Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 4 February 2024
God Is Jealous
Scripture References: Exodus 20:1-17, Psalms 54:1-7, James 4:4-10
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CloseThere is nothing, and no-one, like God. He is holy – unique, one-of-a-kind. And he should be, and must be, known like this. He will not allow his significance (his glory) be given to another, or any other thing. In this sense, God made the world, and placed humans in the world bearing his image, to declare this truth to the universe. As humans sinned, God committed through the family of Abraham to restore his significance through the world. This is at the heart of his saving of his people from Egypt. This is at the heart of making his covenant with his now-saved people at Mount Sinai. This is at the heart of his commandments which enable his people to represent him to the world. And this is at the heart of the attribute of ‘jealousy’ – God is passionate for his covenantal relationship with his people, because it declares his significance to the world. When God’s people aren’t so passionate, so wholehearted, so devoted, then what are they saying about their God?
Scripture References: Exodus 20:1-17, Psalms 54:1-7, James 4:4-10
Related Topics: God's character | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
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Luke 10 | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 19 October 2008 | Listen | ||
Mary & Martha | Richard Riley | Sunday, 19 October 2008 | Listen | ||
Leviticus 23 | Lindsay Heal | Sunday, 12 October 2008 | Listen | ||
Mark 16:1-20 | Richard Riley | Sunday, 5 October 2008 | Listen | ||
Leviticus 16 | Richard Luckensmeyer | Sunday, 28 September 2008 | Listen |
Jesus deals with the question of ‘Who belongs in the kingdom?’ Is it children? Is it the good? Is it the godly? And, how and what does this look like? This question of ‘belonging’ is one that is constant in our lives – where do I belong, do I belong, what does belonging look like? And Jesus is very clear: the kingdom of heaven is made up of the dependent, the reliant, the weak – just like children.
The book of Esther recounts a period where God's people are in exile, aliens in a foreign land. Sounds like our time doesn't it? Even when God seems absent, He is at work. The great reversal of power at the heart of the universe has already taken place. Jesus won victory over death on the cross and in His resurrection. Satan the great enemy of God and His people, has been defeated. We wait in the now but not yet. Waiting for the Lord Jesus to return and give His people relief and rest. But as we wait, we share the good news of the gospel, call people to faith in Jesus, faithfully endure persecution, knowing that our deliverance is assured.
We love a turning point. Whether it is a story or a football game. Hope dawning at the darkest time. Where is the great turning point in Esther? It could be our memory verse, when Esther is persuaded by Mordecai to act to save her people. It could be when the king looks with favour upon Esther and holds out the golden scepter to her. It could be when Haman is forced to lead Mordecai through the city mounted on the king’s horse and proclaims that he is the man the king delights to honour. They are major events in the story of Esther. They are turning points of a sort. But the writer of Esther points us to another event. That looks so trivial.
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