Introduction

Good morning, family! Today, we're going to dive deep into a powerful passage from the book of Matthew and get a good, hard look at God's overflowing love, His protective nature, and yes, even the consequences that come with disobedience. We'll also explore how sometimes, our best move is to simply get out of the way and let God do His thing.

In the words of Max Lucado, "The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident." That's what we'll be unpacking today.

Our scripture for today comes from Matthew 23:37, which reads,

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing."

Let's bow our heads for a moment of prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, as we delve into your word today, let your truth illuminate our hearts and minds. Help us understand your love, protection, and the repercussions of disobedience. May we learn to step aside, allowing your divine will to unfold in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Now, let's dive in!

God's Love and Protection

Jesus, speaking in sorrow and love, likens Himself to a hen longing to gather her chicks under her wings. This metaphor paints a vivid picture of God's protective nature and His deep, abiding love for us. It's an image of a mother hen, who, at the sight of danger, fluffs up her feathers and spreads her wings wide, calling her chicks to come and find safety under her warm, protective cover. This is the kind of love and protection that God offers us.

God calls out to us: He longs to bring us under His protective wings. His love for us is not passive or distant. It is active, involved, and fiercely protective. He is not a God who watches from afar, but a God who is intimately involved in our lives, who knows our comings and goings, who perceives our thoughts from afar, and who is familiar with all our ways. He is a God who, like a mother hen, calls out to us, longing to bring us under His protective care.

Extend to our spiritual well-being: God's protective wings provide a refuge from the onslaught of the enemy, a place of peace amidst the storms of life, a sanctuary where we can find rest and renewal. Under His wings, we find not only protection but also the assurance of His love, the comfort of His presence, and the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Are proactive: He doesn't just wait for us to come to Him; He reaches out to us. He sends His prophets, His messengers, His Word, and ultimately His Son, to call us back to Him. He takes the initiative, seeking us out, even when we are lost, even when we are far from Him, and even when we are not willing.

Aren't forced upon us: They require our willingness to come under His wings. This is where the sorrow in Jesus' words comes in. Despite His longing to gather Jerusalem's children together, they were not willing. Despite His love, His protection, and His proactive reaching out, they chose to reject Him, to go their own way, to face the dangers of life on their own.

A reminder for us: God's love and protection are there for us, but we need to be willing to come under His wings. We need to respond to His call, heed His warnings, listen to His Word, and embrace His Son. Only then can we truly experience the fullness of His love and protection.

The Consequences of Disobedience

The concept of disobedience and its consequences is a recurring theme in the Bible, and it is one that we must consider seriously ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO