All In - Lesson 4b

Don Parmely

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As we begin tonight, I wanted to explore something I read yesterday in connection with the Asbury University Revival:

Title: God cares about the safety of His people

Alexandra Presta * February 14, 2023

God is safe.

As the revival continues at Asbury University, 133 hours and counting, it is important to name. God is safe, and desires to keep us out of harm’s way.

There was an active shooter at Michigan State University (MSU) tonight. Three have been confirmed dead, and at least five are injured. The suspect is said to have died of “self-inflicted gunshot wounds,” according to live updates from CNN and MSU.

I’m not sure what God Ms. Presta is talking about, but it is NOT the God we serve.

I’m not trying to be difficult or contrary, but God is NOT safe.

C.S. Lewis, writing in the Narnia Chronicles said:

“Then he [Aslan-a symbol of Jesus] isn’t safe?” said Lucy. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

Lewis, C. S.. The Chronicles of Narnia Complete 7-Book Collection (p. 217). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

How many Bible people do you need to ask to determine God is not safe: Job, Esther, David, Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego, Jonah, Peter, Paul, Stephen, John (the Baptists and the Revelator)?

There are times God protects His people or delivers them from harm, but that is probably the exception rather than the norm. We live in a dangerous, fallen world. We are not home yet.

May we trust God and His will even in an unsafe world.

Pastor Don Parmely

All In (Chapter 9: Climb the Cliff) :

When did we start believing that Jesus died to keep us safe? He died to make us dangerous! The will of God is not an insurance plan. It’s a daring plan.

I’m not sure which was more dangerous [for Jonathan and his armor-bearer]— climbing the cliff or fighting the Philistines. There was no guarantee that Jonathan would even survive the climb. It’s not like the Philistines dropped a rope. And even if he made it to the top, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were outnumbered ten to one.

I went rock climbing once, and my hands were clenched in a clawlike position for several hours afterward. Can you imagine sword fighting after climbing a cliff? But what a picture of what all out is all about! It’s not looking for the easy way out. It’s an all-out assault. It’s not taking the path of least resistance. It’s committing to the path of greatest glory, and that usually means the most difficult and dangerous option available. It’s the difference between letting things happen and making things happen. But Jonathan knew that if he pulled off this against-all-odds upset, God would get all the glory.

Batterson, M. (2013). All in: you are one decision away from a totally different life. Zondervan.

Special note: Imprecatory prayer is a common and often-troubling category of prayer in Psalms (e.g., Pss 12; 35; 52; 58; 59; 69; 70; 83; 109; 137; 140).

Many have objected to imprecatory prayers as contrary to the New Testament principle of love and kindness even to one’s enemies (apparently forgetting that these are Old Testament principles as well; see Exod 23:4–5; Job 31:29–30; Prov 25:21).

Some dismiss them as hyperbole. Others characterize them as outright sin (C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms).

An evaluation of imprecatory prayer needs to consider the following points:

(1) Imprecatory prayers are not limited to the Psalms (e.g., Neh 4:4–5; Jer 18:19–23).

(2) Imprecatory prayers are not even limited to the Old Testament (cf. 1 Cor 16:22; Gal 1:8–9; 2 Tim 4:14). Even godly and glorified martyrs are depicted as praying such prayers (Rev 6:9–10; cf. Rev 8:3–4). Therefore, imprecatory prayers do not reflect an Old Testament spirit at odds with a New Testament spirit.

(3) Graphic language may often be metaphorical; for example, prayers for God to “break the teeth of the wicked” (Ps 58:6) may imply “de-fanging” the wicked, debilitating their capacity to do harm.

(4) Imprecatory prayers express

(a) a spirit of meekness and deference to God as the ultimate judge (notably true of King David’s imprecations, since he had the ability to level judgment on his own enemies);

(b) a God-like, holy hatred of evil;

(d) faith and confession that God will certainly judge the resolutely wicked.

Talbert, L. (2018). Prayer in the Life of the Church. In M. Ward, J. Parks, B. Ellis, & T. Hains (Eds.), Lexham Survey of Theology. Lexham Press.

BI162 Problems in Bible Interpretation: Difficult Passages II (Videos)

In Problems in Bible Interpretation: Difficult Passages II (BI162), Dr. Michael Heiser discusses several challenging Scripture passages. He covers some passages that pose ethical problems like God telling Samuel to lie, David asking God to kill his enemies, and Jesus telling His disciples to buy swords or to eat His flesh and drink His blood. He also examines several places where New Testament authors use Old Testament passages.

SESSION 4 ALL IN ALL: BURN THE SHIPS

If we are going to go all in and all out for the All in All, it will mean following God’s Plan A for our life and not resorting or retreating to our Plan B. In a world where quitting and taking the safe route seems to be hitting epidemic levels, we need to burn the ships, press forward, and quit quitting!

Introduction

Options … we love them!

Our culture has become enthralled with safety nets, fallback positions, and keeping our options open.

Talk to college students and many will tell you about their dreams, what they really want to do, what they are passionate about. But they will also tell you about how they are hedging their bets and making sure they have a fallback position for their vocational future.

Chat with people who have been in the workforce for a couple of decades and they might tell you about their desire to have a solid retirement and a nest egg to make sure their future is secure. They want to spend their golden years doing some helpful things for others, but they also want to be sure they have enough gold stored up so they don’t face any hardships along the way.

You might have even met people who are planning their wedding but are still holding on to their contact list of past romances just in case things don’t work out. They are in love and want to be committed to their spouse-to-be, but it seems foolish to burn all their bridges … just in case.

Is this a good idea?

Why or why not?

Some people enter their relationship with Jesus with this same cautious and safety-minded attitude. They like the idea of grace, a friendship with God, the gift of the cross, and the promise of heaven. But if things get tough, they still want a fallback position. They want to keep their options open.

During the aggressive persecution of Christians in the first century, many new believers retreated from their faith. Some had been Jewish before meeting the Messiah. Once the heat was turned up, they turned away from Jesus and went back to their Jewish faith. They chose Plan B and missed God’s best for their life.

Going all out is all about giving it everything you’ve got.

In response to this epidemic of people giving up and giving in, the New Testament book of Hebrews was written to call believers in Jesus to hold on to Plan A, refuse to retreat, and press forward toward God’s will.

These words found in Hebrews 12:1 – 3 capture the epistle’s heartbeat:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Talk About It

How does Hebrews 12:1 – 3

Hebrews 12:1–3 (LSB) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, fainting in heart.

call Christians to a higher level of devotion and commitment, even when times get tough?

How does it apply to your life?

It’s God’s job to get us where He wants us to go. Our job is to make ourselves available anytime, anyplace.

Don’t worry about results. If it’s the right thing, then the results are God’s responsibility. Focus on doing the right thing for the right reason.

Discussion

1. In a culture that values and encourages leaving our options open, how does a “burn the ships” attitude stand out? Give an example of a time you saw someone burn the ships and slam the door on their options and escape routes.

Nine times out of ten, failure is resorting to Plan B when Plan A gets too risky, too costly, or too difficult.

2. What would it look like, in very practical terms, to burn the ships in one of the following areas of life? Checkmark the area, and then write your strategy in the space provided.

Burning the ships back to past failures

Burning the ships back to past successes that were part of Plan B

Burning the ships back to a bad habit

Burning the ships back to regret

Burning the ships back to an unhealthy and ungodly relationship

Burning the ships back to crippling guilt

Burning the ships back to an addiction

Burning the ships back to an old way of life

The first step is always the longest and the hardest. And you can’t just take a step forward into the future. … You also have to eliminate the possibility of moving backward into the past.

3. Read:Genesis 6 and Hebrews 11:7.

Genesis 6:1–8 (LSB) Now it happened, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were good in appearance; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3 Then Yahweh said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever because he indeed is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. 5 Then Yahweh saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And Yahweh regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 And Yahweh said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh.

Genesis 6:13–19 (LSB) Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. 14 “Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with rooms, and you shall cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 “Now this is how you shall make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 “You shall make a window for the ark, and complete it to one cubit from the top; and set the door of the ark in the side of it; you shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 “As for Me, behold I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall breathe its last. 18 “But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. 19 “And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.

ME: Genesis 6:22 (LSB) Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did.

Hebrews 11:7 (LSB) By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Noah and his family built an enormous boat in the middle of a desert, a project that took a hundred and twenty years to complete. Korczak Ziolkowski and his family members have invested more than six decades to carving a likeness of the Native American chief Crazy Horse in the Black Hills of South Dakota — projected finish date 2050!

What characteristics and qualities does a person need to press on with a massive and difficult (and LONG) task?

How might a person committed to such a task be viewed by the general population?

“When your life is over, the world will ask you only one question:

‘Did you do what you were supposed to do?’”

Korczak Ziolkowski

4. Share a story of someone you know (maybe you!) who has tenaciously pursued a commitment, even when others might have walked away. It could be a spouse who stayed with their husband or wife after a serious accident or the onset of a life-altering illness. Possibly it was an employee who stayed with a struggling company even when there were no raises to be given.

5. The Christian faith demands a devotion to the long haul, long-term commitments, and long obedience in the same direction. What is one way you have learned to increase your commitment, endurance, and stamina as you follow Jesus in the tough times of life?

Luke 21:19 (LSB) “By your perseverance you will gain your lives.

Galatians 6:9 (LSB) And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Philippians 3:7–14 (LSB) But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God upon faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:32–39 (LSB) But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and afflictions, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you also showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted with joy the seizure of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and lasting possession. 35 Therefore, do not throw away that confidence of yours, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. 37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. 38 BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH, AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.

James 1:2–4 (LSB) Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. 4 And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 5:7–11 (LSB) Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not groan, brothers, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 10 As an example, brothers, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we count those blessed who persevere. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

If you keep putting one foot in front of the next, it’s amazing how far you can go!

6. Mark says this about going all out for God:

It’s not a sprint.

It’s a marathon.

It doesn’t seek fifteen minutes of fame.

It seeks eternal glory.

It doesn’t care about public opinion.

It lives for the applause of nail-scarred hands.

It’s not satisfied with what the world has to offer.

Its only objective is My Utmost for His Highest.

How does this kind of attitude fly in the face of modern culture with its “pay me now” mindset?

7. If someone followed you with a video camera for a month and recorded everything you said and filmed everything you did, what do you think they would say your life is all about?

If you were to write one short sentence describing why you are on this earth and what you are supposed to do with your life, what would you write?

8. Mark tells his story of pursuing writing because he knew it was something God clearly wanted him to do — even though it took thirteen years for the first signs of accomplishment to become a reality! To follow his calling demanded daily and often painful discipline. What are some ways you need to adjust your lifestyle and priorities to align with what you believe God has placed you on this planet to do?

If you are willing to go when God gives you a green light, He will take you to inaccessible places to do impossible things.

9. Read: Judges 3:31, 5:6, and Isaiah 6:1 – 8. Shamgar the judge did not have the right heritage, training, weapon, or support network. But he also did not have any excuses. He took what he had and went out to deliver the people of Israel. Isaiah was trembling in his sandals, but he was willing to follow God. How can being willing to say “Here I am, send me” become the beginning of a whole new adventure of faith?

What is your next step in your journey of following God with passion and commitment? How can your group members pray for you and keep you accountable as you take this step?

The litmus test isn’t experience or expertise.

It’s availability and teachability.

Closing Prayer

Take time as a group to pray in any of the following directions:

• Confess where you have been playing it safe, hedging your bets, keeping your options open. Ask God to help you live all in and all out when you know you are following His will.

• Pray for a patient and enduring spirit as you live for Jesus in the ordinary pursuits of life. Ask God to help you learn to be long-suffering in a world that is quick to bail out and sound the retreat.

• Ask God to give you the power you need to take your next step of faith as you follow Jesus.

• If you have drifted into Plan B, C, or D for your life, ask God to remind you (relentlessly, if necessary), what His Plan A is for your life.

• Thank God for the people you know who have hung in there with tough marriages, walked with kids through long years of struggles, and endured the hard road of life without giving up.

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven will pause to say, ‘There lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

IN THE COMING DAYS

Personal Reflection

Take time in personal reflection to think about the following questions:

• What ships do I need to burn — and burn right away?

• Where am I about to quit, and how can I hang in there with God’s help?

• In what life situation do I need to declare, “Here I am, send me”?

• What is the next step I need to take?

• What might happen if I don’t take this step?

In God’s kingdom, calling trumps credentials every time!

Personal Actions

Learning from Hebrews

The book of Hebrews was inspired by God and given to the church at a time when many were leaving or denying their faith because it was dangerous and costly to follow Jesus. They were settling for Plan B when God was offering them Plan A.

Read Hebrews (in one or two sittings, if possible) and answer the following questions:

What do I learn about the goodness of God’s Plan A (a life devoted to loving and following Jesus)?

Why is it dangerous to turn back to an old way of life once I have received Jesus and committed to follow Him?

How is Jesus better than the ancient ways of faith that many of the people still wanted to cling to?

How does holding to Jesus and following Him — even in the hard times — bring the greatest joy, hope, and life?

Sharpening Your Tool

If we can use any tool to bring glory to God, it makes sense to develop our skills and sharpen our tools so that we can bring Him the maximum glory. What is one tool God has called you to use?

What are three ways you can sharpen and strengthen this tool?

During the coming weeks, intentionally and actively work at sharpening this tool of your trade. Pray that God will help you use it to the best of your ability and for His glory.

No matter what tool you use in your trade — a hammer, a keyboard, a mop, a football, a spreadsheet, a microphone, an MRI, or an espresso machine — it’s an act of obedience.

It’s the mechanism whereby you worship God.

No More Excuses

Study the excuses of Gideon and Moses (Judges 6:11 – 18; Exodus 3:4 – 14). Then, choose one of the men and write down each excuse he made when God called him to follow Him and take action:

Excuse # ____

How do I see myself make similar excuses when God calls me to follow Him and take chances for His glory? What can I do to abandon these excuses and say, “Here I am, send me”?

God doesn’t call the qualified.

He qualifies the called.