No Excuses; Today’s Flavor; How Big Is Your God?

Frequently, I find the toughest part of crafting a sermon is simply giving it a title. I noticed Jesus never gave titles to His messages 🙂 But bulletin secretaries and members like them. So I gave this message a three part title as I had a hard time choosing between them.  🙂

As we start today’s sermon/message, I’d like you to write down 3 things:

1) Write down 1 thing you would love to see God accomplish in your church.

2) Write 1 thing you would love to see God accomplish in your personal life.

3) Write 1 thing you would love to see God accomplish in your spiritual life.

In the first three chapters of Romans, Paul’s wonderful book on Salvation by grace through faith, he notes that their is no excuse to be spiritually illiterate and not to have a saving walk. Not for the gentiles, not for the Jews, not for the world!

Concerning the gentiles, he wrote that they have no excuse to be spiritually illiterate and disconnected from God because they have what we often refer to as “His second book” – creation, nature.  While creation/nature do not reveal all the details, they do provide enough for mankind to be aware of God and some of His attributes.   Romans 1:18-20 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse”

This thought is also found in Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”

From what nature does reveal of God, the gentiles should develop an interest to know more; which God would provide through a nation/church He raised up for just such a purpose. But the Jews also were without excuse. In addition to nature they were also given the oracles of God, the Old Testament, that pointed to Him and His plan of salvation. It was these oracles that Jesus Christ referred to during His earthly ministry to teach of Himself.
Romans 3:1-2  “ What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? ² Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.”

God had raised up a people, a nation/church to help the gentiles find God and His truth beyond what nature could reveal. And it seems some were active in sharing, but notice Jesus’ commentary on that …
Matthew 23:15  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.”  

Where as the gentiles had turned to worshipping the creation instead of the Creator; Israel turned to worshiping their distorted perspective of God’s truth and law instead of the Law Giver.

Early Christians also had no excuse because in addition to nature and the Old Testament, they had the addition of the life and word’s of Jesus and the New Testament!
John 15:22  “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin,  but now they have no excuse for their sin.”

Luke 12:48  “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” 

May I ask you an important question? How many of you have enjoyed nature?  How many of you have a Bible complete with Old and New Testament?

If there was ever a people most blessed by God it is those living in the last days!

We also have no excuse: because we have all of that plus we have been given the inspired writings of Mrs. White. A lesser light that leads to the greater light of Scripture. I realize even some Adventist Christians struggle with accepting her writings. I don’t. How many of you wear glasses? When you wear them, do they change what you are seeing? The answer is no, they don’t. They only change how you see and perceive what you are seeing. They help bring it into focus. When I “put on the lenses of Mrs. White’s writings, I find they do not change the Bible in any way; they magnify it, they exhalt it, they help bring it into clear focus.

I mentioned Jesus’ commentary on Israel’s witness to the gentiles. The world certainly needs the light of God’s  truth, it needs the hope it can only find in Jesus. Yet their witness was not an enjoyable “flavor”.

Flavors: some people say we “eat with our eyes”, that when food looks appealing it will taste better.  But I would add that we also eat with our nose – flavor hits our sense of smell long before it hits our eyes or our taste buds. How many of you have ever held your nose when eating something you felt would be disagreeable?

I don’t know what would Paul write about us if he were alive today. But I know that Scripture says we are Laodicean and that in spite of all our privilege and blessings our lukewarm spiritual condition (“flavor”) causes Him to want to vomit us out:

Revelation 3:16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

I think it would be fair to say Scripture says we are without excuse!

Not that we can’t come up with excuses, we often do, but they are still just that … excuses. 

Do you know what we need? Before we can receive a new heart and a new spirit?  We need Faith! Faith is the victory!

Perhaps you have heard of Alexander the Great and his “Compassionate Day”.  Besides being a fierce warrior, great conqueror and general, he was compassionate to his people. Every year, the story goes, he set aside one day, called Compassionate Day.

People across his kingdom could come and ask the king for a special request. However, most people were timid in front of someone so great and mighty and would only ask for small items: food, clothes, money for medicine, etc.

As the requests were presented through one of his assistants he would respond “Granted”.

One man shared his special request to the king’s spokesman: “please tell the king I would like a large palace, fit for a king” The spokesman stopped him, angrily saying “What impertinence! Don’t you see all the other people’s requests? How dare you ask the king for a palace!” 

King Alexander noticed the commotion and asked the assistant what the man wanted. The spokesman reluctantly told him, expecting the King to be angry.

The king paused for a moment, then, with a big smile, turned towards the petitioner and said, “Granted!”

To his spokesman he simply said: “Others asked for things anyone could have given them, but this man has paid his king a great honor by asking for what only a mighty king could grant, he has asked for great things”

What honor do our prayers pay to the King of the Universe? Our Heavenly Father wants to give us good things – more than we can imagine or think of!

Matthew 7:11 “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

Philippians 4:19-20   “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” 

We tend to forget how “big” God has been in our life, which leads us to forget how big He can and still wants to be in our lives!

I’ve experienced and observed that God performs many miracles early in our relationship to assist us in establishing a trust relationship;

And then He is still eager to do just as much, and even bigger things … but in answer to our faith filled prayers. God’s greatest desire for us, our greatest need, is salvation! Reconciliation to God. That is God’s top priority for us and it supercedes other requests we may present to Him.  

God has always wanted to do big things for His children. Because He is a big God He can do big things.

Do you honor Him with big faith filled, His will aligned, requests?

“The greatest victories which are gained to the cause are not by labored argument, ample facilities, abundance of influence, and plenty of means; but they are those victories which are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power”  GW92 135.2

How big is too big?

As mentioned previously, God’s primary goal is our salvation and that of others. So a request in line with that would seem appropriate.

Joshua had a big God and he knew it. When the cry came forth for help from their new allies, Joshua paused long enough to seek God’s counsel, and it came pretty clearly…

Joshua: 10:6-8  “And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.” ⁷ So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. ⁸ And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”

Joshua had been given:

v  A mission

v  A promise of success

v  Faith

Verses 9-11 tells us how God interceded on Israel’s behalf.   But there was one major obstacle in Joshua’s way –  the day was ending – the sun would soon be setting, the enemy could escape under cover of darkness which would prevent him from finishing God’s appointed mission. So he prayed, earnestly!              

Joshua 10:12-14  “Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” ¹³ So the sun stood still, And the moon stopped, Till the people had revenge Upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. ¹⁴ And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the LORD heeded the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel.

Who of us would ever think to ask God to do something as huge as stopping the sun and moon? Considering that God created the sun and moon, it was a simply matter for Him to halt their movement. But not to us! It raises all kinds of question in my mind that I can’t wait to ask Him about. The Holy Spirit inspired Joshua’s prayer. His request did not show presumption, as he had received God’s promise of victory. In faith he put forth as earnest effort as though success depended upon the armies of Israel alone. He did all that human might could do, and then he cried in faith for divine aid. Notice this thought:   “Those who achieve the greatest results are those who rely most implicitly upon the Almighty Arm. The man who commanded, “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon,” is the man who for hours lay prostrate upon the earth in prayer in the camp of Gilgal. The men of prayer are the men of power”  PP 509.1

“That prayer which comes forth from an earnest, believing heart is the effectual, fervent prayer that availeth much. God does not always answer our prayers as we expect, for we may not ask what would be for our highest good; but in His infinite love and wisdom He will give us those things which we most need”  4T 531.2 

That kind of prayer and prayer request takes faith, knowing how big a God you serve, and knowing Him personally!

As a father stood by his kitchen window, he overheard his young son and his friend  doing the “that’s nothing game” and one-upping each other. It went something like this … “Well my daddy knows the grocery store owner”,  to which came the reply “that’s nothin, my daddy knows the policeman”. This little “contest” went back and forth from knowing the mayor, to the governor, but when he heard his son’s friend say “that’s nothin, my daddy knows the president!”, he wondered what his son could possibly come up with to top it. He stood in pleased astonishment when he heard his son say “well that’s nothin, my daddy knows God!” and the “game” ended. 

Would your children, your friends be able to speak so boldly of your friendship with God? How much time have you been spending with Him in earnest prayer and Bible study? What is our excuse to not know God? 

John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.“

 Not si

“Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him—this is our need.”   Ed 261

My friends, would you permit me to make this appeal to you? during the remainder of this year and into the year(s) ahead, are you willing to spend some time, hours if need be, in study & prayer to see big changes happen in your church, and in your life?

Below is some additional reading I gave as some Sabbath afternoon “homework”. I hope you will also take some time to read it and contemplate it. And may God richly bless you as you engage in earnestly seeking to know Him!  

“I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said, “Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.” I was then pointed to Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the Lord, and at last the cloud was seen. I saw that we had doubted the sure promises, and wounded the Saviour by our lack of faith. Said the angel, “Gird the armor about thee, and above all take the shield of faith; for that will guard the heart, the very life, from the fiery darts of the wicked.” If the enemy can lead the desponding to take their eyes off from Jesus, and look to themselves, and dwell upon their own unworthiness, instead of dwelling upon the worthiness of Jesus, His love, His merits, and His great mercy, he will get away their shield of faith and gain his object; they will be exposed to his fiery temptations. The weak should therefore look to Jesus, and believe in Him; they then exercise faith.”  EW 73.2