Making Reservations

Pastor Cory Herthel

Midland SDA Church

December 28, 2013

Key Texts: 1 Timothy 2:1-5; Ezekiel 18:19-32; Luke 19:9-10; Luke 9:23

SOP Reference: Christ’s Object Lessons; pg. 159.3-4

Introduction: Story of missing reservation.  Human failure; but God never fails

I. God’s Desire – 1 Timothy 2:1-5

  A. We should intercede for all (v. 1-3)

    1. Prayer is powerful (v. 1)

      a. Paul mentions every type of prayer

      b. He says do all these things for all men

    2. Prayer brings peace (v. 2)

    3. Prayer pleases God (v. 3)

      a. This is how we communicate with Him and He with us

      b. This is how we make our “reservation” with Him

  B. Intercession & Prayer leads to God’s desire (v. 4-5)

    1. He desires all to know who He really is (v. 4)

      a. This knowledge leads to salvation

      b. Salvation is what brings us to back to the place He intended for humanity to begin with

    2. Our intercession is mingled with Christ’s (v. 5)

      a. He is the true mediator/intercessor

      b. This idea is related to Hebrews 7:25 (His purpose in His heavenly ministry)

      c. Through His mediation He draws us back and secures us in Him

II. Make Your Reservation – Ezekiel 18:19-32

  A. What’s the condition? (v. 21-23)

    1. God takes no pleasure in the lost being lost

      a. His heart breaks because people choose to be lost

      b. He pleads with His people to turn and live

    2. He forgets our sins (instead of simply forgiving)

   B. The reservation is simple (v. 25-29)

    1. Recognize sin and its lethal consequences

    2. Reject sin and live

    3. Ignore sin’s consequences/pretend they don’t exist and miss eternity

III. The Reservation is Perpetual – Luke 19:9-10; 9:23

  A. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost (19:9-10)

  B. We can be partakers of this promise through daily self-denial (9:23)

    1. Taking up cross represents rebuke of own desires

      a. Rejecting sin even though it hurts

      b. Viewing Christ’s victory through His cross

    2. By choosing the cross over self, following Christ becomes natural

    3. It is not by self that we can have victory over self (transition into closing with SOP)

SOP: No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unChristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.

It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward it is to be renewed. All our good works are dependent on a power outside of ourselves. Therefore there needs to be a continual reaching out of the heart after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the soul before Him. Only by constant renunciation of self and dependence on Christ can we walk safely.