God's Plan For The Individual

TITLE: GOD’S PLAN FOR THE INDIVIDUAL

No two people are just alike…

Shortly after I met my wife I went to visit her family in Nebraska. It was a long drive and I was tired. I sat down on their sofa in an empty living room, when all of a sudden 4 eyes appeared around a corner and two 7 year old boys emerged. Identical twins stood in front of me, blond hair, blue eyes, and squeaky voices…You know what they said…. in unison…So, are you going to marry our sister????

I watched those boys grow up and though they were identical at first appearance I soon discovered that they were complete opposites.

Everyone possesses his or her own unique desires, attitudes, and abilities.

WE ARE INDIVIDUALS…

The world knows this and emphasizes it.

· Hot dogs - what kind of kids eat armor hot dogs, fat kid’s, skinny kids, kids that climb on rocks, tuff kids, sissy kid’s, even kids with chicken pox

· Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders won’t upset us, all we ask is that you let us serve it your way….

Why does the world emphasize meeting the needs of everyone.

Because you are an individual…And if they could not meet your needs they could not make any money…

Advertising giants aren’t the only ones focusing on our individuality…

Virtually every aspect of modern thought is consumed with individuality.

Legislation that secures the rights of the individual above all else is now most common,

Judicial rulings increasingly use the same standard as their ultimate aim…placing the needs, desires, hopes, and dreams of the individual as the centerpiece of modern society.

What about the church? On any given Sunday the sanctuary is peppered with new faces

Each coming from his or her own unique background, and facing unique challenges

Each one is here seeking a solution for a wide variety of needs

For some unless those needs are met they move on…Why? Because they did not feel like their individual needs were met. GOD DESIRES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL….

Why because God care about individuals

Psalm 8:3-4 "When I consider your heavens..., the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him…"

God Cares about you and me…

What is GOD’S PLAN FOR THE INDIVIDUAL?

I. They would be saved

2 Peter 3:9 "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.

God is not willing that any should perish

Though he ministered to great crowds

Jesus demonstrated his love for the individual and took special care to minister to people personally

And then display that example for us

A. ZACCHAEUS Luke 19:1-10

Jesus was passing through Jericho, Zacchaeus a wealthy tax collector wanted to see Jesus but he was to short to see over the crowds and he climbed a tree to see Jesus

Vs 5 "When Jesus reached the Spot he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately, I must stay at your house today."

So Zacchaeus came down and welcomed Jesus in Gladly

He then gave half his possessions to the poor and promised to pay pack anyone he had cheated 4X

Jesus Said, "Today Salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham, for the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost."

Put yourself in the place of Zacchaeus for a minute. He had a hearts desire to see Jesus.

But Jesus wanted to see Zacchaeus also.

God knows the needs of your life and the desires of your heart

You may want him to do something about it

Guess what, he wants to do something also

The Next example is the Samaritan Women who unlike Zacchaeus was not looking for Jesus in Fact she was hoping no one would see her at all.

B. SAMARITAN WOMAN

John 4

Jesus went through Samaria, and sat down by a well at noon, which is the hottest part of the day.

The disciples had gone to get food

This Samaritan woman came at the same time to draw water, and Jesus asked for a drink. She reminded Jesus that Jews do not associate with Samaritans.

To which Jesus replied "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

Living Water = Salvation "The Water of Life"

The Samaritan woman starts looking at the well and asks about this living water as though it were in the hole.

VS 13 "Jesus answered, everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him springs of water welling up to eternal life.