The Weekly Focal Point - September 17


 

Life’s Opposition

Many Christians assume that if God really loves us, he will fill our lives with good feelings, satisfied desires and things that make us happy. That may be a common assumption, but it certainly isn’t what God told us he’d do. The Bible is clear that for now, because we live in a fallen world, function in fallen bodies and interact with fallen people, we will experience a life of difficulty. Yes, God loves us (so much so that he was willing to provide for our forgiveness by punishing his Son as though he was the sinner we are), but he has delayed his ultimate blessings until we are done drafting the rest of his yet-to-be enlisted followers. Our goal is to maintain our faith, hope and love until the job is done. In the meantime Jesus reminds us that “No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also” (Jn.15:20). Jesus experienced both, and so will we.

Unfortunately, more people rejected, disdained and hated Christ than rightly responded to his call to be reconciled to God. But some did obey his teaching, and occasionally with us they do also. There are those choice few who hear us out, repent of their sin and trust in Christ – which makes all the opposition worth it. So when things in this sinful world make your life hard, know that it was the same for God’s beloved Son. We certainly can’t expect our earthly experience to be any better than the King of kings. But remember that just as Jesus finished his race and entered the perfection of “paradise”, we will too. When our job is done, the love of God will be manifest in uninterrupted good feelings, satisfaction and happiness.  Maranatha!
 
- Pastor Mike

 

          SEPTEMBER OFFER

WFP offer

The teaching of marriage as a sacred covenant is so critical today. And it’s so much bigger than two people—marriage and the family are the foundation for the church and society.  Yet, there seems to be more messages from the pulpit on how to “clean up” the mess after the disaster of divorce than how to prevent divorce in the first place!
 
This month on Focal Point, we are devoted to teaching about marriage and it’s importance to God and to the proclamation of the Gospel. To help you in this area, we have selected an important resource to supplement our radio broadcasts called, This Momentary Marriage by John Piper. This book presents a vision of marriage that is higher and deeper and more fulfilling than you could ever have imagined. 
 

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Christianity / Devotionals / The Weekly Focal Point / The Weekly Focal Point - September 17