In spite of all this they still sinned And did not believe in His wonderful works. His purpose in creation will stand. God will bring ultimate and final judgment upon all ungodliness. The Prophet Habakkuk wrote during the troubled times before Judahs captivity. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. He reminded Peter that he could call for 12 legions of angels72,000 highly trained, heavily armed members of the Angelic Defense Leagueto come to his rescue at any moment. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition. God has sinners pray and answers the prayers of sinners that are according to His will, getting glory for himself. Here are some examples: In spite of all this they still sinnedAnd did not believe in His wonderful works. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, Why does this generation seek for a sign? Because God does miracles by His own power. So continue to trust in Him and you wont be disappointed. Many that people can plan to do much but is God that will always have the final say. Two verses later, in Rom. God blesses those in whom he stirs to obedience, and judges disobedience. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. God Himself said that He used Pharaoh so that His name would be known on all the earth. Each time Moses would perform a mighty sign to convince Pharaoh of Gods power but each time God would harden his heart. I have not been named most influential, listed as most attractive, or voted most likely to succeed. Amen. At first he ordered the Israelite babies to be killed at birth by the midwives (Ex. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. Steven Lee is the Pastor of Preaching & Vision at. They move ahead as a determined army spreading violence. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. That doesnt make us anything more in Gods eyes. This is the attitude of the evil heart in all ages. In their very act of oppression, they unknowingly serve the glory of the Creator. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. Nothing that happened to Jesus that night or later on Good Friday made sense when it happened. I find it remarkable how consistently the New Testament writers see the hand of God in the events surrounding the death of Christ. WebThe Scripture teaches that God achieves His purpose in unbelievers. The Israelites and the church did face some tough times and we may too. But He is unique and who can turn Him?And what His soul desires, that He does. Their end will be most awful. 1:21). Finally, they suborned perjury by putting forward false witnesses who produced contradictory testimony. Romans 8:28 says, For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. All things includes both good and bad things. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. 10:14-15). And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Rejoice that Christ is all-sufficient and always dependable. But what a privilege it is to be used by God! Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. The purpose of www.drivennails.com is to help train expository preachers in sermon construction and delivery, to train inductive Bible study writers and teachers, and to edify the saints with the Word of God. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Gods covenant warned from the beginning that if Israel fell into sin God would use a foreign heathen nation to bring judgment upon them. 14:11). God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. God uses the overwhelmed and disheveled mother to nurture her children into spiritual giants. Everything else in the story fits into Gods plan: The crown of thorns, the scourging, the trials, Pilates testimony, his verdict of death, a man to help carry the cross, the place of deathGolgotha, and the moment of death3 PM, the time when the Passover lambs were sacrificed at the Temple. He uses believers and unbelievers. A second reason, related to the first reason, is that God knew that by doing His miracles through Moses, Moses would then in turn give glory to God. But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Wisdom didnt ensure obedience. It is a mighty nation, It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know, Nor can you understand what they say. . God was revealing that He was going to use this ungodly power for judgment upon his own straying people. Summary His plan in doing so was to bless all people. Do not lament your insufficiency. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. The terms Neo-Babylons and Chaldeans are used interchangeably for the people of that Empire. Those who look to themselves, will eventually and always reap their just punishment. Just as He did with Pharaoh who placed no faith in the God of Israel. His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. God used this unlikely group of people to accomplish His greatest work and they had no idea. When they offered him 30 pieces of silver, he readily accepted even though that was the going price for a slave. That literally means, I find no basis for any of the charges brought against this man. In modern terms, you might call it a Summary Judgment in favor of Jesus. Were they to voluntarily all drown? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. C) God uses all eventsgood and badto accomplish his purposes. Literal Standard Version. They wanted him dead and used Judas as a convenient means to that ugly end. The repentant show Gods unmerited grace to undeserving sinners, and reveal the merciful blessing and goodness of God. To say it another way, there is a man in hell today who has been there for 2000 years even though what he did advanced Gods plan to save the world. We might be a life-hacking, productivity guru. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.. He told the people that Pharaohs army would be wiped out, though he did not know how. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. No buildings, streets, or hospitals have been named in honor of me. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. WebThe Scripture teaches that God achieves His purpose in unbelievers. They have no respect for the leaders of other nations. 2) If Jesus did descend into hell, why? Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. We live most of our days in Good Fridayenduring confusion, opposition, disappointment and the many tragedies of life. But we learn that over time a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph or respect what Joseph had done (Ex. God ordains the means and the ends of life. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Moses had great faith! Why bother praying to a God who isnt? God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. Second, the proper response to any trial or danger is to not fear but stand by and see the salvation of the Lord. How many times do we fret and worry and then see the Lord deliver us and realize that all of our anxiety and fretting was for naught, that it accomplished nothing, but was an expression of our sinful doubt? Paul also made this clear in Romans 9-11. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. We are saved by living faith in the Son of Godnot by outward religious observance. Why tell Moses to lift up his staff and stretch out his hand over the see and be the instrument God would use to divide the sea? Everything was planned by God down to the tiniest detail. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask Sign up to join over 20,000 subscribers receiving our weekly sermon email. When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the calamity and said to the angel who destroyed the people, It is enough! God can use even you even me. 28 who says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, saying of Jerusalem, She shall be built,, and of the temple, Your foundation shall be laid. . In the process, we will also find an answer to a third question, Who are the sons of God in Gen. 6? If you like solving mysteries, you will love this, "Churches are going apostate inside their comfortable church buildings! even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. He recognized what was evil because he believed Gods law. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. A most astonishing way of fulfilling that prophesy. How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son for those who believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. I am sure God has many reasons for doing the things He does in the way and timing of His choosing, but lets consider some likely reasons He used Moses, a sinner, to be the instrument of His sovereign, miraculous work of dividing the Red Sea. Two questions confront us as we consider the story of Judas: Last weeks sermon dealt with the first question. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. Training for Preachers and Teachers of God's Word, Want to know what an RSS feed is and how it works? The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. His covenant is always enforced. 1 John 5:14. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. The very first verse my daughter ever memorized was Isaiah 40:8, The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. It seemed like an odd one to begin with, but now in retrospect it might have been the best one. God had not yet told Moses what He was going to do, but Moses knew the Lord did not redeem the Israelites from Egypt to have them slaughtered. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12: 3). Pharaohs heart was hardened again. WebJohn 3:16. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Jesus immediately restored the ear and told Peter to put down his sword. Questions? His son Jehoahaz became king. Holman Old Testament Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah by Trent Butler. The Pharisees believed they were serving God but in reality, they didnt even know Him. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. God will use it even if you do not understand how. In 609 Judahs King Josiah was killed in battle against Egypt. This week I ate lunch with a man who has recently become an acquaintance through an e-mail correspondence. We concluded that the Bible doesnt give us a final answer regarding why Judas betrayed Jesus Christ. ", Writing & Teaching Inductive Bible Studies. Guiding our world whether we are able to see it or not. What an honor to serve the King of kings. Gods plan included the time of Jesus deathPassover, the placeJerusalem, the opposition by the Jewish leaders, and the betrayal by Judas. That doesnt lessen his guilt, but it does increase our appreciation of Gods sovereignty over the affairs of men. Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 WebGod also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. The Lord even tells Moses to do it, divide it! God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? Do not lament your insufficiency. so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. Though used of God to complete his plan, those who crucified our Lord were still personally wicked and godless in what they did. He uses believers and unbelievers. But we can find hope in knowing that God is in control, He works all things for our God, and no suffering we face know will even be able to cast a shadow on the glory we will receive in Heaven. The thing he values the most is dragging him down to eternal damnation. We see the same thing after the Israelites cross the Red Sea and are attacked by the Amalekites (Ex. God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. This is a true mystery, which we may explain in various ways but will never fully understand. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. Moses didnt have any power to bring the ten plagues upon Egypt either. Those who turn in humble trust to the Lord, who rest in His work of redemption, who seek to walk in his ways, and who turn in humble repentance when they fail, will receive His righteousness, and blessing forever. Moses was an instrument, a tool, a vessel for Gods use, and so are we all. 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? Yet, Solomon turned away from God (1 Kings 11:4, 912). For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? This truth about Judas illustrates Gods control of every event in the universe. In our text, Ex. I believe that t he Lord is here suggesting that the eternal torment that unbelievers will experience will be on a scale from more tolerable to less tolerable. An unlikely person to be used by God. His silence spoke more loudly than the foolish claims of his lying accusers. Here are some examples: You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 The book of proverbs also gives us insight into this. Jump to Previous (Video #2), Lesson 2: Gods Use of the Ungodly Habakkuk 1:5-11. We see this clearly in the life of Christ. The Prophet was told to look around him and see what was going on among the nations, observe! But he chose instead to allow himself to be arrested, knowing that this would fulfill Gods plan. God asks us to do things we cant do, because it makes us trust IN HIM, not ourselves. God then raised up Moses and his brother Aaron as instruments to deliver the people of Israel from cruel bondage. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. And it is just like God to ask us to do hard things, things that seem impossible, that we know in our hearts we cant do. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. International Standard Version. I am a preacher and Bible teacher. It is only as we look back that we see clearly that God was there all along, working behind the scenes for our good and his glory. I dont have any letters after my name. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. Eventually, Pharaoh decided to use the Jews for slave labor. Thats generally the way life is for all of us. I have received no honorary doctorates. Isaiah 28:11 warned, For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people. Jeremiah 5:15 said, Behold, I will bring a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel, says the LORD. How can I believe in the goodness of God when there is so much evil in the world? How will they preach unless they are sent? WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. The new Pharaoh saw the Israelites as a plague in the land. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 13:17). The sad story of Judas stands as a warning to religious people not to trust in their religion. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.. He fought against God and hoped to destroy the early church. Habakkuk 1:7-11, They are terrible and dreadful; Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. Then his mind changes, and he transgresses; He commits offense, Ascribing this power to his god.. God could by-pass us and do everything himself, but He does not. But this much is clear: He never believed that Jesus was guilty of any crime. They probably said things like, See, God isnt doing anything no body ever gets punished, it cant be very serious. They had forgotten the longsuffering of the True God who made all things, and who rules as King over all kings. Were they to march into the sea holding their little ones, driving their cattle, and pushing their elderly? The evil ones believe pridefully that their own imagined gods have blessed them. Even his enemies played into Gods handthough they did not know it at the time. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Thats where the judgment will come from. One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. 14:16, God, who is all powerful and infinitely sovereign, tells Moses, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. Why didnt God just part the Red Sea? Will we show forth Gods glory in our obedience and in our receiving of His covenant blessing? For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you., Jeremiah also spoke of the same thing about which God warned Habakkuk. He was ready to die for his Master and intended to take a few of the bad guys with him. It only made sense on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.