people that have shortcomings that are rough around the edges. You wouldn't be hearing this if you weren't chosen. Don't go your whole life thinking you don't measure up. You don't perform good enough. You're not talented enough. You don't fit in when in fact you've been hand-picked by the creator of the universe. The God who knew you before you were formed in your mother's womb not only chose you, but he's approved you. He calls you a masterpiece, one of a kind, fearfully and wonderfully made. Now, people may disapprove you. They may look down on you, tell you what you're not, try to make you feel less than. Let that go in one ear and out the other. You don't need their approval. You have Almighty God's approval. And every morning, we should start today. Father, thank you that I've been chosen, that your hand picked me. What you're saying is, I am worthy. I am valuable. I am needed. I am loved. I am full of purpose.

I have seeds of greatness. I will leave my mark. When you know you're chosen, you hold your head up high. You live with confidence not because of who you are, but because of who you are. And yes, God could have picked someone more talented from a more influential family with less weakness, less baggage, but on purpose he chose you. It's because You have exactly what you need to fulfill your assignment. What you've been through, that didn't stop you, that prepared you. That setback didn't disqualify you. It was necessary to get you ready for where God is taking you. Quit beating yourself up. Thinking you missed your chance. You've been through too much. If I'd have performed better, not made these mistakes, God took all that into account and He still chose you. He doesn't disqualify you. Don't disqualify yourself. When that young man picked me to be on his team, even though I was half his size and not nearly as skilled as those other players, I'm either naive or a little bit crazy, but that spirit of LeBron James came on me. I thought, if you think I can play, if you have that much confidence in me, then I must be better than I thought. I took that as a sign that it was my time to shine, that He wouldn't have chosen me if He thought I was going to fail. Now, when opportunities come across your path, that seem too big, too much. Don't shrink back.

I can't take the management position. I'm not that qualified. I'll never get in that college. I'm not that smart. I could never date that person. They're so out of my league. Have a new perspective. God has so much confidence in you. He wouldn't have put you there if you're going to fall apart, be overwhelmed. The fact that He chose you means He's already equipped you, empowered you, and anointed you. This is your time to shine. Step into your greatness. You've been raised up for such a time as this. And yes, it may be over your head, but it's not over God's head. You and God are a majority. As you take a step of faith, you'll discover courage, strength, ability like you've never seen. Imagine how David felt when he was chosen to face Goliath. That didn't make sense. He could have thought, this is not God choosing me. This is the devil trying to get me killed. I mean, Goliath was twice his size. He had more training, more armor, more experience. But God doesn't call you without equipping you. And what you have may seem small in comparison to what you're up against, just a slingshot, a few stones. But when God breathes on it, it'll bring down giants. God's favor on your slingshot is more powerful than an army

coming against you. And don't talk yourself out of your dreams. Talk yourself into your dreams. This giant may look big, but I know I've been chosen. God wouldn't have allowed it. If I wasn't well able, I can do all things through Christ. When Jesus was on his way to be crucified, the soldiers forced him to carry his own cross. He'd been beaten, mocked and ridiculed. His body was weak, his mind was tired. He was suffering from exhaustion. As he was carrying the cross, he fell down. Couldn't take it anymore. The scripture says, there was a man coming in town from another country, Simon of Serene. The soldiers had him carry Jesus' cross. It's significant that it tells us Simon was from Serene. Serene was a city in North Africa. He wasn't from Jerusalem. He was a foreigner, a stranger. No doubt, he didn't know who Jesus was. He's just traveling through and suddenly found himself carrying the cross. He didn't know he would be a part of history. Simon never dreamed we'd be talking about him today. God could have had one of the disciples close by to carry the cross. After all, this was such a historic moment. He could have had blind Bartimaeus, who Jesus healed be there.

One of the lepers that were cleansed. But of all the people, Jesus impacted. All the ones he taught, fed, encouraged, healed. The one who would be with him in his final critical moments was a stranger. Simon didn't look like Jesus. He was a different nationality. He didn't worship in the temples like Jesus. He wasn't Jewish. He was from another faith. But God on purpose chooses strangers. People that seem unlikely. People that don't look like they belong. Now sometimes we fight being chosen. Simon could have said to the soldiers, no, not me. Find someone else. I don't know this man. I'm not a religious person. I don't come from a family of faith. Can't you see I'm a different nationality? None of that matters to God. He knew Simon was a stranger. He knew there was no history with Jesus. He knew voices would whisper, Simon, you can't do this. This doesn't make sense. Don't get involved. Tell them that you're busy. All these thoughts trying to talk him out of it. But deep down, he could hear this voice whispering, you've been chosen.

This is your moment. I know you're a stranger. I know this is not the environment you're used to, but I'm calling you. Simon could have made excuses. He could have tried to turn away, but he accepted the calling. He stepped into purpose and destiny greater than he ever dreamed. Maybe today, like Simon, you're fighting being chosen. You know God's calling is on you, but you're a stranger. You weren't raised in this. You don't look like you fit. You have weaknesses. You've made mistakes. The truth is we were all strangers. We may look like we have it all together, but we've all fallen short. This is the beauty of our God while we were yet strangers, while we were far off. God in his great mercy chose us. He didn't choose you based on your performance. He chose you based on his love. Simon didn't know Jesus. He didn't have any history with him, but God had a divine purpose for his life, something bigger that he ever dreamed. Who knows where God will take you if you'll simply answer the call? Sometimes we think to carry the cross to accept that we've been chosen, we'll have to give up so much

and just live a lame, boring life. The truth is you'll gain so much more. God's dream for your life is so much bigger, so much more rewarding, more fulfilling. Yes, you will give up some things, fear, insecurity, addictions, depression, compromise. He's chosen you. My question is, will you choose him? Don't go through life handpicked by the Creator with seeds of greatness, redeemed and forgiven, but never step up to who you were created to be. Let today be the day you say, God, I believe I'm chosen. I believe I'm worthy. I believe I'm valuable. I may be a stranger. This may be new to me, but I'm coming into the family. I'm gonna live my life as a son, as a daughter of the Most High God. There was this very wealthy lady that had passed and as far as they knew, she had never left a will. She had this huge house filled with all kinds of furniture and expensive antiques. She had beautiful jewelry, huge art collection, paintings from all over the world, millions of dollars of worth. A company came in to auction everything off. A couple of hundred people were there. They started the auction in the foyer with a picture of this lady's son. It was a portrait hanging on the wall.

It was nice, but nobody wanted that. They were waiting for all the other items. After a couple of moments of silence, the lady's housekeeper bid $20. She'd help raise the boy and loved him dearly. The auctioneer looked around one more time, finally said, "Go and go and gone." The housekeeper took the painting down on the back there was a handwritten note signed by the lady. It said, "Whoever chooses the son gets it all." The auction was suddenly over. Now the housekeeper owned it all. It's the same way today when you choose the son, when you choose the risen savior, when you choose Jesus, you get it all, abundant life, eternal life, joy, peace, strength, victory. My father was raised in a family that didn't know anything about God. They were very poor and they lost everything during the Great Depression. He had to drop out of high school to work on the farm to help out. Looked like his life would be limited. No money, little education, no future to speak of. But my father had a friend named Sam. He would get to school early and write scriptures on the chalkboard. My dad was so embarrassed. He won't have anything to do with religion or faith. But at 17 years old, he was walking home

from a nightclub at two o'clock in the morning. He looked up at the stars and for some reason, he began to think about God and what he was gonna do with his life. The next morning, my father went to church with Sam and gave his life to Christ. That changed the whole trajectory of our family. My father was like Simon, a stranger. There was no history of faith. Nothing in his background that said he would believe. He was a teenager, partying, doing his own thing. Walking home from that night club that night, that was God drawing my father. Like him, you may not have a background of faith. You don't think you could live up to the standards? You've had too much negative baggage. None of that stops God. He loves to choose strangers and do something awesome with their lives. Don't make excuses. My father could have thought God, I don't have much to offer. I don't have much education. I don't have any influence. I don't have a family that's honored you. God's not looking at what you don't have. All he needs is what you do have. Your willingness, your obedience, your courage, your faith. You can impact your family line for generations to come. You can be the one that breaks the cycle of defeat,

mediocrity, and starts the cycle of blessing, favor, honor, integrity. You may be a stranger, but don't stay a stranger. You've been chosen. God's calling is on your life. There's an assignment for you to accomplish. It's something bigger than you've imagined. And you may not feel qualified. You don't have the training, the giant looks too big, but when you step into that calling, there's a supernatural force that will push you into your destiny, a favor that will open doors no person can shut, a power to accomplish dreams you never thought possible. When Jesus was on the cross, there were two thieves crucified on each side. One mocked him and said, man, you couldn't even save yourself. The other said, Jesus, when you come into your kingdom, please remember me. He believed Jesus was the Messiah, that he was a king going into his kingdom. Jesus didn't say, I don't even know you. You didn't follow me. You never came to the temple when I taught. You never got bad ties. Jesus said, this day you will be with me in paradise. Down to his last breath on this earth, God was showing us that he chooses strangers, that our past doesn't determine our future, that when we're at our worst, God is at his best.

That's when his mercy shows out. Jesus could have said to the man, well, tell me, did you do any good works? How much time did you serve others? How were you raised? Then I'll think about your request. No, the scripture says, by grace are we saved through faith. Not of works. It is a gift from God. There's a man in the scripture named Saul. He was the greatest enemy of the church. He went around arresting believers and having them put in jail. You would think God wouldn't have anything to do with him. He's too far off course. No, don't ever write anyone off. The mercy of God is bigger than any mistake you've made. It's bigger than any force that's trying to stop your children, your loved ones. As Saul was traveling to Damascus, with papers in hand to arrest believers, a bright light shone down from heaven, knocked him off his horse, fell to the ground and couldn't see. A voice boomed out, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Saul was puzzled, he said, who are you? The voice answered, I am Jesus. Of all the people God could be dealing with, he's talking to this stranger, this man that's so against him. God told Ananias, go pray for Saul

for he's a chosen vessel to bear my name. Here's the biggest enemy of the church, and God is saying, I chose him. Why are you believing those lies that you've made too many mistakes? That God won't have anything to do with you, that you're stuck where you are, when in fact God is saying, you're a chosen vessel. Your mistakes didn't cancel your destiny, God doesn't consult your past to determine your future. The enemy would love to keep you condemned, feeling unworthy, like you don't belong, you don't measure up. That's why the scripture says, while you were far off, while you were a stranger, God brought you in through Christ. In that one destiny moment, Saul's life was forever changed. He became the Apostle Paul. He went from the greatest enemy of the church to the greatest asset of the church. He wrote over half of the books in the New Testament. And all that time Saul was wreaking havoc, causing trouble, that didn't stop God's plan. God knew he was a chosen vessel. God doesn't give up on you. People look at what you are, but God sees what you can become. There's no coincidence that Paul wrote in Ephesians, you are no longer strangers, Get this down in your spirit.

You've been chosen. You belong in God's family. The creator of the universe hand-picked you. Not me, Joel. I've made too many mistakes. You don't know what I've done, but you're a song. You're a chosen vessel. Well, I don't come from a background of faith. I wasn't raised like this. I don't fit in. You're a Simon. You're still chosen. Well, I have flaws and weaknesses. I don't perform perfectly. You're a Peter. God knew every shortcoming, and He still chose you. Now, the tragedy is to go through life being chosen and never recognize it. You have to accept that God has a calling on your life, that He's put seeds of greatness in you, that He's given you a purpose, a divine assignment. Don't let fear, guilt, insecurity, keep you from stepping into your greatness, step up to who you were created to be. This is your time to shine. You've been chosen to set a new standard for your family. You've been chosen to break a cycle of dysfunction. You've been chosen to live a life of excellence, integrity, and abundant, victorious life. Now, when thoughts whisper, no, no, no, man, you're unworthy.

You're unqualified. This is not your background. Tune all that out. Every morning, Father, thank You that I am chosen. Let me tell you again. You are worthy. You are valuable. You are favored. You are anointed. Your past is forgiven. Your future is bright. You are well able to fulfill your purpose. Now, believe and declare, like Simon, you're about to step into some destiny moments. Things you couldn't make happen, the favor of God's gonna propel you ahead. Like Saul, God's gonna free you from every bondage. Turn negative situations around. Promotion is coming. Healing is coming. Breakthroughs are coming. The fullness of your destiny. In Jesus' Name. If you receive it, can you say amen? I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart, I make you my Lord and Savior. If you prayed that simple prayer,

we believe you got born again. We'd love to send you some free information on your new walk with the Lord. You can text the number on the screen or go to the website. But I hope you'll get into a good Bible-based church and keep God first place.