My pastor regularly makes use of elaborate sermon illustrations and being a visual learner, I gain a mental peg on which to hang his messages. He insures that I will think about them again during the week as I encounter the everyday articles he chose. My eldest grandson still has not forgotten the sermon where he scattered hands full of seed across the sanctuary and those seated in the first several pews. Perhaps neither have his three children who vacuumed afterwards.
This Sunday he began his message seated on a bench to the right of his usual place in the pulpit. He painted a mental picture placing each of the congregants in his shoes in a foreign land where we neither knew nor spoke the language. He proceeded to explain the difference between having a plan and a purpose. His purpose for being on mission in this distant locale on this particular occasion was to share the gospel of Jesus Christ where He is not known. As a disciple of Christ, my mission, my overarching purpose, to make disciples, is the same. The question I’ve been asking myself this week is just how my plan matches my purpose? How am I using my everyday moments to impact the world for Christ?
“The earth belongs to the Lord. And so does everything in it.
The world belongs to him. And so do all those who live in it.
He set it firmly on the oceans. He made it secure on the waters.
Who can go up to the temple on the mountain of the Lord?
Who can stand in his holy place?
Anyone who has clean hands and a pure heart.
Anyone who does not trust in the statue of a god.
Anyone who doesn’t use the name of that god when he makes a promise.
People like that will receive the Lord’s blessing.
When God their Savior hands down his sentence, it will be in their favor.
The people who look to God are like that.
God of Jacob, they look to you.
Open wide, you gates.
Open up, you ancient doors.
Then the King of glory will come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, who is strong and mighty.
The Lord, who is mighty in battle.
Open wide, you gates.
Open wide, you ancient doors.
Then the King of glory will come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord who rules over all.
He is the King of glory.”
Psalm 24:1-10 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/psa.24.1-10.NIRV
The psalmist drew elaborate pictures with words of worship meant to lead the nation of Israel into the presence of the Lord even as they made their way into the city of the king. Think of the gates of Jerusalem thrown open wide to admit the king and his army after a great battle as foreshadowing Jesus’s triumphal entry and His promised return. Hear the scriptures.
“The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city.
A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him.
They shouted, “Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!””
John 12:12-13 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.12.12-13.NLT
“His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy.
But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.”
John 12:16 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.12.16.NLT
“Yahweh claims the world as his.
Everything and everyone belong to him!
He’s the one who pushed back oceans to let the dry ground appear, planting firm foundations for the earth.
Who, then, is allowed to ascend the mountain of Yahweh?
And who has the privilege of entering into God’s Holy Place?
Those who are clean—whose works and ways are pure, whose hearts are true and sealed by the truth, those who never deceive, whose words are sure.
They will receive Yahweh’s blessing and righteousness given by the Savior-God.
They will stand before God, for they seek the pleasure of God’s face, the God of Jacob.
Pause in his presence
So wake up, you living gateways!
Lift up your heads, you doorways of eternity!
Welcome the King of Glory, for he is about to come through you.
You ask, “Who is this King of Glory?”
Yahweh, armed and ready for battle, Yahweh, invincible in every way!
So wake up, you living gateways, and rejoice!
Fling wide, you eternal doors!
Here he comes; the King of Glory is ready to come in.
You ask, “Who is this King of Glory?”
He is Yahweh, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, the invincible commander of heaven’s hosts!
Yes, he is the King of Glory!
Pause in his presence”
Psalms 24:1-10 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/psa.24.7.TPT
Even though you may not attend my church, as followers of Christ Jesus, we have one Teacher, Jesus. He also used many illustrations and painted elaborate word pictures when He used parables to illustrate spiritual Truth. His stories give me many pegs to hang these Truths on in my mind. Though times have certainly changed, His Word is ever the same and His illustrations remain understandable as long as I remain teachable.
I am the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. (John 10:11)
I am the Gate for the sheep. (John 10:7)
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
I am the Light of the world. Whoever abides in me never walks in darkness for he has the Light that leads to life. (John 8:12)
I am the Bread from heaven. (John 6:51)
I am Living Water. (John 7:38)
God’s kingdom is likened to a farmer who planted good seed. It is like a mustard seed, a little yeast in dough, a hidden treasure found, a pearl merchant, and a fishing net. The road leading to God’s kingdom and its doorway are narrow and few find it.
““You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life.
But the Scriptures point to me!
Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.”
John 5:39-40 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.5.39-40.NLT
“Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord; The righteous will enter through it.
I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, And You have become my salvation.”
Psalms 118:19-21 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.118.19-21.NASB1995
His coming was foretold throughout the Holy Scriptures, the law and the prophets from the beginning as He made clear during His walk to Emmaus. (Luke 24:27)
“In the past, he let all nations go their own way.
But he has given proof of what he is like.
He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven.
He gives you crops in their seasons.
He provides you with plenty of food.
He fills your hearts with joy.””
Acts 14:16-17 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/act.14.16-17.NIRV
Who God is was perfectly expressed in Christ and knowing Him requires a response. Loving Him calls for obedience, so I ask myself again, how does my plan match my purpose? How am I using my everyday moments to impact the world for Christ? Two ways are opened to me each moment of every day. When I am unsure of which to take, I look for Jesus.
““Enter God’s kingdom through the narrow gate.
The gate is large and the road is wide that leads to ruin.
Many people go that way.
But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to life.
Only a few people find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/mat.7.13-14.NIRV
““Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.
Keep on seeking, and you will find.
Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives.
Everyone who seeks, finds.
And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.7-8.NLT
This is the Kingdom SKILLET
King of Glory THIRD DAY
A Fitting Reply 