Jesus – Israel – New dreams, Shattered Dreams
What about us? Are we fully turned into Father’s dream?
Story of Naomi – Husband & two sons killed. Gets a new dream.
Questions & Lessons From Shattered Dreams
Question #1 Are shattered dreams necessary for spiritual growth?
Those dreams we view as essential to our happiness will shatter so we can draw near to God.
Hebrews 7:18-25 NIV
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’”[b]
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[c] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Question # 2 Is excruciating pain needed? Why is life painful?
We need an appetite for a better dream – part of us survives everything terrible that happens to us – surfaces when we are hurt.
Question # 3 Why am I angry at God? why do I feel a tension with him?
Ruth 1:16-18 ESV
6 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.
Footnotes
b. Hebrews 7:21 Psalm 110:4
c. Hebrews 7:25 Or forever