The Greatest Engagement Introduction: Usually a great deal of planning and preparation takes place before people enter into a partnership in the business world. Those involved would like to be sure, before signing the final contract or agreement, that the venture will prove satisfactory and profitable. Marriage is a tremendous gift of God to two imperfect people entering into an extremely close partnership. But to assure a relationship of mutual contentment, much planning and preparation must take place during the courtship and engagement. Topic: The Greatest Engagement Text: Hosea 2:19-20 - "I will betroth you to Me forever1; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness2 and justice3, In lovingkindness4 and mercy5; 20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness6, And you shall know the LORD. " Discussion: A Christian is engaged to Christ, awaiting the wedding day of His return. The church prepares its members for that day with a love that is jealous and generous. In Hosea 2:19-20, we find God Almighty promising to engage Himself unto His people. But He does more than that; He also gives us His responsibilities in this engagement. Because of His great love for you and me, God makes a promise to us that one day He wants to marry us. He wants to take us to be His wife and to confirm that He is prepared to be engaged to us. Let us look at the way He is prepared to be engaged to us. 1. He says that He will be engaged to us forever. According to the dictionary, forever means a length of time without beginning or end. God says that He loves you so much He wants to be united with you forever. Listen to what this entails for you and me. Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you. He is our fiancé forever. 2. He says that He will be engaged to us in righteousness. According to the dictionary, righteousness is an obligation or commitment of God against Himself as a Holy Being. In other words God says that because He is God He commits Himself as God towards us. Isaiah 54:14 - In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near thee. Because of His engagement to us, we will be established as His bride. 3. God says that He will be engaged to us in judgment. That means that God says that He will take care of every situation that we will face. That means that I do not have to worry about anything because He will be in charge and in control. Isaiah 42:3 - A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not quench; He will bring forth justice in truth. Exodus 14:14 - The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest. 4. God says that He will be engaged to us in lovingkindness. He says, "I will show you My constant love. God says that His love for us will never ever die. He will keep on loving us regardless of what we have done or have failed to do. In fact, nothing that I do can change His love for me." 5. God says that He will be engaged to us in mercies. That means that He will be our strength, our right hand. Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. 6. God says that He will be engaged to us in faithfulness. That means that God will be true to His character and to His Word. Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good? Every promise that God has made belongs to those who accept His engagement and only in their lives will these promises be fulfilled. Isaiah 46:11 - Calling a ravenous bird from the east--the man [Cyrus] who executes My counsel from a far country. Yes, I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed it, and I will do it. Conclusion: The Christian’s principal goal in life is to honour God and please Him in all things. “Whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Now listen, an engagement can only be valid and fulfilled if the other party accepts it. Have you accepted God’s engagement?
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 00:44:15 +0000
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