GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN
If you have been over at my other blog this week then you know what is coming. This Sunday’s sermon is on the “calling” John and Jesus had upon their lives. From the very beginning their parents knew the child they were expecting was going to play a major role in the history of the world.
John would soon find out his role was as a forerunner to the coming Messiah.
Jesus would grow up with the knowledge He was that Messiah.
God had a plan for each of their lives. Zechariah and Elizabeth knew their son’s future role. I have this sneaking suspicion from the beginning of when he sucked on his mother’s breasts, she was also singing to him or telling him of his part in history. He would be the “Elijah” sent to announce the coming Messiah.
Joseph and Mary also knew the purpose for Jesus. It was in His names: “His name shall be called Emmnauel, which means ‘God with us.’ ” His name shall be called “Jesus,” for “he shall saved His people from their sin.”
All of it cloaked with some stunning conversation between Gabriel and Zechariah and Mary.
And as I stated in PreAmbleDay7, lost in all of this is the truth of the Virgin Birth. One of the non-negotiables…I firmly believe. It is definitely one of the truths which separates Christianity from other religions. I certainly don’t understand it all, but I believe it.
May I ask you to pray for me and for OVCF this Sunday? Thanks. And your thoughts on either this post or anything from The Great Adventure?
I will be praying for you for this weekend. Hope you survived the advancing glaciers.
Thanks Daniel. Surviving and shoveling.
A couple questions. I have always wondered, since there were no J’s in any written or spoken language until the 13th century or so, what Jesus’s original given name was.
I have also always wondered why so many Divine entities have been born by virgin mothers. What’s the big deal with virgin mothers?
Original name is Insou. The “J” in Greek is an “I” in the alphabet. Jacob and Joseph both begin with an “I.” Name is pronounced He-long “a”-soo.
Don’t know why. I can only speak for the one I know to be true. His was a special birth that required the “seed” of the Holy Spirit and a virgin (but not a sinless virgin) as Islam says she was.
Thanks. I figured it was a Y or an I. Usually in translating languages they leave the names as given. Was it the Pope that decided to change all of the names?
As for virgin Mothers I am sure the seeds all came from somewhere and were all believed to be true.
Not sure what you mean about Pope changing names so can’t answer that.
I was just curious as to when and who changed the name from Insou to Jesus. I was just guessing it was the Church of Rome. (The Pope)
Praying, Bill
Thanks Larry.
I’m with you, Bill, and I’m praying for you and your flock.
I know you are Floyd. Thanks.
Praying for you, Bill. Have a powerful time this weekend!
Praying for just that thing Jason. Thanks.
Loved the band… Gary and I were dancing the Macareindeer…prayers are with you! Loved walking in, & shoveling the snow.sitting on the porch and watching the birds…it really is a winter Wonderland!
Walking in might not have been too bad but over two hours of shoveling and chipping away was not fun. 🙂
Praying Bill for your sermon. It’s good to give out foundational truth to be built on such as the virgin birth. Tis the season to think about it since it fill so many of our songs and Christmas cards.
Thanks for your prayers Betty. I agree on the foundational truths.
Amen!
Adds to my Bible Study last night on Mary.
God bless.