30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 17 11-19 Surrender, Thankfulness, Gratitude and Worship of God 02 Being a part of God’s grand design
📖 Luke 17:11-19
26Jul2020 - *Being a part of God’s grand design* - _Luke 17:11-19_ - THANKFULNESS AND GRATITUDE TO GOD 2 – Bible reading: _Luke 24:44-49_
We have now entered a new study, based out of _Luke 17:11-19_, which we are titling as *Thankfulness and Gratitude to God*.
_Luke 17:11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee._
Jesus was fixated to go to Jerusalem and to the cross. _Luke 9:29-31 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. (30) And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, (31) who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem._
We see here that the event of Jesus going to the cross was part of God’s grand design, which is an eternal plan. We, therefore, find that at the mount of transfiguration, Moses (Law) and Elijah (Prophets) appeared and spoke with Jesus about His decease, which He would go through at Jerusalem.
Just as Jesus was committed to His purpose, which as part of the grand design of God, He desires that we too will be focussed and committed to accomplishing His purpose for us. His purpose for us is to reconcile a specific audience of people along with their socio-cultural setting, to God.
We need to realise that God’s purpose for us, in our lifetime, is not a ‘stand-alone’ experience but is part of the grand design of God, which is over time and generations.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He interacted with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He helped them understand from the scriptures as to how His death, burial and resurrection were a part of the grand design of God to reconcile all things to Himself.
_Luke 24:25-27 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! (26) Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" (27) And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself._
He did this again with all of the disciples. _Luke 24:44-49 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." (45) And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. (46) Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, (47) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) And you are witnesses of these things. (49) Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."_
The disciples, who were restrained and reticent about their purpose, suddenly, after the filling of the Holy Spirit, were of different mettle altogether. They knew their God-given purpose and they were willing to lay down their lives for the purpose to which they were called and commissioned by God.
We have received the gospel in all of our nations in the world because the disciples were given completely to the purpose of God for their lifetime, which was part of the grand design of God.
Are you fully engaged and driven by the Holy Spirit to fulfil the God-given purpose for your life here on earth? Remember, your purpose here is not a ‘stand-alone’ effort but you will be part of the grand design of God.
Your purpose is a piece of the large picture. Your fulfilling and completing the purpose of God in your lifetime and I, completing the purpose of God in my lifetime, are different pieces that will need to fit and connect with each and thus together we complete the grand design of God.
One day, when we both stand before the Lord, we will have the spectacular experience of seeing the grand design of God rolled out before us. At the same time, imagine if you and I do not complete the purpose of God that He has for each of us, in our lifetime? Will, we not have to hang our head before Him? God will complete His grand design, regardless of us, but we would have missed the opportunity to be a part of the grand design of God.
*Thought to ponder*
```Will you say “Yes” to Jesus for His purpose that He has for you, it may cost you, your life?```