Our Intentional God (05/18/14) Acts 2:22-24 BUT GOD...Futility “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. BUT GOD raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” (Acts 2:22-24) We all have our reasons for doing (or not doing), and the Pharisees certainly had theirs for killing the Christ. “But they kept on insisting, saying, ‘He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place’. (Luke 23:5) “ When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” (Matthew 7:28-29) “And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.’ And some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This fellow blasphemes.’ And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, ‘Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up, and walk?” But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’--then He said to the paralytic, ‘Get up, pick up your bed and go home.’ And he got up and went home. But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.” (Matthew 9:2-8) Having your authority and position challenged is enough to do something drastic--like going against God. Little did the Pharisees know their plan was exactly what God had predetermined. “But we speak Gods wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:7-8) They thought they had taken care of the problem--they were wrong. APP: I suppose there are as many reasons as there are people when it comes to either ignoring God or challenging God. But here are some verses that speak to the futility of such thinking and actions: • “Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from the ancient times things which have not been done, saying ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish my good pleasure’.” (Isaiah 46:9-10) • “Even from eternity I am He, and there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?” (Isaiah 43:13) • “The Council of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.” (Psalm 33:11) • “For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. Last enemy that will be abolished is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:25-26) And speaking of futility, here’s what Paul says in Romans 1:21--“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Futile though it is, there are still plenty of people who pursue that course. But here’s one reason to do otherwise; it is from following verses in Psalm 33: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” If God can accomplish all of His purposes, conquer all his enemies, and if Christ can conquer death, then why not follow Him, Who is willing to bless you?
Posted on: Sun, 18 May 2014 05:39:09 +0000
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