Perry’s Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers

1.      ILLUSTRATION: ON DESTINY

2.      There is something within us that says we are important; that we want to rise higher than our current position

3.      God agrees – EACH one of us is important to God – Galatians 2.20 (the life I now live)

a.       We each have shortcomings

b.      We each have things to overcome

4.      Jeremiah 29.10-14

a.       Captivity of Judah

b.      Based on sinfulness of the people (see Jeremiah – no converts)

I.       God’s Good Intentions

A.     God Attracts Us by His Goodness

1.      Physical Necessities – (Matthew )

2.      Spiritual Necessities – “Son’s Reign”

B.     God Wants the BEST, not the Worst

1. Sometimes God DOES get angry – Moses’ Call
2.  He is seeking our good

Too often good intentions stay INTENTIONS – not with God. . .

II.    God’s Good Intentions Lead to God’s Good Actions

A.     God’s Purpose is to Act for Our Good

God Does NOT Forget His Purpose!

1.       We Do Not Always See what God is Doing – Genesis 50.20
2.       Not all is “good” – Romans 8.28
3.       Not our timeline – Moses 80 years; Joseph 30 years; Jesus 30 years
4.       But God makes great things happen – Ephesians 3.20

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom.

B.     God Delivered His People:

1.       From Egypt – he said he would
2.       From Babylon – He said he would
3.       From Sin and its consequences – he said he would

a.       Ultimate Sin Offering

b.      Ultimate Relationship (Note the New Covenant) – Jeremiah 31.31-34

III. God’s Good Actions Lead to Our Choices

A.     “Seek and Find” – Not “Hide and Seek”

1.       He Has Been Seeking Us and Wants Us to Find Him
2.       Turn Around – “Repent”
3.       No Procrastination – Proverbs 27.1 (James 4.13-14)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

B.     It IS Whole-Hearted Effort – Deuteronomy 6.4

1.       God is not our hobby/our convenience
2.       God is our life
3.       Jealous God – not second place

 

C.     To Be With His Whole People

1.       Gathering from Babylon
2.       Gathering in the world to come

Conclusion

1.       What does it take to find God? 1 Corinthians 13.13

a.       Faith – Hebrews 11.1; 11.6

b.      Hope – Assurance

c.       Love

2.      Things are not always as they seem –

a.       Judah was captive in Babylon (greatest country in the world) – coming home in 70 years;

b.      Joseph in Egypt – saved the nation; sent home via Moses

c.       Mordecai – Daniel – 3 Hebrew boys – Christ on the cross (stumbling block; foolishness)

d.      Effects of our sins

3.      Stop Running and start looking!