A Believer in an Unbelieving World (Deuteronomy 4:7-8; 4:32-34; 2:1-6)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
20 June 2021
Israel on pilgrimage to the promised land faced threats from unbelievers. Jesus when on earth faced hostilities. Likewise, Christians on their way to heaven will face opposition.
Three characteristics are evident in Israel. These characteristics are also present in Christians.
First, Israel was separate from the nations. It was not a physical separation but an inward one. Israel was a unique nation created by God. What other nation was ever set apart from all other nations?
Jesus was separate from sinners (Heb. 7:26). The church also is separated. It is a holy people separate from the world (1 Pet.2:9).
Second, Israel co-existed with unbelievers. Israel was to buy essentials from unbelieving nations (Deut 2:6). She was to engage with them.
Jesus lived among sinners and engaged with them. Christians, like Jesus, are in the world but not of the world.
How important it is that Christians engage with the world. The world is alienated from its Creator. How will it be reconciled unless we engage with it? Jesus came into an alienated world, engaged with it, and reconciled alienated people.
Third, Israel was to take possession of the land. This meant conquest. In the process of taking possession some of the inhabitants were won over to Israel. As Jesus engaged with the world he drew unbelievers to himself. He conquered the devil and liberated sinners.
Christians are to engage with the unbelieving world and win people to Jesus. All authority abides with Jesus. By that authority the gospel proclaimed by Christians will deliver people from the dominion of the devil.
These three characteristics are present in Jesus Christ. He remained separate from sinners being without sin. Yet he lived among sinners and engaged with them and won sinners over to the kingdom of God. Jesus resides in every Christian. Christians are Christ-like as they pass through this life and will be used of God to win the lost ones to himself.