Sermon nuggets Fri July 18
Theme: Making Plans
Verses- John 11:54-57 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.
56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the Feast at all?"
57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.
The Divine Plan
Jesus knew His plan was to fulfill God's perfect prophecy and His death was to be after the Passover not before, so it was best to stay in hiding. When He does come into Jerusalem it is not hiding with the secret disguise, but rather with 1,000s at his feet hailing him king of Jews, with their shouts of Hosanna.
Jesus knew that He would not be arrested before God’s time. He knew that He would die according to Gods plan and purpose. He knew that He was not at the mercy of men, but secure in the knowledge that God was in charge.
Both the plans of the Sanhedrin and the plan of Christ were ultimately in the plan of God. Christ plan was to follow the purpose God had for Him and resulted in blessing of the world. The plan of the religious leaders was to exalt themselves, but unbeknown to them it was also incorporated into the plan of God and the other for the condemnation of hearts full of evil and wickedness.
When Peter preached on Pentecost we hear the message which God had predetermined all along, Acts 2:22,23 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross."
Interestingly when people saw Christ there were some who professed faith and others running to tell the Jews. Some who met God and others who were more concerned with what men thought. Some who find life and others who eventually lost what they were trying to so desperately save, since the Romans came in 70 AD and killed 1,000-s and destroyed the temple to ruins.
In making plans is it out of fear or faith? Is it with concern for others or for God? Is it for God's glory or for your own sense of personal pleasure or security?
"He who gains his life shall lose it and anyone who loses his life for my sake or the Gospels shall find it."
God's word tell us, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. " God has a different plan for us. Joseph Stowell reminds us that success from the Bible means servant hood. Power is yielding to God's will. It is when we are in His place, fulfilling His purposes, that His power fills us allowing us to accomplish His perfect plan for us and for others. Prosperity is investing in eternity. Paul told Timothy that true prosperity is being godly and content with what we have. Pleasure is righteousness that bring with it joy and peace to replace guilt, fear and anxiety that unrighteousness brings.
What plans do you have in your life to carry out the purpose? Are they God's best for you? Are you seeking to walk in His ways? There are no better plans than His for your life.
Whether for good or for evil God carries out His plans. He does so with willing servants who desire God’s best. He does so through unwilling people who seek only their own glory. How he interweaves such different plans is amazing, but Scripture reveals “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28
It is right to review your purpose for life if God is foremost to be served. In that purpose comes a plan to carry that out that may be as unique and different as there are people. The procedures are the steps which also daily are given over to the Lord. In our obedience and perseverance we watch His greater plan unfold and we are blessed.
Pastor Dale
