It's true; it's tough to teach an old dog new tricks. And we're old dogs.
Changing the minds of difficult people is on display in both scriptures.
Resuming the Exodus story, the people encamp at Rephidim and find there is no water. Despite having had manna and quail provided earlier, they still haven't figured out how God will lovingly and graciously provide for them. They set upon Moses angrily and demand water. Moses is taken aback by their hostility, and frankly seems worried about bringing another request to God. Yes, Moses may not have this grace of God figured out yet either. This time, God brings the elders of the people together with Moses to expand the teaching moment.
Jesus is challenged by his detractors when he returns to the Temple to teach, one day after having made his triumphal entry and having caused a scene with the moneychangers in the Temple. By what authority do you do these things? Jesus flips the question on them and asks them by what authority John the Baptist did things? The failure of the chief priests and elders to answer opens the door for another teaching moment.
Find out more with the sermon video below, and get the downloads of the Fair-fielder answers and sermon text below the video panel.
Changing the minds of difficult people is on display in both scriptures.
Resuming the Exodus story, the people encamp at Rephidim and find there is no water. Despite having had manna and quail provided earlier, they still haven't figured out how God will lovingly and graciously provide for them. They set upon Moses angrily and demand water. Moses is taken aback by their hostility, and frankly seems worried about bringing another request to God. Yes, Moses may not have this grace of God figured out yet either. This time, God brings the elders of the people together with Moses to expand the teaching moment.
Jesus is challenged by his detractors when he returns to the Temple to teach, one day after having made his triumphal entry and having caused a scene with the moneychangers in the Temple. By what authority do you do these things? Jesus flips the question on them and asks them by what authority John the Baptist did things? The failure of the chief priests and elders to answer opens the door for another teaching moment.
Find out more with the sermon video below, and get the downloads of the Fair-fielder answers and sermon text below the video panel.
| 09-28-14-ff-answers.pdf |
| 09-28-14-changing_the_minds_of_gods_difficult_people.pdf |