We have one life to use, and the usefulness of that one life depends not on our rsum or even how much we know. 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. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 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? Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, We see, your sin remains. Be encouraged, child of God. If we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it (James 1:5). Even Jesus cannot save a man who claims his sin is not really sinful. The evil nations God was raising up to judge his rebellious people were self-centered. Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things! (Rom. 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. 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. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. 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. He betrayed the Lord but ended up vindicating him. Do not begrudge your weakness. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Its something we can clearly see within the pages of our Bible. Get your Bible. C) We place our confidence in Gods ultimate purpose for us. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. Eternity will reveal how your faithful service was used by the Lord in amazing ways. 2:11). But we learn that over time a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph or respect what Joseph had done (Ex. 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. 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. 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). Paul also made this clear in Romans 9-11. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. The sad story of Judas stands as a warning to religious people not to trust in their religion. 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. 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. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. 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. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. The Neo-Babylonians were dominated by Chaldean kings. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 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. but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. I answer yes. His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. Solomon was DaVinci, Einstein, Bach, Jordan, Augustus, and Shakespeare rolled into one superior man. Steven Lee is the Pastor of Preaching & Vision at. He uses believers and unbelievers. God asks us to do things we cant do, because it makes us trust IN HIM, not ourselves. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts 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. Before the Apostle Paul wrote his letter he was known as Saul. In this period of Judahs last kings, the Prophets warned of the fulfillment of this covenant promise. God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. Do not begrudge your weakness. Here are some examples: Showing us that our God can and will use anyone even though they dont know Him. We live most of our days in Good Fridayenduring confusion, opposition, disappointment and the many tragedies of life. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. Moses was a by-product of the Egyptians attempts to hinder Gods blessing upon them, was placed in pitch covered basket and set adrift in the Nile, but rescued, weened by his own mother, adopted into Pharaohs house, and educated in all the learning of Egypt (Acts 7:22). God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. I am not a rising star in any field, industry, or arena. Even today there are those who are arrogant and have no honor for God as He reveals Himself in Scripture. But we need to grow in faith and obedience. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (Bible quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.). Though there were still many who had remained faithful, others no longer followed the words of the Prophets. Visit Justins personal website Here. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. We are here and gone again. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. Moses had great faith! 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. It is a mighty nation, It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know, Nor can you understand what they say. . 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. 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. Summary For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. It doesnt mean everything will also go perfectly or the way we hope. Habakkuk 1:5, Look among the nations and watch Be utterly astounded! 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. 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). To put the matter that way raises several other questions: Was Judas predestined by God to betray Jesus? Though used by God for his purposes, the ungodly are still evil. Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). They had fast horses and were more fierce (more alert, fierce, and sharp) than the hungry wolves that come out to hunt in the evening. Grace be with you. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. (see Acts 1:20). But sometimes we forget that when God ordains a particular end, he also ordains the means to that end. That pagan nation was struggling against Egypt for dominance. God sovereignly saves sinners, yet, He often uses sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. 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. Summary God then raised up Moses and his brother Aaron as instruments to deliver the people of Israel from cruel bondage. God is unimpressed by our collection of readers, likes, retweets, friends, connections, or admirers. 13:17). Although God was at work in the betrayal, you couldnt see it that night. God picks the scrawniest little girl to lead off on his kickball team. It will be a most terrible judgment. It was a period of apostasy and violence. Judas solved their problem by volunteering to betray the Lord. 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? (1 Corinthians 1:2629). The new Pharaoh saw the Israelites as a plague in the land. Causing a sacrifice to take place that would open salvation up to all people. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). My ministry is small locally, but gigantic because of the faithful service of others. Jesus said the unbelievers failed to give him food, drink, nurse him in His sickness, or visit Him in prison. What Jesus Wants Emphasized In His Church! He mustered his army and went after the Jews in hot pursuit. Their chargers charge ahead; Their cavalry comes from afar; They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat. 12:35-36). Causing him to not let the people go. It can be fairly said that the common people by and large respected Jesus and responded positively to his message. 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.. Embrace your weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon you to reveal Gods surpassing greatness (2 Corinthians 12:9). 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. Moses give the Israelites specific instruction and visible representation from the invisible God. By his treachery he established the very cause he set out to destroy. Often in the confusion of life, we cant see the ends, much less the means God intends for us. Gods plan included the time of Jesus deathPassover, the placeJerusalem, the opposition by the Jewish leaders, and the betrayal by Judas. Often in the confusion of life, we cant see the ends, much less the means God intends for us. 1 John 5:14. During his ministry his greatest opposition came from the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes and the teachers of the Law. God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? You will say to me then, Why does He still find fault? It doesnt matter if you have theology degrees or mothered a dozen healthy, happy children or started several 501(c)3s to feed the poor and end trafficking. Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. We see this all the way through the Bible. 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. But all of them come from the hand of the Lord. The unbelievers, become confused, not remembering ever having the opportunity to serve Jesus. 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 can use anyone and anything. 46:10). And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? Everything else in the story fits into Gods plan: The crown of thorns, the scourging, the trials, Pilates testimony, his verdict of death, a man to help carry the cross, the place of deathGolgotha, and the moment of death3 PM, the time when the Passover lambs were sacrificed at the Temple. 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.. The phrase all this refers to the betrayal, the circumstances surrounding it, and the circumstances flowing from it. WebJohn 3:16. 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. Gods covenant warned from the beginning that if Israel fell into sin God would use a foreign heathen nation to bring judgment upon them. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. There are so many amazing things in these few verses. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. 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. We see the same thing after the Israelites cross the Red Sea and are attacked by the Amalekites (Ex. If youd like an interesting Bible study, take a look at the trials of Jesus. Judas didnt know itand doesnt get any credit for itbut his dastardly deed actually fulfilled predictions given by the Holy Spirit hundreds of years before he was born. A man who lived in a time in which only Jews served the one true God. Judas served Gods purposes even though what he did was wrong and he ended up in hell. 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. Acts 2:23 tells us that Jesus was delivered up, by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death. 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. God answered him. I didnt attend an Ivy League school. The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. Every evil in the world must somehow serve Gods purpose. This week were looking at the other side of the equation. 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.. You are going to need it as we search the Scriptures to answer these two questions. Many that people can plan to do much but is God that will always have the final say. 16:30), when he uses you or others, delivering you from your trials, be sure to praise, thank, and give Him all the glory for sovereignly using sinners. 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. I have not been named most influential, listed as most attractive, or voted most likely to succeed. 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. 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. 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. When God determines where we will end up, he also determines how we will get there. God was rejecting their national privilege, and turning to the Gentiles to populate his Covenant Nation on Earth. Those who look to themselves, will eventually and always reap their just punishment. 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. so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. So while many American Christians worry about what will take place in the coming years I find peace in knowing that God can use even the most unlikely candidates to accomplish His will. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. Judas didnt know it, and neither did the disciples, but Gods fingerprints were all over his act of betrayal. They live as if there was no Creator, no moral law, no accountability. Why? Finally, they suborned perjury by putting forward false witnesses who produced contradictory testimony. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. Egypt and the Neo-Babylonians were competing for world dominance. How will they preach unless they are sent? Our prayers aline us with Gods eternal decree. He has not brought us this far to cause us to fail. 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. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. All of these people are unlikely choices to be used by God since they didnt truly know or believe in Him. Comments? They move ahead as a determined army spreading violence. We know from the sowing and reaping principle that t here will be degrees of torment in the lake of fire. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. Guiding our world whether we are able to see it or not. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. This seems to be one of the reasons God had Moses lift up his staff and hands to divide the Red Sea. They have no respect for the leaders of other nations. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. 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). Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.. Our accomplishments do not justify our existence. Able to do exceedingly and abundantly using unlikely people to further His plans. Here is my answer: He allowed Judas to betray Jesus so that Jesus could become the Savior of the world. Literal Standard Version. They had been in Egypt under Egyptian task masters for 400 years. Peter didnt see it, he only saw the treachery of Judas. Yet both declare His awesome glory. 1 And Saul approved of his execution. 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. Remember my imprisonment. A) We bow in submission before the mysterious ways of God. Why bother praying to a God who isnt? Were they to march into the sea holding their little ones, driving their cattle, and pushing their elderly? And goes on to say, How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? While not all became believers, many felt a strong attraction to his message. Fourth, Gods command seemed impossible to obey. Be encouraged Christian, God intends to use you in all your multifaceted weakness and obscurity for his glory. But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now., but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the. B) We entrust our lives to the God who cares for us. 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. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts If not, we have reason to question whether our faith is real. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. He dealt with his doubts and confusion in the right way, he turned to God, not to his own understanding. 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.. so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. During this period, foreign powers invaded Israel again and again, and inside the nation known as Gods people, evil and immorality raged. In such a manner Judas served Gods purposes through his wicked act of betrayal. Because God is utterly unimpressed by my rsum. Do not lament your insufficiency. 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 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. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. Is it true that God cannot look upon sin? They will be held guilty. When we do that we become His instruments to accomplish His sovereign will. I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. Stating that the plans of men are many but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. After God redeemed Israel from Egypt through a series of ten miraculous plagues, he had Moses lead the people of Israel out of Egypt near the shore of the Red Sea. WebGod never does evil Himself. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. It forces us to live by faith, which is how He wants us to live all the time because it gives Him glory. But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. How beautiful! Remember my imprisonment. Verse Concepts. 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.. The manner of the judgment would be unexpected. Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Why? Why did a holy God allow such evil to continue? His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. 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. Gods Prophet Jeremiah warned of Gods judgment. But we need to grow in faith and obedience. Dont mistake temporary material victories for true success. This could be the begging of a time of great growth for the church. Egypt made his brother, Jehoiakim, the new king over the Jews. Yet, Solomon turned away from God (1 Kings 11:4, 912). They do whatever they want. 1:22). In many cases without them even realizing that they were being used by God. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. Believer, dont think that your faithful service to your local body of believers is insignificant or accounts for little or nothing. The way to heaven is only Jesus and Jesus only.. Then his mind changes, and he transgresses; He commits offense, Ascribing this power to his god.. Are we becoming more like Jesus by the power of the Spirit? Remember my imprisonment. In Acts 13:41 he said, Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Does God sometimes use evil to accomplish His plans (Habakkuk 1:5-11)? The story of Judas teaches us that nothing happens by accident. He has but one endto make us like Jesus. But through the lens of the New Testament, he is seen as a wicked man. 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.. 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.
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