Matthew 8:19–22: “A scribe came up and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of the disciples said to him, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.’”(ESV)
A religious leader and another of Jesus’s disciples are taught in these verses two very important lessons about following Jesus…
1) Before you say impulsively, “Lord I will follow You wherever you go!” – COUNT THE COST!
2) But when the invitation/the call comes,.. SAY “YES!” DECISIVELY and don’t begin to make excuses!
Romans 12:1-2: What an important, key transition in Scripture (from one part of Romans to another) – verses that hold the key to a transformed life…
“In light of God’s redemptive plan and provision (i.e. “His mercy” – Romans 1:18 – 11:36)… Offer yourself completely and wholly to God! Do it as an act of worship – a “living sacrifice!” Don’t allow the “world” – the culture around you – to press you into its mold – instead allow the Lord to transform your entire life – inside-out – by “renewing your mind!” And the result – the outcome? A demonstration and expression of God’s will in and through your life – “what is good and acceptable and perfect!”
In Romans 11:25-32 Apostle Paul declares, “I do not want you to be unaware of this MYSTERY…”
Many enjoy a “good mystery” – a situation or plot to be uncovered and solved. A “mystery” Biblically, however, is a truth once hidden but now revealed by God! … In Romans 11 it is God’s marvelous plan of salvation that is big enough and grand enough to encompass all of humanity! It is offered to all – Jew and Gentile! But even the rejection of it by some, becomes an opportunity for others! In fact, vs. 32 captures a wonderful truth of this “mystery”: “God has committed all to disobedience, that He might have mercy upon all!”
That marvelous truth prompts Apostle Paul to follow up with a “Doxology” to an all wise, all powerful God!!! He has just been discussing God incredible redemptive plan for all people of the world – Jew and Gentile! He argues that God’s got it all worked out! He closes with this wonderful “Doxology” of praise to an all wise, all powerful God! He literally explodes in worship!!! This is the pinnacle of Romans!!!
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen!” (Romans 11:33–36 ESV)
Coffee With The Lord 