Do you know the answer?

[Sharpened]

Jesus ordered a man to make 200 sandwiches to feed the homeless in the city. The man makes the sandwiches, loads them into his car and drives off. On the way, he stops by a friend’s home and convinces the friend to join him in distributing the food.

Which one was doing the Lord’s will?

 

[Renewed1]

Did they actually go and feed the homeless?

 

[aribell]

Why is it an either/or?

 

[Beauty4Ashes]

Jesus.....

 

[JinaRicci]

hmm... the friend?

 

[Shimmie]

Why is it an either/or?

I love your reply.

I know your question is serious, but it reminds me of my babies when I'm telling them to do something. They wanna know why? And I never have the answer.

 

[donna894]

I'm thinking both the man who made the sandwiches along with the man who helped distribute them.

But if this is a trick question, the answer could be neither because the story ends with the sandwich maker stopping by his friend's house and doesn't mention them actually handing out the food. Maybe when they start giving out the sandwiches, that might be when they are doing the Lord's will.

Personally, I think from start to finish they are doing His will. JMHO

 

[brownelovely]

Mmmm...this is puzzling. I could say neither because the Lord ordered the man to make the sandwiches etc. not stop by and pick others up. So technically he wouldn't be doing what he was ordered to do.

On the other hand, he did the task and wanted to have others help along the way. I really have no answer here.

 

[Shimmie]

'convinces the friend...'

Now why did the friend need 'convincing'?

Things that may you go, 'hmmmmmmm' :scratchch:

 

[Mleah]

Seeing how Yahweh is in everything and everybody who's not to say that ALL involved were in His divine plan and will?

 

[Guitarhero]

The first. The goal was feeding the homeless. The smart man figures out the best logistics to accomplish the feat. Jesus didn't tell him how to feed them, He told them TO feed them. The first man sought help to feed them efficiently and speedily so he was utilizing the brain the good L-rd gave him. We don't know if the second guy had a relationship nor direct command from Jesus, all we know if that he became convinced to help.

 

[Sharpened]

Mmmm...this is puzzling. I could say neither because the Lord ordered the man to make the sandwiches etc. not stop by and pick others up. So technically he wouldn't be doing what he was ordered to do.

On the other hand, he did the task and wanted to have others help along the way. I really have no answer here.

Ding, ding, ding...you got it!

Perfect example of it: The prophet killed by a lion, though his donkey was spared in 1 Kings 13.

Yes, the men delivered the sandwiches (considering the cost, they better have...LOL!), but the first man may have lost a blessing by not following through alone. He could have asked the Lord for help, also, the second man could have asked for the Lord's will as well. I know I have screwed up in this area many times after I got married. Obedience is better than sacrifice...'cause a hard head makes a soft behind, as my mother would say. *giggle*

 

[Laela]

^^ OK, I'm confused... because there are too many variables, omissions. I re-read it and no where did it say Jesus gave the man specific instructions...or to do this task alone. That he stopped at someone's house on the way to accomplish the command doesn't necessarily translate to disobedience. So I fail to see how the story in 1 Kings 13 is a good example. Perhaps you can explain further how 'obedience is better than sacrifice' relates to this trivia? 'Cause I don't get it.

From my understanding, when God gives a command, it's either with specific instructions or a goal-oriented mission. Noah received a blueprint for the ark and was given specific instructions. Moses built the temple with specific details, down to how many jewels on the high priest's breastplate. In 1 King 13, that man of God had been given specific instructions..he was not to eat or drink (accept no one's hospitality) and was to not go back the way he came. He obeyed the first time, when he declined the king's offer to dinner. But he disobeyed the second time when he heard falsely from another prophet that he should eat, drink. God's character is what we must rely on. He isn't a man that he should lie or contradict Himself.

There are lots of examples of goal-oriented missions from God. When Jesus told disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel, for example. Whatever means we can preach the gospel, the goal is the same. Sometimes accomplishing that task involves the actions of people who didn't hear from God directly or who may not even know Him, but their actions help accomplish the divine plan. I'm more inclined to believe the second man falls into that category. JMHO.. perhaps someone else can chime in.

Jesus ordered a man to make 200 sandwiches to feed the homeless in the city. The man makes the sandwiches, loads them into his car and drives off. On the way, he stops by a friend’s home and convinces the friend to join him in distributing the food.

Which one was doing the Lord’s will?

 

[Sharpened]

^^ OK, I'm confused... because there are too many variables, omissions. I re-read it and no where did it say Jesus gave the man specific instructions...or to do this task alone. That he stopped at someone's house on the way to accomplish the command doesn't necessarily translate to disobedience. So I fail to see how the story in 1 Kings 13 is a good example. Perhaps you can explain further how 'obedience is better than sacrifice' relates to this trivia? 'Cause I don't get it.

From my understanding, when God gives a command, it's either with specific instructions or a goal-oriented mission. Noah received a blueprint for the ark and was given specific instructions. Moses built the temple with specific details, down to how many jewels on the high priest's breastplate. In 1 King 13, that man of God had been given specific instructions..he was not to eat or drink (accept no one's hospitality) and was to not go back the way he came. He obeyed the first time, when he declined the king's offer to dinner. But he disobeyed the second time when he heard falsely from another prophet that he should eat, drink. God's character is what we must rely on. He isn't a man that he should lie or contradict Himself.

There are lots of examples of goal-oriented missions from God. When Jesus told disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel, for example. Whatever means we can preach the gospel, the goal is the same. Sometimes accomplishing that task involves the actions of people who didn't hear from God directly or who may not even know Him, but their actions help accomplish the divine plan. I'm more inclined to believe the second man falls into that category. JMHO.. perhaps someone else can chime in.

How do we know the full purpose of any task He assigns to us? It may have an alternate meaning or a lesson for us alone to learn. When Jesus fed the multitude, there was another purpose to that activity, was it not? This question was about obedience, not good works.

 

[empressaja]

Jesus ordered a man to make 200 sandwiches to feed the homeless in the city. The man makes the sandwiches, loads them into his car and drives off. On the way, he stops by a friend’s home and convinces the friend to join him in distributing the food.

Which one was doing the Lord’s will?

The question asked which one was doing the Lord's will. the narrative stated Jesus ordered a man to make 200 sandwiches to feed the homeless. Jesus didn't ask him to feed the homeless but to only make sandwiches. The narrative doesn't give enough information to judge which one was doing the Lord's will.

How does following directions equate to doing the Lord will? Jesus's will was not stated.

 

[Sharpened]

The question asked which one was doing the Lord's will. the narrative stated Jesus ordered a man to make 200 sandwiches to feed the homeless. Jesus didn't ask him to feed the homeless but to only make sandwiches. The narrative doesn't give enough information to judge which one was doing the Lord's will.

How does following directions equate to doing the Lord will? Jesus's will was not stated.

I forgot one word: go before "feed". I did vet this out with several ones and only one got it, scarily quick, too. Even with that small additon, would most people's answer change?

There are times when we assume God behaves a certain way or expect a certain outcome that we miss the real reason for whatever He places in our path. Sometimes it is about the process, not the goal. Is that not the same with our refinement, a process? If I have to convince or cajole an adult into doing good and He did not tell me to do so, who actually gets the glory? Am I in His will then?

 

[Laela]

I agree obedience can be a process,but if the command was never accomplished was there obedience?

I know sometimes people, esp. Christians, RUN from other Christians who say "God told me..." or "I heard the Lord say to me" or "The Lord told me to tell you.." They need convincing because of doubt, unbelief or skepticism. Are you saying this was the case w/ the second man and that because he needed cajoling he wasn't a part of the grand plan? He did help.
I"m not trying to argue Nymphe..just tried to understand the trivia.. lol

 

[Sharpened]

I agree obedience can be a process,but if the command was never accomplished was there obedience?

I know sometimes people, esp. Christians, RUN from other Christians who say "God told me..." or "I heard the Lord say to me" or "The Lord told me to tell you.." They need convincing because of doubt, unbelief or skepticism. Are you saying this was the case w/ the second man and that because he needed cajoling he wasn't a part of the grand plan? He did help.
I"m not trying to argue Nymphe..just tried to understand the trivia.. lol

OK, both men fed the homeless, but was that what Jesus told the first man to do? If Jesus tells me to do something, I am supposed to simply do it. Now I can ask for help (or clarification) and it would be His choice to give it to me. If I hear nothing, then I know I am to do it alone... even if DH is sitting around doing nothing, LOL!

The disobedient prophet in 1 Kings 13 listened to a fellow servant, but did not check with God to see if it was OK to deviate from what God told him to do. King Saul was told to annihilate the Amalekites from the king down to their livestock (1 Samuel 15), but what happened instead? Was God impressed with the sacrifice Saul made of the choice animals from the enemy? There are too many trying to be someone else's Holy Spirit that people become dependent on man's words than the Guide dwelling within us. I would rather relax in Him and watch Him do His thing, whether it be through me or someone else. Let Him do His job so He gets the glory.

I never had a "God told me to tell you" experience; people talk to me and His Spirit makes it known it is from Him, never to convince me of anything, just needed correction or confirmation of what He already taught me. I love hearing about what the Lord reveals to someone for that is when true fellowship occurs, whether it be correction, confirmation or encouragement.

Clear as mud?

 

[makeupgirl]

I get what you're saying OP but at the same time, how do we know that God didn't lead the first man to go to the 2nd man's house. There is a reason for everything. It could have been just as God's will for the 2nd man to help out, especially if the first man was allowing himself to be lead by the Holy Spirit. The important thing is that God's commend was fulfilled. The homeless was fed.

One thing this story has taught me is that the trinity of God is always at work. Jesus spoke to the man, the man was lead by the Holy Spirit and it was the Spirit moving that the man was able to convince the 2nd man to help him out with feeding the homeless, and God's will was done, thus him receiving all glory and praise. The man's obedience to make the sandwiches and to feed the homeless is an act of worship because he's during it to the glory of God and not of himself.

 

[Sharpened]

I get what you're saying OP but at the same time, how do we know that God didn't lead the first man to go to the 2nd man's house. There is a reason for everything. It could have been just as God's will for the 2nd man to help out, especially if the first man was allowing himself to be lead by the Holy Spirit. The important thing is that God's commend was fulfilled. The homeless was fed.

One thing this story has taught me is that the trinity of God is always at work. Jesus spoke to the man, the man was lead by the Holy Spirit and it was the Spirit moving that the man was able to convince the 2nd man to help him out with feeding the homeless, and God's will was done, thus him receiving all glory and praise. The man's obedience to make the sandwiches and to feed the homeless is an act of worship because he's during it to the glory of God and not of himself.

Anyone can do good things; the Lord uses the righteous and unrighteous alike, but remember, the adversary can use good works for his purposes as well.


I think I know what the problem is. Due to our affluence, we tend to confuse a direct command from the Lord with performing the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12, Luke 6:20-23). A great example of a direct command is Jeremiah 13:1-11, when Jeremiah was told to hide a new belt in some rocks as a symbol. Ezekiel pleaded with God to modify His instruction because he did not want his food defiled (Ezekiel 4:12-15).