God has an Appointment for You March 27, 2016
Luke 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
Jesus was so beaten and weak that God had an appointment for Simon that he would fellowship in the sufferings of Christ. Simon was just minding his own business going into the city that Jesus was going out of when the Roman soldiers forced him to do this. He was going the opposite way of the Lord, but God stopped him in his tracks.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
But for the grace of God we would never find Jesus, actually He found us. The soldiers meant it for evil but God meant it for good. Men might think they are oppressing you, but God has a plan. Man’s wisdom is foolishness with God. Something forever changed for Simon that day. God had a special appointment with Simon and a manifold reward was waiting for him. There were two thieves crucified with Jesus. One believed and the other did not. There was not a third, indifferent one. Neutral you cannot be. You either believe and live or you don’t and remain in death. Simon had a greater blessing – he was given the privilege to suffer with Jesus.
Acts 11:19-22 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
This Simeon is the same Simon eleven years later, a prophet and teacher with Barnabas and Saul. God in ages past had this appointment. Today Jesus is offering you the same thing, “Take up the cross and follow me”. Don’t be entangled in the affairs of this life, it will rob you of your time with Jesus.
Mark 15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
This mentions that Simon had two sons. Do you know what God sees for your life? God had a plan for Simon and he yielded, and that blessing poured forth upon his children - they loved Jesus.
Romans 16:13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Do you want to give something to your kids? Train up a child in the way he should go and when they grow they will not depart from it. Continue to go after those things. What am I sowing in my life? Sow the Word. Quit going the opposite way of God. He will meet you because you are so loved, but He is asking, “What will you do with me today?” Will it be just another moment, or will you go with God? The testimony of Simon is he went with God, and his sons went on to follow Paul as he followed Christ. Continue, by grace, to go after the deep things of God, don’t let it pass by. The beauty of the sufferings together with Christ. You need to know the word of God.
Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
How is my life going to change? Love the word of God. Fall in love with Jesus. You are made to the praise of the glory of His grace. Salvation is wonderful, but there is so much more. Simon saw not just the sufferings but the praises. He saw how much Jesus loved him. He took up the cross and went on, not just for a day, for his life.
Download FilesMP3