HoHum:
When I have a day off my wife asks me, “What is your plan for today?” I say, “I plan to live, move and have my being.” What I am saying is that I plan living today, enjoying the abundant and full life. I plan on moving, probably just moving from the couch to the refrigerator to see what kind of snacks we have and then going back to the couch to either watch TV or take a nap. I will have my being. I will simply exist and enjoy being me. Sounds like a great day off
WBTU:
Acts 17:28 is in Paul’s sermon to the Areopagus on Mars Hill in Athens. Athens in that day had the intellectuals. “All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.” Acts 17:21, NIV. Not only were they the think tanks of the day but they also were very religious. That might seem strange to us, in our day many of the cultural elites want to deny God. In that day, the ideas about God centered on the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. While Paul was touring the city of Athens he found an altar with this inscription: To an Unknown God. Paul started there and told the Athenians about the one true God. Wonderful apologetic sermon that seeks to correct many misconceptions about God. Interesting that Paul never once mentions the name of Jesus Christ- the whole sermon is to get them to understand the one true God. Paul does say in vs. 31 that God will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. Then Paul talks about how this man was resurrected from the dead (referring to Jesus Christ). At this point the sermon is ended because the Areopagus does not want to hear anymore from Paul. 2 things:
1. Our life belongs to God. In God, we live, move and have our being. What does this mean? Well, in that statement is our past, present and future. We live (came into being), our past; we move (power to move now), our present; have our being (continue to live on and on), our future. This one God is the source and sustainer of all life. This is contrary to the malicious and impersonal gods of the Greeks. This poem by Russell Kelfer sums it up so well: You are who are for a reason. You’re part of an intricate plan. You’re a precious and perfect unique design, called God’s special woman or man. You look like you look for a reason. Our God made no mistake. He knit you together within the womb, You’re just what he wanted to make. The parents you had were the ones he chose, and no matter how you may feel, they were custom designed with God’s plan in mind, and they bear the Master’s seal. No, that trauma you faced was not easy. And God wept that it hurt you so; But it was allowed to shape your heart so that into his likeness you’d grow. You are who you are for a reason, You’ve been formed by the Master’s rod. You are who are, beloved, because there is a God.”
2. The Fatherhood of God. No, Paul did not use that term Fatherhood but we see it mentioned toward the end of Acts 17:28. Paul is using a quote from the Athenian poets of Aratus and Cleanthes. Paul was using cultural terms to describe the true God. Many of the philosophers recognized that all of mankind is alike and must come from one source. We are much more than the animals. We are made in God’s image and as such are sons and daughters of God. On the 6th day, “God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26, 27, NIV. Children resemble their parents. I resemble my father. One time there was a new preacher who came to town. A young man was interested in the new preacher so he attended the preacher’s first sermon. This young man was an illegitimate child and never knew his father. The young man was impressed and went through the line to shake the preacher’s hand after the service. The preacher, wanting to get to know the people there, asked the young man, “Now, who is your father?” A gasp went up from the people. The boy, shaken by the question, did not know how to respond. The preacher sensed the young man’s apprehension and said, “Well, after looking you over, I now know who your father is. I can see the family resemblance. God is your father. Now go and claim your inheritance.” That young man went away happy and even more impressed.
Transition: That’s all nice but what does that have to do with me. Speaking to some who got bad news this last week: job loss, relationship breakup, miscarriage, cancer diagnosis, car accident, death of a loved one, list could go on of life changing events. For those who have not received bad news, Maybe not today but in the future will receive bad news.
Thesis: Remember 6 things when facing life changing situations
For instances:
1. Our Godly purpose
Of David- “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends his love and his faithfulness.” Psalms 57:1-3, NIV.
James Audubon changed locations, partners and businesses, yet failed and became bankrupt. Not until he understood he must change did he have any shot at success. He loved the outdoors and was an excellent hunter and artist. He travelled the country observing and drawing birds, and earned a place as one of the greatest wildlife artists ever. What is more important, the work made him happy and provided the peace of mind he’d sought all his life.
2. Our Godly value or worth
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9, 10
The well known preacher, W.A. Criswell, went on a tour of the Soviet Union. He wanted to visit a particular church in a major Russian city. He was given permission but he had to be accompanied by a Communist official. His visit was not announced but somehow word got out that a famous American preacher was coming that morning. The saints had gathered, awaiting his arrival before starting. As Criswell and the lady communist official walked toward the crowd, she began to speak. She derided the believers gathered. She caustically defamed the Christians gathered to greet the preacher from America. Criswell had at first been silent as she continually bad mouthed these Christians; however, he at last spoke. “Don’t say that. These are my people; these are the people of God. Though you speak ill of them and thought they have nothing in this world, they are destined to inherit Heaven, and they shall reign with Christ.”
3. Our Godly joy
““As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11, NIV.
The early church was a rejoicing church. Despite the persecutions that arose, the early Christians fully believed that the story of Jesus Christ was the ultimate good news. “And they went on their way rejoicing” became the standard tag line for the early Christians.
4. Our Godly peace
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7, NIV.
Wake up in the middle of the night, just a little talk with Jesus makes it right
5. Our Godly identity
“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:4-7, NIV.
The story of the Prodigal Son- son wanted to be a servant, slave, but the Father made him a son
6. Our Godly spiritual destiny
Got this outline from Percy McCray who is a chaplain for the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. He says, “Cancer may ravish your body, but it can never touch or kill your soul or spirit, because those belong only to God. Be encouraged today, even in a worst case scenario, that your life, movement and being belongs to God, not cancer.” Even if the worst happens, for a Christian, the best is yet to come.
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14, NIV.
Every person carries around a robe. That robe is splashed, dirty and altogether filthy. All earthly detergents are useless. To wash our robe means to come to cleansing fountain of the blood of JC.
McKamey’s- How does it feel to know your a child of the King? Your Heavenly Father owns everything. How does it feel to know you are loved? By the one who created the stars up above. How does it feel to know your alright? When you lay your head on your pillow at night, and ain’t it good, tell me, Do you know how it feels?
