God is a participant in covenant with the faithful and the source of our blessings. God is ready to bless. Does that mean God is like Santa Claus? If we've been good, do we get what we want? Let's consider this further.
Our shopping, bargain-hunting nature is to get the best possible deal. That is like a consumer instinct. However, we don't typically think about bargain-hunting with God, or (be honest) do we?
Genesis 18 shows the remarkable dialogue between Abraham and God over the fate of those in wicked Sodom and Gomorrah. The questions turn on the justice of God.
With shocking boldness, Abraham poses a series of challenges to God, questioning whether God's justice is served. It is a numerical argument that progresses in asking whether a certain of righteous would be killed along with the unrighteous since God is planning to destroy the cities. 'If [this] many righteous are there, will you destroy it?' God answers 'no' every time.
God actually engages in negotiation with Abraham over what God will do. And God yields to Abraham's challenge every time.
In Luke 11, Jesus presents the disciples with a prayer at the disciples' request, the Lord's Prayer, which talks about how God provides for the faithful. Jesus goes on to explain this.
God's blessing comes from a loving relationship, like father to child. He gives illustrations to make the point.
Jesus then assures the disciples that they simply need to ask, seek, and knock faithfully, and God will respond. It sounds something like Santa Claus, but we need to recognize the context to get this right. God is not Santa Claus. Watch the sermon video below and find out why.
Our shopping, bargain-hunting nature is to get the best possible deal. That is like a consumer instinct. However, we don't typically think about bargain-hunting with God, or (be honest) do we?
Genesis 18 shows the remarkable dialogue between Abraham and God over the fate of those in wicked Sodom and Gomorrah. The questions turn on the justice of God.
With shocking boldness, Abraham poses a series of challenges to God, questioning whether God's justice is served. It is a numerical argument that progresses in asking whether a certain of righteous would be killed along with the unrighteous since God is planning to destroy the cities. 'If [this] many righteous are there, will you destroy it?' God answers 'no' every time.
God actually engages in negotiation with Abraham over what God will do. And God yields to Abraham's challenge every time.
In Luke 11, Jesus presents the disciples with a prayer at the disciples' request, the Lord's Prayer, which talks about how God provides for the faithful. Jesus goes on to explain this.
God's blessing comes from a loving relationship, like father to child. He gives illustrations to make the point.
Jesus then assures the disciples that they simply need to ask, seek, and knock faithfully, and God will respond. It sounds something like Santa Claus, but we need to recognize the context to get this right. God is not Santa Claus. Watch the sermon video below and find out why.
| 07-28-19-sermon-b.mp3 |
| 07-28-19-ff-amswers.pdf |
| 07-28-19-god_is_ready_to_bless.pdf |