Sunday Morning Podcast Nov 11, 2018. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: ACTS 22:10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
Saul, (later called Paul), was on his way to Damacus, but was stopped on the road by heaven’s voice of Jesus, and answered by saying “What shall I do Lord?” Jesus told him to “Arise, and go into Damacus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.” “What shall I do Lord?” is a question that might arise at anytime in our life. The very question is also in essence, one that should be asked when we are in the deepest need in our soul. Each of us in our life have a need to ask this of God, “What shall I do Lord?” God gave Saul an answer. We all need to be like Paul (or Saul), to in truth desire God’s will. 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement, Romans 5. Can faith take in what will come as an answer to your question? Focus on verses 3-5. ‘This’ is the Bible Mathematics this text message is talking about.
The important thing about hope is, it answers/resolves the question,”What shall I do Lord?” When we follow this scriptural “formula” it leads us to hope. I’m grateful for hope! We can’t, or must not, continue on in many things in this world. Only if we follow the Bible Mathematics formula, will it lead us to the answer of Hope. When Saul (or Paul) asked of the Lord, he needed and wanted to know, whatever it was that he needed to do. It was a necessary challenge and his answer to life, and his question for God’s Will. This is just one passage in the bible that answers this question. Escaping physical tragedies (like for example, the CA fires) is a metaphor for life. We are all, at times, trying to escape danger, and looking for answers for help. What, where, which? These are questions we might ask, for many severe needs. What is the answer? Religion is not the answer. Religion is not why Jesus died! “What shall I do Lord?” God gives to us answers. Faith, and tribulation which works patience. Patience brings experience. And experience brings hope ( Romans 5:1-11). Even just a little faith, is all God needs for us to receive help from Him…if we are honest. Justified by faith, to have peace and God’s answers for our needs. It is then that we will have access to God’s grace, that then will get us to hope. A mathematical progression to Christ.
There is no bible mathematics answer to take a “side road” ever, though it might seem an easier answer. The devil is the one who presents that “side road.” Satan tells us we don’t need to give our all, that, that it is too hard. The temptation would be to “give in” to some negative attitude about perhaps some opposition, regarding a person or dilemma. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4 The answer God would give us, might cause us tribulation in dying out to our own will. That tribulation (if allowed) can develop patience in us. Patience will bring us experience. You can’t get off the rock of tribulation and still receive patience. There is no biblical mathematical way out of tribulation, but through patience! It takes patience which is what produces the proof, a witness of hope. God always proves Himself true to the biblical mathematical question, “What shall I do Lord?”
Biblical Mathematics….