God’s Prevailing Purposes

At cross-purposes Please be patient – We experience some audio difficulty at the beginning of this message.

they do not understand each other cross-purposes [plural noun] at cross-purposes ​ If two people or groups are at cross-purposes they do not understand each other because they have different intentions

They're talking at cross-purposes without realizing it.

Israel’s Position God’s Prescription Situation’s Product

Israel’s Position

Dear brothers and sisters, is for the people of Israel to be saved. Romans 10 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 

but it is misdirected zeal. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

2“I know your works, your labour, Revelation 2 (NKJV)  2“I know your works, your labour, your patience …3and you have persevered and have patience, and have laboured… and have not become weary. 

4Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 

from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works,  

3…they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way…

…they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 

4For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given.  As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God

And that message is the very message about faith that we preach. 5 For Moses writes that… 8 “The message is very close at hand;     it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach.

Different Requirements Law Requirements Faith Requirements Only for the Jews For “whosoever”

Different Requirements Law Requirements Faith Requirements Only for the Jews For “whosoever” Based on works Comes by faith alone

Different Requirements Law Requirements Faith Requirements Only for the Jews For “whosoever” Based on works Comes by faith alone Self-righteousness God’s righteousness

Different Requirements Law Requirements Faith Requirements Only for the Jews For “whosoever” Based on works Comes by faith alone Self-righteousness God’s righteousness Cannot save Brings salvation

Different Requirements Law Requirements Faith Requirements Only for the Jews For “whosoever” Based on works Comes by faith alone Self-righteousness God’s righteousness Cannot save Brings salvation Obey the Lord Call on the Lord

Different Requirements Law Requirements Faith Requirements Only for the Jews For “whosoever” Based on works Comes by faith alone Self-righteousness God’s righteousness Cannot save Brings salvation Obey the Lord Call on the Lord Leads to pride Glorifies God

Different Requirements Law Requirements Faith Requirements Only for the Jews For “whosoever” Based on works Comes by faith alone Self-righteousness God’s righteousness Cannot save Brings salvation Obey the Lord Call on the Lord Leads to pride Glorifies God

Israel’s Position God’s Prescription

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  

are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, 12 Jew and Gentile  are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him.

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord  will be saved.”

And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? 14 But how can they call on Hm to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him?

And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?

That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Israel’s Position God’s Prescription Rejection’s Product

have the people of Israel actually heard the message? 18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message?

“The message has gone throughout the earth, Yes, they have: “The message has gone throughout the earth,      and the words to all the world.

did the people of Israel really understand? 19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did…

…for even in the time of Moses, God said, “I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”

20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying…

“I was found by people who were not looking for Me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for Me.”

21 But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

What Next?

What Next? Some times, God still must say about His people “…All day long I open my arms to them, but they are disobedient and rebellious.”

29…everything you say be good and helpful… Ephesians 4 (NLT) 29…everything you say be good and helpful… 30 Do not bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit by the way you live…

31…bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour. 32…be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

God still actively pursues His purposes What Next? God still actively pursues His purposes

Elisabeth Elliott December 1926 – June 2015

Think of the self that God has given as an acorn. It is a marvellous little thing, a perfect shape, perfectly designed for its purpose, perfectly functional.

Think of the grand glory of an oak tree. God’s intention when He made the acorn was the oak tree. His intention for us is ‘… the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.’

Many deaths must go into our reaching that measure, many letting-goes. When you look at the oak tree, you don’t feel that the loss’ of the acorn is a very great loss.

The more you perceive God’s purpose the less terrible the losses seem. in your life, the less terrible the losses seem.

but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. What Next? Proverbs 19 21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

What Next? Christ…loved the church and gave Himself for her, Ephesians 5 Christ…loved the church and gave Himself for her,  26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her  with the washing of water by the word…

What Next? 27…that He might present her to Himself   27…that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 

Go in the assurance that, As you go with God, May you grow in God. Go in the assurance that, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it  until the day of Jesus Christ…”

God’s Prevailing Purposes