“How He Longs to Gather You!”
(Luke 13:31-35)
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
TEXT: Luke 13:34b ~ The words of Jesus: “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.
Introduction: Charred lump/yellow chicks He gave his life to save us.
But we don’ like to admit that we are lost and need saving…
I. We still reject the prophets who bring God’s Word
A. Pop culture redefines love (“Greater love has no one than…” Sacrifice for others.
1. Our culture seduces us to believe “love” is whatever makes you feel good.
a. Abortion, sodomy, divorce, boys pretending to be girls and vice versa…
b. Pastors pretending Jesus Christ is not the only Savior.
2. They call the faithful “haters,” hypocrites,” “judgmental,” “unloving”…
3. At least they only (ironically) judge us and call us names – don’t stone us – yet!
4. #lovewins? No! #sodomywins – but just for a while. God wins in the end.
God will not be mocked forever. A fire is coming and we will all eventually meet our Maker face to face. Without Christ, O Lord, who can stand?
B. Not just the open, blatant deniers of Christ, but also many sitting in church…
1. Not asking for forgiveness, but trusting that we have fixed our mistakes…
2. More subtly (and more diabolically), trusting in our trust rather than in Christ…
II. God used the rejection of Jesus to save us from ourselves.
A. Satan and his minions thought they “got Him,” but it was God’s plan.
1. “We speak about the mystery of God’s wisdom. It is a wisdom that has been hidden, which God had planned for our glory before the world began. Not one of the rulers of this world has known it. If they had, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory.” (I Cor. 2:8)
2. Jesus: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”
3. “He is the payment for our sins, and not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
4. Psalm 146:3 ~ “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.”
Psalm 118:9 ~ “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.”
5. DAILY repentance: “Morning by morning, new mercies I see…”
B. God doesn’t ask for much – and then he gives us all he asks from us!
1. The Gospel Imperative: “Repent and Believe!”
2. “Come unto me…” “Just As I Am”
3. He gives us freely the will NOT to resist the Holy Spirit
4. We REALIZE Christ has gathered us safely under the shelter of his wings…
And join the faithful in crying out, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
III. Take your eyes off the enemies of the cross of Christ, but…
A. Don’t miss the tears (weep for the enemies of the cross of Christ).
1. Pray that God would grant them the same REPENTANCE he granted you.
2. You be the example for them to follow (grateful and loving) – and be wary!
B. Look to heaven and await Christ. (Be in the Word.)
1. Keep your eyes on those who await a Savior; Stand firm IN THE LORD!
2. Galatians 2:20 ~ “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live I live by believing in God’s Son, who loved me and took the punishment for my sins.”
Conclusion: In the soft, warm shelter of his wings, you will have (as our Psalm reminds us) more joy than they have when their grain and wine abound.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understating, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.