“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????