Cause and Effect
Notes
Transcript
Who is wise? Let them realize these things.
Who is discerning? Let them understand.
The ways of the Lord are right;
the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them.
God is sovereign, in control.
God is sovereign, in control.
Do we believe this truth of Scripture.? Do we believe that God is really in control?
We want to be in control.
We want to be in control.
Part of the stories of Scripture is trying to get control, keep control, and enlarge ones area of control. So there is a constant tension between God being in control and us wanting to take the control.
We reject the good for something “okay”.
We reject the good for something “okay”.
In the beginnings of Hosea 8 we see that Hosea pronounces this. The nation have rejected the goodness of God and gone towards things made in their image. In the midst of now “seeing” God with their own eyes they create new idols to do the “job”.
So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.
And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.
Failed to truly seek God.
Failed to truly seek God.
In matters of who would be their king they may have gone through the motions but they did not actually wait, nor want, to hear what God may have been saying.
They worshipped as if nothing was wrong.
They worshipped as if nothing was wrong.
We see in these chapters they continue to go about their “religious routines” without ever stopping to ask, is this what God desires? The sacrifices, festivals were in one place of life and then they would go about to all the others.
God must deal with sin.
God must deal with sin.
God cannot be sovereign and allow sin to reign supreme. As we read Scripture, especially the OT, we must be asking the question, “how will God deal with sin?”
The great tragedy—God removing His presence.
The great tragedy—God removing His presence.
God will not be mocked. God will not be played like a fiddle. God is patient and full of grace but He is also holy and just. Ezekiel 10.18 talks about God’s presence living the nation of Judah.
Our hope-Jesus dealt with sin once and for all.
Our hope-Jesus dealt with sin once and for all.
This is the purpose of the cross.
Our hope-The Holy Spirit lives in us.
Our hope-The Holy Spirit lives in us.
We have God’s presence in us to do what pleases Him.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Our response-humble ourselves to Christ and live out His grace.
Our response-humble ourselves to Christ and live out His grace.
Grace and salvation is free. We are saved by grace alone by Christ alone. God’s grace will transform us if we allow him, to be His people. This means we will live differently than the world around us. We will live out his control and sovereignty knowing his ways are always right.