Title Toward Resurrection ④ Jesus' Determination (March 28)
Contents
Jesus' decision
(Luke 9:51-62)
Toward the Resurrection ④ Jesus' Determination
(Luke 9:51-62)
When does a person become strong and when does he become weak? (...) Indeed, there is another cause for a person's heart to become weak. The first is remorse. No matter what other people say, public opinion doesn't matter. If I feel a remorse of conscience within me, my inner person becomes weak enough to be submissive. Second, it is weak when there is no clear purpose.(...) Why? A life without the answer to this question makes life weak.(...) Anyone can become weak when their purpose is shaken. Third, we become weak when we think selfishly. This is because selfishness cannot be supported by conscience. (...) Human beings are originally created in the image of God (a moral being), so when they say that they serve and serve even a little for society and for the country (altruism) When you are an enemy) you become stronger.(...) Fourth, when you do not have a clear and firm decision, you become weaker.(...) A mind that changes according to circumstances is inevitably weak. A person who is consistent throughout his life is strong.
Have you ever made a promise to God? (...) The special Lenten season, “My beloved, rise up, let’s go together” will start tomorrow (March 29) for 14 days.(...) The church provides a lot of grace to families. However, not only the church is precious, but also the family.(...) Without a good family, there cannot be a good church. If a good family is not established, a good society cannot be established. (...) I hope that you will come to the special early morning prayer with the intention of establishing a good family. God helps in the morning. Obviously, you have to live a life of decisions.
Verse 51 of today's text says that our Lord has made a firm decision. It was no accident that Jesus died on the cross. It's not that I got caught by accident. It was not because the priests and Pharisees had a brilliant plan, nor was they arrested because of the strength of the Roman army. The cross was chosen and decided by Jesus himself.(...)
1. Jesus knew and decided.
Jesus knew that he had decided to kill himself in Jerusalem.(...) The road to Golgotha... He also knew how painful it was to carry the cross. He knew everything from the pain of the cross... from being whipped to being nailed to both hands and feet. Knowing everything, he was determined to go up to Jerusalem. A few days later, the Passover, and the road to Jerusalem is the same road that the Lord went three or four times a year. But this time on the road I had to go with a firm determination. The original meaning of the Greek word for determination is “to harden the face”. The Living New Testament refers to the determination as ‘an iron will’.(...) He decided to go to Jerusalem to carry the cross. He knew clearly what was going to happen, and he knew the meaning of the event and the conclusion of the event.
2. Timing is important for determination.
Jesus' decision was made at the right time. Verse 51, “As the promise of ascension is cold…” Here is the problem of the promise and timing. There is a matter of time in everything.(...) Dying at any time is a waste of one's life. Even sacrifices are in vain if you don't care.(...) You must follow the time provided by God. How much time do you have left now?(...) The time to be redeemed by the blood of the cross is not the time taken by the Pharisees, but the time chosen by the Lord.(...)
3. Determination is setting priorities.
Determination is choosing the will of God and abandoning the will of man. You must choose one and discard the others. You can't get them all. A person who can do great things is a person who makes a big decision.(...) To make a decision, you must have faith that you can do anything through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).(...) It should be saving as many people as possible. Jesus' decision was to save mankind.(...)
R. Shuller said that a problem is a problem because it has a solution. Jesus made a decision and prayed, and he also renewed his resolve through prayer. Are you determined? If so, you should start. We have to start at all costs and difficulties. No Cross, No Crown! Amen.
- From Pastor Dongho An's Sunday morning worship service on March 28-