Rejecting the Purpose of God: Don't Nullify His Counsel
Base Text: Luke 7:30
"But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him."
Introduction
A. The Context of Rejection: Luke records a tragic spiritual reality: the religious leaders of the day—the Pharisees and the lawyers—chose to cast aside the designs of God for their lives. By refusing to be baptized by John, they weren't just skipping a ritual; they were rejecting God's counsel.
B. The Mission of John: God sent John the Baptist with a crystal-clear purpose: to prepare the way for the Messiah. To reject John’s message was to stand in direct opposition to the very will of God.
C. The Modern Parallel: Sadly, many people today—even those within the church—continue to reject God’s purposes by picking and choosing which commandments to obey.
D. Our Goal: Today, we will explore how we might unintentionally nullify God’s designs in our lives and how we can ensure we are walking in His divine plan.
I. Rejection Through Disobedience
The most common way we push away God’s purpose is through simple disobedience.
• The Pharisee Fallacy: They believed they were righteous, yet they refused the one act of obedience God required through John. In rejecting the command, they rejected the Commander.
• Message vs. Action: Today, we reject God’s purpose when we hear His Word but refuse to let it change our behavior.
• Malignant Purposes: Some people are so committed to their own selfish or harmful plans (Psalm 64:5) that they have no room for God’s design. Jesus warned that those who cause others to stumble are actively working against the Divine (Matthew 18:7).
• Intentional Design: Proverbs 16:4 tells us that everything God does is with a purpose. Our disobedience doesn't just "break a rule"; it frustrates the fulfillment of God’s plan in our lives.
II. God’s Purpose in Christ and His Church
God’s plan isn't just individual; it is corporate.
• Edifying the Church: Christ was sent to build His church (Matthew 16:18). This is the vehicle for God’s grace.
• Proclaiming Wisdom: According to Ephesians 3:10–11, the "eternal purpose" of God is that the church would make His manifold wisdom known to the world.
• A Royal Priesthood: We are a "chosen race" and a "holy nation" for one reason: to proclaim His excellencies (1 Peter 2:9). When the church stops preaching or starts living like the world, it is rejecting its primary purpose.
III. Rejecting Holiness is Rejecting the Purpose
We cannot separate God's plan for our lives from His standard for our character.
• The Call to Purity: God did not call us to "impurity," but to "holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:7).
• The Warning: 1 Thessalonians 4:8 is clear: "Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God." To live in habitual sin is to tell God that His purpose for your sanctification is not important to you.
IV. Active Opposition to God’s Work
Sometimes rejection isn't just passive; it is an active resistance to what God is doing.
• Historical Examples: * Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses through deception (2 Timothy 3:8).
◦ Elymas the Magician tried to turn people away from the faith (Acts 13:8).
• Obstruction: Whenever we create obstacles for the gospel or discourage others from serving, we are fighting against the purpose of God.
V. The Purpose Includes Suffering for Righteousness
This is perhaps the hardest aspect of God’s purpose to accept.
• A High Calling: 1 Peter 2:18–21 explains that we are actually called to endure suffering for doing good, following in the steps of Christ.
• The Trap of Comfort: If we reject the difficulties that come with the Christian life, we are rejecting a portion of the "design" God has for our spiritual maturity.
VI. The Purpose is to Inherit a Blessing
God’s purpose is ultimately for our good, but it requires a transformed heart.
• Repaying Evil with Good: We were called to inherit a blessing by refusing to seek revenge (1 Peter 3:9).
• Frustrating the Design: When we respond to evil with more evil, we short-circuit the purpose God has to make us more like His Son and to bless us as His heirs.
VII. God’s Ultimate Purpose: That None Should Perish
The most profound purpose of God is the salvation of humanity.
• Divine Desire: God wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).
• The Gospel Response: Rejecting the Gospel is the ultimate rejection of God’s purpose. Life eternal is a gift, but it is only received through obedience to the Truth (Romans 6:23).
See Also
- What Can We Learn from the Children of the Bible?
- The power of influence in the life of a Christian
- The Secret of Unity
Conclusion
The Pharisees were religious, but they were lost because they rejected the counsel of God. Today, many are following that same path—ignoring holiness, avoiding the mission of the church, or refusing the call to suffer for what is right.
Don't nullify God's design for your life. Be obedient, stay faithful, and align your will with His. Only then will we receive the reward waiting for us in the heavens.
