“GOD CHOSE YOU!”

 2 Thessalonians 2:11-13               (ESV)

“[11] Therefore GOD sends THEM a STRONG DELUSION, so that “they” may BELIEVE WHAT IS FALSE, [12] in order that all may be condemned who DID NOT BELIEVE the TRUTH but HAD PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.  13] But we ought always to give thanks to GOD for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because “GOD CHOSE YOU” as the firstfruits TO BE SAVED, through sanctification by the SPIRIT and belief in the TRUTH.”.

DELUSION— false belief

“This world” has become so dark that most people find it more comfortable to BELIEVE WHAT IS FALSE than accept TRUTH and the consequences of it!  There is such a premium placed on achieving “success” according to the standards of society that some ignore what is RIGHT!  

But when THE CREATOR sends THEM a STRONG DELUSION, the end result should be understandable.  In order that all may be condemned who DID NOT BELIEVE the TRUTH but HAD PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS and NOT accept the TRUTH!  

The ALERTS need to be sounded, constantly over and over again!  There are people known by many as “GOD CHOSE YOU” who are CALLED TO BE SAVED from the sinful lusts and desires of the flesh!  

We must remember that “GOD CHOSE YOU” to NOT believe the lies of “the enemy”, but be CHANGED and SAVED by the TRUTH!!!

“REMOVE VEXATION!”

 Ecclesiastes 11:10                 (ESV)

“REMOVE VEXATION” from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”

Vexation 

1. anger produced by some annoying irritation 
2. the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
3. something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
4. the act of troubling or annoying someone 

There are 12 chapters in the book of Ecclesiastes.  King Solomon, the author of this book, was known for his wisdom (1 Kings 4:29-30).  He wasn’t perfect, but his wisdom was notable. He wrote in the next to last chapter of Ecclesiastes the focal verse for today.  

King Solomon wrote in the verse above that a wise man should “REMOVE VEXATION” from your heart!  The four excerpts from a dictionary above show what “VEXATION” is described as.  It seems to me that the OPPOSITE of “VEXATION” might be PEACE???

Genesis 3:1a “Now the serpent (Satan) was MORE CRAFTY (conniving) than any other beast of the field that the LORD GOD had made.”  The exact OPPOSITE of MORE CRAFT could also be considered as PEACE!

JESUS said to HIS disciples in John 14:27 “PEACE I leave with you; MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  

About sixteen years ago I was in the midst of “VEXATION” in my life.  GOD placed me into a coma for seventeen days to “REMOVE VEXATION” from my heart!  It is sad that I had to go through such a traumatic experience , and that my family had to endure such horrific circumstances, but GOD “REMOVED VEXATION” from my life!  HE didn’t need my permission either!  

Don’t be as stubborn as I was!  “REMOVE VEXATION” from your heart before HE helps you with it!!!

“I CHOSE YOU!”

 John 15:16-19                       (ESV)

“[16] You did not choose ME, but “I CHOSE YOU” and appointed you that YOU SHOULD GO AND BEAR FRUIT and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the FATHER in MY name, HE MAY GIVE IT TO YOU. [17] These things I command you, so that you will love one another. [18] “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OF THE WORLD because you are not of the world, but “I CHOSE YOU” out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

Briefly this morning, we need to REMEMBER that “I CHOSE YOU” means that we had NOTHING to do with our salvation!  Ephesians 1:4 says HE CHOSE US BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!!  That is far beyond my imagination!!  Even though HE KNEW that I was a vile sinner, HE CHOSE ME!!!

Why did our CREATOR, JESUS, select me, a worthless reject, to extend SALVATION to out of HIS vast options?  I cannot answer that question, because I am not HIM!  All I know is “I CHOSE YOU” are the sweetest words that I have ever heard!!!

Revelation 4:11

 Revelation 4:11                   (ESV)

    “Worthy are YOU, our LORD and GOD,

        to receive glory and honor and power,

    for YOU created all things,

        and by YOUR will they existed and were created.”

“HE CHOSE US!”

 Ephesians 1:3-6                   (ESV)

Spiritual Blessings in CHRIST

“[3] Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO has blessed us in CHRIST with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as “HE CHOSE US” IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we should be holy and blameless before HIM. In love [5] HE predestined us for adoption to HIMSELF as sons through JESUS CHRIST, according to the purpose of HIS will, [6] to the praise of HIS glorious grace, with which HE has blessed us in the Beloved.”

When you are having a bad day and “the enemy” is assaulting you with his arrows of lies, it is IMPERATIVE that we remember who we are IN CHRIST!!  BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, “HE CHOSE US” IN HIM that we should be holy and blameless before HIM!!  We will SEE one day that nothing else matters than that!!!

“HE HUMBLED HIMSELF!”

 Philippians 2:3-8                    (ESV)

“[3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but IN HUMILITY count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in CHRIST JESUS, [6] WHO, though HE was in the form of GOD, did not count equality with GOD a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied HIMSELF, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, “HE HUMBLED HIMSELF” by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

How does one acquire HUMILITY?  Can you TRULY explain it to me?  The pastor of the church I attended when I was CHOSEN by ALMIGHTY GOD was probably the most HUMBLE person I ever knew, but he wasn’t the quietest person by far.  HUMILITY emanated from him seemingly effortlessly, and I didn’t recognize it until much later in life.  It wasn’t a trait that he bragged about, but in retrospect it was something that he couldn’t deny.  

The Apostle Paul was beaten numerous times, shipwrecked, and stoned presumably to death, and several other atrocities recorded in Scriptures, but he wrote in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 he writes “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, OF WHOM I AM THE FOREMOST (or CHIEF!).  But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, JESUS CHRIST might display HIS perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in HIM for eternal life.”  

SEEING the JESUS, our Savior and example, yielded HIMSELF to be HUMBLED, even though HE IS THE SON OF GOD, is almost more than I can imagine.  THE CREATOR (Colossians 1:16), “HE HUMBLED HIMSELF” “to the point of death, even death on a cross” just so my salvation would be bought!  No other sacrifice could have paid the price, “HE HUMBLED HIMSELF” because HE was our only HOPE!!!

“JESUS WEPT!”

 John 11:35                            (ESV)

“JESUS WEPT.”

For many, John 11:35 is known only as the shortest verse of the BIBLE.   I’m sure that the fact that “JESUS WEPT” wasn’t shocking to those surrounding HIM. John 11:33 says “When JESUS saw her (Mary) weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, HE was deeply moved in HIS SPIRIT and greatly troubled”!  Since JESUS was “deeply moved” and “greatly troubled”, the fact that “JESUS WEPT” only a couple of verses later should not be alarming?  

Why was JESUS so moved that HE would weep with those in HIS midst following the death announcement of Lazarus?  Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha, who were devoted followers of JESUS, and his departure certainly left them devastated!  JESUS could have been so grieved that some of HIS closest followers had their EYES on their current situation and that they were NOT able to SEE WHO was in charge of LIFE?  JESUS had demonstrated that HE was GOD many times, but even HIS closest followers were unable to SEE that HE could “overcome” death, hell, and the grave!!

Am I any better than Mary and Martha?  I KNOW that death cannot visit unless GOD ALMIGHTY orchestrates and ordains it!  July 2007 will forever be a reminder that GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!  Could it be that “JESUS WEPT” because HIS followers did not TRUST HIM enough?  Do I TRUST HIM ENOUGH???  Is “JESUS WEPT” still occurring today because of my limited vision????

“I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU!”

 Hebrews 13:5-6                   (ESV)

“[5] Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for HE has said, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.” [6] So we can confidently say, 

    “The LORD is my helper;

        I will not fear;

    what can man do to me?””

When JESUS is placed where HE is designed to be, it makes everything else fall into place!  “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU” needs to be plastered on my forehead to cause me to always have HIM on my mind!!!

“HE LED THEM!”

 Luke 24:50-53                       (ESV)

The Ascension

“[50] And “HE LED THEM” out as far as Bethany, and lifting up HIS hands HE blessed them. [51] While HE blessed them, HE parted from them and was carried up into heaven. [52] And they worshiped HIM and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, [53] and were continually in the temple blessing GOD.”

The Ascension of the physical body of JESUS into Heaven is recorded in the book of Luke in four simple verses.   THE LORD and HIS disciples left Jerusalem that day and went just east of the Mount of Olives to Bethany, “a designated place for the sick and those with contagious diseases”, according to some.  

Why didn’t JESUS lead HIS disciples to a place of grandeur and prosperity?  One would think HIS disciples might remember this place as the final place JESUS was seen on earth?  

JESUS CHRIST came to earth to save we who are sick and those with contagious diseases.  In HIS final act of obedience, “HE LED THEM” to a place of servant hood, not of celebrating HIS victory over death!  Yes, because of HIS victory we are able to be FREE from death, hell and the grave, but HIS disciples needed to know that “HE LED THEM” to minister to the sick, NOT just to glory in HIS victory!

We need to remember that “HE LED THEM” to Bethany, not to Jerusalem, to minister to “a designated place for the sick and those with contagious diseases” just before HE ascended to Heaven!  Am I following HIM to Bethany???

“GOD HAS REVEALED TO US!”

 1 Corinthians 2:9-10                      (ESV)

“[9] But, as it is written, 

    “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

        nor the heart of man imagined,

    what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM”—

    [10] these things “GOD HAS REVEALED TO US” through the SPIRIT. For the SPIRIT searches everything, even the depths of GOD.”

There are people who believe that JESUS only shared WHO HE was with people who BELIEVED, with those who were CHOSEN?  After all, HE was THE CREATOR and everyone “should” know where they came from?  

I didn’t know my earthly father until I was almost 24 years old.  I met him and was so underwhelmed by the absence of love for me, his son, that I refrained from seeing him again until he was near death.  

How could anyone NOT love someone given to them by ALMIGHTY GOD, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES?  To understand that HE CHOSE us from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) FOR A PURPOSE, to serve HIM is something that we must OPEN our EYES to SEE!  

“GOD HAS REVEALED TO US”, via HIS HOLY SPIRIT, what HE has CHOSEN us to do for HIM!    The sad thing is that sometimes I am in such a hurry that I exhibit very little interest in SEEING what GOD wants to do and I try to accommodate what I think is best!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, I beg YOU to not give up on me and display to me that which “GOD HAS REVEALED TO US” for YOUR GLORY!!!

“YOUR WORD IS TRUTH!”

 John 17:14-19                        (ESV)

“[14] I have given them YOUR WORD, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [15] I do not ask that YOU take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. [16] They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them in the TRUTH; “YOUR WORD IS TRUTH”. [18] As YOU sent ME into the world, so I have sent them into the world. [19] And for their sake I consecrate MYSELF, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

Almost the entire chapter of John 17 is called THE HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER, coming from JESUS to HIS FATHER because HE knew what lie ahead of HIM!  Since JESUS knew what lie ahead of HIM, yet HE willingly submitted to the FATHERS PLAN, HE has “all authority” (Matthew 28:18) over “this world”!  Yet JESUS suffered through the torment of Calvary because of my sins, and yours.  

Our wishes don’t validate our sins, no matter what you told.  JESUS CHRIST paid the price of redemption for our sins and HE ALONE has the power to forgive us, no one else!  1 John 1:7 plainly says “But IF we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of JESUS HIS SON cleanses us from ALL sin.”  

For this humble FOLLOWER OF JESUS, I want to remember that “YOUR WORD IS TRUTH” and that I MUST adhere to TRUTH, not try to change TRUTH to accommodate my actions!!!

“I DO NOT UNDERSTAND!”

 Romans 7:15-25                        (ESV)

“[15] For “I DO NOT UNDERSTAND” my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. [16] Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. [17] So now it is no longer I who do it, but SIN THAT DWELLS IN ME. [18] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. [19] For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [21] So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22] For I delight in the law of GOD, in my inner being, [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and MAKING ME CAPTIVE to the law of sin that dwells in my members. [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to GOD through JESUS CHRIST our LORD! So then, I myself serve the law of GOD with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

Being in CONTROL is something that I have never been able to master to my own benefit.  I would be too strict with myself, then I would be too lax further down the road.  It doesn’t make sense that I would be so on FIRE for THE LORD and then display such Spiritual Immaturity in the same day.  

There are times when I have to be reminded that this body is a temple of the HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and I shouldn’t have CONTROL over what going on with my body.  If ANYONE should understand this, it should be me?  Sixteen years ago I “believed” myself to be in CONTROL of my life.  Within a little more than a month I was in a coma and medical team was unable to CONTROL my blood pressure.  My personal physician wrote in my medical records in September 2007 “However, he has had a remarkable recovery that could only be defined as a miracle from GOD!”  

To say that “I DO NOT UNDERSTAND” might just mean that GOD is in our midst doing what ONLY HE is able to do!  There is NO DOUBT in my mind that GOD is capable of doing as HE pleases, so why am I amazed when that occurs?  ALMIGHTY GOD loves me, a broken vessel incapable of reciprocating HIS affection, and “I DO NOT UNDERSTAND” that!  HIS LOVE is a boundless love, and I am SO GLAD it is!!!

“BE ON GUARD!”

 Mark 13:22-23                    (ESV)

“[22] For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, TO LEAD ASTRAY, if possible, the elect. [23] But “BE ON GUARD”; I have told you all things beforehand.”

Almost the entire chapter of Mark 13 is written in red letters, indicating that the WORD was spoken by JESUS, the CHRIST!   Whenever I see red letters in Scripture, I pay attention because I feel as though JESUS HIMSELF is speaking directly to me.  

The television in our house isn’t used as much as it previously was.  I used to have it turned on listening to a news channel that claimed to be the source of TRUTH, but when I started listening more to THE TRUTH the “fake news” will NOT satisfy!  Therefore I don’t listen to it anymore and I try to listen to THE REAL TRUTH!  

Listening to “counterfeit” sources of “this world” will not satisfy when you have been exposed to TRUTH!  We need to “BE ON GUARD” to being exposed to the lies that come from “the enemy” and know where it is coming from!  The devil is a liar and what he is trying to accomplish is to LEAD US ASTRAY.  When we listen to TRUTH we are more apt to follow HIS ways and do HIS WILL!  

“BE ON GUARD” that you are not listening to lies, but the listening to TRUTH…..that is JESUS CHRIST!!!