They say there are no atheists in
foxholes.
Maybe more appropriate to this
time of year, as long as there are final exams there will always be
prayer in school.
What kind of bargains do we try to
make with God?
I’ll
live a life for you if You get me through this time of trouble.
You
provide me with a job and I will always be faithful to my church.
I’m
going to pray at the start of each work day and You will promote me
and get me a raise.
I’ll
give to the church building campaign, You provide me with the money
to do that.
How often our attempts at a
bargain are centered upon ourselves!
what
we will do
what
we promise
what
we sacrifice
what
our desires are
how
we are going to be rescued, glorified, and privileged
By the way, we do it as a church
too, not just as individuals. Lord, bring in ____ so WE can ____.
This is the exaltation of the
Christian, not exalting the Christ.
It seeks salvation by the Law, not
by grace.
It’s that false gospel the
Galatians were believing.
The splendid glories that we
build, like the glorious temple that Solomon built, all come to dust.
Is it from a desire to please God?
Sometimes, yes. Always mixed with a desire for our own glory.
(Use the perfect motive
illustration)
Enter the centurion
people
think he is worthy
he
thinks he is unworthy
touched
with a dying servant, very tragic
Jesus’ reaction? I’ll come and
heal her.
Remember a faithful Jew can’t
come into the Gentile centurion’s house without defiling himself.
Jesus is willing to be polluted so
as to save this man from a foreign background, a man he’s never
met.
Centurion’s reaction? Just say
the word.
Jesus says the word. Not because
of the centurion’s faith. Because of his ability.
What is our reaction? What do we
desire in times of trouble? What sign do we want? Jesus has given us
his very word. He has made promises, and he has never failed in his
promises.
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