New Year's Dare

Isaiah 55:6 – 11

New Year’s Dare

“I resolve to let God be right, about everything.”

 

I.         The problem:

 

            A.        We like to be right. We resist the possibility we might not be right!

 

                        1.         How often to you admit to being wrong? (Seldom...) When do you admit to being wrong? (When forced with unpleasant consequences...)

 

                        2.         How often do you just give up the disagreement because the other person is resisting/being stubborn?

 

            B.        How many of us have the life skills and grace to ADMIT we are not right and ACCEPT responsibility?

 

                        1.         As children we are “forced” to comply with authority and those who hold power over us.

 

                        2.         We are trained to resist... “Passive-Aggressive”

 

II.       Reality [vv 8 – 9]

 

            A.        God is not like us.

 

                        1.         God does not think like us or behave like us.

 

                        2.         God’s thoughts and ways are “light years” ahead of ours.

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” [1 Corinthians 1:25]

Our limited mind gets it backwards.

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” [1 Corinthians 2:14]

Here’s the reality:

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness [20] and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” [1 Corinthians 3:19 – 20]

This is the consequence of our thinking: We make our own “god.”

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” [Romans 1:22 – 23]

[Even Christians make their own version of “god” when we make God think and behave like us, or how we want God to think and behave.]

 

            B.        Hard reality, but true:

 

                        1.         The difference between God and humanity is GREATER than the difference between humanity and any animal.

 

                        2.         In other words,

 

                                    a.         What God says is right, true, and correct; even/especially if we don’t understand it.

 

                                    b.         What God does is righteous, holy, and loving; even/especially if we don’t like it.

 

III.      Objection!

Why do BAD things happen to good/innocent people?

 

            A.        There are five possible ways for bad things to happen:

 

                        1.         Natural disaster (tsunami).

 

                        2.         Accident (car accident).

 

                        3.         Self-inflicted (smoking/second hand smoke).

  

                        4.         Momentary lapse/insanity (“Santa slayings”).

 

                        5.         Pre-meditated/Planned evil. (September 11)

 

            B.        Possible views:

 

                        1.         The “deist” view thinks God set things in motion but is not personally involved.

 

                                    a.         Argument: There are spiritual laws/principles that cannot be violated. (Like the physical laws.)

 

                                    b.         Answer: yes but they can be come a “White Tiger.”

(Ill.) In India there was a “fakar” who went from town to town “creating” gold in boiling pot of mixed things. Someone would ask him how he did it... for a big price he would give them the “formula” and say, “it only works if, when you do this and say these words, you do NOT think of a white tiger.” The “formula” never worked. He would be arrested and tried but never convicted because in his defense he would ask... “did you think of a white tiger?”

A “White Tiger” is a condition to be met that automatically nullifies the possibility.

Example of a “White Tiger:” A radio evangelist once announced: “If you believe, God will put the keys to a new Cadillac into the hands of an angel and send those keys to you right away. But if you doubt for an instant, those keys are gone.”

 

                        2.         The “determinist” believes God pre-determined every action and behavior in the universe.

“If there is one single molecule in this universe running around loose, totally free of God’s sovereignty, then we have no guarantee that a single promise of God will ever be fulfilled. Perhaps that one maverick molecule will lay waste all the grand and glorious plans that God has made and promised to us... our maverick molecule could change the course of all redemptive history. Maybe that one molecule will be the thing that prevents Christ from coming.” [R. C. Sproul “Chosen by God” pp. 26 – 27]

[Response: This seems to be a very weak concept of God and an attempt to explain the chaos caused by sin... If God were sovereign: Then maverick molecules, sinful people, or even defiant armies would NOT prevent anything God wants to accomplish, any time God wants to accomplish it. “Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else – not only in this world but also in the world to come.” (Ephesians 1:21)]

 

                                    a.         Some will suggest it this is accurate then God is the source of all evil if God predetermined or even allowed evil/bad.

 

                                    b.         Some will suggest that if God is not capable of stopping evil/bad then God is weak, and not God.

 

                        3.         A Biblical model.

 

                                    a.         God works with humans on four different levels.

 

                                                1.)       Eternal destiny (salvation/grace).

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.” [Ephesians 1:7 NLT]

 

                                                2.)       “Big Picture” history (Messiah, Revelation).

“And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything in heaven and on earth.” [Ephesians 1:10 NLT]

 

                                                3.)       Groups (nations, churches)

“God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirt in, whom He promised long ago. [Ephesians 1:12 – 13 NLT]

 

                                                4.)       Individuals.

“God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” [Ephesians 2:8 – 9 NLT]

 

                                    b.         There is a hierarchy.

 

                                                1.)       An individual will suffer or benefit what the group suffers or benefits. [see Matthew 5:45b] We do not completely control our own destiny.

 

                                                2.)       The group fits into the ultimate plan, purpose, and flow of history. The group does not necessarily control its own destiny.

 

                                                3.)       The individual has “free will” to react and interact with circumstances, life, others, and God. (You cannot control your circumstances but you control your reactions.)

Ravi Zacharius: “sanctity of free will” What we struggle with is that the sanctify of free will appears to be godless chaos from our limited perspective.

 

IV.      Back to reality

 

            A.        God does not abandon us to the chaos of sin, even if we do not understand God or the chaos.

 

                        1.         God has given us the Bible [vv 10 – 11]

 

                                    a.         The Bible has a PURPOSE.

 

                                    b.         The Bible reveals God’s PLAN.

 

                        2.         God has given us an invitation:

 

                                    a.         [v 6] Seek and call on God. This will require energy and time.

 

                                    b.         [v 7] Forsake wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. This will require discipline.

 

                                    c.         [v 8] Turn to God. This will require humility.

 

            B.        What skills are we going to need? [“Trust”]

 

                        1.         We are going to have learn “historical remembering” (v emotional remembering).

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.” [Psalm 51:3 – 4]

 

                                    a.         When we take things personally/emotionally we resist.

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. [Psalm 32:3 – 4]

                                    b.         When we step outside our emotional resistance we have a chance to hear God.

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” [Psalm 32:5]

 

                        2.         We will have to be courageous.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” [Psalm 139:23 – 24]

 

                                    a.         Do what is right, even when everyone around you is not...

 

                                    b.         Do what is right, even if we gravitate toward what is comfortable.

 

                        3.         Keep in step with the Holy Spirit.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” [Galatians 5:25]

 

                                    a.         To do this, we will have to hear and listen (obey)

 

                                    b.         To do this, we will have to be consistent reading the Bible.

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When faith doesn't make sense

Joshua 5:13 – 6:16, 20

When faith doesn’t make sense.

Bill Cosby: “Okay, Joshua, let me be sure that I’ve got this straight. You say that for six days we’ll walk around the city of Jericho carrying the ark of the covenant (the Canaanites want to know what’s in that box), saying absolutely nothing, with seven of our priest blowing the ram’s horn trumpets? Then we go back to camp to sleep every night. Then on the seventh day we walk around seven times silently? Then all at once, when the trumpets start blowing, we all start shouting, and those double, twenty-five foot high walls are going to fall down? Come on, Joshua, that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”

 

I.         What Joshua learned:

 

            A.        God is not on “our” side.

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies? [14] "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell face-down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?” [Joshua 5:13 – 14]

 

                        1.         We like to think in terms of “sides.” (“Who’s side are you on?” “Pick a side right now!” etc...)

 

                                    a.         Current “war on terrorism”

 

                                                1.)       One pastor publically curses America by wishing God’s damnation upon it...

 

                                                2.)       Other’s will declare America to be blessed by God... God’s on “our side.”

 

                                    b.         “If God is for us, who can be against us?” [Romans 8:31b]

 

                                                1.)       It is a comforting thought... image... to think of ourselves as invincible because God is on “our side.”

 

                                                2.)       However, this is not the same as the exchange between God and Joshua.

 

                        2.         Joshua does not, when he challenges the man, recognize God.

 

                                    a.         Joshua is out scouting... planning the attack, when he meets a soldier with a drawn sword.

 

                                    b.         Joshua’s question is meant to clarify what he needs to do at that point.

 

                        3.         God’s answer is to turn the question around.

 

                                    a.         You see the real question is not if God is on “our side” it is are we on God’s side.

 

                                                1.)       Are we going to submit to God, allow God to take charge?

 

                                                2.)       Are we going to resist God, not allow God to take charge?

 

                                    b.         Reality check: there is no “our side.”

 

            B.        Consistent waiting is the key to faith.

 

                        1.         The first issue is “duty.”

 

                                    a.         Israel had just renewed a broken covenant and celebrated Passover.

 

                                                1.)       They were not going to allow the sins of the past generation to rule them.

 

                                                2.)       “We may then expect the discoveries of the divine grace when we are found in the way of our duty and are diligent and sincere in our attendance on holy ordinances.” (Matthew Henry)

 

                                    b.         Joshua is doing what it is expected.

 

                                                1.)       He was near Jericho... thinking? Praying? Planning? Observing? Mapping?

 

                                                2.)       It is in this warrior mode, that God appears to him. Remember Joshua had been commanded to be “strong and courageous.” [see Joshua 1:6, 7, 9] That’s exactly what Joshua was...

 

                        2.         The plans were spiritual not military.

 

                                    a.         Remember the spies that discouraged the people 40 years ago?

“But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. [27] You grumbled in your tents and said, "The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. [28] Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. They say, `The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.” [Deuteronomy 1:26 – 28]

 

                                    b.         God wants to demonstrate that walls are not a problem... lack of faith is the real problem

 

                                                1.)       God has to undo the image of the damage planted by the past generation into this one...

 

                                                2.)       The image of the walls falling was to be a picture that with God, we are not to lose heart... regardless how hard this looks.

 

II.       God’s ways are not our ways!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. [9] "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55:8 – 9]

 

            A.        Basic fact, God is God.

 

                        1.         When we make God to act like us, we have created a false god. God’s “weakest” action is way above our strongest ones.

 

                        2.         When we make God to think like us, we have created a false god. God’s “dumbest” thoughts are way wiser than our best and smartest ones.

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” [1 Corinthians 1:25]

 

            B.        God’s “foolishness” is our power!

 

                        1.         Imagine providing salvation by sacrificial death? Jesus did that on the cross.

 

                                    a.         Think about how smart it was to die for people, the vast majority would, and still do, reject and mock that sacrificial death.

 

                                    b.         We could think that the walls of man’s stubborn, rebellious hearts are to high and think for God’s love to get through...

 

                        2.         “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” [1 Corinthians 1:18]

 

                                    a.         And God uses preaching, of all things... foolish ways on top of foolish message.

 

                                    b.         “but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” [1 Corinthians 1:23]

 

            C.        It’s all about who gets the glory.

 

                        1.         “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” [Exodus 15:11]

 

                                    a.         Fact is that only the Lord is worthy of glory...

 

                                    b.         When we make a grab at glory, we are in serious trouble.

 

                        2.         “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” [Psalm 19:1]

 

                                    a.         Even creation points to God’s glory.

 

                                    b.         Did you know that God knows how many stars they are, and what their names are? [see Psalm 147:7]

 

                        3.         “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” [Revelation 4:11]

 

                                    a.         Irony, this the “411” (phone number dialed for information) that everyone should know.

 

                                    b.         Only God is worthy of glory, honor, and power!

 

III.      What does it take today?

 

            A.        You must stand on holy ground.

 

                        1.         Holy ground is in the presence of God.

 

                                    a.         When God calls you, you have the opportunity to respond or resist.

 

                                    b.         When you respond to God, you are changed.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” [2 Corinthians 5:17]

 

                        2.         You must seek a life changing encounter with Jesus...

 

                                    a.         If God is calling you, then effort is required... because effort gives and creates value.

 

                                    b.         “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” [Matthew 6:33]

 

                                    c.         “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” [Matthew 7:7]

 

                                    d.         “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:27]

 

                                    e.         “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” [Hebrews 11:6]

 

            B.        You must set aside fear, comfort, selfishness, and other like things as you carefully prepare and wait for God’s time and God’s work.

 

                        1.         Another way to say this is focus.

 

                                    a.         The plans God gave Joshua were to “try their faith, obedience and patience.” [Matthew Henry]

 

                                    b.         “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. [8] But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” [Romans 2:7 – 8]

 

                        2.         God could have taken the walls down on the first or second day.

 

                                    a.         Throughout the Bible there seems to be a heavy emphasis and value placed on constructive waiting. (Like the 10 days between Jesus leaving earth and the day of Pentecost. The 25 years Abraham waited for the promised child, Isaac. The 40 days Jesus spent in the desert between His baptism and His first sermon.)

 

                                    b.         Your timing must match God’s timing... “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. [9] Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” [2 John 1:8 – 9]

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