The God With Purpose
Commentary
Sometimes, when you hear people talking about what God wants of us it seems as if he has some set of rules he does not want violated; that his reputation is at stake in what we do and how we act; that he is holy and wants us to be like him; or that he is offended that we have taken his will lightly.
Often what we hear transforms God into some petulant, jealous, angry, wrathful, threatening God. And that is what God becomes for many. It is an image they cannot escape.
Let me suggest that all those demanding, threatening passages be read once again with a new attitude. Note that in every case results are expected. But look at the results. Generally they are for our own benefit. New life, wholeness, peace with God, unity with one another, at one with ourselves (shalom).
We hear much talk about what we have to give up if we elect discipleship to Jesus. Time to reconsider and become aware of all that he promises.
OUTLINE I
Our Destiny
Ephesians 1:3-14
Introduction: Whether one is reading PaulÕs actual letters or those attributed to him -- let the reader decide -- it is always important to look for, either actually or implied, a Òso thatÓ or a Òtherefore.Ó It is clear that GodÕs redemptive work among and in his people always has a purpose; that purpose is always on the agenda. It may be new life, new worship, new praise; but will always be something God has in mind. Be on the lookout for those key words. They are here.
A. Unity. Look over verses 3-10 and you will discover that everything here moves toward GodÕs purpose of unity for all things. The point is that God is always headed somewhere, has something in mind. I had a professor in college who said that God never just poured his gifts down over our heads to run off into the gutter. God has a purpose.
B. Praise. In fact, not just praise, but praise of his glory. Sometimes we run into people who seem to be all caught up in ecstasy, which can be characterized as praise without an object. Not here. We are to let our light shine so that all may see and give God the glory.
Conclusion: Remind the hearers that GodÕs gifts are not given for nothing, but so that ... therefore ...
OUTLINE II
All Barriers Down
Ephesians 2:11-22
Introduction: I wonder what some might think if we were to point out that the writer of the Ephesian letter is a person who is rigidly convinced that there is and always has been one chosen people, and that all others are outsiders. What if we went a bit further and maintained that this is essentially a Jewish attitude toward themselves and toward others, and may never have been GodÕs attitude at all. Thus, the change that has taken place is not so much that God has had to make a way for others to be included, as that he has revealed to the Jews and to others that the barrier they had placed there has been broken down. Say it again: the barriers they had placed there.
A. Evidence From the Past. Turn to Genesis 12:1 and reread the call of Abraham. Check out the prophetic material, especially that in Isaiah which calls Israel to be a light to the nations, servant of all. There is plenty of material spread all across the Hebrew Scriptures which makes it clear that exclusions practiced by many are not God-made at all.
B. Evidence From the Present. The witness is clear. Jesus never differentiated between Jew and Gentile. His kingdom was open to all. Pauline understanding of circumcision had to do with matters of the heart. One can go on and on with examples.
Conclusion: There are still many who have some formulas, some hoops, some definitions, some standards that exclude others from the kingdom. The message of the text - that none are excluded - is still as valid for these as it was for those put upon Gentiles of Ephesus.
OUTLINE III
Sheep Without a Shepherd
Mark 6:30-34
Introduction: Sheep and shepherd images abound in the Scriptures. I always find it worthwhile to check these things out again when I am preparing sermons. So, turn to Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:9ff; Ezekiel 34, in which bad and good shepherds are compared; Luke 15. Reread them, maybe even turn to the commentaries for substantive material for the sermon. In every case, the real point being made is the weakness, the vulnerability, the inability of the sheep to care for themselves. Two things come to mind.
A. The Exposed Sheep. Most of us imagine ourselves quite able to take care of ourselves, thank you. The Scriptures indicate that this is a myth -- self-concocted and self-serving. We imagine ourselves to be in control, to have it all together, to be able to manage our lives without help. We are victims of our own pride at this point.
B. The Caring God. But God knows better. He sees the mess we make of our lives. He watches as we are taken to the cleaners by our adversaries. He sees us choose wrongly, trade in what is good for what is useless and second-rate, act against our own self-interest. He knows that without a shepherd to go before us in life and help us sort out what is good and bad -- as good shepherds do -- to correct, to guide, to prepare a table, to protect from enemies, we are likely to make a mess of our lives.
Conclusion: Many out there want a shepherd. They don't want to be sheep, however. They still want to be old goats and do as they please. Remind them that sheep and shepherds do go together.
