Divine Yearning: The Call to Embrace God's Protection
Summary
In reflecting on the poignant words of Matthew 23:37, we are reminded of the deep yearning of Christ to gather His people, much like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. This imagery is not just a metaphor but a profound expression of divine love and protection. It speaks to the heart of God's desire for us to find safety, comfort, and growth in Him. The lament of Christ over Jerusalem is a testament to His enduring love and the tragedy of human resistance. Despite His repeated calls and the sending of prophets, the people of Jerusalem chose to turn away, highlighting the stark reality that while salvation is a gift of grace, the ruin of man is often self-inflicted through sin and rejection of God's call.
The metaphor of the hen and her chicks illustrates the multifaceted nature of God's relationship with us. Under His wings, we find not only protection from the dangers of life but also a nurturing environment where we can grow in faith and love. This divine shelter offers a community of fellowship, a family of believers who support and uplift one another. Yet, the choice remains ours. The will of man, often stubborn and resistant, stands as the great barrier to receiving the fullness of God's grace.
The call to come to Christ is persistent and patient. God uses various means to draw us to Him—through His Word, the ministry of His servants, and the circumstances of our lives. Each call is an invitation to experience the fullness of life in Christ, to be gathered into His loving embrace. However, the decision to respond lies with us. A genuine willingness to come to God requires a surrender of our own will, a readiness to abandon self-righteousness and embrace the righteousness of Christ.
The consequences of rejecting this divine invitation are dire. Without the shelter of God's wings, we are left vulnerable to the spiritual dangers that threaten our souls. The historical fate of Jerusalem serves as a sobering reminder of the destruction that follows when we refuse God's offer of salvation. Yet, even in this warning, there is hope. The call to repentance and faith remains open, urging us to seek refuge in Christ and find eternal life in Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. Divine Yearning and Human Resistance: Christ's lament over Jerusalem reveals His deep desire to gather and protect His people, yet it also highlights the tragic reality of human resistance. Our refusal to come to God is not due to His lack of calling but our unwillingness to respond. [02:27]
2. The Multifaceted Shelter of God: Under God's wings, we find protection, comfort, and growth. This divine shelter is a place of safety from life's dangers, a source of warmth and love, and a nurturing environment for spiritual development. [09:26]
3. Persistent Divine Call: God continually calls us to Himself through various means—His Word, His servants, and life's circumstances. Each call is an opportunity to experience the fullness of life in Christ, yet it requires our willingness to respond. [16:37]
4. The Necessity of a Willing Heart: A genuine willingness to come to God involves a surrender of our own will and a readiness to embrace the righteousness of Christ. Without this willingness, we remain distant from the salvation He offers. [22:11]
5. Consequences of Rejection: The fate of Jerusalem serves as a warning of the destruction that follows when we refuse God's offer of salvation. Yet, the call to repentance remains open, urging us to seek refuge in Christ and find eternal life. [28:08]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - The Lament of Christ
- [01:21] - Divine Desire and Human Resistance
- [02:42] - The Ruin of Man
- [03:47] - Practical Theology
- [05:12] - The Hen and Her Chicks
- [06:48] - Fellowship Under God's Wings
- [08:53] - Safety and Comfort in Christ
- [10:52] - The Fountain of Love
- [12:34] - Growth in God's Presence
- [14:02] - God's Means of Gathering
- [16:37] - The Persistent Call
- [19:23] - The Patience of God
- [22:11] - The Will to Come
- [26:07] - Consequences of Rejection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 23:37
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#### Observation Questions
1. What imagery does Jesus use in Matthew 23:37 to describe His desire to gather His people? How does this imagery reflect His character? [00:12]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem? [01:21]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of human will in the context of salvation and ruin? [02:42]
4. What are some ways God calls people to Himself, as mentioned in the sermon? [16:37]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings illustrate the nature of God's protection and love? [05:12]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that human resistance impacts the reception of God's grace? [04:41]
3. What does the sermon imply about the consequences of rejecting God's call, using the example of Jerusalem? [28:08]
4. How does the sermon explain the necessity of a willing heart in coming to God? [22:11]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt resistant to God's call. What were the reasons for your resistance, and how did you overcome it? [04:41]
2. The sermon mentions the comfort and safety found under God's wings. How can you seek and experience this divine shelter in your daily life? [09:26]
3. Consider the persistent ways God has called you throughout your life. How have you responded, and what might be hindering you from fully embracing His call now? [16:37]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of community and fellowship among believers. How can you actively contribute to creating a nurturing environment in your church community? [06:48]
5. What steps can you take to surrender your own will and embrace the righteousness of Christ more fully? [22:11]
6. Reflect on the consequences of rejecting God's invitation as illustrated by the fate of Jerusalem. How does this serve as a warning or motivation for you in your spiritual journey? [28:08]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to be more willing to respond to God's call. What practical steps can you take this week to move towards that willingness? [22:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Yearning and Human Resistance
Christ's lament over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37 reveals a profound truth about the nature of divine love and human resistance. The imagery of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings is a powerful metaphor for God's desire to protect and nurture His people. Despite this yearning, the people of Jerusalem chose to turn away, illustrating the tragic reality of human resistance to God's call. This resistance is not due to a lack of divine calling but rather an unwillingness to respond. The lament serves as a reminder that while salvation is a gift of grace, the ruin of man is often self-inflicted through sin and rejection of God's invitation. [02:27]
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you resisting God's call? How can you open your heart to His invitation today?
Day 2: The Multifaceted Shelter of God
The metaphor of the hen and her chicks in Matthew 23:37 illustrates the multifaceted nature of God's relationship with us. Under His wings, we find protection from life's dangers, comfort in times of distress, and a nurturing environment for spiritual growth. This divine shelter is not just a place of safety but also a community of fellowship where believers support and uplift one another. However, the choice to seek refuge under God's wings remains ours. The will of man, often stubborn and resistant, stands as the great barrier to receiving the fullness of God's grace. [09:26]
"He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively seek the shelter of God's wings in your daily life? What steps can you take to foster a nurturing environment for your spiritual growth?
Day 3: Persistent Divine Call
God's call to come to Him is persistent and patient. He uses various means to draw us closer—through His Word, the ministry of His servants, and the circumstances of our lives. Each call is an opportunity to experience the fullness of life in Christ, yet it requires our willingness to respond. The decision to come to God involves a surrender of our own will and a readiness to embrace the righteousness of Christ. Without this willingness, we remain distant from the salvation He offers. [16:37]
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is persistently calling you? How can you respond to His call today?
Day 4: The Necessity of a Willing Heart
A genuine willingness to come to God involves a surrender of our own will and a readiness to embrace the righteousness of Christ. This willingness is essential for experiencing the fullness of God's grace and salvation. Without it, we remain distant from the life He offers. The call to come to Christ is not just an invitation but a challenge to abandon self-righteousness and embrace the transformative power of His love. [22:11]
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Consequences of Rejection
The historical fate of Jerusalem serves as a sobering reminder of the destruction that follows when we refuse God's offer of salvation. Without the shelter of God's wings, we are left vulnerable to the spiritual dangers that threaten our souls. Yet, even in this warning, there is hope. The call to repentance and faith remains open, urging us to seek refuge in Christ and find eternal life in Him. The consequences of rejection are dire, but the opportunity for redemption is always available. [28:08]
"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it." (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you have rejected God's call. How can you seek His forgiveness and embrace His offer of salvation today?
Quotes
This verse shows also that the ruin of men lies with themselves Christ puts it very plainly I would but she would not how often would I have gathered thy children together and ye would not that is a truth about which I hope we have never had any question we hold tenaciously that salvation is all of Grace but we also believe with equal firmness that the ruin of man is entirely the result of his own sin it is the will of God that saves it is the will of man that dams. [00:02:17]
The Practical part of theology is that which is most important for us to understand any man may get himself into a Terri Labyrinth who thinks continually of the sovereignty of God alone and he may equally get into deeps that are likely to drown him if he meditates only on the Free Will of man the best thing is to take what God reveals to you and to believe that if God's word leads me to the right I go there if it leads me to the left I go there if it makes me stand still I stand still. [00:03:21]
The great destroyer of man is the will of man I do not believe that Man's Free Will has ever saved a soul but Man's Free Will has been the ruin of multitudes ye would not is still the solemn accusation of Christ against guilty men did he not say it another time ye will not come unto me that you might have life the human will is desperately set against God and is The Great Devourer and destroyer of thousands of Good Intentions and emotions which never come to anything permanent because the will is acting in opposition to that which is right and true. [00:04:31]
Those of you who have been gathered unto Christ know first that by this wonderful gatherer you have been gathered into Happy associations the chickens beneath the wings of the hen look very happy all crowded together what a sweet little family party they are how they hide themselves away in great contentment and Chirp their little note of joy you dear friends who have never been converted find very noisy Fellowship I afraid in this world you do not get much companionship that helps you blesses you gives you rest of mind but if you had been gathered to the Lord's Christ you would have found that there are many sweetnesses in this life in being beneath the wings of the most high. [00:06:00]
He who comes to Christ finds father and mother and sister and brother he finds many dear and kind friends who are themselves connected with Christ and who therefore love those who are join to him amongst the greatest happinesses of my life certainly I put down Christian fellowship and I think that many who have come from the country to London have for a long time missed much of this Fellowship till at last they have fallen in with Christian people and they have found themselves happy again oh lonely sinner You Who Come in and out of this place and say nobody seems to care about me if you will come to Christ and join with the church which is gathered beneath his wings you will soon find Happy Fellowship. [00:06:54]
The hen is to her little chick's NE next a cover of safety there is a hawk in the sky the motherb bird can see it though the chickens cannot she gives her peculiar cluck of warning and quickly they come and hide beneath her wings the hawk will not hurt them now beneath her wings they are secure this is what God is to those who come to him by Jesus Christ he is The Giver of safety he he shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust his truth shall be thy shield and buckler even the attraction of thy old sins or the danger of future Temptations Thou shalt be preserved from all these perils when thou comest to Christ and thus hidest away under him. [00:07:43]
There is a deep sweet comfort about hiding yourself away in God for when troubles come wave upon wave blessed is the man who who has a God to give him mercy upon Mercy when Affliction comes or bereavement comes when loss of property comes when sickness comes in your own body there is nothing wanted but your God 10,000 Things apart from him cannot satisfy you or give you comfort there let them all go but if God be yours and you hide away under his wings you are as happy in him as the chickens are beneath the hen. [00:10:22]
The emblem used by our Lord is a far more instructive figure than I have time to explain when the Lord gather Sinners to himself then it is that they find in him all that the chicks find in the hen and infinitely more now notice secondly what God does to gather men they are straying and wandering about but he gathers them according to the text Jesus says how often would I have gathered thy children together how did God gather those of us who have come to him he gathers us first by making himself known to us when we come to understand who he is and what he is and know something of his love and tenderness and greatness then we come to him ignorance keeps us away from him but to know God and his son Jesus Christ is eternal life. [00:12:54]
These are the chords of love with which the spirit of God draws men to Christ he makes Christ known to us he shows us Christ in the Grandeur of his Divine and human nature Christ in the humiliation of his sufferings Christ in the glory of his resurrection Christ in the love of his heart in the power of his arm in the efficacy of his plea in the virtue of his blood and as we learn these sacred lessons we say that is the Christ for me that is the god for me and thus we are gathered unto him. [00:13:45]
But God gathers many to himself by the cuse of his servants you see that of old He Sent His prophets now he sends his ministers if God does not send us to you brethren we shall never gather you if we come to you in our own name we shall come in vain but if the Lord has sent us then he will bless us and our message will be made to you a means of gathering you to Christ I would much rather cease to preach than be allowed to go on preaching but never to gather souls to God I can truly say that I have no wish to say a pretty thing or turn a period or utter a nice figure of speech I want to win your souls to slay your sin to do practical work for God with each man each woman each child who shall come into this Tabernacle and I ask the prayers of God's people that it may be so it is thus that God gathers men to himself by the message which which he gives to them through his servants. [00:14:48]
One more way in which God gathers men is by continuing still to have patience with them and sending the same message to them I am always afraid that you who hear me constantly will get to feel we have heard him so long and so often that he cannot say anything fresh why did I not use to shake you when you first heard me and compel you to shed many tears in the early days of your coming to this house and now well you can hear it all without a Tremor you are like the blacksmith's dog that goes to sleep while the Sparks are flying from the Anvil down in souk at the place where they make the big boilers a man has to get inside to hold the hammer while they are riveting there is an awful noise the first time that a man goes in he feels that he cannot stand it and that he will die he loses his hearing it is such a terrible din but they tell me that after a while some have been known even to go to sleep while the men have been hammering so it is in hearing the gospel men grow hardened and that which was at one time a very powerful call seems to be at the last no call at all yet still here you are and your hair is getting gray here you are you have long past the prime of life here you are you were in a shipwreck once or you had an accident or you caught the fever but you did not die and here you are God still speaks to you not saying go but come come Christ has not yet said to you depart ye cursed but he still cries come unto me all ye that labor into heavy laden and I will give you rest this is how God calls and how he gathers Men by the pertinacity of his infinite compassion in still inviting them to come unto him that they may obtain eternal life. [00:19:39]
What will become of men who are not gathered to Christ what will become of men of whom it continues to be said ye would not the text suggests to us two ways of answering the question What Becomes of chicks that do not come to the shelter of the hen's Wings What Becomes of chicks that are not gathered to the hen well the hawk devours some and the cold nips others they miss the warmth and comfort that they might have had that is something if there were no herea I should like to be a Christian if I had to die like a dog the joy I find in Christ would make me wish to be his follower you are losers in this world if you love not God you are losers of peace and comfort and strength and hope even now but what will be your loss Hereafter with no Wing to cover you when the destroying Angel is abroad no feathers beneath which you may hide when the dread Thunderbolts of Justice shall be launched one after another from God's right hand you have no shelter and consequently no safety he that hath made his Refuge God shall find a most secure Abode but he who is not that Refuge shall be among the great multitude who will call to the rocks and the mountains to fall on them to hide them from the face of him that sth upon the throne and from the wroth of the Lamb. [00:26:14]
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