Those who turn in humble trust to the Lord, who rest in His work of redemption, who seek to walk in his ways, and who turn in humble repentance when they fail, will receive His righteousness, and blessing forever. His son Jehoahaz became king. How does this truth apply to Judas? Do not begrudge your weakness. Today, the weapons of force have improved, yet all the more they take whatever they want, and give only when it serves their purpose. The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. When Judas kissed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter impulsively grabbed his sword and started swinging. I cant charge an exorbitant hourly fee for my time. From the earliest days of Jesus life we find the Jewish leaders conspiring against him. In this period of Judahs last kings, the Prophets warned of the fulfillment of this covenant promise. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. He reminded Peter that he could call for 12 legions of angels72,000 highly trained, heavily armed members of the Angelic Defense Leagueto come to his rescue at any moment. In Jeremiah 13:20 it said, Lift up your eyes and see Those who come from the north . Jeremiah 25:32 says, Behold, disaster shall go forth From nation to nation, And a great whirlwind shall be raised up From the farthest parts of the earth., Habakkuk 1:6, For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places that are not theirs.. He uses believers and unbelievers. (1 Corinthians 1:2629). Two verses later, in Rom. God often reveals himself in most unexpected ways. The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. Then God, in His sovereign power and will, takes our weak and fallible service, and accomplishes His will, like parting the Red Sea. Do not lament your insufficiency. I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. God ordains the means and the ends of life. Zechariah 11:13Judas would give the money back. Why bother praying to a God who isnt? 4:5). Moses didnt have any power to bring the ten plagues upon Egypt either. Jesus is truly the lamb without blemish who died for the sins of the world (John 1:29). Causing him to not let the people go. What an honor to serve the King of kings. Everyday Apostolic 2019 | All Rights Reserved, Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers, Canceling Church On Christmas Removes Christ From Christmas, Great Resources On Baptism In The Name Of Jesus, A Diluted Christianity: Oneness, Trinitarian, Or Is It All Just Irrelevant, Youre Not David Pastor Raymond Woodward, The Walking Bible Pastor Raymond Woodward, Wait On The Lord by James Wilson NAYC 2019, If I Shout/Lets Testify Medley FAC Sanctuary Choir. In spite of all this they still sinned And did not believe in His wonderful works. How beautiful! Our accomplishments do not justify our existence. God picks the scrawniest little girl to lead off on his kickball team. Yet He was still able to accomplish His will through them. Habakkuk 1:5, Look among the nations and watch Be utterly astounded! God then raised up Moses and his brother Aaron as instruments to deliver the people of Israel from cruel bondage. But the fact of the matter is it wasnt me! But we learn that over time a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph or respect what Joseph had done (Ex. God answered him. Judas didnt know it, and neither did the disciples, but Gods fingerprints were all over his act of betrayal. His silence spoke more loudly than the foolish claims of his lying accusers. You truly never know God could be doing something right that we wouldnt understand even if He told us. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. When we dont see the ungodly punished immediately, or when they seem to be successful in their evil ways, we should not assume that God is beaten or is pleased to turn His head. He may for a time use the ungodly to bring deserved chastising upon the hypocrites among His own people, and to show his uncompromising wrath upon those left to what we all deserve aside from the work of his grace. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12: 3). Judas solved their problem by volunteering to betray the Lord. Israel stumbled at the stumbling stone, the suffering messiah (Romans 9:31-33). When he went before Pilate, the Roman governor received an urgent message from his wife: Dont have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him (Matthew 27:19). Get your Bible. Jump to Previous The Lord even tells Moses to do it, divide it! God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. One final point is in order. It only made sense on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. But Habakkuks confusion was not doubt. Then the Lord heard the sound of your words, and He was angry and took an oath, saying, Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. It was their God, or at least the God of Moses, that just killed all the first born of Egypt. 1:21). He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth (Isaiah 53:7). And goes on to say, How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? If your rsum is sparse, your intellect feeble, your skills unimpressive, and your wisdom just average, fret not. We are called to be among his faithful people. Why? In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. That pagan nation was struggling against Egypt for dominance. Moses was a by-product of the Egyptians attempts to hinder Gods blessing upon them, was placed in pitch covered basket and set adrift in the Nile, but rescued, weened by his own mother, adopted into Pharaohs house, and educated in all the learning of Egypt (Acts 7:22). But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. WebThe one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? But most of the time we wont see it fully until we finally arrive in heaven. I dont speak on any circuits, have given no TED talks, and have been the keynote speaker less than once. Jump to Previous God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. Even today there are those who are arrogant and have no honor for God as He reveals Himself in Scripture. 28:49, The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand. A) We bow in submission before the mysterious ways of God. God had not yet told Moses what He was going to do, but Moses knew the Lord did not redeem the Israelites from Egypt to have them slaughtered. Acts 2:23 tells us that Jesus was delivered up, by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death. your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. Isaiah 28:11 warned, For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people. Jeremiah 5:15 said, Behold, I will bring a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel, says the LORD. For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you.. Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Grace be with you. It forces us to live by faith, which is how He wants us to live all the time because it gives Him glory. I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. How will they preach unless they are sent? I am sure God has many reasons for doing the things He does in the way and timing of His choosing, but lets consider some likely reasons He used Moses, a sinner, to be the instrument of His sovereign, miraculous work of dividing the Red Sea. Visit Justins personal website Here. Moses was an instrument, a tool, a vessel for Gods use, and so are we all. and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. Were they to march into the sea holding their little ones, driving their cattle, and pushing their elderly? The gospels writers emphasize that although the Jewish leaders earnestly sought for witnesses who could testify against Christ, they found no one willing to come forward. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. Other examples could be added to this list. This week were looking at the other side of the equation. We concluded that the Bible doesnt give us a final answer regarding why Judas betrayed Jesus Christ. This warning was made clear in the ancient covenant revealed long before through Moses in Deuteronomy 28. And how will they hear without a preacher? Two questions stand out: 1) Did Jesus actually descend into hell? Until that man turns from his sinwhich in his case means acknowledging his behavior as sinand runs to the Cross of Christ he cannot be saved. His betrayal proved that the Jewish leaders were far from innocent bystanders in the death of Christ. God may ordain to use their wickedness, but this does not make it morally right. Because God is utterly unimpressed by my rsum. Everything else in the story fits into Gods plan: The crown of thorns, the scourging, the trials, Pilates testimony, his verdict of death, a man to help carry the cross, the place of deathGolgotha, and the moment of death3 PM, the time when the Passover lambs were sacrificed at the Temple. In such a manner Judas served Gods purposes through his wicked act of betrayal. Eternity will reveal how your faithful service was used by the Lord in amazing ways. Those who look to themselves, will eventually and always reap their just punishment. We know from the sowing and reaping principle that t here will be degrees of torment in the lake of fire. Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. The phrase all this refers to the betrayal, the circumstances surrounding it, and the circumstances flowing from it. The very first verse my daughter ever memorized was Isaiah 40:8, The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. It seemed like an odd one to begin with, but now in retrospect it might have been the best one. WebGod also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience sake. Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation., Truth Of God Is denied by Unbelievers, the Truth of God Is denied by Unbelievers, Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world, Unbelievers Will be classed with outbreaking sinners in eternity, Unbelievers Their lifetime spent in vanity, Unbelievers Shall be judged by God's word in the last day, Will be classed with outbreaking sinners in eternity, Shall be judged by God's word in the last day. We have one life to use, and the usefulness of that one life depends not on our rsum or even how much we know. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. God himself had foreordained every detail surrounding the death of his Son. 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Habakkuk 1:7-11, They are terrible and dreadful; Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. Rejoice that Christ is all-sufficient and always dependable. Who would have had his own beliefs and gods that contradicted much of the Bible. He could have just caused them to drop dead. Here is my answer: He allowed Judas to betray Jesus so that Jesus could become the Savior of the world. And it is just like God to ask us to do hard things, things that seem impossible, that we know in our hearts we cant do. Judas served Gods purposes even though what he did was wrong and he ended up in hell. WebGod also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). 1 And Saul approved of his execution. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! But God gave the command, Moses obeyed the command, and in a sense Moses divided the Sea, as the Lord commanded, and in a more ultimate sense God did the miracle and divided the Red Sea. During his ministry his greatest opposition came from the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes and the teachers of the Law. 14:16, God, who is all powerful and infinitely sovereign, tells Moses, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. Why didnt God just part the Red Sea? God scoffs at any attempt by me or you to prove our worthiness. 1 John 5:14. Which caused the church to grow rapidly. Anxiety, worry, anger, never help remedy the situation, they are emotions that compound our trials and betray that in our hearts we dont believe God, dont trust God, and dont think He is good. Many that people can plan to do much but is God that will always have the final say. This could be the begging of a time of great growth for the church. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. God will bring ultimate and final judgment upon all ungodliness. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. They do whatever they want. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. But all of them come from the hand of the Lord. I sit on no boards. Be encouraged, child of God. 1:37). If we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it (James 1:5). Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. And He *said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. The unbelievers, become confused, not remembering ever having the opportunity to serve Jesus. Do not begrudge your weakness. Understanding God in Troubled Times The people of Jacob were trapped. But what a privilege it is to be used by God! God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. God wanted the people of Israel to look to Moses as their God appointed human leader and deliverer. Do not lament your insufficiency. Christianity is not about religion, its about a life-changing relationship with the Son of God. It was the tech team, the web master, the secretary, or whoever posted my sermon on line. I believe that t he Lord is here suggesting that the eternal torment that unbelievers will experience will be on a scale from more tolerable to less tolerable. But this much is clear: He never believed that Jesus was guilty of any crime. This is the grace of God as revealed in His merciful covenant. He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. God can use anyone and anything. They gather captives like sand. So He brought their days to an end in futility And their years in sudden terror. Are we becoming more like Jesus by the power of the Spirit? A man who lived in a time in which only Jews served the one true God. A most astonishing way of fulfilling that prophesy. While not all became believers, many felt a strong attraction to his message. In the process, we will also find an answer to a third question, Who are the sons of God in Gen. 6? If you like solving mysteries, you will love this, "Churches are going apostate inside their comfortable church buildings! But now, the grief of the Egyptians had subsided and was replaced with anger and regret. Our accolades cannot merit us any greatness. The terms Neo-Babylons and Chaldeans are used interchangeably for the people of that Empire. The mind of evil changes from bad to worse being taken in by successes in conquest. He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will. International Standard Version. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. Amen. If God did the miracles without Moses, amazing things would have happened, but the people would not have known what was going on or what to do. The ungodly show the futility of their rebellion, the awful penalty of sin, and the just wrath of God. Gods Prophet Jeremiah warned of Gods judgment. This brings us face to face with the doctrine of Gods providence, which means, A) God has a plan that includes everything that happens in the universe, and, B) Gods plan extends to the tiniest details of life, and. But through the lens of the New Testament, he is seen as a wicked man. I have received no honorary doctorates. This is a true mystery, which we may explain in various ways but will never fully understand. Your children, however, whom you said would become a preyI will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. It is a mighty nation, It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know, Nor can you understand what they say. . He clings to his sin like a drowning man to an iron life preserver. God wants to use those who look away from their self-sufficiency to his all-sufficiency. God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. WebGod never does evil Himself. The Lord did it, but He did it through Moses. Scripture even points to the fact that God used Cyrus even though he didnt know God. The repentant show Gods unmerited grace to undeserving sinners, and reveal the merciful blessing and goodness of God. In 609 Judahs King Josiah was killed in battle against Egypt. Verse Concepts. It doesnt matter if you have theology degrees or mothered a dozen healthy, happy children or started several 501(c)3s to feed the poor and end trafficking. Every evil in the world must somehow serve Gods purpose. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Guiding our world whether we are able to see it or not. God commissions the invalid retiree to uphold dozens, even hundreds of missionaries on the field. Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. It will be a most terrible judgment. Gods covenant warned from the beginning that if Israel fell into sin God would use a foreign heathen nation to bring judgment upon them. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. Why tell Moses to lift up his staff and stretch out his hand over the see and be the instrument God would use to divide the sea? Many believed they were going to die and complained to Moses (Ex. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. But we need to grow in faith and obedience. 10:14-15). A second reason, related to the first reason, is that God knew that by doing His miracles through Moses, Moses would then in turn give glory to God. His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. When Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people mourned greatly. Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? How can I believe in the goodness of God when there is so much evil in the world? Joseph made Egypt phenomenally wealthy during the years of the famine. Including those who dont believe He exists. 12:35-36). Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. Is that a contradiction? In our text, Ex. The Lord said to Moses, How long will this people spurn Me? WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. It was all the Lord. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Jesus waved him off by declaring, All this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled (Matthew 26:56). He told Moses, Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. But how? He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. Recent events may not have gone how you hoped and the signs may seem bleak. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. Assyria had fallen when Nineveh, its capitol, was destroyed in 612 BC. God will use it even if you do not understand how. I didnt attend an Ivy League school. We return now to the original question: Why did God allow Judas to betray Jesus? In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. First, we see the faith of Moses. Remember my imprisonment. They heap judgment on themselves. They mock authority and law, and believe that might makes right. They still look to their own strength and ability as if they were divine and answer to no authority above their own. In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives. The story of Judas teaches us that nothing happens by accident. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. Dont mistake temporary material victories for true success. To put the matter that way raises several other questions: Was Judas predestined by God to betray Jesus? But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. It is not our responsibility to determine how God will use us, but it is our responsibility to be faithful to obey the Word of God. Often in the confusion of life, we cant see the ends, much less the means God intends for us. But God did just that and used a sinning Gentile to begin the process of restoring Israel. They deride every stronghold, For they heap up earthen mounds and seize it. in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
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