{"id":184,"date":"2018-11-07T11:06:02","date_gmt":"2018-11-07T19:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/migrate.bettersermons.org\/?p=184"},"modified":"2020-06-01T11:40:42","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T18:40:42","slug":"a-fox-and-a-barnyard-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/a-fox-and-a-barnyard-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"A Fox and a Barnyard Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"
A Fox and a Barnyard Fire<\/span><\/div>\n

\".\"
\nScripture:<\/strong>\u00a0Luke 13:31-35<\/p>\n

Main Idea:<\/strong>\u00a0Where\/how is Jesus trying to gather us closer to him, and where\/how are we scurrying out from under those wings and off to danger?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
I.<\/strong><\/td>\nAlt-Introduction<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nHave you ever felt powerless to save someone you loved?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nMaybe a child who was headed down the wrong path?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nMaybe a spouse who made a really bad decision?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nMaybe a loved one dying of a terminal disease?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nToday, as we continue our journey with Jesus to Jerusalem we see Jesus lamenting his inability to get through to the very people he came to redeem.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nOur text today has a somewhat confusing cast of characters and mixing of metaphors.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nPharisees<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nHerod<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nJesus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nJerusalem<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nFox<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nHen\/chicks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nWe\u2019re not going to solve all the problems today.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nRather, we will choose an angle of approach and run with it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nLike choosing one path up a mountain and walking on that path to the top.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nAll the while you know there are other ways to scale this mountain, each one legitimate and uniquely beautiful.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nLuke\u00a013:31-35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
II.<\/strong><\/td>\nQuick Context<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nBut before we embark on our chosen path, let’s remember which mountain we\u2019re climbing.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nAnyway, Luke won\u2019t let us forget.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nJesus is headed to Jerusalem.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nAnd by now we\u2019re getting the idea that it won\u2019t be pretty.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nJesus has predicted his suffering at the hands of religious and political authorities.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nI mentioned last week that the season of Lent \u2013 this being the second Sabbath in Lent \u2013 is a season of journeying, with Jesus, to the cross.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThat cross awaits him in Jerusalem<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nThere can be no Easter without Good Friday<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nNo resurrection without death<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nNo empty tomb without the cross<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nSo, during this important season of Lent, we turn our face, with Jesus, toward Jerusalem.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nAnd I hope this is not just an academic exercise, or an abstract religious exercise.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nF.<\/td>\nIn following Jesus\u2019 journey to Jerusalem, this season affords us the opportunity to face our own Jerusalem \u2013 to take up our cross.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
III.<\/strong><\/td>\nJesus as Mother…Hen<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nThis is one of my favorite images of Jesus in all the Scripture.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nIt is a picture of Jesus as mother.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nA mother hen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nMany intense debates have raged over the gender of God.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nNow, of course, God has no gender<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nGod is definitely not encumbered by the limited notions of gender that we have.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nCertainly we cannot put onto him the social issues around gender that we have struggled with for millennia.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nBut it is true that the Bible is written with a predominant metaphor of God as Father.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nI\u2019ll leave you to imagine why that might be.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nHere\u2019s a hint: think about who the human authors of the Bible were and what kind of society they lived in.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nF.<\/td>\nAnyway, there is this remarkable metaphor on Jesus own lips, in which he likens himself to a mother hen.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nG.<\/td>\nNot an angry, kicking rooster, mind you.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nH.<\/td>\nNot a cock about to enter a cock fight!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nI.<\/td>\nBut a hen.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nJ.<\/td>\nWith nothing but maternal instincts for her little chicks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nK.<\/td>\nIt\u2019s these maternal instincts we want to look at today.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nJesus’ words about himself as a mother hen come in the form of a lament, \u201cO Jerusalem, Jerusalem\u2026\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nIt is a lament over Jerusalem \u2013 the center of Israel\u2019s life \u2013 for the unwillingness of her children to come under the protection of Jesus \u2013 the mother hen.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nLike other prophets before, Jesus will be killed as a seditious criminal in Jerusalem.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nRather than heed the prophet\u2019s warnings, Jerusalem has a knack for killing the prophets \u2013 the very ones come to save her from destruction.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
IV.<\/strong><\/td>\nThreatened by Herod<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nWhat we learn, on this particular day, is that Jesus is in danger<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nSpecifically, he is being threatened by Herod<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nAnd help comes from the Pharisees<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nJesus has had many unpleasant encounters with the Pharisees which are recorded in Scripture.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nBut it would be a mistake to assume they are all just evil and wicked guys.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nMany are actually the \u201cmiddle of the road\u201d types<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nKeep in mind there was Nicodemus, Joseph of Aramathea (who gave Jesus his tomb) and Gamaliel in the book of Acts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nJesus is not intimidated by Herod<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nWe\u2019re not going to get into all the things Jesus said in response to Herod.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nBut the imagery is interesting \u2013 Jesus calls him a fox.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nWe\u2019ll come back to that.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
V.<\/strong><\/td>\nO Hollywood, Hollywood…<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nWhat does all this mean for us today?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nLet\u2019s try an exercise\u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nReplace Jerusalem with Hollywood and read the last few verses.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nEven this might be a little deceiving<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nLet me ask you a question<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nWhen we read those verses, just now, substituting Hollywood for Jerusalem, who were you thinking about when you said \u201cHollywood?\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nWho is Hollywood, in this sentence?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nPeople out there?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nRemember who Jerusalem was?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nGod\u2019s people.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nWho is this addressed to?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nGod\u2019s special people he had come to redeem.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nIn so many ways, that is all of Hollywood.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nThe whole city of Los Angeles, every person on the earth, are God\u2019s special, chosen people, whom he has longed to shelter under this wings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nBut this admonition is first and foremost for who?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nFor ME!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nAny read of this text that places the focus on someone else, as the first order of business, makes a serious mistake, and leads us 180 degrees in the wrong direction.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nThis text may be for all of Hollywood, but it is first and foremost for Hollywood Seventh-day Adventist Church.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nWhy do I say this?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nFirst<\/strong>, for the simple reason that in the original context, Jesus was addressing his people \u2013 his fellow Israelites.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nSecondly<\/strong>, it\u2019s just too convenient to aim the admonitions of the Bible at someone else and use them as ammunition.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nEspecially when we think of Hollywood.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nHollywood means so many things to so many people<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nAnd when we depict Hollywood as a bunch of little chicks scurrying around, not knowing what makes for their peace \u2013 not knowing that the mother hen is waiting for them to come under her wings for protection\u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\n\u2013 of course it\u2019s true, but it just too easy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nWhy of course this text applies, not primarily to\u00a0us<\/strong>, but the lost souls of this evil and wicked town of Hollywood.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nF.<\/td>\nBut Jesus is concerned about\u00a0us<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 those who think we\u2019re so safe!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nHis question is to us<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nWhy don\u2019t you, he asks, come under the wings of my grace?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nWhy don\u2019t you find shelter in my provision?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nG.<\/td>\nAnd once we have taken this question seriously \u2013 and pondered our relationship to the mother hen as a chick that loves to scurry around.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nH.<\/td>\nOnce we have seriously taken this text to heart as something written for us, can we then have the heart of Jesus as we look out over our great and beautiful city of Hollywood and weep with Jesus over it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nAs opposed to pronouncing curses on it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nI.<\/td>\nO Hollywood, Hollywood\u2026.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
VI.<\/strong><\/td>\nOf Foxes and Barnyard Fires<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nThe metaphors in this passage are metaphors of immanent danger, on the one hand, and protection, on the other.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThe most obvious metaphor of danger is the fox.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nJesus refers to Herod as a fox \u2013 cunning and ferocious, especially when it comes to a hen and little chicks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nInteresting, isn\u2019t it, that Jesus chooses for himself a hen, and his people, chicks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nAnd gives his enemy the image of the more powerful animal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nJesus chooses the weaker animal to describe himself.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nBut there is another danger in this passage, which is only hinted at.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nIt is the barnyard fire.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThe image of chicks gathered under the wings of a hen is, according to many scholars, the image of a barnyard fire.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nAnimals instinctively know when danger is present and their instincts tell them how to be safe.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nLittle chicks run for their mother and hide under her wings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nIn the case of a fire in a barnyard, the animals simply cannot escape.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nIn such cases a charred mother hen has been found with her little chicks, still alive, under her wings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nShe has literally given her life for them.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nNo doubt this is on Jesus mind.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nOn his way to Jerusalem where a fire storm awaits him<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nInstigated partly by the fox, Herod.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nAnd there is nothing Jesus wants more than for his death to count for his own people.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nFor them to understand that God\u2019s kingdom has come and that they can find shelter and protection in Him.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nSo today, where\/how is Jesus trying to gather us closer to him?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nF.<\/td>\nAnd where\/how are we scurrying out from under those wings and off to danger?”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nG.<\/td>\nThe open arms of our Mother Hen await us<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nWhatever keeps us scurrying about will eventually destroy us<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nH.<\/td>\nIn our story, as in Jesus\u2019, a storm in coming<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThe fox is prowling \u2013 systems of injustice and oppression are constantly on the prowl to kill and destroy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nA dangerous fire is ignited which will burn and destroy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nI.<\/td>\nJerusalem had a way of rejecting the way of peace.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nJ.<\/td>\nSadly, the same can be said in our own generation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nK.<\/td>\nOne final step:<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nCan you envision the church as a hen?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nA great mother hen in midst of a barn yard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nAnd when the fox attacks or a fire burns, the chicks can find refuge under her wings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nI think Paul would have been comfortable with this imagery.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nAfter all, it was Paul who suggested that the church \u2013 the people of God, are the Body of Christ<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nPerhaps our calling, as the Body of Christ in Hollywood, is to be the\u00a0Hen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nWelcoming broken and injured and threatened and abused to find hospitality and healing and friendship here in fellowship with God\u2019s people.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nBut all this is predicated upon me, and you, being willing to be drawn closer to our Heavenly Hen \u2013 Jesus Christ.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


\nSubmitted by Ryan J.\u00a0Bell. Better Sermons \u00a9 2005-2007. Click here for\u00a0usage guidelines.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Fox and a Barnyard Fire Scripture:\u00a0Luke 13:31-35 Main Idea:\u00a0Where\/how is Jesus trying to gather us closer to him, and where\/how are we scurrying out from under those wings and …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=184"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":185,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184\/revisions\/185"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}