Israel stumbled at the stumbling stone, the suffering messiah (Romans 9:31-33). All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. In spite of all this they still sinned And did not believe in His wonderful works. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. 28 who says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, saying of Jerusalem, She shall be built,, and of the temple, Your foundation shall be laid. . As far as Pilate was concerned, he was ordering an innocent man put to deathwhich is why he tried to wash his hands of the whole affair. When God determines where we will end up, he also determines how we will get there. His story is unique in that he claims to be a Christian even though he has chosen a way of life that God calls an abomination. Grace be with you. But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. The trials that were meant to establish his guilt ended up establishing his innocence for all the world to see. Eventually, Pharaoh decided to use the Jews for slave labor. But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts The sad story of Judas stands as a warning to religious people not to trust in their religion. He has many means to accomplish that holy purposeincluding some that are difficult to understand. It can be fairly said that the common people by and large respected Jesus and responded positively to his message. WebThe one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. The evil ones believe pridefully that their own imagined gods have blessed them. WebThe Scripture teaches that God achieves His purpose in unbelievers. It was a period of apostasy and violence. Two questions stand out: 1) Did Jesus actually descend into hell? Just as He did with Pharaoh who placed no faith in the God of Israel. The Lord even tells Moses to do it, divide it! God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. Though used of God to complete his plan, those who crucified our Lord were still personally wicked and godless in what they did. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. The glory of His nature and attributes will be made known in full. It is not our responsibility to determine how God will use us, but it is our responsibility to be faithful to obey the Word of God. Amen. Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. God chooses the custodian with a heavy accent to share the gospel and save lives. Because God does miracles by His own power. In spite of all this they still sinnedAnd did not believe in His wonderful works. 14:11). Thats where the judgment will come from. They move ahead as a determined army spreading violence. The new Pharaoh saw the Israelites as a plague in the land. His plan in doing so was to bless all people. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. As a place to begin, consider three verses dealing with Judas. Visit Justins personal website Here. They were evil cowards who hated the Son of God but feared a popular uprising if they tried to arrest him. It is a warning to Israel that if they should break Gods covenant, calamity will come upon them revealing the wrath of the offended God. Remember my imprisonment. The thing he values the most is dragging him down to eternal damnation. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. Jesus, in the Olivet Discourse, gave the parable of the sheep and the goats. What an honor to serve the King of kings. Gods sign of judgment was that they would hear foreign language on the streets of Jerusalem, speaking in a language they did not understand. God can use even you even me. They had been in Egypt under Egyptian task masters for 400 years. He recognized what was evil because he believed Gods law. 1:8). A prophecy we can imagine would have seemed quite improbable to those who heard. 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Yet, Solomon turned away from God (1 Kings 11:4, 912). The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. Gods Prophet Jeremiah warned of Gods judgment. Many that people can plan to do much but is God that will always have the final say. Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. Being a creative, innovative or highly effective leader is insufficient. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. A complete answer is impossible for who has known the mind of the Lord (Isa. Here are some examples: This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask That doesnt lessen his guilt, but it does increase our appreciation of Gods sovereignty over the affairs of men. Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation., Truth Of God Is denied by Unbelievers, the Truth of God Is denied by Unbelievers, Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world, Unbelievers Will be classed with outbreaking sinners in eternity, Unbelievers Their lifetime spent in vanity, Unbelievers Shall be judged by God's word in the last day, Will be classed with outbreaking sinners in eternity, Shall be judged by God's word in the last day. A nation would come to judge them speaking in a language they did not understand (Deuteronomy 28:49). I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. Finally, they suborned perjury by putting forward false witnesses who produced contradictory testimony. Moses was an instrument, a tool, a vessel for Gods use, and so are we all. Solomon was DaVinci, Einstein, Bach, Jordan, Augustus, and Shakespeare rolled into one superior man. But we need to grow in faith and obedience. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.. God used this unlikely group of people to accomplish His greatest work and they had no idea. His betrayal proved that the Jewish leaders were far from innocent bystanders in the death of Christ. 6:10). Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. We live most of our days in Good Fridayenduring confusion, opposition, disappointment and the many tragedies of life. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report concerning the land, even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the. Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers. Training for Preachers and Teachers of God's Word, Want to know what an RSS feed is and how it works? Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say. We see this all the way through the Bible. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice. God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. A lesson worth considering, but not the main lesson I want to focus on, is that God often put us into situations where only He can deliver us. Israel as a nation had rejected the promises of Moses and the Prophets culminating in the demand for the death of Jesus, Gods Messiah. During his ministry his greatest opposition came from the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes and the teachers of the Law. 1:22). He clings to his sin like a drowning man to an iron life preserver. I am sure God has many reasons for doing the things He does in the way and timing of His choosing, but lets consider some likely reasons He used Moses, a sinner, to be the instrument of His sovereign, miraculous work of dividing the Red Sea. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall. If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience sake. God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. We might make Jim Collins proud, but God yawns at our leadership abilities. We when we dont know if something is Gods will, we pray, Yet not my will but yours be done (Mt. Because they did not believe in GodAnd did not trust in His salvation. We need to remember that God uses the foolish. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. He wants us to trust in Him, to rely on Him, to cry out to Him, and then give Him glory for delivering us. We see this all the way through the Bible. First, we see the faith of Moses. The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. This warning was made clear in the ancient covenant revealed long before through Moses in Deuteronomy 28. God sees. Now and then we advance to Easter morning where we discover Gods purpose in our pain. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. Impatience and failing to trust God is never helpful. In the eyes of the Jews, Saul would be seen as a warrior of the faith. Habakkuk 1:5, Look among the nations and watch Be utterly astounded! Stating that the plans of men are many but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. That is what moving forward would require, or so it seemed. God will use it even if you do not understand how. The sheep representing believers who did Gods will and the goats representing unbelievers who do not do Gods will. Why tell Moses to lift up his staff and stretch out his hand over the see and be the instrument God would use to divide the sea? 28:25, The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.. The phrase all this refers to the betrayal, the circumstances surrounding it, and the circumstances flowing from it. Fourth, Gods command seemed impossible to obey. Rejoice that Christ is all-sufficient and always dependable. The Prophet was told to look around him and see what was going on among the nations, observe! Fifth, and the point I want to focus on, is that the Lord tells Moses, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. I find this very interesting and encouraging. The story of Judas teaches us that nothing happens by accident. Until finally it came to the Red Sea where the Egyptian army was destroyed and the tale spread across the world to the glory of God. The way to heaven is only Jesus and Jesus only.. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 They sweep through like the strong winds from the East gathering up captives that number like the grains of sand. You have entered an incorrect email address! When God does something completely different and unexpected (Numb. God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. God will surely judge all rebellion, secret and open. WebWhat if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. There are so many amazing things in these few verses. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. Grace be with you. He used sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. In the healthiest churches, we find a holy conspiracy between pastors who gladly care for the sheep, and sheep who do what they can so that the pastors might serve joyfully. We are called to be among his faithful people. The way of the wicked is like darkness;They do not know over what they stumble. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man. But we learn that over time a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph or respect what Joseph had done (Ex. 14:16, God, who is all powerful and infinitely sovereign, tells Moses, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. Why didnt God just part the Red Sea? God has already determined the end from the beginning (Isa. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you., Jeremiah also spoke of the same thing about which God warned Habakkuk. His purpose in creation will stand. I am a preacher and Bible teacher. As they plotted how to murder Jesus they had no idea they were accomplishing Gods will. I have received no honorary doctorates. As Christians, we have nothing to fear or worry about because we know that God is in control. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. Will we show forth Gods glory in our obedience and in our receiving of His covenant blessing? So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. As with the raising of Moses hands by Aaron and Hurt, sharing the gospel, or praying, God delights in and receives glory for himself, when we submit to His will, live by faith, and obey His Word. His covenant is always enforced. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12: 3). God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne ( Psalm 47:8 ). At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. If your rsum is sparse, your intellect feeble, your skills unimpressive, and your wisdom just average, fret not. Do not begrudge your weakness. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. In 605 Egypt was defeated by the Neo-Babylonians at Carchemish. In the time of the New Testament after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we see the expansion of Gods Covenant to include Gentile believers drawn to the Savor by the Gospel. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. The new king was deposed after three months. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). And he was an exalted and successful king. Yet both declare His awesome glory. For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you.. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. The repentant show Gods unmerited grace to undeserving sinners, and reveal the merciful blessing and goodness of God. WebThe one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
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