Ever have one of those moments in studying God’s word where you are sure you know what is being said, only to discover that you only saw part of the message?
I was looking for grace the other day. I had found the verse that God was drawing me to preach on, but I was trying to make it fit into my existing sermon plan. Then I realized that it wasn’t going to fit so I started off with something new and figured I would use it later.
So I labored on this new project and spent way to much time on it looking to see what God was teaching and how to love people to the point of understanding. As I studied I realized that God’s grace was there and I just had to let go of my preconceived thoughts and intentions on how I wanted to preach it.
Mark 9:33–35 (ESV)
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
The grace was in the question: “What were you discussing on the way?” I was so intent on the message of being a servant that I almost missed the opportunity to preach the Gospel in it. Bazinga!
How often do I find myself looking for grace, and I have already missed the question…
http://biblia.com/books/esv/Mk9.35