Life From God's Perspective - a podcast by Lewis Marsh

Upon This Rock #3

Life From God’s Perspective

By Louie Marsh, 1-31-2021

 

Intro: last quote Thoreau

 

Perspective is everything when you are experiencing the challenges of life. - Joni Eareckson Tada

 

When your perspective is preloaded with the Word of God, lies lose their power over your life. -Steven Furtick

 

The Bible interprets life from its particular perspective; it does not record in a factual way the human journey through history. - John Shelby Spong

 

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. – David Henry Thoreau

 

The next 3 sermons are closely linked together and form the heart of what I’m trying to communicate to you on Sunday mornings during this campaign.

 

1. I) God Sees Life Very Differently Than I Do:

 

• He deals in absolute truth – I deal in

 

“25In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25, ESV)

 

Show Shootist Video with John Wayne and Ron Howard.

 

“12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12, ESV)

 

• I value what’s outward & visible, God cherishes the INWARD/INVISIBLE.

 

“15When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:15–17, ESV)

 

“7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”” (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)

 

1. II) Examples of How We See Life Differently Than God:

 

1) Jesus says I must LOVE my enemies?

 

“44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:44–45, ESV)

 

2) God actually expects me to FORGIVE everyone who hurts me?

 

“21Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21–22, ESV)

 

3) I’m supposed to pray for and BLESS those who persecute me?

 

“14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” (Romans 12:14, ESV)

 

4) God COMMANDS me to be sexually pure?

 

“27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27–28, ESV)

 

5) Jesus says my highest calling is to be a SERVANT?

 

“11The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11–12, ESV)

 

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