Divine Purpose

Mark 8:34-38 “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.””

Deuteronomy 32:47 “They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.””

Moses retelling ‘The Song of Moses’ (Deuteronomy 32) (Joshua (son of Nun) Speaking the Words of God to the people.

A song of rebellion against God’s instruction (v.21c) (v.28) (v.39)

“These are not idle words, they are life to you.”

1 Thess 5:14 “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

2 Thess 3:6-7 “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,”

Listening to Jesus’ words without being called to action is the definition of ‘idleness’

Lets look at the Tithe. 10% of your day= 2.4 hrs

Hebrews 5:12 “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”

We are continually learning more about YHWH, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as we daily deepen our relationship with the Triune God.

Are we all supposed to be pastors? Maybe not, but Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit is stating plainly to the readers of Hebrews ‘You’ve been part of the church long enough, ds

Exodus 9:16 “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Luke 7:30 “But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)”

Acts 5:38 “Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.”

2 Cor. 5:5 “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

Phil 2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

2 Tim 1:9 “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,”

Hebrews 5:12 “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”