Jesus & Issues Everyone Faces - Disciple Makers Series #18نموونە
Understanding Special Moments
Thoughts on the message
Here is another aspect of revelation - understanding what it means.
The teachers of the law said that it had to happen one way – God did it in a different way. It is easy to feel we understand what the revelation (dream, vision, etc.) means but really miss it completely.
Here are somethings I have learned:
· Interpretation will be consistent with the Word of God. God’s Word is the standard.
· Interpretation will be consistent with the heart of God – His love, mercy, grace, justice and truth.
· It will give honor to God, His ways, His bride the Church, etc. It is not about us, our great intellect, or our insight.
· Do not make it a private interpretation. Let other godly people review it for accuracy.
· Do not be afraid of symbolic versus literal interpretation. Again, let the above tests determine whether it is literal or symbolic.
· BE CAREFUL. Interpreting revelation exposes our biases – what we want it to mean. Let God reveal what He wants to reveal – it will often be a challenge to us and what we believe.
Prayer
Father, these religious people did not interpret Your revelation correctly – because they did not want to believe John’s testimony and they did not want to accept Jesus. Their hearts were exposed. Today, I ask that You expose my heart with Your Word. Show me where what I believe is right and consistent with Your heart. Show me also where I am not in alignment with Your heart and Your will – and give me a humble heart to repent and receive correction. You reveal Your heart to draw me closer to You – and I want that for my life. I ask this in Jesus’ name Amen.
Scripture
About this Plan
Matthew writes to God’s people and walks them on a journey that will take them from where they are to be Disciple Makers. This is 18 of 27 devotional plans walking us through the book of Matthew. Jesus now works through a series of issues over the next few chapters. This week Jesus comes down from the mount of Transfiguration – and faces many different issues.
More