Matthew 13:33 - 14:33 - Taking Refuge in the LORD

Highlights:

* Important Lesson # 1: History is shaped for the good of God's people

* Don't be a sucker for the world's opinion about what is important. The world does not know what is important.

* The nations of earth did not know it, and only a few in Israel ever believed it, but everything that happened on the face of this earth was based on God's special relationship with Israel.

* Important Lesson # 2: Those in Christ are the New Testament Israel of God

* In this covenant, you who have His Spirit are God's chosen people. What the world thinks about you doesn't matter any more than it mattered for Old Testament Israel.

* Everything that is happening on this planet is determined by God's relationship with the body of Christ.

* The visitation of God is never a small thing, however small it looks to the people that He has not visited.

* Believe God and keep your eyes on Jesus!

* It is good to remember that "Little is much if God is in it." And the opposite is true: Much is nothing if God is not in it.

* So, the only question we ever need to ask is this: "Is it of God?"

* Important Lesson # 3: God chooses small things

* It is as surprising as it is disappointing that so many believers turn away from some things that are of God because they are not big things in the eyes of man.

* Jesus told me early on not to desire or expect any big thing, but just to make my work perfect. So, I have never been concerned about the size of this congregation. My concern has been to make what I do perfect in Good's sight.

* God's approving presence is all that we need because it is all that really matters.

* When we trust in Jesus alone to cleanse us by the Spirit alone, we are taking refuge in the LORD.

* When we trust in Jesus alone to baptize us by the Spirit alone, we are taking refuge in the LORD.

* When we trust in Jesus alone to guide us by the Spirit alone, we are taking refuge in the LORD.

* When we take refuge in the LORD, the world and the foolish among God's children will say to us, "Flit away, little sparrow, to your mountain!"

* Important Lesson # 4: Experiences with the power of God are necessary

* Miraculous biblical stories, such as Jesus feeding the multitude or walking on the water, can become like fairy tales to us if we lose touch with the power of God.

* You need experiences with God in order to know whether or not what you believe is true.

* Your faith will give out; it will run dry and come short. But when God creates His saving faith in us by His Spirit, that faith will keep us unto eternal life.

Scriptures referenced in this video:

Luke 17:20-21
2Corinthians 4:18
John 7:24
Numbers 23:9
Deuteronomy 7:7-8
Deuteronomy 32:8
Isaiah 43:3-4
Romans 15:4
Psalm 8:3-4
1John 3:1
Ezra 3:12-13
Zechariah 4:10
Zechariah 2:13
1Corinthians 1:26-29
Psalm 11:1
Philippians 3:3
Leviticus 18:16
Exodus 12:49
Mark 6:23
1Corinthians 12:3