At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? This is the attitude of the evil heart in all ages. 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. Pharaohs heart was hardened again. If your rsum is sparse, your intellect feeble, your skills unimpressive, and your wisdom just average, fret not. How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? When we pray, we strive to pray according to Gods will (I Jn. Remember my imprisonment. God will surely judge all rebellion, secret and open. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. Going to church wont make you a Christian any more than sleeping in a garage makes you a caror going to a donut shop makes you a cop. WebJohn 3:16. They have heard that You, O. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. God Himself said that He used Pharaoh so that His name would be known on all the earth. 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? They deride every stronghold, For they heap up earthen mounds and seize it. The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. Pentecost was a sign to the unbelieving of Israel that they had broken the covenant and stood deserving of Gods judgment and wrath. His son Jehoahaz became king. But what a privilege it is to be used by God! The thing he values the most is dragging him down to eternal damnation. Grace be with you. The 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. 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. and be astounded! I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. Yet, Solomon turned away from God (1 Kings 11:4, 912). They had been in Egypt under Egyptian task masters for 400 years. 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). 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). Though used by God for his purposes, the ungodly are still evil. Jump to Previous God knew that Pharaoh would change his mind about letting the people of Israel go and that he would pursue them to bring them back to Egypt. 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. Although God was at work in the betrayal, you couldnt see it that night. 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. You will say to me then, Why does He still find fault? (1 Corinthians 1:2629). It was the tech team, the web master, the secretary, or whoever posted my sermon on line. As for you, 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. What does it mean that the righteous will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4)? 17:8-13). Paul, in writing to Corinth, corrected the Churchs misuse of speaking in foreign tongues. If youd like an interesting Bible study, take a look at the trials of Jesus. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. God sovereignly saves sinners, yet, He often uses sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. Being a creative, innovative or highly effective leader is insufficient. 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. God blesses those in whom he stirs to obedience, and judges disobedience. A man who lived in a time in which only Jews served the one true God. 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. Now relax your hand! And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. In their very act of oppression, they unknowingly serve the glory of the Creator. The articles posted on this website are here to provide information about the Bible and specific topics related to the Reformed Faith along with it's application in our daily thoughts and activities. God may ordain to use their wickedness, but this does not make it morally right. When Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people mourned greatly. WebJohn 3:16. It even included the price Judas would receive for his act of treachery30 pieces of silver. but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. The Prophet was told to look around him and see what was going on among the nations, observe! 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. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. 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. 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). 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. 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. I run into people in different countries or am contacted by those from different countries who have been blessed by my preaching. Herod the Great tried to kill him in Bethlehem. 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. A most astonishing way of fulfilling that prophesy. In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives. He was a brilliant poet, a skillful songwriter, a genius botanist, and a first-class biologist. The story of Judas teaches us that nothing happens by accident. He has many means to accomplish that holy purposeincluding some that are difficult to understand. 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 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. They have no respect for the leaders of other nations. When they offered him 30 pieces of silver, he readily accepted even though that was the going price for a slave. God is still using unlikely people to accomplish His will on earth today. But among the leaders of the nation, only a few followed Christand they became secret believers for fear of persecution by their brethren. His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. We are called to be among his faithful people. He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will. Two verses later, in Rom. There is no better example of Gods providence at work through the actions of a sinful man. Judas solved their problem by volunteering to betray the Lord. But we need to grow in faith and obedience. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; Immediately the boys father cried out and said, I do believe; help my unbelief.. 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. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. We return now to the original question: Why did God allow Judas to betray Jesus? But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. Because they did not believe in GodAnd did not trust in His salvation. And Jesus said, For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind., Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, We are not blind too, are we?. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. In spite of all this they still sinnedAnd did not believe in His wonderful works. 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. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, Why does this generation seek for a sign? During our conversationwhich lasted two hours and was both cordial and very frankI told him that his religion could not save him. Do not begrudge your weakness. And that is okay. Israel as a nation had rejected the promises of Moses and the Prophets culminating in the demand for the death of Jesus, Gods Messiah. Solomon was DaVinci, Einstein, Bach, Jordan, Augustus, and Shakespeare rolled into one superior man. Nothing that happened to Jesus that night or later on Good Friday made sense when it happened. Romans 8:28 says, For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. All things includes both good and bad things. Yet, God used him to rebuild the temple and allow Jews to return to their land. 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.. 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. In the words of a 19th century writer, hatred, treachery and deceit will not prevail against the church of God. Anxiety, worry, anger, never help remedy the situation, they are emotions that compound our trials and betray that in our hearts we dont believe God, dont trust God, and dont think He is good. Here are five specific prophecies that were fulfilled when Judas betrayed Jesus: Psalm 41:9Close friend will betray Christ (see John 13:18). The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. He told Moses, Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. But how? In the providence of God, the betrayal by Judas actually advanced Gods purpose in the world. Those who read my words are in many different situations: May I repeat what I just said: He has not brought us this far to cause us to fail. Even Jesus cannot save a man who claims his sin is not really sinful. Habakkuk learned that the material success of the ungodly is not a reliable measure of their true success. He could have just caused them to drop dead. 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. Literal Standard Version. God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. At my own local church, and everywhere else I go, faithful men and women record my sermons in audio and sometimes video. Moses had great faith! But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. He recognized what was evil because he believed Gods law. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. At the beginning of their sojourn, Joseph was ruler of Egypt, a son of Jacob, and watched over his own. They move ahead as a determined army spreading violence. God can use even you even me. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). Two questions confront us as we consider the story of Judas: Last weeks sermon dealt with the first question. 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. 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. Literal Standard Version. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). Causing him to not let the people go. Every evil in the world must somehow serve Gods purpose. International Standard Version. 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. Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things! (Rom. I might preach to 100 people on Sunday morning in my own little church, but I preach to thousands over the internet. They make a joke out of those who dare to not submit to them. In such a manner Judas served Gods purposes through his wicked act of betrayal. Comments? A nation would come to judge them speaking in a language they did not understand (Deuteronomy 28:49). He could have rained fire and brimstone down on them. He didnt accept evil apathetically, he was appalled by it. You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. Everyday Apostolic 2019 | All Rights Reserved, Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers, Canceling Church On Christmas Removes Christ From Christmas, Great Resources On Baptism In The Name Of Jesus, A Diluted Christianity: Oneness, Trinitarian, Or Is It All Just Irrelevant, Youre Not David Pastor Raymond Woodward, The Walking Bible Pastor Raymond Woodward, Wait On The Lord by James Wilson NAYC 2019, If I Shout/Lets Testify Medley FAC Sanctuary Choir. 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). And, "Who Are The Sons of God in Genesis 6? Email Jack. 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. Questions? Who would have had his own beliefs and gods that contradicted much of the Bible. Suggestions? 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. First, we see the faith of Moses. Many believed they were going to die and complained to Moses (Ex. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. As the persecution he inflicted was just the jump-start the early church needed to start taking the Gospel to the rest of the world. C) We place our confidence in Gods ultimate purpose for us. God has sinners pray and answers the prayers of sinners that are according to His will, getting glory for himself. That leads me to ask a simple question: Are you a professor or a possessor? He clings to his sin like a drowning man to an iron life preserver. He used sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. The Bible says, God was well pleased through the message preached to save those who believe (I Cor. But Habakkuks confusion was not doubt. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. For he sees that even wise men die;The stupid and the senseless alike perishAnd leave their wealth to others. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. Get your Bible. When we dont see the ungodly punished immediately, or when they seem to be successful in their evil ways, we should not assume that God is beaten or is pleased to turn His head. Holman Old Testament Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah by Trent Butler.
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