Hope Lutheran Church in Warren, Michigan

How many of you would be willing invest money in the stock market without first asking for advice?  Would you feel comfortable putting the stock quote page of your local newspaper on the wall and then throwing a dart to see where you would place your life's savings?  Would you construct a house without first consulting an architect or an engineer?  Would you just go buy a bunch of lumber, pipes, and wire and start erecting your dream home?  If you want to avoid a lot of headaches, it is wise to seek the advice of trustworthy counselors.   Even presidents have their cabinet; kings have their counselors.  Even the wisest kings like Solomon needed their advisors.

But the Jesus is different. The all-knowing Son of God has no need for counselors.  Instead of surrounding Himself with wise, educated men to give Him advice, He surrounded Himself with simple, unschooled men and became their Counselor.  Our perfect Counselor is incapable of giving bad advice.  He knows you better than you know yourself and He has the answers to any financial, health, relationship or other problem you will ever face.

Our heavenly Counselor is also your Savior.  He knows your greatest problem is your sin, which stirs up God's wrath against you.  Knowing the only way to resolve that hostility was to take our guilt upon Himself, He willingly died in our place on the cross.  He completely satisfied all of God's righteous requirements so that we can enter heaven forever.

Now, are you brave enough to to try and build your life, your destiny, and your eternity all by yourself?  Are you willing to risk your eternal fortunes on the advise of fellow mortals?  Jesus is both your Savior and your Counselor.  He has sent His promised Spirit to be your personal Comforter and Counselor.  He stands ready to help and advise us through every difficult circumstance you will ever face.  Drop your pride, admit your need, and seek God's wisdom for your life.  You need only look to Jesus!

  "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out! 

'Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?'"  Romans 11:33-34

Don't forget there's Homework:

+ How can you find a way to remind yourself to seek Jesus' counsel when you are faced with decisions.

Prayer Requests:

+ Pray that God's people may not be taken in by the soothsayers of this age, and may return to God's Word as truth.

+ For all who battle the foes of pain, hurt, and death, pray that the Lord may help them cling to the unshakable promises of God's love for them in Jesus.

Don't forget to check out the latest Hope sermons and Bible studies at: www.hopewarren.org

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John