Message 5: Believing in the Moment
MESSAGE FIVE:
One of the great problems of contemporary Christians is that of UNBELIEF.
Oh – we believe the right things…
• Jesus died on the cross for our sins
• Jesus rose from the grave on the third day
• Jesus is the way, the truth and the life
• We believe that the Bible is God’s word.
The unbelief that I’m talking about concerns the day-to-day way we live our lives. Do we believe God in the moment? Do we TRUST Him in the course of the day? Are we believing God and His promises as we go through the moment by moment of living?
• When stress comes our way – do we believe that God is our peace?
• When financial struggles come – do we believe that God is our provider?
• When anger arises in our soul – do we believe God to fill us with the Holy Spirit and grant us serenity?
• When people set out to get us – do we believe God to protect us?
• When illness comes – do we believe God to be our healer?
• When fears arise – do we believe God to give us faith?
And what about in our relationships with others:
• When illness comes to others – do we believe God enough to pray for healing?
• When relationships go sour – do we believe God so that we can be used as a reconciler?
Do we know and hold to the promises of God as if our lives depend upon them?
• Do we really believe that ‘if God is for us, who can be against us?”
• Do we really believe that ‘greater is he that is us than he that is in this world?”
I want to talk today about what it means to ‘believe God’ in the course of day to day life.
Turn to Matthew 22:1ff
“Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ “But they paid no attention and went off--one to his field, another to his business.” Matthew 22:1-5
Jesus compares God’s kingdom to that of a wedding feast.
Think with me about the best wedding you’ve ever been to: Think about what you experience in your senses at a great wedding:
HEAR:
• Hear the music – songs of love, songs of joy, songs of celebration
• Hear the gasp as the bride steps into the aisle: “She’s beautiful!” “Have you ever seen such a pretty bride!”
• Hear the exchange of vows… “to love and to cherish, until death do us part…”
• Hear the applause of the congregation as the couple is introduced: “Mr and Mrs…”
• Listen for the laughter in the reception hall
• Listen for the sharp sound of the crystal champagne flutes clanging together…
• Listen to the little old ladies: “I used to change his diapers…”
SEE
• See the beautiful flowers on the even more beautiful bridesmaids
• See the candles reflect in the glass
• See the nervous groom pulling at his sleeves
• See the even more nervous father-of-the-bride wondering how his little girl grew up so fast
• See the ring bearer walk down the aisle
• See the tears on the face of the bride’s mother
• See the minister share the gospel
SMELL
• Smell the fragrance of the flowers
• Smell the sweet perfume on grandmother
• Smell the last minute spray of breath spray on the groom’s breath
• Smell the coffee brewing in the reception hall
• Smell the buttery sweetness of the wedding cake
• Breathe deep of the fragrance of the buffet table
• Enjoy the aroma of the bride’s perfume as you dance with her
TOUCH
• Touch the delicate beading on the dress
• Touch the hands of the groom’s mother
• Touch the cool wood of the church pews
• Touch the stiffness of the linen table cloths
• Touch the ring that you’ve worn since your wedding
• Touch the flower arrangements on the table
TASTE
• Taste the communion that is shared
• Taste the first toast
• Taste the mints and nuts on the table
• Enjoy the flavor of the carved meats
• Savor the sweetness of the wedding cake
A great wedding is truly a thing of amazing joy, wonderful celebration and extraordinary love.
And God invites you. You are invited to the wedding of His Son. AND ALL of the wonders of sight and sound, taste, smell and touch - that come with the best wedding is even more powerful for us as believers in Christ! The wedding of man to God is a thing of extraordinary beauty and glory!
Before we go further – let me remind you of what happens when a man and women become husband and wife – and what the spiritual meaning is behind this marriage:
WHAT HAPPENS IN MARRIAGE AND HOW DOES IT RELATE TO WHAT HAPPENS TO BELIEVERS?
1. In marriage: The two become one. (Genesis 2:24-25)
In Christ: You become one with Him! (1 Corinthians 6:17)
“But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” 1 Corinthians 6:17
When you join together with Christ, by faith – you become united with Christ! Your guilt is forever removed and your shame is eliminated. You are free to be the person He made you to be.
2. In marriage: The Bride takes on a new name.
In Christ: God gives you a new identity. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
When you come to Christ, and when you walk in faith – He transforms your identity. You aren’t who you used to be. He is making you into a new person, as you believe!
3. In marriage: What belongs to the Groom, belongs to the Bride.
In Christ: What belongs to Christ, is given to you! (Ephesians 1:13-14, 18-19)
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession--to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14, 18
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19
God did not leave you as orphans, He gave you His Holy Spirit – as a sign of the inheritance that is ours. You have the power of God in your life – that comes as you believe. He works as you believe.
4. In marriage: The union produces children.
In Christ: The union produces fruit. (John 18:21)
“May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21
Through your love relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit will produce fruit – others will be impacted by what they see in you. And – as Jesus prayed: others may believe as a result!
TRANSITION: Marriage is an amazing thing that produces amazing results. Is it any wonder that the enemy is trying to destroy marriage in our culture.
But the relationship that is ours with Christ is even more amazing. And all we are called to do is to take God at His word – to believe God – in the day-to-day of life – and we will see amazing things!
But we live in an age of UNBELIEF… We live in the land of ‘as if’ –
• As if we were mere mortals.
• As if God was kidding around when He made His promises to us
• As if we didn’t have the Holy Spirit
Look at verse 3&4:
“He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.”
The King sends out his servants with the message: “The wedding feast it ready! Come now! Everything has been prepared! Come now!”
But look at the UNBELIEVING response: ‘they refused to come…’
Do you know what the Greek word used here is? It is: thelo – which means: “Resolved not” or “Willed not”
In other words: The people heard the invitation. They knew the King – but they made a choice of the will to NOT TAKE HIM UP on His offer – They CHOOSE not to BELIEVE!
PAUSE RIGHT THERE: Every time that God makes a promise you’ve got a CHOICE TO MAKE – A choice of the will: WILL I – or WILL I NOT – BELIEVE?
If you are struggling with belief – you don’t need to pray: God, give me more faith. You need to stand up – and willfully choose to believe. Do what God told you to do. Believe that what God has promised will come to be! Believe that God isn’t a liar and that He won’t leave you. Believe that God means business.
God is doing a major league renewal in many people in this church right now. I love it! It excites me! The payoff is coming! The blessing is moving in and making itself at home in the hearts of many of you! As your pastor – I am thrilled when you begin to move in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit and you being to experience this amazing change within!
At the same time – there are some who have yet to move forward in this renewal. Some who are in serious danger of missing God’s very best for them! And as your pastor – this breaks my heart. I love you. You are important to God and you are important to me. If I could grab you by the collar and shake it into you, I would – but I cannot.
You have to CHOOSE TO BELIEVE God at His Word.
In the day-to-day of life – you can CHOOSE TO BELIEVE or you can CHOOSE NOT TO BELIEVE. And this choice is solely yours. No one else can make the choice for you.
Look at verse 4-5 of our text for some more insight:
“Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ “But they paid no attention and went off--one to his field, another to his business.” Matthew 22:4-5
Do you see the underlying reason why some didn’t CHOOSE TO BELIEVE? They were preoccupied with their ‘business’ and they paid no attention to the King’s invitation.
Life can be a very busy thing – jobs, school, career, family, taking care of our possessions – can take up virtually all of our time, eliminating any energy or attention for BELIEVING GOD.
But God says to us – in the midst of jobs, school, career, family – I want you to…
“…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
CONCLUSION:
Most of you in this room are already BELIEVERS – but many of you are stuck in your walk with God. You’ve achieved a certain level of faith, but you’ve allowed the concerns of the world to cause you to take your eyes off the main thing – to take your eyes off of the King. And in so doing, you’ve become carnal Christians – living as if you weren’t a child of God, living as if you didn’t have the power of the Holy Spirit to draw upon.
God is calling to you today. You can feel it. You recognize His voice. He is saying: “Come out of the flesh – and make a choice to BELIEVE ME!!”
“BELIEVE ME that I will provide – so tithe!”
“BELIEVE ME that I will guide – so follow!”
“BELIEVE ME that I can heal – so be healed!”
“BELIEVE ME that I can restore relationships – so be reconciled!”
“BELIEVE ME that I will empower you to minister – so be filled with my Holy Spirit!”
Today – I believe that God would have us get way out of our comfort zone – and move into an honest relationship with other believers. You know what God is calling you to BELIEVE – but you need to SPEAK your CHOICE to another believer. So, I am asking that you would make a WILLFUL CHOICE to BELIEVE by walking up to another believer – AND TELLING THEM WHAT GOD IS ASKING YOU TO DO.
One of the great problems of contemporary Christians is that of UNBELIEF.
Oh – we believe the right things…
• Jesus died on the cross for our sins
• Jesus rose from the grave on the third day
• Jesus is the way, the truth and the life
• We believe that the Bible is God’s word.
The unbelief that I’m talking about concerns the day-to-day way we live our lives. Do we believe God in the moment? Do we TRUST Him in the course of the day? Are we believing God and His promises as we go through the moment by moment of living?
• When stress comes our way – do we believe that God is our peace?
• When financial struggles come – do we believe that God is our provider?
• When anger arises in our soul – do we believe God to fill us with the Holy Spirit and grant us serenity?
• When people set out to get us – do we believe God to protect us?
• When illness comes – do we believe God to be our healer?
• When fears arise – do we believe God to give us faith?
And what about in our relationships with others:
• When illness comes to others – do we believe God enough to pray for healing?
• When relationships go sour – do we believe God so that we can be used as a reconciler?
Do we know and hold to the promises of God as if our lives depend upon them?
• Do we really believe that ‘if God is for us, who can be against us?”
• Do we really believe that ‘greater is he that is us than he that is in this world?”
I want to talk today about what it means to ‘believe God’ in the course of day to day life.
Turn to Matthew 22:1ff
“Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ “But they paid no attention and went off--one to his field, another to his business.” Matthew 22:1-5
Jesus compares God’s kingdom to that of a wedding feast.
Think with me about the best wedding you’ve ever been to: Think about what you experience in your senses at a great wedding:
HEAR:
• Hear the music – songs of love, songs of joy, songs of celebration
• Hear the gasp as the bride steps into the aisle: “She’s beautiful!” “Have you ever seen such a pretty bride!”
• Hear the exchange of vows… “to love and to cherish, until death do us part…”
• Hear the applause of the congregation as the couple is introduced: “Mr and Mrs…”
• Listen for the laughter in the reception hall
• Listen for the sharp sound of the crystal champagne flutes clanging together…
• Listen to the little old ladies: “I used to change his diapers…”
SEE
• See the beautiful flowers on the even more beautiful bridesmaids
• See the candles reflect in the glass
• See the nervous groom pulling at his sleeves
• See the even more nervous father-of-the-bride wondering how his little girl grew up so fast
• See the ring bearer walk down the aisle
• See the tears on the face of the bride’s mother
• See the minister share the gospel
SMELL
• Smell the fragrance of the flowers
• Smell the sweet perfume on grandmother
• Smell the last minute spray of breath spray on the groom’s breath
• Smell the coffee brewing in the reception hall
• Smell the buttery sweetness of the wedding cake
• Breathe deep of the fragrance of the buffet table
• Enjoy the aroma of the bride’s perfume as you dance with her
TOUCH
• Touch the delicate beading on the dress
• Touch the hands of the groom’s mother
• Touch the cool wood of the church pews
• Touch the stiffness of the linen table cloths
• Touch the ring that you’ve worn since your wedding
• Touch the flower arrangements on the table
TASTE
• Taste the communion that is shared
• Taste the first toast
• Taste the mints and nuts on the table
• Enjoy the flavor of the carved meats
• Savor the sweetness of the wedding cake
A great wedding is truly a thing of amazing joy, wonderful celebration and extraordinary love.
And God invites you. You are invited to the wedding of His Son. AND ALL of the wonders of sight and sound, taste, smell and touch - that come with the best wedding is even more powerful for us as believers in Christ! The wedding of man to God is a thing of extraordinary beauty and glory!
Before we go further – let me remind you of what happens when a man and women become husband and wife – and what the spiritual meaning is behind this marriage:
WHAT HAPPENS IN MARRIAGE AND HOW DOES IT RELATE TO WHAT HAPPENS TO BELIEVERS?
1. In marriage: The two become one. (Genesis 2:24-25)
In Christ: You become one with Him! (1 Corinthians 6:17)
“But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” 1 Corinthians 6:17
When you join together with Christ, by faith – you become united with Christ! Your guilt is forever removed and your shame is eliminated. You are free to be the person He made you to be.
2. In marriage: The Bride takes on a new name.
In Christ: God gives you a new identity. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
When you come to Christ, and when you walk in faith – He transforms your identity. You aren’t who you used to be. He is making you into a new person, as you believe!
3. In marriage: What belongs to the Groom, belongs to the Bride.
In Christ: What belongs to Christ, is given to you! (Ephesians 1:13-14, 18-19)
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession--to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14, 18
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19
God did not leave you as orphans, He gave you His Holy Spirit – as a sign of the inheritance that is ours. You have the power of God in your life – that comes as you believe. He works as you believe.
4. In marriage: The union produces children.
In Christ: The union produces fruit. (John 18:21)
“May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21
Through your love relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit will produce fruit – others will be impacted by what they see in you. And – as Jesus prayed: others may believe as a result!
TRANSITION: Marriage is an amazing thing that produces amazing results. Is it any wonder that the enemy is trying to destroy marriage in our culture.
But the relationship that is ours with Christ is even more amazing. And all we are called to do is to take God at His word – to believe God – in the day-to-day of life – and we will see amazing things!
But we live in an age of UNBELIEF… We live in the land of ‘as if’ –
• As if we were mere mortals.
• As if God was kidding around when He made His promises to us
• As if we didn’t have the Holy Spirit
Look at verse 3&4:
“He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.”
The King sends out his servants with the message: “The wedding feast it ready! Come now! Everything has been prepared! Come now!”
But look at the UNBELIEVING response: ‘they refused to come…’
Do you know what the Greek word used here is? It is: thelo – which means: “Resolved not” or “Willed not”
In other words: The people heard the invitation. They knew the King – but they made a choice of the will to NOT TAKE HIM UP on His offer – They CHOOSE not to BELIEVE!
PAUSE RIGHT THERE: Every time that God makes a promise you’ve got a CHOICE TO MAKE – A choice of the will: WILL I – or WILL I NOT – BELIEVE?
If you are struggling with belief – you don’t need to pray: God, give me more faith. You need to stand up – and willfully choose to believe. Do what God told you to do. Believe that what God has promised will come to be! Believe that God isn’t a liar and that He won’t leave you. Believe that God means business.
God is doing a major league renewal in many people in this church right now. I love it! It excites me! The payoff is coming! The blessing is moving in and making itself at home in the hearts of many of you! As your pastor – I am thrilled when you begin to move in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit and you being to experience this amazing change within!
At the same time – there are some who have yet to move forward in this renewal. Some who are in serious danger of missing God’s very best for them! And as your pastor – this breaks my heart. I love you. You are important to God and you are important to me. If I could grab you by the collar and shake it into you, I would – but I cannot.
You have to CHOOSE TO BELIEVE God at His Word.
In the day-to-day of life – you can CHOOSE TO BELIEVE or you can CHOOSE NOT TO BELIEVE. And this choice is solely yours. No one else can make the choice for you.
Look at verse 4-5 of our text for some more insight:
“Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ “But they paid no attention and went off--one to his field, another to his business.” Matthew 22:4-5
Do you see the underlying reason why some didn’t CHOOSE TO BELIEVE? They were preoccupied with their ‘business’ and they paid no attention to the King’s invitation.
Life can be a very busy thing – jobs, school, career, family, taking care of our possessions – can take up virtually all of our time, eliminating any energy or attention for BELIEVING GOD.
But God says to us – in the midst of jobs, school, career, family – I want you to…
“…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
CONCLUSION:
Most of you in this room are already BELIEVERS – but many of you are stuck in your walk with God. You’ve achieved a certain level of faith, but you’ve allowed the concerns of the world to cause you to take your eyes off the main thing – to take your eyes off of the King. And in so doing, you’ve become carnal Christians – living as if you weren’t a child of God, living as if you didn’t have the power of the Holy Spirit to draw upon.
God is calling to you today. You can feel it. You recognize His voice. He is saying: “Come out of the flesh – and make a choice to BELIEVE ME!!”
“BELIEVE ME that I will provide – so tithe!”
“BELIEVE ME that I will guide – so follow!”
“BELIEVE ME that I can heal – so be healed!”
“BELIEVE ME that I can restore relationships – so be reconciled!”
“BELIEVE ME that I will empower you to minister – so be filled with my Holy Spirit!”
Today – I believe that God would have us get way out of our comfort zone – and move into an honest relationship with other believers. You know what God is calling you to BELIEVE – but you need to SPEAK your CHOICE to another believer. So, I am asking that you would make a WILLFUL CHOICE to BELIEVE by walking up to another believer – AND TELLING THEM WHAT GOD IS ASKING YOU TO DO.
posted by Doug Love at 10:15 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home