Sermon snippet – Does God Really Care about Our Lives?
INTRODUCTION – Of course, we know that God cares about our eternal lives – the Cross of Jesus Christ stands in silent eloquence and stunning efficacy to the everlasting salvific concern of God. However, the sometimes tedious nature of our everyday experiences coupled with the inexplicable (see John the Baptist’s confusion in Luke 17:19-20) can make us wonder how much God is involved in our lives right now.
- GOD CARES ABOUT OUR VOLITIONAL LIVES
In other words, our choices in life matter to God, including our moral decisions. Most of us are familiar with the story of Esther, who became queen to Ahasuerus (also know as Xerxes) of Persia. With great courage, she prevented the genocide of the Jews in that pagan land. However, Esther does not enter the book that bears her name until chapter 2. The often overlooked heroine of chapter 1 is the prior queen, Vashti, who refuses to let her drunken husband parade her around in front of his inebriated friends (verses 11-12). This strong lady maintained her personal honor and dignity. We know that her right decision mattered to God, for He includes her story in His Holy Word and presents her in a positive light. Vashti’s correct use of her volition prepared the way for Esther to do the same.
- GOD CARES ABOUT OUR VOCATIONAL LIVES
(As an aside, He also cares about our vacations; see Mark 6:31.) In Exodus 31:1-6, we find Bezaleel and Aholiab, two skilled craftsmen who led the building of the Tabernacle, the portable place of worship for the Israelites. Note especially verse 3: their work was anointed by God the Holy Spirit. Work can be hard, of course, but it provides needed goods and services, helps us provide for our families, and keeps us out of trouble. If we work diligently, we will not have time, energy, or inclination to go out rioting and pillaging! As Colossians 3:23 reminds us, there is a spiritual element to all of our labor.
- GOD CARES ABOUT OUR VATICINATIONAL LIVES
Vaticination is prophesying, which has two aspects: foretelling, which is no longer needed because the prophetic Word of God is complete, and forthtelling, which is simply telling forth the truth. We have a fine example of this in John 9:13-41, where a blind man is given both sight and spiritual life by Jesus. Verse 25 is found in the hymn “Amazing Grace” (which led to a lengthy discursus which can be viewed in the full sermon on YouTube and our website); this man spoke what he knew and then learned more from Jesus. We should never be ashamed to speak the truth, for God cares about our vaticinational lives.
CONCLUSION – I Thessalonians 4:13-18 assures us that GOD CARES ABOUT OUR VOLITATIONAL LIVES. Yes, one day believers in God the Son, Jesus Christ, will fly away! In fact, Jesus so much wants to be together with us that He is coming to meet us in the air. He cares even about that final detail of our lives. If you have never trusted Jesus as your savior, fly into His arms today!