“Taking God for Granted” |
||
| Preacher Pastor John H. West Date Scripture Text
|
Some
times we are so busy and so challenged by life that we miss God. Some times we are so busy trying to make a living that we forget to live. Some times we are so busy that we don’t recognize God when He comes into our lives.
One Pastor’s ExampleOne pastor decided that he wasn’t going to shave for a week. He allowed his face to get stubbly. He also refrained from shaving for a week. He began to smell. When Sunday arrived, he put on some old shabby clothing full of holes. He took a drink (so that he would have alcohol on his breath) and sat on the front steps of the church with a cigarette in his hand. When the congregation began to arrive, people looked down at him and entered the church without speaking. When time for service arrived, he strolled down the aisle of the church with a lighted cigarette. The ushers almost had heart attacks. The officers of the church wanted to throw him out. Then, finally, the pastor told the people the words of Jesus: If you’ve done it to the least of these, you’ve done it unto Me The congregation then realized that they had missed out on an opportunity to serve God.
Matthew 13:58Jesus did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Even Jesus couldn’t help these people. This is the same Jesus who opened blind eyes, raised the dead, cleansed lepers, and cast demons out. Yet, here He did not many mighty works. We need to change our city by the power of God so that the drug dealers move out. You need to be where you can lay hands on the sick and they recover. Our church needs to be a church where healing happens.
Matthew 13:54Jesus came to His own country (Nazareth) where He grew up. This was where He learned the carpentry trade. People thought of Him as “Joe the handyman’s son.” They figured that since they knew His mother, Mary, they knew all about Him (although they didn’t). When Jesus came home after a year, with a crowd following Him, He went to His hometown church (synagogue). The people there wondered where He got His wisdom and power. Home is a place where you get little respect. You can be a big name all over the world, but when you come home, they just look right through you. You are just “Cousin Snoop.” They know what you used to do and if you do good, they forget your good deeds in a hurry. However, if you do wrong... they will remember that. The people of Nazereth thought that they knew all about Jesus, so they refused to accept anything else about Him. We can become too familiar with God. This causes us to take His grace for granted. They figure that they can just sin and sin and sin... then say “I’m sorry.” Some people think they are so spiritual and so powerful that they don’t have to fast and pray. They feel they don’t have to read the word any more. If you want the power of God, get on your knees and cry out to God. Don’t think that you can sing the same old song... then give your $3.00 offering... then do your shout on the clock. Don’t take God for granted and get smug sitting in your pews and say, “Show me something, God.” God has already showed us all we need. We need to give God the glory. If God has been good to you, you need to say, “Amen.” We need to come every Sunday expecting God to do a new thing. Let God use you to His glory. Have awe and reverence for God. Don’t take Christ for granted.
Matthew 13:55The people said, “Isn’t this the handy man’s son? He didn’t go to seminary.” The problem is, a man can have degrees and still be dumb. Also, not every degree hanging on a wall has been earned. The people looked at Mary and at Jesus’ brothers and sisters. They said, “We know your momma.” But, God doesn’t have to work through your natural family. Jesus’ mother was Mary... but His father was not Joseph. His father was the Holy Ghost. You are a child of God. Your Heavenly Father is God. So what if your earthly dad was in jail? So what if your mother had you out of wedlock? You are a child of God. Don’t take God for granted. You might miss His blessings.
ConclusionFanny Crosby was a blind woman. She wrote the songs “Blessed Assurance” and “To God Be the Glory.” One day, she was in a revival where the Spirit moved from heart to heart and from breast to breast. People were getting filed with the Holy Ghost. She wanted to be filled too. This inspired her to write: Pass me not O Gentle Savior Savior, Savior Fast and pray that God will do a new thing in your life.
|
|