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Ssue
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God's word is beyond my knowledge; however, I am still so stiff-necked.
Excerpt from sermon 'Walk On the Water' on May 17.
The disciples were startled to see the Lord walking on the water because for man to walk on water is beyond reason. The disciples thought they had seen a ghost. But then Jesus said, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Knowing that it was the Lord walking on the water, Peter answered, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Mt 14:22-28).
When we cry out to Jesus, “Lord!” we are confessing that we are His servants. A master has the right to manage and use his servant as he pleases, and the servant has the obligation to obey whatever the master commands him. Although it is logically and physically impossible for man to walk on the water, Peter laid down all of his own thinking and ideas, and sought the Lord command saying, “Lord, command me to come to You on the water!” As soon as Jesus said, “Come!” he obeyed and began walking on the water. Our faith is about obeying the Lord’s commands. At times those commands may be unreasonable and make no sense. Nevertheless, we ought to obey the Lord’s commands saying, “If it is Your will God, I will obey”.
John 15:7 says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” If our prayers are not delivered and God’s signs do not follow, that is because God’s words find no place in us to dwell. By denying ourselves and humbly kneeling before God’s word, we must let God reign over us. Whatever we do, it is important that we receive the commandment through God’s word.
A number of people tend to pray fervently and strive to be godly, yet they disobey when it comes to the word of God. Disobedience to the word is defiance against God, and disobedience to the Holy Spirit. Jesus warned us saying, “Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Mt 12:32). This not only implies that there will be no forgiveness for anyone that disobeys the Holy Spirit, but it means nothing will be accomplished for such a person.
No matter how hard a person tries to lead a pious life, it is not so easily achieved. One might have the desire to obey God’s word, however, unless he is able to properly and fully understand His word, an entirely different outcome may result. The help of the Holy Spirit is imperative if we want to wholly receive in the word of God and be governed by that word. The Holy Spirit helps us understand and be led by God’s word.
Unless we are ready to lay down our lives, it is impossible for us to ask, “Lord, command me come on the water!” As we seek the Lord’s command, we must be ready to give up our only life. Without the His command, we have no guarantee of fulfilling anything. By seeking God’s command, we must become spiritual people who succeed and triumph according to God’s will.
www.sungrakberea.org
Excerpt from sermon 'Walk On the Water' on May 17.
The disciples were startled to see the Lord walking on the water because for man to walk on water is beyond reason. The disciples thought they had seen a ghost. But then Jesus said, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Knowing that it was the Lord walking on the water, Peter answered, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Mt 14:22-28).
When we cry out to Jesus, “Lord!” we are confessing that we are His servants. A master has the right to manage and use his servant as he pleases, and the servant has the obligation to obey whatever the master commands him. Although it is logically and physically impossible for man to walk on the water, Peter laid down all of his own thinking and ideas, and sought the Lord command saying, “Lord, command me to come to You on the water!” As soon as Jesus said, “Come!” he obeyed and began walking on the water. Our faith is about obeying the Lord’s commands. At times those commands may be unreasonable and make no sense. Nevertheless, we ought to obey the Lord’s commands saying, “If it is Your will God, I will obey”.
John 15:7 says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” If our prayers are not delivered and God’s signs do not follow, that is because God’s words find no place in us to dwell. By denying ourselves and humbly kneeling before God’s word, we must let God reign over us. Whatever we do, it is important that we receive the commandment through God’s word.
A number of people tend to pray fervently and strive to be godly, yet they disobey when it comes to the word of God. Disobedience to the word is defiance against God, and disobedience to the Holy Spirit. Jesus warned us saying, “Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Mt 12:32). This not only implies that there will be no forgiveness for anyone that disobeys the Holy Spirit, but it means nothing will be accomplished for such a person.
No matter how hard a person tries to lead a pious life, it is not so easily achieved. One might have the desire to obey God’s word, however, unless he is able to properly and fully understand His word, an entirely different outcome may result. The help of the Holy Spirit is imperative if we want to wholly receive in the word of God and be governed by that word. The Holy Spirit helps us understand and be led by God’s word.
Unless we are ready to lay down our lives, it is impossible for us to ask, “Lord, command me come on the water!” As we seek the Lord’s command, we must be ready to give up our only life. Without the His command, we have no guarantee of fulfilling anything. By seeking God’s command, we must become spiritual people who succeed and triumph according to God’s will.
www.sungrakberea.org