LIVING ACCORDING TO GOD’S APPOINTMENTS
A Sunday Message
FAMILIARITY WITHOUT RECOGNITION
The crowd who followed Jesus saw His miracles firsthand, heard His preaching, and witnessed His physical presence. But when they realized that He did not fit the kind of messiah they wanted, they were disappointed and left Him (John 6:66).
Speaking to the remaining twelve, Jesus spoke about Judas Iscariot (John 6:70-71), a friend, and a chosen apostle. Judas will stay and minister with Jesus for years, but at the end, he will leave and betray Him.
Now, John spoke about Jesus’ “half-brothers” (other sons of Mary and Joseph after Jesus, as He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb). They grew up together with Jesus and yet John said that even His brothers did not believe in Him. (John 7:5).
We can be well acquainted with a person’s words and familiar with His works, but still not know him personally. Familiarity is possible without intimacy. This is potentially true in “knowing” God as well.
Proximity and familiarity with the Son of God do not ensure proper recognition of His true nature.
A person can live with Him, see His power, hear His words, yet remain ignorant of who Jesus really is.
OUR CHOICES AND DECISIONS UNVEIL US
The choices we make in life can reveal our genuine principles, purposes, and priorities. They expose our true selves. The “why” questions reveal much about us that many do not recognize from the outside, even by those who are very well acquainted with us.
“Why do you choose that career?”, “Why prefer these friends?”, “Why are you disappointed?”, “Why are you excited over this?”, “Why do you seek God?”
The crowd, Judas, and Jesus’ half-brothers did not believe in Him because they do not really know Him.
They were ignorant of His purposes and priorities.
In thinking that Jesus simply wanted popularity and prestige, they expose their ignorance of His identity.
So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” (John 7:3-4)
Far too many are familiar with the words and works of God but are ignorant of His divine will and true purposes. Faith in God comes from knowing His will and recognizing the true nature of His Person.
JESUS CAME TO ACCOMPLISH HIS FATHER’S WILL, NOT THE WORLD’S WISHES
The Lord exposed His true motivation when He said,
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. (John 4:34)
His actions and words are in perfect accord to the Father’s will. This is what defined His earthly life. He came to earth for the Father’s purpose. This dictates His priority and reveals divine opportunity.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me.
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:38-40)
To accomplish this, He had to suffer and die on the cross to atone for the sins of those who will believe.
This is the Father’s “cup” for Him (Mark 14;36).
Anyone who repents of his sinful life and believes in Christ as Lord Redeemer will have eternal life. He lives in accord with God’s will in sincere submission.
OUR PURPOSES DEFINE OUR PRIORITIES
In responding to His half-brothers, Jesus revealed that not every demand coming from people, pressure, or predicament is right for Him. Some will not fit the father’s plan and purpose for His mission.
“Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.” (John 7:6)
Every person decides who or what dictates his life.
Our course of action is directed either by God’s will or our own. This exposes what is important to us, what motivates us, and how we use our time.
Those who live according to their own plans and pleasures follow their own time and agenda in life.
For most, the significance of God comes only from His blessings in the fulfillment of self-ambitions.
In coming to Jesus Christ for salvation and self-submission, we are surrendering to the higher will of God who orchestrates everything according to His perfect time and higher purposes. This is choosing to walk a different path and live an uncommon life.
The prayer of our heart becomes, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
CHOOSING GOD’S FAVOR OVER THE WORLD’S HONOR
A life surrendered in obedience to God’s will is going to be challenging, not because it is difficult, but because it is unpopular and unacceptable in a world that tries its best to live independently of God.
The believer’s life is in stark contrast from its ways.
“Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.” (John 7:6-7)
Consider the greater blessings of God’s favor upon a surrendered soul to Christ Jesus through faith,
“Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” (John 14:23-24)
Nothing in the universe can ever compare to the joy of God’s love and the blessedness of His presence. These are the gains of a surrendered soul unto God. Your willful obedience testifies of your genuine love.
IMPLICATIONS TO YOU
There are two ways to live your life. One is living wisely, the other is living foolishly. To live with wisdom is to make the best use of your time. This is only possible when we live according to God’s will.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time,
because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
(Ephesians 5:15-17)
God discloses Himself and communicates His divine will through the Son of God. The Bible reveals the words and works of Christ, and when we come to Him in submission and faith, we receive His eternal life. He then makes Himself personally known to us.
He becomes the Master of life, the Lord that leads and rules over us. His purposes become our goals. His will become our rule. His Glory becomes our passion. He directs our timetable and dictates our agenda. He chooses the right steps for our journey.
This is the kind of life that is lived in accord with God’s appointments. The other kind leads to an ultimate disappointment.