Do you have a new vision for a new year? It is time we get an old vision for a new year. There is a vision that has not changed. That vision is God’s vision. That vision is repeated over and over again in scripture. It is summed up in the verses: 2 Peter 3:8-15a But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation.
God’s vision is that ALL will come to repentance! What story(s) from scripture come to mind that illustrate how much God wants people to turn form sin and put their faith in him? One of the great ones from the Old testament is found in I Kings 18 where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a little fire starting exhibition. In the end the prophets of Baal cried out, “The Lord – He is God! The Lord – He is God!” Who or what circumstances did God use to turn you from sin to put your faith in Jesus for salvation?
From the Heart, Pastor Jeff Cooper
For me, it has always been people, not events or circumstances. From my parents growing up to my pastor, youth pastor and friends. I consider myself lucky because of that.
ReplyDeleteThe influencial people in leading me to Christ were a baseball coach-Mr. Mefford a 6th grade tutor- Mrs. Bland (They were Christians who impacted my early life); Awana leaders, Young life leaders, (They were people who taught about Jesus in a fun and engaging way before I became a Christian); girlfriend at the time-Pat McClaskey, best friend-Bryan Hitch, (They were the ones who got me to go to the GNC concert on Nov. 4, 1974); Singer/Evangelist-Bob Laurent and the Good News Circle, (They sang and Bob preached the night I accepted Christ in Zanesville , Ohio - Bob has been a strong influence and friend throughout my Christian walk and was one of Gretchen's [my daughter] professors at Bethel College just a year ago). PTL
ReplyDeleteFor me it was my youth pastor in high school. Jeff Savage was his name and he is the one who planted a firm foundation in my life.
ReplyDeleteI was in the Marine Corps in 1987 in Hawaii in my mid twenties and was invited to attend a church that met in a jr high school cafeteria. I skeptically went and was sorry the service was over so soon. Two Sunday's later, I put my head in my hands, convicted, and sobbed. When the invitation came to accept the Lord as savior, I accepted it. The same pastor married my wife and I in 2007 and wrote the forward to my book.
ReplyDeleteFor me it was THE Randy Gardner youth pastor extraordinaire. And Summer Camp. Pastor Jeff, as I listened to your sermon Sunday, almost all was ok for me till that one quick sentence, I believe speaking the 40th verse of 1 kings 18. As the sermon was about character, I was shocked that God would have Elijah kill 850 people and that with only one sentence, no explanation. I guess we are to assume that these men were so devout that not a one of them "actually" seeing a rock being burned up right in front of them and still could not "see" to turn the heart back again. Which by the way implies that at one time they were on the right path. Not a single one of those prophets truned back, or with out more "testimony" from Elijah, we assume they ALL did NOT. How could Elijah not feel some sympathy for another person so devout no matter how wrong his opinion was from his? As I read other post I could not help wonder; If i were there with my then youth pastor and saw the days events and the prophets saying "The Lord- He is God, The Lord- He is God." THEN my Prophet marches them to slaughter? I believe confusion might set in. Next thing you know, an earring.
ReplyDelete1 Kings 18:40 [Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.]
ReplyDeleteWell ME (which, by the way, sounds like I am talking to myself), thank you for your ponderings. At the outset, let's recognize that the question relates to scripture, because I preach it does not change it - God's word is what it is, so the argument is really about God's action - killing the prophets of Baal (450 - we can assume the 400 prophets of Asherah were slaughtered as well, but we cannot know that for sure). We must then question God’s wiping out the world with a flood and sentencing Adam and Eve to die after disobedience. The wages of sin is death was true in the old Testament as well as it is in the New testament.
Keep in mind, the point of the story in scripture, as well as in the preached message were the people, not the prophets. The prophets received the wage of their sin (even if some of them turned to the Lord) the penalty was the same. See it from Elijah’s point of view according to the law of the Lord that he would have been aware of: Deuteronomy13:12-18 [If you hear it said about one of the towns the Lord your God is giving you to live in that wicked men have arisen among you and have led the people of their town astray, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods you have not known), then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly. And if it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done among you, you must certainly put to the sword all who live in that town. Destroy it completely, both its people and its livestock. Gather all the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and completely burn the town and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the Lord your God. It is to remain a ruin forever, never to be rebuilt. None of those condemned things shall be found in your hands, so that the Lord will turn from his fierce anger; he will show you mercy, have compassion on you, and increase your numbers, as he promised on oath to your forefathers, because you obey the Lord your God, keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes]
For Elijah, there was no question, these prophets of Baal had turned the people away from the Lord and just spent the day proving their devotion to the Baals. In our context we would find it disturbing. This story is not in our context and shows a balance between God’s wrath at sin and his desire to turn people back to him. We should be disturbed that people who do not profess Christ as Lord will pay the wage of sin and face a fate worse than the prophets of Baal.
Finally, consider this: Luke 23:39-43 [One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."]
The one criminal was saved but still received the penalty of his sin, or the breaking of law. If any prophets of Baal turned to the Lord, they still received the penalty for their sin, or breaking the law of God.
Biblical Killing is often a block for people, especially when corrupt men use religion as a tool to dominate, control and even kill. We see kill the infidel in another belief system and crusades in this one. Life is too precious. I don't agree with many biblical things. What I can not deny is the transformation of my life, due to my relationship with Jesus.
ReplyDeleteAwesome point Dave. Our knowledge, which serves a purpose here and now, is nothing compared to "knowing" the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in God is the point of the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
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