God Pursues Us

Introduction:

Emmanuel.

means “God with us”; common around Christmas time to focus on birth of Jesus!

I realized: many different facets of meaning around this amazing event.

Going to discuss weekly: attributes of G’s char. that ult. affect our lives today! RN.

Today we start with, not aproblem, but… a conundrum!

The Holiness Conundrum:

God is holy: special, unique, set apart as the most-special thing.

Exodus 15:11 “Who among the gods is like you, YHWH? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”

God’s status as creator makes him the holiest of all—he has no beginning nor ending; he is the uncreated one.

God is the source of all life and anything that came in contact with death could not enter his presence. (Isaiah 6:5)

Isaiah feared this when he was called up into God’s close proximity…

Isaiah 6:5 ““Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.””

Is. afraid was going to DIE bc his profanity (not bad words) came in contact w/ Holy God!

The price to expunge that death from God’s vicinity was a pure life - a chosen sacrifice - purity over impurity.

The OT Law daily reminded its hearers that they were sinful and not holy.

Yet God gave Israel a detailed list of sacrifices so that He could relate with them closer.

These sacr. cleaned up God’s domain, allowed a sinful person entrance into a place of divine glory!

Since the beginning, >

TRUTH: God wants to Be with His Creation!

Eden’s design was God’s throne room mingled with the human domain.

YHWH walked with Enoch; gave details to Noah; spoke with Abraham like a trusted friend; wrestled with Jacob; called & empowered Moses & Aaron!

God didn’t need a promised land, per se — nor a Tabernacle, nor a temple — the earth was always His!

However, God set up the temple & the sacrifices & directed people to follow & worship him for generations bc He WANTED them to!

2 Chronicles 6:14 “[Solomon prayed:] “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.”

God keeps his promises with those who honor His Way.

God is great and awesome and untouchable… yet he continues working with humans and desiring to be with them.

More than 2k years ago, YH sent us a gift: himself, in the form of a baby boy. “Emmanuel” reveals that >>

God Pursues Us:

One of the things that Jesus clearly taught was God doesn’t just leave us to our own devices;

It’s true that we are sinful and God hates the sin; he still loves us and wants to be with us.

God seeks us out and pursues us s’times even though we don’t want him to!

However, JC does honor our choice if, after any/all chances, we still choose to reject him. He does not force us to follow him.

Two parab’s illustrate this; discuss our response—

Scripture tells us that God pursues >>

...the Careless.

Before we read the first parable, we need to talk about sheep.

Sheep are actually brighter than we give them credit for.

However, they have instincts that kick in and… sometimes to their own detriment.

1. Turkey. 15000 sheep jumped off a cliff because the first one tried. (1000 saved bc of the pile of bodies at bottom)

2. Find ‘selves stuck in gates/fences/crags when attempting to rejoin group— fixated on returning, not watching going… know kids/pets like this

3. Lost sheep will be so lost w/o group, will wander in circles until it’s found or dies — distraught from separation!

So JC, talking to ppl around sheep a lot, told this parab:

Luke 15:4–7 ““Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Hard to fault the sheep for leaving the fold.

Difficult to get them to leave actually! So this sheep was not ‘going rogue’

However, its’ sheepy nature got the better of it, and, once strays, panics & can’t get back!

Perhaps you’ve been in this spot before.

Human nature, sin nature, leads you away from God’s good plan/path.

While yes, fault is on us (don’t want diminish), we don’t always run headlong into sin excitedly… sometimes little choices catch up to us (seemingly).

Skipping church {easy pickin’s.

COVID, got comfy @ home (great!) but known more than few stopped fel’shp…

‘Oh just one skip’; turns into 5 wks!

Observe the behavior of the shepherd…

Knowing the 99 are safe together, the shepherd RUNS after his lost sheep & celebrates its return!

This parable is not about the sheep at all; its’ about the demeanor of its pursuer.

God comes after his lost sheep: sends warnings, puts up roadblocks, and goes on a personal rescue mission!

Shepherd is not annoyed nor surpr. that the sheep did sheepy things. It’s a sheep!

The shepherd lovingly returns the sheep and celebrates him!

Church, this is God’s disposition toward you when you allow sin’s influence to guide your actions.

He comes after you!

Doesn’t love the mess that you’re in; but loves the person in their mess!

there is even better news, however… God pursues >>

...the Defiant.

Next parab. in Lk15… Prodigal Son; Lost Son… forgiving Father! (focus today) | Set it up—

Jesus tells story (made up): Son comes to dad, says ‘Gimme my inheritance’ [huge insult!]

As much as hurt, father obliges & the kid goes off…

Luke 15:13, 20-22 ““Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.… So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.”

And THEN he throws a party.

Younger son hurt dad deeply. Knew what he was saying! Knew exactly what doing.

“Worth more to me dead”; “My pleasure/fun more imp. than fam”; “Rather spend NOW than save for future”!

This younger [Prodigal] Son wanted nothing to do w/ God. “Not real” “No say!” “Can do what I want”

Basically giving God a big mid.finger!

Again, let’s look at the Father’s reaction to His return.

He is sitting on front porch, waiting for His son. He’s anxiously craning neck, praying day after day after day.

Didn’t cut him off; didn’t forget; didn’t stop loving him even though was doing wrong!

THEN Dad doesn’t just throw a party… sandals = symb. care; the ring = family; robe = lead’ip!

The Father had every right to deny his son everything—kick him out on his own—but he welcomes him & joyfully celebrates his return!

Maybe you’ve been defiantly against God!

Maybe you know someone who is so stubborn and so hard-hearted.

Good news today — not too far from God that he doesn’t love you.

You’re never too far away that God’s not waiting to welcome you home when you return.

Grace is a scandalous thing!

Older bro hates it: WHY does HE get treat’t? Why celebrate! Spent all money!

You know who needed that hug and that party more? the prodigal.

He was once dead, now alive; lost, now found!

You see, God doesn’t just pursue the careless nor the defiant. He pursues >>

...Those He Loves (Everyone!)

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.”

God doesn’t pick and choose; he didn’t just die for those who were going to say yes…

God’s free gift of salvation is for EVERYONE!

When we come to place where we admit we’re lost or careless, aimless, or even defiantly running away…

He stands there still holding eternal life; bc he’s been there the whole time. Craning his neck & waiting.

Aren’t you glad for God’s grace today?!

So what’s … >>

Our Response:

1. I Turn from My Way

One of Jesus’ main message was about turning from our old ways:

Matthew 4:17 “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.””

If we want to be part of God’s Way being made clear on this earth, it takes TURNing from our old patterns.

We all have old thought patterns about * who we are * why we’re here * what my value is * what is most important

We need to make sure those line up with what Jesus says & not the world!

Those thoughts affect our behavior: The way we treat our spouse * work ethic at career * forgiveness walk in * honor boss * treat bodies

World says: “You only live once; indulge!” “If it feels right, is right” “$ and power is ev’thing” “Religion just here to make me feel good” “life has no meaning”

Jesus says: “You only life once; love others” “Serve your neighbor” “restrain feelings, desires” “God is everything!” “You’re called to higher standard; purpose”

Turn away from that which harms us and others.

This takes hard work on our part… not easy is it?

BUT… Good news! >

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

The same sins (and worse) that separated Israel from being close to their God, Jesus’ sacrifice removes!

Our sins are gone!

Now we can >

2. I Turn toward Jesus Daily

Jesus sets up his instruction (Torah) as new life; our obedience a sign of our devotion!

John 14:23 “Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

We don’t just turn from our old ways of treating others/believing… we turn TOWARD something; someONE. ______________ Jesus!

And Jesus promises new life.

Don’t wait! Call on Jesus today.

Ask Him for hlep and peace.