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Writer's pictureDavid Warren

The World's No vs God's Yes

John 7: 46 “We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.

47 “Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked. 48 “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? 49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!” 50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. 51 “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked. 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”

The next time you are called by God to do something for Him you better listen up. The impact of following that call will be important. I cite the examples of Moses, Jonah, and others. The following is the list of those who listened to and responded to God's call and instructions by faith. Hebrews 11: It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. 11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

There was a point when the call was sent out and a point when it was accepted and acted upon. They responded with faith and God used them for HIS glory. In the above scripture in John, even the guards were amazed at what Jesus was saying and it was touching their hearts and minds. The doubt of the Pharisees was overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus and His power could not be denied. Nicodemus, who had met with Jesus earlier spoke up for Jesus in that the law needed to be followed. They asked Nicodemus if he was from Galilee too. Then they tried to use the scriptures to further their point by saying Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”

Nicodemus was defending Jesus. Nicodemus is one of the Pharisees and now he is defending Jesus. The Pharisees once again try to manipulate scriptures to disprove that Jesus is the Messiah. Earlier in the text, they say these words in John 7: 40. When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, “Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting. 41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” 43 So the crowd was divided about him. 44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.

Note to self: When God calls I must follow His call in faith and not make excuses from scripture to try and thwart His call on my life. I am not a Pharisee by any definition of the word. I DO let excuses and unbelief sometimes keep me from following the call of God. All of those excuses are put there with purpose by our enemy, Satan. Satan will feed you a line of bull and make it seem right and true. But it isn't. God's call is real, and it does have an effect, and when we deny surrendering to that call, things get messed up. We get out of God's will, which is a very dark place. Walk into the light of His calling and you will see God in a totally different perspective.

I want you to look at the words Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and how it all ties into what Jesus was showing. Ephesians 1:18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

****Paul prayed that their hearts would be FLOODED with light so they could understand God's calling. We need that flood of light. So pray for it; it will come, and you will get the confidence to follow that calling.

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

*** Paul also prayed for an understanding of the greatness of God's power for those who believe. We need this awesome power to live this calling. It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead! WHAT???? YES, YES, YES.

If we need that kind of power to follow God's calling, then the calling itself must be very important and pivotal. Believe it, receive it, and also receive the power to do it!! Knowing this will certainly get us off our couch and get into the game won't it? The answer is yes!! Do live in the world's doubt and apathy. Live in the light-filled calling of God. Nuff said!!


Today's Message,


David Warren

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