Who Calls the Shots? (Leviticus 17:10-20:27)

Church, 
Too often, we think we are the quarterback of our own life.  Or maybe we think that when we are young.  But as we mature a little, we come to realize that the quarterback might make the plays on the field, but he's not really the one calling the shots.  He doesn't set the practice schedule?  He doesn't decide how the defense is run.  He doesn't even decide if he's the starter or not.  So over time, we start to drop this analogy.  But instead of seeing the one who truly calls the shots, we start seeing ourselves like the umpire.  The truth is defined by how we see it.  Or maybe we live as if it's not truth until we call it truth.  Too often, we fail to let go of our false presumption of control.  

So when we hit Scripture like Leviticus 17:10-20:27, we balk.  We fight back against a God who tells us what to do and what not to do.  Scripture like this wages war against our own desire to call all the shots--even in our faith journey.  

What are we to think about Scripture like this?  Here's a brief video with some thoughts on the this topic. 

Are we ever in a position to call all the shots in our life?  No.  So why do we try to play umpire over the Scripture.  Why do we read "You shall" and "You shall not" with such discomfort?  Even if we don't, why is there so much controversy in our world over Scripture?

 It all stems back to that first lie in the Garden of Eden when Satan told Adam and Eve that if they would just listen to him instead of God, they could be like God, calling all the shots in their own lives.  But it was a lie.  And taking action on this lie is sin.  

Wait a minute!  We are free in Christ, right?  He has freed us from this Law by fulfilling it, right?  Indeed.  Yet Jesus still expects to call all the shots in our life.  This is what it truly means to say that Jesus is Lord.  He expects that we hear his words and obey them.  "My sheep hear my voice," Jesus said in John 10:27, "and I know them, and they follow me."  In Mathew 7:24, Jesus said, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who builds his house on the rock."  

Our freedom in Christ was made possible by what Jesus did for us on the cross.  But because he stepped out of that tomb victoriously, we ought to hear his voice, trust him, and obey his words.  Who else would have the words of life?  He is God, we are not.  He is Lord.  How could we possibly continue to live under the false illusion that we are free, when it is clear we are actually a slaves to everything.  Jesus sets us free, but it means we let him call all the shots.  Are you ready to following Jesus with every aspect of your life? Are you really ready to let it all go and call Jesus your Lord? 

See you Sunday!
Pastor Bryan