God’s Plan For Them – September 24, 2008

God’s Plan For Them

Luke 7:29-30

Jim Stephens

09-24-08

 

Scripture:

 

29 When they heard this, all the people—even the tax collectors—agreed that God’s way was right, for they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism. (Luke 7:29-30 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

God had spoken centuries earlier about the coming of the Messiah, the Savior, and both John the Baptist and Jesus were living out the fulfillment of God’s plan of the ages.  It was God’s plan that everyone, tax collectors and temple officials, priests and prostitutes, would hear the Good News, turn from their sins or their dependence on religion, and receive a new life through a new birth of faith.

 

Even the worst sinners were believing the Good News and receiving new life – this was God’s plan.  But the Pharisees and experts in religious law – the very ones who knew the most and were expected to lead the way – rejected God’s plan for them.

 

They rejected God’s plan for them.

 

Application:

 

God loves me and has a difficult plan for my life.  God has a plan.  More specifically, God has a plan for me.  What if I refuse to change and grow and learn.  What if I think I’m right.  What if I get set in my ways.  What if I get proud and can no longer be “baptized by John” – no longer able to learn from, submit to, someone younger and less credentialed than myself.  What if I, like the experts in religious law, miss God’s plan for me?

 

Prayer:

 

Father, Please don’t let me miss your plan for me.  Give me grace to recognize the voice crying in the wilderness, to humble myself, and to submit to John’s baptism, whatever that may require.  Don’t let me miss your plan for me.  Amen.

 

Perhaps They Will Listen – August 18, 2008

Perhaps They Will Listen

Jeremiah 26:2-3

Jim Stephens

08-18-08

 

Scripture:

 

2 “This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard in front of the Temple of the Lord, and make an announcement to the people who have come there to worship from all over Judah. Give them my entire message; include every word. 3 Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.”  (Jeremiah 26:2-3 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

God sent Jeremiah to the Temple with a message to call them to repentance.  This message was to people who had come there to worship.  In chapter 36, Jeremiah sent Baruch, his secretary, to read the messages at the Temple to the people who had come to pray and fast.  In both cases, the message was rejected and Jeremiah was called a traitor.  His life was threatened by the political leaders, the religious leaders, and the people.

 

The people were carrying out the religious practices established by Moses but God was warning them of impending judgment because even though their religious practices were correct, they were also worshipping idols and they were dishonest, abusive, oppressive, and cruel.

 

Application:

 

It’s really and only about the heart.  All my religious practices mean nothing if my heart isn’t fully committed to God.  He graciously warns me when I become religious without growing in relationship.  The question is, will I listen and turn?

 

Prayer:

 

Father, please don’t let me become dependent on religious practices to excuse a wrong heart attitude.  Please don’t let me accuse those you send to correct me of being traitors or betrayers.  Today I pray the prayer of David… 5 O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you. 6 Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel. (Psalm 69:5-6 NLT)