The Town

This sermon was preached by Jim Weaver formerly of Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Middletown, DE.

Jacob had plans. He would run for his life and wait out the fury of his brother Esau. He had stolen the blessing and received the covenant promise from his dad. But God had other plans. God met Jacob when he least expected it and the fugitive would become a pilgrim. God showed Jacob a new reality of what life would be like in the Kingdom he would bring to this earth.

In this scene, we see the epitome of a dysfunctional family. There is competition between brothers and spouses. Everyone is out for their own selfish good. It would seem God couldn't move in the midst of such sinners, but the Sovereign God's plan to save sinners from the curse of the law, cannot be thwarted: by your family drama or your selfish sinful tendencies.

The story of Jacob and Esau is an illustration of God's great mercy and relentless love for his people.

Whatever happens in our life, in our land, or in our world is exactly the way that God had planned it to be. This is a hard teaching because many of the things that we see are hard to understand, if we can understand them at all. The story of Isaac and Rebekah's marriage demonstrates that God is always working and that he has plan. God's plan is born from his covenantal love for us. The Bible calls his love for us "hesed" which also means long-suffering love. God plans the details because he loves us. His detailed plan will bring about his glory, and his glory is our greatest good.

We are refugees in a foreign land. As much beauty as this world has to offer we are constantly reminded that this ain't it. God established a foothold on this earth in Canaan through his servant Abraham - but this was just the beginning. God had much more in mind than a land for Israel. God's intent has always been to dwell among us and to be our God. Jesus promises the homesick heart that he is preparing a place for us. But it all began when Abraham lived by faith and allowed God to use him to establish a foothold in the land.

No matter the trial, the test or the tribulation, those that belong to the Lord know that God has provided for every need in the person and work of Christ.

Abraham and Sarah had every earthly reason to be joyful when their firstborn son was born. They were very old yet God performed a miracle and enabled these faithful saints to enjoy a newborn baby when it seemed impossible. But their joy was not founded upon earthly reasons. They laughed on this great day because their joy was found in their Lord. They were joyful in God's Word, God's work in them and a faithful obedience that brought great joy.

It's the New Year, and this is the season for us to look ahead at all the things we wish to accomplish or change over the next twelve months. But have we slowed down to consider God's role in our plans? Or, more accurately, have we considered our role in his plans? We see very clearly in Scripture that as we go about our lives doing all manner of things, it is the purposes of the Lord that will ultimately stand. The Christian's chief end is to glorify and enjoy the Lord, and we do this by intentionally pursuing those things which God will use to transform us more into the image and pattern of his son, Jesus. He has given us, as his new creations, all the power we need to do this, so that no day, event, or plan is wasted.

Had God missed a detail in his plan when there was not one room available to Mary and Joseph. Certainly not. This was just the beginning of Jesus' road to Calvary.

God has not only made certain and precious promises but he has graciously given his church visible signs and seals to assure use, identify us, and remind us of who he is, and what he has done and will do for us.

God meets us on the road of affliction. In fact it is there that we find out what we're made of. Affliction either hardens us, breaks us or changes us. The good news is that God sees us and he hears us on the road of affliction.

Is the God of the Bible one who can be trusted? Is there reason for us to trust Him? When Abram was sinking into a deep depression and wondering if he had fooled himself into thinking that God had spoken a good word to Him, God condescended and made a covenant with Abram. God promised that he could be trusted no matter what suffering might over take Abram or his people. God has made promises to his church that often seem far away when we suffer. But God has sealed his promises in his Son Jesus. Indeed, God can be trusted for He is trustworthy.

There are moments in our lives, maybe even long stretches when God's promises seems far off. We are tempted in those moments to stray from our faith and trust in the Lord. But God even uses those moments to reveal Himself to us. When we stray we usually make a mess of things and we wonder if there is any chance of making it back home. There is no mess that God won't redeem.

The purpose of the church is to be used by God to save the world. This is an urgent call that the church must answer. God called Abram to go into a land that he would show him. This was the beginning of a journey that would ultimately lead the world to Jesus Christ. In the same way, the church has been called by Jesus to go into the lands that he will show us in order to bring the good news of the Gospel.

What does a civilization look like when it is built solely on the basis of the power and independence of man? It looks like a civilization that collapses under it's own weight of sin. History is on repeat - the world never does anything new. That is until God became one of us and turned the kingdoms of men on their collective heads. Our hope and joy can never be found in the institutions of man for they are consistent failures. Our hope must be found in a new address - the Kingdom of God.

The story of Noah is not a children's story. It's is a terrifying story of God's righteous judgment on sin. But God gave grace and favor to Noah, and He made a way of salvation by grace.

Once sin entered the world it didn't take long for it to truly take root in mankind. As man sought to be a law unto themselves they would spiral deeper into their own depravity. What greater crime and heartache could come from one brother killing his own brother out of rage and jealousy. Yet God's plan for redemption would not be thwarted. Though the war between the line of Cain and the line of Seth would continue, ultimately Jesus, a better Abel, a better Adam, a better man would bring redemption for us all.

When all seemed lost, God promised a Redeemer in the curse. He did not leave an undeserving people in sin and misery but instead gave grace. His promise of a redeemer was realized in Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus, all is not lost - today or ever.

A King created an unbroken kingdom for an unbroken people to be in an unbroken relationship with Him.