They had no weapons to fight Pharaohs army, no experience in war, no ability to defend themselves, and no way of escape. Even those who dont believe and even speak against. This is a true mystery, which we may explain in various ways but will never fully understand. Their horses also are swifter than leopards, And more fierce than evening wolves. 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. 55:8-9). There are so many amazing things in these few verses. During this period, foreign powers invaded Israel again and again, and inside the nation known as Gods people, evil and immorality raged. Dont get me wrong, wisdom is important. A third reason God had Moses raise his staff and hands before dividing the Red Sea is that God delights to use sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. It was their God, or at least the God of Moses, that just killed all the first born of Egypt. I think we can learn some great lessons by answering these questions. But we can find hope in knowing that God is in control, He works all things for our God, and no suffering we face know will even be able to cast a shadow on the glory we will receive in Heaven. 14:11). But most of the time we wont see it fully until we finally arrive in heaven. God often reveals himself in most unexpected ways. 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. 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. He used sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. 10:17 Paul writes, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. When we preach the gospel to someone and they come to saving faith, we dont boast that we have saved them but that God has saved them, though we were the instruments of Gods saving work. Zechariah 11:13Judas would give the money back. 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. The book of proverbs also gives us insight into this. In spite of our slownessand even sinGod will bless and use us to fulfill His purpose of blessing all nations through Christ, because of our relationship to the Father through the Son. In the process, we will also find an answer to a third question, Who are the sons of God in Gen. 6? If you like solving mysteries, you will love this, "Churches are going apostate inside their comfortable church buildings! Jump to Previous God was revealing that He was going to use this ungodly power for judgment upon his own straying people. WebThe Scripture teaches that God achieves His purpose in unbelievers. Why? The gospels writers emphasize that although the Jewish leaders earnestly sought for witnesses who could testify against Christ, they found no one willing to come forward. 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. The purpose of www.drivennails.com is to help train expository preachers in sermon construction and delivery, to train inductive Bible study writers and teachers, and to edify the saints with the Word of God. Embrace your weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon you to reveal Gods surpassing greatness (2 Corinthians 12:9). WebGod 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. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. That leads me to ask a simple question: Are you a professor or a possessor? Here is my answer: He allowed Judas to betray Jesus so that Jesus could become the Savior of the world. In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. He could have just caused them to drop dead. God chooses the custodian with a heavy accent to share the gospel and save lives. Lest he misunderstand, I also told him that going to Calvary Memorial Church cannot save anyoneor help save anyone. 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? Does God sometimes use evil to accomplish His plans (Habakkuk 1:5-11)? You truly never know God could be doing something right that we wouldnt understand even if He told us. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts 17:8-13). 1:21). We have one life to use, and the usefulness of that one life depends not on our rsum or even how much we know. He may for a time use the ungodly to bring deserved chastising upon the hypocrites among His own people, and to show his uncompromising wrath upon those left to what we all deserve aside from the work of his grace. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. They all come for violence; Their faces are set like the east wind. We see this all the way through the Bible. All of these people are unlikely choices to be used by God since they didnt truly know or believe in Him. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. Those who look to themselves, will eventually and always reap their just punishment. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. His plan in doing so was to bless all people. But he chose instead to allow himself to be arrested, knowing that this would fulfill Gods plan. The phrase all this refers to the betrayal, the circumstances surrounding it, and the circumstances flowing from it. This week I ate lunch with a man who has recently become an acquaintance through an e-mail correspondence. 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. Even Jesus cannot save a man who claims his sin is not really sinful. 2:11). Israel stumbled at the stumbling stone, the suffering messiah (Romans 9:31-33). B) We entrust our lives to the God who cares for us. Be encouraged, child of God. They deride every stronghold, For they heap up earthen mounds and seize it. And he was an exalted and successful king. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). WebJohn 3:16. Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness. But among the leaders of the nation, only a few followed Christand they became secret believers for fear of persecution by their brethren. The very first verse my daughter ever memorized was Isaiah 40:8, The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. It seemed like an odd one to begin with, but now in retrospect it might have been the best one. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. Gods Prophet Jeremiah warned of Gods judgment. They have no respect for the leaders of other nations. According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition. 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.. 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). So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. 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. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. 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. (Video #2), Lesson 2: Gods Use of the Ungodly Habakkuk 1:5-11. Showing us that our God can and will use anyone even though they dont know Him. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things! (Rom. Eternity will reveal how your faithful service was used by the Lord in amazing ways. It only made sense on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead. Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. When they offered him 30 pieces of silver, he readily accepted even though that was the going price for a slave. His plan in doing so was to bless all people. I believe that t he Lord is here suggesting that the eternal torment that unbelievers will experience will be on a scale from more tolerable to less tolerable. Its something we can clearly see within the pages of our Bible. If so, did he have a choice? WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. But we need to grow in faith and obedience. But we learn that over time a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph or respect what Joseph had done (Ex. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. We pray because we believe God, because we want to trust in God, praise God, ask God for things we cant do ourselves. He reminded Peter that he could call for 12 legions of angels72,000 highly trained, heavily armed members of the Angelic Defense Leagueto come to his rescue at any moment. God was rejecting their national privilege, and turning to the Gentiles to populate his Covenant Nation 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, shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. Remember my imprisonment. I might preach to 100 people on Sunday morning in my own little church, but I preach to thousands over the internet. International Standard Version. God is unimpressed by our collection of readers, likes, retweets, friends, connections, or admirers. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? Jesus responded to the false testimony by saying nothing at all. But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;read more.the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. This is the attitude of the evil heart in all ages. When Judas actually betrayed Jesus in the Garden, Peter immediately sprang to his defense. God uses the overwhelmed and disheveled mother to nurture her children into spiritual giants. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent. Then the Lord said to Moses, Why are you crying out to Me? God will deal with them according to his plan, but first, He will use them for His own covenant judgment. Verse Concepts. I cant charge an exorbitant hourly fee for my time. Do not begrudge your weakness. 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. When Judas kissed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter impulsively grabbed his sword and started swinging. How will they preach unless they are sent? He fought against God and hoped to destroy the early church. God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. But our God is mightier than any office or country. Will we show forth Gods glory in our obedience and in our receiving of His covenant blessing? 16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. Literal Standard Version. This shows the mercy and compassion of God to help the Israelites. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. My ministry is small locally, but gigantic because of the faithful service of others. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.. But God gave the command, Moses obeyed the command, and in a sense Moses divided the Sea, as the Lord commanded, and in a more ultimate sense God did the miracle and divided the Red Sea. Finally, they suborned perjury by putting forward false witnesses who produced contradictory testimony. Prayer is one of the means God uses to accomplish His sovereign will and get glory for himself. But through the lens of the New Testament, he is seen as a wicked man. Jesus immediately restored the ear and told Peter to put down his sword. God ordains the means and the ends of life. But they feared to do it during the Feast of Unleavened Bread because of the crowds that thronged Jerusalem. How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? We might make Jim Collins proud, but God yawns at our leadership abilities. He told Moses, Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. But how? God asks us to do things we cant do, because it makes us trust IN HIM, not ourselves. One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. Peter didnt see it, he only saw the treachery of Judas. The total number of prophecies is well over 100. And goes on to say, How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? They do whatever they want. In 605 Egypt was defeated by the Neo-Babylonians at Carchemish. In heaven, each mans praise will come to him from God, and God will be glorified for sovereignly using sinners for His good purposes (I Cor. Lesson 7 The Interpretation of Scripture, Lesson 5a Boundaries of the Doctrine of Creation, Primeval Chronology by Dr. William Henry Green, Lesson 8 Gods Special Providence & Miracles, Lesson 10 Assurance of Grace and Salvation, Lesson 2 Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience, Lesson 3 The Regulative Principle of Worship, Lesson 4a The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 4b The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 1 An Overview of Special Eschatology, Lesson 2 -The Great Tribulation of Matthew 24, Lesson 3 The Millennium of Revelation 20, A Guide for Small Group Bible Study Leaders, Defending the Biblical Faith by what God Shows Us, Lessons in the Westminster Shorter Catechsim, The Inspiration of the Treasured Word of God, Summary of the 45th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, The Holy Spirit In the Ministry of the Word, The Necessity of Biblical Love in the Believers Life, Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (part 2), Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (Part 1). I dont speak on any circuits, have given no TED talks, and have been the keynote speaker less than once. When Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people mourned greatly. God is not finished with you yet, so dont give up on him. God is still using unlikely people to accomplish His will on earth today. Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. When you find yourself in a tight spot and you cant see any way of deliverance, have faith in God, obey His Word, and wait for the salvation of the Lord. The terms Neo-Babylons and Chaldeans are used interchangeably for the people of that Empire. In many cases without them even realizing that they were being used by God. So continue to trust in Him and you wont be disappointed. so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. Summary 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say. But Moses said to the Lord, Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from their midst, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. Why? 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Which is why they completely missed the Messiah when they stood right beside Him. Those who turn in humble trust to the Lord, who rest in His work of redemption, who seek to walk in his ways, and who turn in humble repentance when they fail, will receive His righteousness, and blessing forever. No buildings, streets, or hospitals have been named in honor of me. So He brought their days to an end in futility And their years in sudden terror. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. The fact that we cant conceive of free choice coexisting with Gods predestination simply reminds us once again that he is God and we are not. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. I was not a cum laude graduate. First, the people of Israel were for the most part leaderless. God even gave prophecy through Isaiah that this very thing would take place. It even included the price Judas would receive for his act of treachery30 pieces of silver. When we do that we become His instruments to accomplish His sovereign will. Being a creative, innovative or highly effective leader is insufficient. Were they to march into the sea holding their little ones, driving their cattle, and pushing their elderly? For who resists His will?, For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.. Do not lament your insufficiency. At the beginning of their sojourn, Joseph was ruler of Egypt, a son of Jacob, and watched over his own. No, its a mystery. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. The Israelites and the church did face some tough times and we may too. Because God does miracles by His own power. We pray because God is sovereign and all powerful. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Understanding God in Troubled Times (1 Corinthians 1:2629). 1 John 5:14. It doesnt mean everything will also go perfectly or the way we hope. If your rsum is sparse, your intellect feeble, your skills unimpressive, and your wisdom just average, fret not. Before the Apostle Paul wrote his letter he was known as Saul. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. Fourth, Gods command seemed impossible to obey. Were they to voluntarily all drown? For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son for those who believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? In the eyes of the Jews, Saul would be seen as a warrior of the faith. But He is unique and who can turn Him?And what His soul desires, that He does. I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. It can be fairly said that the common people by and large respected Jesus and responded positively to his message. God used this unlikely group of people to accomplish His greatest work and they had no idea. Paul also made this clear in Romans 9-11. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Providence means that God is in charge of the entire universe at all times and nothing happens outside his control. Causing him to not let the people go. There he said in 1 Corinthians 14:21, With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me, says the Lord. He directly quoted the covenant warning of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Deuteronomy. God scoffs at any attempt by me or you to prove our worthiness. How can I believe in the goodness of God when there is so much evil in the world? Do not begrudge your weakness. Literal Standard Version. In spite of our slownessand even sinGod will bless and use us to fulfill His purpose of blessing all nations through Christ, because of our relationship to the Father through the Son. Summary Scripture even points to the fact that God used Cyrus even though he didnt know God. We turn now to consider how the sin of Judas served many good purposesnone of which were seen that night and none of which diminish his true moral guilt. Comments? When Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people mourned greatly. The story of Judas teaches us that nothing happens by accident. We might be a life-hacking, productivity guru. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. But Habakkuks confusion was not doubt. 1:8). He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Two questions confront us as we consider the story of Judas: Last weeks sermon dealt with the first question. (Bible quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.). God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. He could have rained fire and brimstone down on them. Moses give the Israelites specific instruction and visible representation from the invisible God. This doesnt erase tragedy or transform heartache, but it gives us a divine perspective on the hard times of life that enables us to keep on going when wed rather give up and quit. 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. Herod the Great tried to kill him in Bethlehem. We all understand that God intended that Jesus would die for the sins of the world. I believe that t he Lord is here suggesting that the eternal torment that unbelievers will experience will be on a scale from more tolerable to less tolerable. Jesus point is clear, The King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.. One final point is in order. This brings us face to face with the doctrine of Gods providence, which means, A) God has a plan that includes everything that happens in the universe, and, B) Gods plan extends to the tiniest details of life, and. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven, will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. 1 John 5:14. Why did a holy God allow such evil to continue? When he went before Pilate, the Roman governor received an urgent message from his wife: Dont have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him (Matthew 27:19). What an honor to serve the King of kings. 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. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? They heap judgment on themselves. for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 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. Causing a sacrifice to take place that would open salvation up to all people. 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. WebGod never does evil Himself. Training for Preachers and Teachers of God's Word, Want to know what an RSS feed is and how it works? I have not been named most influential, listed as most attractive, or voted most likely to succeed. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. God sees. Often in the confusion of life, we cant see the ends, much less the means God intends for us. Judas served Gods purposes even though what he did was wrong and he ended up in hell. In spite of all this they still sinned And did not believe in His wonderful works. I am a preacher and Bible teacher. That doesnt lessen his guilt, but it does increase our appreciation of Gods sovereignty over the affairs of men. We know from the sowing and reaping principle that t here will be degrees of torment in the lake of fire. In Jeremiah 13:20 it said, Lift up your eyes and see Those who come from the north . Jeremiah 25:32 says, Behold, disaster shall go forth From nation to nation, And a great whirlwind shall be raised up From the farthest parts of the earth., Habakkuk 1:6, For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places that are not theirs.. Today, the weapons of force have improved, yet all the more they take whatever they want, and give only when it serves their purpose. He has not brought us this far to cause us to fail. In spite of our slownessand even sinGod will bless and use us to fulfill His purpose of blessing all nations through Christ, because of our relationship to the Father through the Son. Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 God will use it even if you do not understand how. Though used by God for his purposes, the ungodly are still evil. Things may seem impossible, and for men, they might be impossible, but nothing is impossible with God (Lk. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). He uses believers and unbelievers. Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.. Nothing is ever left to chance with God. Yet, God used him to rebuild the temple and allow Jews to return to their land. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. 10:14-15). In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness. Jesus says much the same thing in his famous prayer just before Judas arrives: None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that the Scripture would be fulfilled (John17:12b). Although Judas appears to be acting solely on his own initiative, it is clear that his betrayal fits into a larger pattern of eventsone that is orchestrated by the unseen hand of the Living God.
Lidl Milbona Greek Yogurt 4 Pack,
Jessica Seewald Lester Wedding,
Nelson Voltaire Net Worth,
Who Is Darlie Routier Married To Now,
Articles G