Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Deep Determination!

Acts 21:10-16

Paul needed to get there—(Jerusalam) but was not supported by his fellowship and, it seems that the Lord was warning him NOT to go—via God’s Spirit. Why did be go? His answer is found in the following ...

In verse 4, we find that “Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem” But in verse 11, the prophet Agabus says, “The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'”

Both comments brought an outcry from Paul’s friends. Both comments originated from the Lord yet Paul pressed on to do what he wanted to do in the first place…go to Jerusalem!

Paul shows a deep determination to do what he felt lead to do. In American history, we find evidence of such a strong determination in the person of Patrick Henry when he said, “Give me liberty or give me death!” As I understand the times then, the British forces in the colony wanted him dead. In fact, all the men who signed the Declaration of Independence were considered criminals by the British authorities because they went against the Crown of England—a treasonous act on their part.

Over the weekend of June 1989, while we were in the US, we watched the TV in horror and amazement at the courage and determination of those who found themselves camping out at T iananmen Square in Be ijing. People questioned if a single human being make a difference? Can he or she stop the forces of evil dead in their tracks?

 A courageous young man captured the imagination of the whole world, when he single-handedly stopped the advance of a tank column by standing in its way...we do not know what happened to that young man but the world took notice. A few months later, Europe and the former USSR changed forever. On Nov. 9, 1989, parts of the 28-mile wall barrier—part of an 860-mile border came down! Was it human determination? Some say ‘yes,’ while others close to the people in both countries tell of another tale. God was at work, bringing people closer to Himself through world events.

One man that was interviewed during the peaceful time at T iananmen Square was asked what did he want. His answer in English was: “Liberty!” “What does that mean?” the reporter asked. “I don’t know...but I want liberty!” Determination!

Paul was a hardheaded man. Back in the earlier chapters of Acts, Paul, who was then called Saul, was a die-hard Jewish purest. He wanted “the Way” out of the way and he went far and wide to bring them down. Arresting them, putting them in prison, killing others. He then was touched by God’s Grace to reach people for God and given the power to accomplish that task: Reach the Gentiles with the Message of God’s redemption. This Salvation that was planned since the foundation of the World now offered to every man and woman in the world thru Faith.

This message was brought to earth by One Person. The Son of God! His message was given to all who believe back in the New Testament time as it is given to each of us today. It is built around a Relationship with God thru His Only Son.
Is the Gospel true or not? Can Man get his salvation by his sheer determination? Man has shown us of his deep determination to climb Mt. Everest with mechanical legs! The question needs to start from one side of the issue. The FACT that there is a God and He is in touch with His Creation. He is not only in touch with us, He loves us as well. From that point of view, one can then move on to consider a relationship with God.

Salvation-- John 3:16; Matt 18:14; 2 Cor. 5:17.
John 3:16“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Matt 18:14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Intimacy with Christ--Romans 8:35, 37; Phil 3:10; Matt 22:37-40.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Phil 3: 10 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death,
Matt 22:37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it:‘Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Faith--Acts 16:31; Mark 11:23-24; Col 2:6-7; Romans 10:17.
Acts 16:31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Mark 11:23 “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Col 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Romans 10:17 Consequently, Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Christlikeness--Romans 8:29, 15:13.
Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Romans 15:13 May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with Hope by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
God has a very deep, Deep Determination to show Himself to us. His Love is THAT BiG!

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