Parson to Person “But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.’ And they went to another village.” Luke 9:55–56 (NKJV) The Bible tells the story of demise and restoration. It is from cover to cover a storyline of beginnings, failures, and new beginnings. From the creation of man in the garden, to a return to the beautiful garden described for the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 22) there are repeated stories of failures and God’s method and plan for restoration. When Adam and Eve rebelled against the Lord they suffered a division that would be the experience of every man, woman, and child throughout the ages. However, God provided for them and has provided for each of us. The death Jesus suffered at Calvary was the once and only satisfactory provision God would accept for the restoration and reconciliation of man to God. This healing was the plan of God from the foundations of the world. In the two verses above, we read of an occasion where James and John asked the Lord if they should call fire down upon a Samaritan village because of their failure to show Jesus hospitality. Jesus answered the two men with a stunning and compassionate reply. He said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” Jesus then and there revealed not only His heart for the lost, but the heart He intended to be in those who are His disciples: compassionate, merciful, longsuffering. My dear friends, this should be the heart of every believer. We are called to be compassionate, merciful, and longsuffering not only with the lost but with one another. Paul the Apostle wrote, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31–32 (NKJV) This should be the manifestation of our disposition toward all men – especially to those in the household of faith. Today, my dear friend Dr. Ed Hindson will be developing a series of points from the whole chapter 9 of Luke on this theme. He has come to us with this message on his heart as inspired by the Lord – just for us. It is a great honor and rare privilege to have such a distinguished professor here in our fellowship. I trust you will give him your attention and a warm reception here today as he shares his heart with each of us. I love you all, Pastor Paul
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 17:38:42 +0000
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