Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me. . . Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to Me." [Joh 14:6; 6:45]
WHO MAY COME? -- "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away. . . No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." [Joh 6:37,44 NIV]
HAS GOD DRAWN YOU? (clue: you are here reading this)
This next Scripture demonstrates that God takes fallen, sinful man from every walk of life and gives mercy to those who are willing to accept it. (This is an outline of Psalm 107.)
Psalm 107
- Give thanks to the Lord
- For He is good
- His love endures forever
- Let the redeemed of the Lord affirm this is true
- Those He redeemed from the hand of the enemy
- Those He gathered from distant lands
- Aimless – Some wandered in desert wastelands with no place to settle
- They were hungry and thirsty
- Their lives ebbed away
- Then they cried out to the Lord
- He delivered them from their distress
- He led them by a straight way to a city
- Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love
- And His wonderful deeds for men
- For He satisfies the thirsty
- And fills the hungry with good things
- Rebellious – Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom
- They had rebelled against God’s commands and despised His counsel
- They were prisoners in iron chains
- They suffered the consequenses with bitter labor
- They stumbled and there was no one to help
- Then they cried out to the Lord
- He delivered them from their distress
- He brought them out of darkness and desparation
- He broke their chains
- Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love
- And His wonderful deeds for men
- For He cuts down gates of bronze and bars of iron
- Fools, Mockers – Some became fools from their rebellious ways
- They suffered the consequences of their sin
- Life became meaningless and they wished for death
- They loathed even food
- Then they cried out to the Lord
- He delivered them from their distress
- They found healing in His word
- Obedience heals the distraught, meaningless life
- He rescued them from thoughts of death
- Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love
- And His wonderful deeds for men
- Let them present thank offerings
- And tell of His works with songs of joy
- Successful – Still, others went out to the sea in ships
- They were players on the sea of life
- They saw the mighty works of the Lord and His Creation
- But a tempest stirred in the waves
- They rose high and crashed deep
- Their courage melted away
- They staggered like drunkards
- And were at their wits’ end
- Then they cried out to the Lord
- He delivered them from their distress
- He stilled the storm and calmed the waves
- He guided them to their destination
- Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love
- And His wonderful deeds for men
- (They cast off their pride for their accomplishment is of God)
- Let them exalt Him among the people
- Let them promote Him in civil government
- God removes prosperity for the wickedness of those who live there
- He turns rivers to desert and fruitful land into a salt waste
- God restores the humble and gives them a place to settle
- He turns desolate waste to flowing streams
- Their fields became prosperous
- God blessed them and their numbers increased
- Their herds were protected and prospered
- When those who are blessed become proud, He leads them back
- He disciplines through opression, calamity and sorrow
- Those who lead the people astray will wander in trackless waste
- He lifts the needy out of affliction and increases their families
- The upright observe and rejoice while the wicked shut their mouths
- Whoever is wise will heed this and consider the great love of the Lord