People often look down on or mock others who miss things that are quite obvious. I myself have been the object of such mocking. I didn’t purposely ignore what was going on, but by missing what was plain to everyone else, I became the object of scorn. This kind of mocking and joking is relatively harmless even if it’s a bit embarrassing for the one receiving it. But missing something obvious can have dire consequences in our spiritual lives. When Jesus was on earth, He performed many signs—some that the religious leaders even explained as being empowered by Satan. Even while trying to please God, their thinking had become so against God that they missed that these signs could come only from God. So, they demanded a sign from Jesus presumably to authenticate His words. Imagine asking that of someone who had just recently caused a lame man to walk, healed a man with a paralyzed hand, and given sight and speech to a man who was blind and non-verbal! How could they miss the signs!? The more I ponder that question, the more I wonder how I miss the signs. I’m so focused on what I want that I miss the clear teaching from God’s Word that is trying to redirect my passions. I get so intent on keeping rules that I suppress the work of the Spirit to change my heart from arrogant to humble. I am in need of eyes to see God’s work and a heart that will submit to it. May God continue to change our hearts so that we will see His work and submit ourselves to Him. – Pastor Rory Martin
Sunday at Liberty
- BTH: Russ Frederick–Exodus–Pharaoh’s Arrogance & God’s Wrath, 3 (Ex 9:13-10:29)
- AM: Pastor Rory–Matthew 12:38-50–The Messiah’s Confused Opposition, 2 (sermon notes)
- PM: Pastor Nate–Ezekiel 20:1-12–I Gave a Sign
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