<TITLE>03. Par 8-11</TITLE>L-8 And John down there, not dressed with great swelling words, just the common ordinary man, not dressed like the high priests... For God doesn't dwell in the way we dress. God doesn't care very much about it as long as we're dressed decently and look right. You don't have to have your collar turned around or wear a turban on your head. God wants you to have a humble submissive heart. That's what God looks for.
And as he seen Jesus coming with John to his baptism, John turned and looked and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world."
And when Jesus was baptized of John, they say that He returned back later to the home of Lazarus and Martha. And as He lived there, eat at their table, slept in their bed there in Bethany... And one day God spoke to Jesus and told Him, "I want You to leave this place and to go where I will show You."

L-9 Now, we know that the Bible said in Saint John 5:19, Jesus said, "I do nothing except the Father shows Me first what to do." And now, God had to show Him then what to do, or He'd never left Bethany. So He went out about a day's journey or two, and by and by, Lazarus got sick. And they sent for Jesus to come. But instead of coming, Jesus just ignored the call.
Now, would it not make you feel strange if the pastor did that? It would make you feel like, "Well, he doesn't care about us." But oh, if you would just stop a minute to remember this, "That all things work together for good to them that love God." Nothing in the world can go wrong as long as you're in God. "The footsteps of the righteous is ordered of the Lord."
And then they sent again for Jesus. And He seemingly ignored their call and just went right on. After four days passed, He said, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth. And for your sake I'm glad I wasn't there." For if He'd have been there, they'd have been trying to get Him to do something that wasn't the will of God.

L-10 Oh, how I could stop here for a moment. How that many times with good intentions, people try to call people out of the will of God. A man should know his absolute calling. You should know what you're doing. And with not just a haphazard way, or let money pull you from one place to another or popularity do it. No matter how popular you are or how rich you are, you should always first seek God to know His plan and His will.
Now, when Lazarus was sick, it seemed strange that He would not go back. But Jesus said, "I'm glad I wasn't there." 'Cause they'd been persuading Him, saying, "Now, why don't You come on over here? Won't You do this." And "Why don't You raise him up? You raised others."

L-11 But Jesus knew better. Jesus knew what the Father's will was. And, oh, what a blessed privilege it is that we can know the Father's will. If we will seek God, God will make known His will. I'd rather know that I was in the will of God if I never spoke to another person, then to preach to ten thousand people every night out of the will of God; I'd rather know the will of God.
I believe that it was David that said, "I'd rather be a doormat at the (or something), at the house of My Lord, than to dwell in tents with wickedness." What a privilege to find our place and there abide. No matter how the devil shakes, what he says, or how he scoffs, stay right straight in the will of God.


<A HREF="P4">Next Page</A>