NOT AT THE JUDGEMENT
Matthew 25: 31 – 46
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
The coming of the Day of Judgement is not a fanfasy or a fable. It is a fact. Paul told the people in Athens ( Acts 17: 31 ) that God had appointed a day.
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
As read, all people will stand before the throne of God. Some things will not happen on that judgment day. Some things will not be said.
I. No One Will Say There Is No God.
A. Psalms 14: 1 Fools have and still say, there is no God.
1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
No matter what they do it is not of any good for them that deny God.
B. Hebrews 11: 6 On the judgment day many will not please God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
It will be too late to develop faith at the judgment.
C. Romans 14: 11 – 12 Everyone will know God.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
On the judgment day, no one will deny God but many will be lost because they did not obey him during their life. It is foolish to deny God and many deny Him by their disobedience. Many will cry out, have we not done many good works? God will deny them because of their disobedience.
II. On The Day Of Judgment, No One Will Say, “One Religion is as Good as Another.”
A. John 14: 6 On judgment day all will believe what Jesus said.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Everyone will know God and Christ. It will be to late to change.
B. Revelation 5: 9 John saw as all will see on that judgment day that only those washed in the blood of Christ are redeemed of their sins and will enter into heaven, but it will be to late.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
They will argue today that baptism is not necessary for salvation, but on that day they will know how important baptism was, but to late.
C. 1 John 1: 5 – 7 No one will claim “once saved always saved.”
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
We must not only be in Christ but faithful to Christ daily, walking daily in his word. For Christ is the word and the light.
III. On the Day of Judgment, No One Will Say, “I regret that I did my best to follow Jesus faithfully.”
A. Revelation 2: 10 The crown of life will be given only to the faithful.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
This life is a time of testing and preparing for Heaven. Many are call but few chosen. Why? Because few there be that remain faithful until death.
B. Matthew 25: 23 Only the faithful will hear those words of Jesus.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
A parable showing us the need to remain faithful in the Lord.
C. Hebrews 3: 1 – 6 Christ house, His church, is above all others. Christ built one and only one. We must be in it to be saved.
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Are you in Christ house, the family of God, the church of Christ? The church He established, died for and ascended into heaven to prepare a place for those that remain faithful? If not you need to be.
Every service attended, every prayer offered, every minute spent in Bible study, every visit made, every temptation overcome, every day I lived for Jesus will all be worth while. Remember the song, “Heaven will surely be worth it all.”
No one will deny God or Christ on that judgment day.
No one will say one religion is as good as another.
No one will regret being faithful, they will rejoice in Heaven for ever and ever and ever. Amen.
The judgment will be final. Only what we do in this life, will we be judged for. If you’re
not a christian today you should be. Now is the time. One day it will be too late. Why do you wait? If you’re a christian, are you living as Christ would have you live? If not now is the time to repent. Change your life. Live for Christ again and forever. Do you need to come to Christ today? Will you come as we stand and sing.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
REJOICING IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD
REJOICING IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD
LECTURESHIP FOR PINELLAS PARK
(ROMANS 11: 22)
Intro:
There was once a missionary who made an evangelistic trip to a leper colony. While there, he saw suffering on top of suffering. He saw men, women, and children who were literally rotting away.
As his time there was coming to an end, he was leading the people in some songs. As he was about to close with prayer, a small voice from the back called out: “Will you please sing Count Your Blessings?” The missionary glanced up and found himself looking into the eyes of a woman who was obviously near the end of her life. Most of her nose was gone, as was much of the rest of the skin on her four head. This lady might have been the picture next to the word suffering in the dictionary.
The missionary sang the song and then led a prayer. Before he left, he searched out the lady who had made the request. When he found her, he asked, “Madam, I hope you aren’t offended, but how could you possibly sing that song?” With tears in her eyes, the dying woman responded, “I can sing that song because no matter my suffering, God is till filled with goodness, and in his goodness will I rejoice.”
What an amazing attitude! So often, we are blinded to the goodness of God because of our own suffering. “God isn’t good, because if God were good he wouldn’t allow me to suffer like this!” However, men and women, brothers and sisters: I want to assure you today that God is good, and that we should follow the example of the woman in the leper colony, and rejoice in his goodness evermore!
The question which we must ask is, how do we know that God is good? In Romans 11: 22, we find Paul building a case for both the goodness as well as the severity of God. The word which I want to draw your attention to is, “BEHOLD.” In lamens terms, this word means to see, to notice, to bring to ones attention. This indicates to us that God’s goodness is something that can be viewed. It is on display for all to see if they take the time to look.
Once we understand how it is that we can see the goodness of God, then we next need to establish what it is that we are seeing. What is it that makes God so good? This morning, I want to present you with the idea that we should rejoice in God’s N.A.T.U.R.E. It is in the very nature of God where we see his true and unadulterated goodness. Join me as we delve into God’s amazing nature and discover what it is that makes him so good that we should want to rejoice.
I. HIS NURTURING WAY
In Romans 8: 15, we read, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father.” In this verse, Paul reveals that we who are Christians share a unique relationship with our maker. Thanks to his sacrifices, we are now able to acknowledge him as our Father!
What is the roll of a parent? The primary purpose of a parent is to nurture. Simply defined, nurture is: To care for, feed, to nourish.” Brethren, this is exactly what God has done for you and I. He has met each of these requirements many times over.
When you consider the many ways in which God has shown that he cares for us, you will be amazed. Stop and think about the avenue of prayer. God, the creator of all things, the builder, designer, and originator of all that exist, wants to hear from you. He wants to know when you are happy as well as when you are sad. He wants to know when you win as well as when you lose. God wants us to come to him in prayer. (Phil 4: 6) Why does he do it? He wants us to come to him, “For he careth for you.” (1Pet 5: 7)
Also, in terms of his nurturing way, God has fed us. He has offered us the “bread of life” in the personage of his only son. That bread, who if we partake of it, will both fulfill our hunger and slake our thirst! (John 6: 35)
Finally, God’s nurturing way has led him to nourish us. Many hear the word nourish, and they automatically think of food. However, the literal definition of the word nourish is: “To cause to grow and develop.” Brethren, God has given us all that we need to grow and develop. He has provided his word that we might study. We study that we might, “show ourselves approved.” (2Tim 2: 15)
Make sure to take the time to rejoice in God’s nurturing way!
II. HIS ATTITUDE TOWARD HIS CREATION
There is a popular expression which states: “Attitude is everything.” The idea behind this statement is that your state of mind has a lot to do with way in which you are perceived. If I had shown up here this morning with a frown upon my face and an angry glare in my eyes, you would have noticed that, and formed your opinion based upon that impression.
This same thing is true of God. If he approached you and me with hatred, aggression, and spite, we would conclude that there is no goodness in him. However, that isn’t the way he deals with us. Oh sure, there have been times of punishment, anger, and disappointment. But God has always loved and longed to have us near. We have remained closest to his heart throughout time. God’s attitude toward us is amazing.
Consider the fact that God contemplates and plans for us even before our birth. (Jer 1: 5. What about the way in which he watches and waits for us to return when we venture into the world? Consider the fact that lowly as we are, as unworthy as we are, as in perfect as we are God never leaves us. (Rom 8: 39)
Brethren, we should rejoice in the shear goodness of God, because his attitude is such that he pulls us in, and lets us know how much he cares!
III. HIS TEMPERANCE CONCERNING OUR SHORTCOMINGS
Parents, I want to ask you to do me a favor. I want you to think back on the last time your children did something that you didn’t want them to do. Those of you, who are not parents, think about some moment in your past when someone acted in some way that was contrary to what you wanted them to do.
Now, let me ask you: “How did you react?” Did you scream and yell? Did you walk away? Did you perhaps resolve to never see that individual again?
How many relationships are ended because we are unable to accept the faults of another? How many families and friendships have you heard of that were destroyed because people didn’t have the patients necessary to deal with one another?
Brethren, we ought to rejoice in the fact that the God we serve has a temperament which exemplifies longsuffering! Allow me to present to you what I believe to be a horrible idea. What if you only had one chance? What if after the first time you committed a sin, what if that was it? Suppose you commit a sin, and then discover that because you have fallen, you will spend eternity in Hell.
The goodness of God which is seen in his nature reveals to us that he doesn’t deal with us in this manor. In fact, according to 2Pet 3: 9, God is giving us chance on top of chance. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
You see, God understands that when dealing with mankind, patients are a virtue. He doesn’t want to throw us away, but instead desires to draw us near. It is in this fact that we can see his wonderful temperament, which is indeed another reason to rejoice.
IV. HIS UNBELIEVABLE FORGIVENESS
What is forgiveness? When you peel away the layers, what do you really have? I’d like to suggest to you that true forgiveness, is an agreement to settle your differences. If you look at it through this spectrum, I think you will agree that authentic forgiveness is hard.
However, as hard as it is, it is the forgiveness practiced by our God. Just consider the examples which we have been given in scripture.
Think about the parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15: 11-32. There we see a son, representative of you and I, choosing to leave the safety of his father, representative of God. In this earthly story with a heavenly meaning, we see a son whose father could have chosen to completely disinherit him, but instead he chose to forgive and welcome him back.
While that is simply a parable which illustrates a Godly characteristic, in John 21: 15-21 we see a real-life example.
There we find Christ once again in the presents of his disciples. Actually, in the context, we find him confronting the apostle Peter. You will recall that it was this same Peter who was told that before the cock crowed, that he would deny his savior three times. (Jn 13: 38) In Luke 22: 60-62, we see that Peter did indeed deny Jesus, and in point of fact Christ overheard his final denial.
What’s amazing is that in John 21, we see Christ forgiving all. He reminds Peter what the goal is, and refocuses him not upon his past, but on both the present and future.
The good news for you and I is that God’s forgiveness didn’t end with the ascension of Christ. Actually, he was just getting started. One of my favorite verses in all of scripture concerns this forgiveness.
In Hebrews 8: 12, we read: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Did you hear that? The God of Heaven has just agreed to give me a clean slate when I ask for his forgiveness. Without question, we should rejoice in the unbelievable forgiveness of our God!
V. HIS RENEWING POWER
In Psalm 23, we are given a magnificent look at the renewing power of God. Beginning in verse 1 we read: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he ledeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he ledeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake.”
In order to understand this idea of a shepherd assisting his sheep in finding renewal, you need to know something about the sheep of the Middle East. According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary: “The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs., but sometimes extending to 30 lbs. The tails are indeed huge masses of fat.” In other words, these sheep are frequently carrying a great deal of extra weight behind them. This would, by necessity, require them to rest more, or find nourishment to keep them going.
I am going to assume that we all see the similarities between those sheep and the modern day Christian. We to carry around extra baggage behind us. We drag along the problems of our past, the concerns of our present, and the worries over our future. The good news is that from what we read here in Psalm 23, God will provide renewal for our weary spirits in those times when life tries to tare us down. He will provide rest to those who need to unburden themselves. (Mt 11: 28) He will provide renewal through the peace which he has sent through his son and our savior! (Jn 14: 27)
Brethren, make sure that today and every day you rejoice in the renewing power of our God!
VI. HIS ETERNAL PRESENTS
If you will, I would like to ask you to keep your Bibles open to Psalm 23. In order to help you see this final quality of God, I would like to direct your attention to verse 6. There we are told: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” David has a plan. His plan is to spend eternity in the presents of his God.
I love the image which this verse brings to my mind. David walking up a path to a beautiful home, a father standing on the porch, waiting to welcome his child.
The wonderful part is not necessarily in the home, but in the father’s presents. I always loved going to my mom’s house. They had a big home, a beautiful home, a place where I felt comfortable and had many great memories. However, the best part of going to their house was getting to be with my mom. I loved to be around her, and I knew that she loved to be with me.
The same thing is true of God. There is a mansion which is prepared for us, a place where we can live forever. (Jn 14: 1-3) As beautiful, as breathe taking, as wonderful as that home will be: the best part will be that we get to spend eternity with the one who loves us! Notice what Christ says there in John 14: 3. “I go and prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto my self: that where I am, there you mayh be also.” Jesus doesn’t indicate that there will come a day when the Father no longer wants us around. Instead, he wants us near at hand for ever!
LECTURESHIP FOR PINELLAS PARK
(ROMANS 11: 22)
Intro:
There was once a missionary who made an evangelistic trip to a leper colony. While there, he saw suffering on top of suffering. He saw men, women, and children who were literally rotting away.
As his time there was coming to an end, he was leading the people in some songs. As he was about to close with prayer, a small voice from the back called out: “Will you please sing Count Your Blessings?” The missionary glanced up and found himself looking into the eyes of a woman who was obviously near the end of her life. Most of her nose was gone, as was much of the rest of the skin on her four head. This lady might have been the picture next to the word suffering in the dictionary.
The missionary sang the song and then led a prayer. Before he left, he searched out the lady who had made the request. When he found her, he asked, “Madam, I hope you aren’t offended, but how could you possibly sing that song?” With tears in her eyes, the dying woman responded, “I can sing that song because no matter my suffering, God is till filled with goodness, and in his goodness will I rejoice.”
What an amazing attitude! So often, we are blinded to the goodness of God because of our own suffering. “God isn’t good, because if God were good he wouldn’t allow me to suffer like this!” However, men and women, brothers and sisters: I want to assure you today that God is good, and that we should follow the example of the woman in the leper colony, and rejoice in his goodness evermore!
The question which we must ask is, how do we know that God is good? In Romans 11: 22, we find Paul building a case for both the goodness as well as the severity of God. The word which I want to draw your attention to is, “BEHOLD.” In lamens terms, this word means to see, to notice, to bring to ones attention. This indicates to us that God’s goodness is something that can be viewed. It is on display for all to see if they take the time to look.
Once we understand how it is that we can see the goodness of God, then we next need to establish what it is that we are seeing. What is it that makes God so good? This morning, I want to present you with the idea that we should rejoice in God’s N.A.T.U.R.E. It is in the very nature of God where we see his true and unadulterated goodness. Join me as we delve into God’s amazing nature and discover what it is that makes him so good that we should want to rejoice.
I. HIS NURTURING WAY
In Romans 8: 15, we read, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father.” In this verse, Paul reveals that we who are Christians share a unique relationship with our maker. Thanks to his sacrifices, we are now able to acknowledge him as our Father!
What is the roll of a parent? The primary purpose of a parent is to nurture. Simply defined, nurture is: To care for, feed, to nourish.” Brethren, this is exactly what God has done for you and I. He has met each of these requirements many times over.
When you consider the many ways in which God has shown that he cares for us, you will be amazed. Stop and think about the avenue of prayer. God, the creator of all things, the builder, designer, and originator of all that exist, wants to hear from you. He wants to know when you are happy as well as when you are sad. He wants to know when you win as well as when you lose. God wants us to come to him in prayer. (Phil 4: 6) Why does he do it? He wants us to come to him, “For he careth for you.” (1Pet 5: 7)
Also, in terms of his nurturing way, God has fed us. He has offered us the “bread of life” in the personage of his only son. That bread, who if we partake of it, will both fulfill our hunger and slake our thirst! (John 6: 35)
Finally, God’s nurturing way has led him to nourish us. Many hear the word nourish, and they automatically think of food. However, the literal definition of the word nourish is: “To cause to grow and develop.” Brethren, God has given us all that we need to grow and develop. He has provided his word that we might study. We study that we might, “show ourselves approved.” (2Tim 2: 15)
Make sure to take the time to rejoice in God’s nurturing way!
II. HIS ATTITUDE TOWARD HIS CREATION
There is a popular expression which states: “Attitude is everything.” The idea behind this statement is that your state of mind has a lot to do with way in which you are perceived. If I had shown up here this morning with a frown upon my face and an angry glare in my eyes, you would have noticed that, and formed your opinion based upon that impression.
This same thing is true of God. If he approached you and me with hatred, aggression, and spite, we would conclude that there is no goodness in him. However, that isn’t the way he deals with us. Oh sure, there have been times of punishment, anger, and disappointment. But God has always loved and longed to have us near. We have remained closest to his heart throughout time. God’s attitude toward us is amazing.
Consider the fact that God contemplates and plans for us even before our birth. (Jer 1: 5. What about the way in which he watches and waits for us to return when we venture into the world? Consider the fact that lowly as we are, as unworthy as we are, as in perfect as we are God never leaves us. (Rom 8: 39)
Brethren, we should rejoice in the shear goodness of God, because his attitude is such that he pulls us in, and lets us know how much he cares!
III. HIS TEMPERANCE CONCERNING OUR SHORTCOMINGS
Parents, I want to ask you to do me a favor. I want you to think back on the last time your children did something that you didn’t want them to do. Those of you, who are not parents, think about some moment in your past when someone acted in some way that was contrary to what you wanted them to do.
Now, let me ask you: “How did you react?” Did you scream and yell? Did you walk away? Did you perhaps resolve to never see that individual again?
How many relationships are ended because we are unable to accept the faults of another? How many families and friendships have you heard of that were destroyed because people didn’t have the patients necessary to deal with one another?
Brethren, we ought to rejoice in the fact that the God we serve has a temperament which exemplifies longsuffering! Allow me to present to you what I believe to be a horrible idea. What if you only had one chance? What if after the first time you committed a sin, what if that was it? Suppose you commit a sin, and then discover that because you have fallen, you will spend eternity in Hell.
The goodness of God which is seen in his nature reveals to us that he doesn’t deal with us in this manor. In fact, according to 2Pet 3: 9, God is giving us chance on top of chance. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
You see, God understands that when dealing with mankind, patients are a virtue. He doesn’t want to throw us away, but instead desires to draw us near. It is in this fact that we can see his wonderful temperament, which is indeed another reason to rejoice.
IV. HIS UNBELIEVABLE FORGIVENESS
What is forgiveness? When you peel away the layers, what do you really have? I’d like to suggest to you that true forgiveness, is an agreement to settle your differences. If you look at it through this spectrum, I think you will agree that authentic forgiveness is hard.
However, as hard as it is, it is the forgiveness practiced by our God. Just consider the examples which we have been given in scripture.
Think about the parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15: 11-32. There we see a son, representative of you and I, choosing to leave the safety of his father, representative of God. In this earthly story with a heavenly meaning, we see a son whose father could have chosen to completely disinherit him, but instead he chose to forgive and welcome him back.
While that is simply a parable which illustrates a Godly characteristic, in John 21: 15-21 we see a real-life example.
There we find Christ once again in the presents of his disciples. Actually, in the context, we find him confronting the apostle Peter. You will recall that it was this same Peter who was told that before the cock crowed, that he would deny his savior three times. (Jn 13: 38) In Luke 22: 60-62, we see that Peter did indeed deny Jesus, and in point of fact Christ overheard his final denial.
What’s amazing is that in John 21, we see Christ forgiving all. He reminds Peter what the goal is, and refocuses him not upon his past, but on both the present and future.
The good news for you and I is that God’s forgiveness didn’t end with the ascension of Christ. Actually, he was just getting started. One of my favorite verses in all of scripture concerns this forgiveness.
In Hebrews 8: 12, we read: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Did you hear that? The God of Heaven has just agreed to give me a clean slate when I ask for his forgiveness. Without question, we should rejoice in the unbelievable forgiveness of our God!
V. HIS RENEWING POWER
In Psalm 23, we are given a magnificent look at the renewing power of God. Beginning in verse 1 we read: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he ledeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he ledeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake.”
In order to understand this idea of a shepherd assisting his sheep in finding renewal, you need to know something about the sheep of the Middle East. According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary: “The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs., but sometimes extending to 30 lbs. The tails are indeed huge masses of fat.” In other words, these sheep are frequently carrying a great deal of extra weight behind them. This would, by necessity, require them to rest more, or find nourishment to keep them going.
I am going to assume that we all see the similarities between those sheep and the modern day Christian. We to carry around extra baggage behind us. We drag along the problems of our past, the concerns of our present, and the worries over our future. The good news is that from what we read here in Psalm 23, God will provide renewal for our weary spirits in those times when life tries to tare us down. He will provide rest to those who need to unburden themselves. (Mt 11: 28) He will provide renewal through the peace which he has sent through his son and our savior! (Jn 14: 27)
Brethren, make sure that today and every day you rejoice in the renewing power of our God!
VI. HIS ETERNAL PRESENTS
If you will, I would like to ask you to keep your Bibles open to Psalm 23. In order to help you see this final quality of God, I would like to direct your attention to verse 6. There we are told: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” David has a plan. His plan is to spend eternity in the presents of his God.
I love the image which this verse brings to my mind. David walking up a path to a beautiful home, a father standing on the porch, waiting to welcome his child.
The wonderful part is not necessarily in the home, but in the father’s presents. I always loved going to my mom’s house. They had a big home, a beautiful home, a place where I felt comfortable and had many great memories. However, the best part of going to their house was getting to be with my mom. I loved to be around her, and I knew that she loved to be with me.
The same thing is true of God. There is a mansion which is prepared for us, a place where we can live forever. (Jn 14: 1-3) As beautiful, as breathe taking, as wonderful as that home will be: the best part will be that we get to spend eternity with the one who loves us! Notice what Christ says there in John 14: 3. “I go and prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto my self: that where I am, there you mayh be also.” Jesus doesn’t indicate that there will come a day when the Father no longer wants us around. Instead, he wants us near at hand for ever!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE
"GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE"
Heb 12: 29
Intro:
There are many in our world today that are seeking inspiration. They are looking for an example, or a role model. For many, they have chosen to latch on to the world and follow it's lead.
Today, as we conclude our series, I would like to talk to you about the only true inspiration. I want to tell you that not only does God know, love, care, have ability, and reward, but also I want you to know that God is a consuming fire!
As in our previous lessons, “Conviction Determines Conduct.” If you are among the first group which we will examine, then you are both up lifted and inspired by the all-consuming fire that is our God. :However, If you are unfortunate enough to be found among the second group, then today is the day when your conviction must change. Today is the day when you must reexamine your conduct and determine to you’re your life in a different way!
Let's take a few moments, and examine the question, whom does god consume with his fire?
I GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE TO THOSE THAT LOVE HIM.
1. What is meant by the expression, "God is a consuming fire?"
A. First, God is a consuming fire in that he inspires all whom he comes into contact with!
2. Throughout the ages, god has often served as an inspiration.
A. Gen 12: 1 through a promise he inspired Abraham to go!
b. Ex 3: 12 through his presents, he inspired Moses to face his fears!
C. Acts 9: 4-5 through his son, he inspired Saul to turn away from his persecution!
D. Jer 20:9 he inspired Jeramiah to speak his word!
E. Heb 9: 26 through his sacrifice, he has inspired millions to follow him!
3. What does he inspire people to do?
A. 2Pet 3: 18 he inspires us to grow in knowledge of his will for our lives!
B. Mt 20: 28 he inspires us to serve those around us!
C. 1Jn 4: 19 he inspires us to put him first in our lives!
II GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE TO THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST HIM
1. As mentioned before, there are two groups.
A. Those who take God's inspiration, and follow his will.
B. Those who reject god, and instead receive his harsh judgment.
2. Unfortunately, of this latter group, there have been many.
A. Nu 3: 4 Nadab and Abihu disobeyed god, and he judged them.
B. Acts 5: 1 Ananias and Sapphira lied, and he judged them.
C. Acts 12: 23 Herod clamed the glory, and he judged him.
D. Rom 6: 23 we reject God, and he will judge us.
Heb 12: 29
Intro:
There are many in our world today that are seeking inspiration. They are looking for an example, or a role model. For many, they have chosen to latch on to the world and follow it's lead.
Today, as we conclude our series, I would like to talk to you about the only true inspiration. I want to tell you that not only does God know, love, care, have ability, and reward, but also I want you to know that God is a consuming fire!
As in our previous lessons, “Conviction Determines Conduct.” If you are among the first group which we will examine, then you are both up lifted and inspired by the all-consuming fire that is our God. :However, If you are unfortunate enough to be found among the second group, then today is the day when your conviction must change. Today is the day when you must reexamine your conduct and determine to you’re your life in a different way!
Let's take a few moments, and examine the question, whom does god consume with his fire?
I GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE TO THOSE THAT LOVE HIM.
1. What is meant by the expression, "God is a consuming fire?"
A. First, God is a consuming fire in that he inspires all whom he comes into contact with!
2. Throughout the ages, god has often served as an inspiration.
A. Gen 12: 1 through a promise he inspired Abraham to go!
b. Ex 3: 12 through his presents, he inspired Moses to face his fears!
C. Acts 9: 4-5 through his son, he inspired Saul to turn away from his persecution!
D. Jer 20:9 he inspired Jeramiah to speak his word!
E. Heb 9: 26 through his sacrifice, he has inspired millions to follow him!
3. What does he inspire people to do?
A. 2Pet 3: 18 he inspires us to grow in knowledge of his will for our lives!
B. Mt 20: 28 he inspires us to serve those around us!
C. 1Jn 4: 19 he inspires us to put him first in our lives!
II GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE TO THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST HIM
1. As mentioned before, there are two groups.
A. Those who take God's inspiration, and follow his will.
B. Those who reject god, and instead receive his harsh judgment.
2. Unfortunately, of this latter group, there have been many.
A. Nu 3: 4 Nadab and Abihu disobeyed god, and he judged them.
B. Acts 5: 1 Ananias and Sapphira lied, and he judged them.
C. Acts 12: 23 Herod clamed the glory, and he judged him.
D. Rom 6: 23 we reject God, and he will judge us.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
SPIRITUAL BAILOUT
“REJOICING IN YOUR SPIRITUAL BAILOUT”
HEB. 10: 18 - 24
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
We hear so much about bailouts today I was concerned with this topic. Bailouts today have a negative taste. Who is going to bail me out? Jesus Christ has already provide the bailout for all who will come to him.
I. THE CLEANSING POWER OF HIS BLOOD.
A. Romans 3: 22 – 26 All have sinned and needs redemption.
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
B. Heb. 9: 20 – 22 Under the Old Law the tabernacle and all the vessels were cleansed by the blood of animals.
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
C. Heb. 9: 23 – 28 Under the New Testament or new law Jesus cleanses us through his blood.
23 ¶ It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
D. Matt. 26: 27 - 28 Jesus took the cup and said.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
E. Rom. 6: 9 –11 Jesus offered one sacrifice, himself.
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
There are three ways the blood cleanses us.
1. All past sins are forgiven in baptism.
2. The child of God is continually forgiven day by day as they walk in the light of Christ.
3. The faithful Christian will be saved in heaven on that final day of judgment.
II. A CONVICTING POWER IN THE BLOOD TO BAIL US OUT.
A. Rom. 6: 23 One convicted of sin deserves death.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The seriousness of sin is played down today. Did you hear of the woman that hit the man walking down the road and after he went through the windshield and was hanging there she drove home and put the car in the garage and left him till he died and then took him out of the windshield and dumped his body in a public park. She locked her car with all the blood and broken windshield in the garage. They are charging her with murder and she is pleading not guilty.
That is the world today. It does not want the responsibility of sin. Living together in fornication is considered a lack of commitment. Not ready to commit to marriage. Adultery is considered incompatibility and both parties are innocent and free to remarry. Sex outside of marriage to some is a trial to see if your compatible for marriage, and guess what, after a while many determine they are not ready for marriage so they find someone new. Lying, cheating, stealing are thought by some to be childhood diseases that they will grow out of. Sin is sin and only the blood of Christ can bail us out.
B. 1 Cor. 6: 9 – 11 The bible calls it sin of the unrighteous.
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1. We are convicted of sin.
2. Our only hope is to be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.
3. Through his blood we can be sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus Christ.
C. 2 Cor. 5: 21 Sin is so terrible that only the blood of Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God can cleans us.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
In the darkness of the saviors death on the cross we are led to see just how bad sin is. The suffering of Christ, the shedding of his blood convicts us that sin is real, that it is a dreadful thing that can only bring death if we are not washed in Jesus blood for forgiveness.
III. THE DRAWING POWER OF THE BLOOD.
A. John 3: 16 - 17 Are we not drawn closer to God because He loved us so.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
B. John 15: 12 - 14 No greater love is shown.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
C. Rom. 5: 6 – 10 Reconciled to God by the death of Jesus Christ his son.
6 ¶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
God’s love is seen in that Christ died for us when we were not his friends but his enemies. He loved our souls anyway.
D. 1 John 4: 7 - 13 Not that we loved God but:
7 ¶ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
John for certain was not writing to the world, but to Christians.
There is no greater power than the love of God to draw us to him. There is no greater demonstration of God’s love than the shedding of the blood of his only son. There is power in the blood to draw us to God.
There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.
A Bail outPower to cleanse us from all sin. No matter how bad or big that sin may seem to be. For to God sin is sin Only man tries to grade sin.
Isa. 1: 18 The Lord said,
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
There is power in the blood to convict us that we are sinners in need of salvation.
The reality of sin is convincingly displayed in the blood.
There is power in the blood to draw us near to God.
There is power in the blood to melt the cold heart of man as he thinks upon the love of God manifested in His sons blood.
Why not make up your mind now to come to Jesus. Let Him bail you out. What are you waiting on?
Why not be baptized into Jesus Christ for the remission of our past sins?
If you’re a Christian do you need to come back to your first love? Jesus has promised he will forgive all that repent. It is not to late.
Do not leave Jesus Christ on the desk like the donuts.
HEB. 10: 18 - 24
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
We hear so much about bailouts today I was concerned with this topic. Bailouts today have a negative taste. Who is going to bail me out? Jesus Christ has already provide the bailout for all who will come to him.
I. THE CLEANSING POWER OF HIS BLOOD.
A. Romans 3: 22 – 26 All have sinned and needs redemption.
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
B. Heb. 9: 20 – 22 Under the Old Law the tabernacle and all the vessels were cleansed by the blood of animals.
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
C. Heb. 9: 23 – 28 Under the New Testament or new law Jesus cleanses us through his blood.
23 ¶ It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
D. Matt. 26: 27 - 28 Jesus took the cup and said.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
E. Rom. 6: 9 –11 Jesus offered one sacrifice, himself.
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
There are three ways the blood cleanses us.
1. All past sins are forgiven in baptism.
2. The child of God is continually forgiven day by day as they walk in the light of Christ.
3. The faithful Christian will be saved in heaven on that final day of judgment.
II. A CONVICTING POWER IN THE BLOOD TO BAIL US OUT.
A. Rom. 6: 23 One convicted of sin deserves death.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The seriousness of sin is played down today. Did you hear of the woman that hit the man walking down the road and after he went through the windshield and was hanging there she drove home and put the car in the garage and left him till he died and then took him out of the windshield and dumped his body in a public park. She locked her car with all the blood and broken windshield in the garage. They are charging her with murder and she is pleading not guilty.
That is the world today. It does not want the responsibility of sin. Living together in fornication is considered a lack of commitment. Not ready to commit to marriage. Adultery is considered incompatibility and both parties are innocent and free to remarry. Sex outside of marriage to some is a trial to see if your compatible for marriage, and guess what, after a while many determine they are not ready for marriage so they find someone new. Lying, cheating, stealing are thought by some to be childhood diseases that they will grow out of. Sin is sin and only the blood of Christ can bail us out.
B. 1 Cor. 6: 9 – 11 The bible calls it sin of the unrighteous.
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1. We are convicted of sin.
2. Our only hope is to be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.
3. Through his blood we can be sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus Christ.
C. 2 Cor. 5: 21 Sin is so terrible that only the blood of Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God can cleans us.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
In the darkness of the saviors death on the cross we are led to see just how bad sin is. The suffering of Christ, the shedding of his blood convicts us that sin is real, that it is a dreadful thing that can only bring death if we are not washed in Jesus blood for forgiveness.
III. THE DRAWING POWER OF THE BLOOD.
A. John 3: 16 - 17 Are we not drawn closer to God because He loved us so.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
B. John 15: 12 - 14 No greater love is shown.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
C. Rom. 5: 6 – 10 Reconciled to God by the death of Jesus Christ his son.
6 ¶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
God’s love is seen in that Christ died for us when we were not his friends but his enemies. He loved our souls anyway.
D. 1 John 4: 7 - 13 Not that we loved God but:
7 ¶ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
John for certain was not writing to the world, but to Christians.
There is no greater power than the love of God to draw us to him. There is no greater demonstration of God’s love than the shedding of the blood of his only son. There is power in the blood to draw us to God.
There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.
A Bail outPower to cleanse us from all sin. No matter how bad or big that sin may seem to be. For to God sin is sin Only man tries to grade sin.
Isa. 1: 18 The Lord said,
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
There is power in the blood to convict us that we are sinners in need of salvation.
The reality of sin is convincingly displayed in the blood.
There is power in the blood to draw us near to God.
There is power in the blood to melt the cold heart of man as he thinks upon the love of God manifested in His sons blood.
Why not make up your mind now to come to Jesus. Let Him bail you out. What are you waiting on?
Why not be baptized into Jesus Christ for the remission of our past sins?
If you’re a Christian do you need to come back to your first love? Jesus has promised he will forgive all that repent. It is not to late.
Do not leave Jesus Christ on the desk like the donuts.
GOD IS LOVE
“GOD IS.. HE IS LOVE”
1John 4: 7-8
Intro:
Sally was only eight years old when she heard Mommy and Daddy talking about her little brother, Georgi. He was very sick and they had done everything they
could afford to save his life. Only a very expensive surgery could help him now . . . and that was out of the financial question. She heard Daddy say it
with a whispered desperation,
"Only a miracle can save him now."
Sally went to her bedroom and pulled her piggybank from its hiding place in the closet. She shook all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully.
Three times. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Tying the coins up in a cold-weather-kerchief, she slipped out of the apartment
and made her way to the corner drug store.
She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her attention . . but he was too busy talking to another man to be bothered by an eight-year-old. Sally
twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise.
She cleared her throat. No good. Finally she took a quarter from its hiding place and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!
"And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother."
"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Sally answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's sick . .. . and I want to buy a miracle."
"I beg your pardon," said the pharmacist.
"My Daddy says only a miracle can save him now . . . so how much does a miracle cost?"
"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I can't help you."
"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. Just tell me how much it costs."
The well-dressed man stooped down and asked, "What kind of a miracle does you brother need?"
"I don't know," Sally answered. A tear started down her cheek. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my folks can't pay
for it . . . so I have my money.
"How much do you have?" asked the well-dressed man.
"A dollar and eleven cents," Sally answered proudly. "And it's all the money I have in the world."
"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the well-dressed man. A dollar and eleven cents . . . the exact price of a miracle to save a little brother.
He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your
parents."
That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, renowned surgeon. . specializing in solving Georgi's malady. The operation was completed without charge
and it wasn't long until Georgi was home again and doing well. Mommy and Daddy were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this
place.
"That surgery," Mommy whispered. "It's like a miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?
Sally smiled to herself. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost... one dollar and eleven cents... plus the love and faith of a little child.
There are times in life, when each an every one of us is pushed to the breaking point. There is that moment in time that comes when we just aren’t sure we can go one more step. It is at this point when we should stop, and consider the amazing love of god for his children. God’s love never grows tired, or contrary. His love is so great, that it is able to forgive our sins. (Psa 103: 12)
Today, I would like for us to look at two ideas about the love of god. Someone once said, “In order to know God, we must know love.” Let us come to know love, that we might truly come to know God.
As in each of the previous lessons, conviction will determine conduct. If you believe that God loves you, then that will be one of the great guiding forces in your life. However, if you do not believe in God’s love, then you will live a lonely life. Join me then as we consider the wonderful love of God.
I WHAT IS LOVE?
1. First, we need to realize that God is love.
A. 1John 4: 8 That he is love is a part of his divine nature, and can not be denied.
B. This fact is obvious both in word and in deed.
2. What is love? First, love is giving.
A. Gen 2: 18-25 God’s love for Adam in that he gave him Eve!
B. Gen 21: 3 God’s love for Abraham, in that he gave him Isaac!
C. Ex 12: 51 God’s love for Israel, in that he gave them freedom!
D. Luke 23: 39-43 God’s love for the thief, in that he gave him peace of mind.
E. Ro 5: 8 God’s love for humanity, in that he gave us salvation!
3. Just as God is love, so love is also a teacher.
A. Jn 14: 21 Love teaches us to love Christ, and his commandments!
B. 1Th 4: 9 Love teaches us to care for one another!
C. Eph 3: 17 Love teaches us to be rooted and grounded in the truth of God’s word!
D. Mk 12: 30 Love teaches us to love God with all that we have!
II TO WHOM IS LOVE SHOWN?
1. There are three groups to whom God has shown his love.
A. god has shown his love to his CHILDREN.
B. God has shown his love to his CHURCH.
C. God has shown his love to his CREATION.
2. In what way has God shown his love to his children?
A. By the fulfilling of his promises.
B. Gen 22: 18 Through the fulfilling of the promise made to Abraham!
C. Jn 1: 29 Through the fulfilling of the promise made concerning the messiah!
D. Heb 9: 28 Through the fulfilling of the promise to return, and reward the faithful!
3. In what way has God shown his love to his church?
A. In the protection he has given.
B. So many times during the history of the Lord’s church, the future has looked so bleak.
C. Yet time and time again, just as the book of Revelation promises, God has seen us through!
4. In what way has god shown his love for his creation?
A. Through the giving of himself.
B. Jn 3: 16 God so loved his creation, that he gave his son.
C. Col 1: 19 In the person of Christ dwelt both man and God.
D. In the giving of his son, God also gave a part of himself, that we might have everlasting life.
1John 4: 7-8
Intro:
Sally was only eight years old when she heard Mommy and Daddy talking about her little brother, Georgi. He was very sick and they had done everything they
could afford to save his life. Only a very expensive surgery could help him now . . . and that was out of the financial question. She heard Daddy say it
with a whispered desperation,
"Only a miracle can save him now."
Sally went to her bedroom and pulled her piggybank from its hiding place in the closet. She shook all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully.
Three times. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Tying the coins up in a cold-weather-kerchief, she slipped out of the apartment
and made her way to the corner drug store.
She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her attention . . but he was too busy talking to another man to be bothered by an eight-year-old. Sally
twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise.
She cleared her throat. No good. Finally she took a quarter from its hiding place and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!
"And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother."
"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Sally answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's sick . .. . and I want to buy a miracle."
"I beg your pardon," said the pharmacist.
"My Daddy says only a miracle can save him now . . . so how much does a miracle cost?"
"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I can't help you."
"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. Just tell me how much it costs."
The well-dressed man stooped down and asked, "What kind of a miracle does you brother need?"
"I don't know," Sally answered. A tear started down her cheek. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my folks can't pay
for it . . . so I have my money.
"How much do you have?" asked the well-dressed man.
"A dollar and eleven cents," Sally answered proudly. "And it's all the money I have in the world."
"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the well-dressed man. A dollar and eleven cents . . . the exact price of a miracle to save a little brother.
He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your
parents."
That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, renowned surgeon. . specializing in solving Georgi's malady. The operation was completed without charge
and it wasn't long until Georgi was home again and doing well. Mommy and Daddy were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this
place.
"That surgery," Mommy whispered. "It's like a miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?
Sally smiled to herself. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost... one dollar and eleven cents... plus the love and faith of a little child.
There are times in life, when each an every one of us is pushed to the breaking point. There is that moment in time that comes when we just aren’t sure we can go one more step. It is at this point when we should stop, and consider the amazing love of god for his children. God’s love never grows tired, or contrary. His love is so great, that it is able to forgive our sins. (Psa 103: 12)
Today, I would like for us to look at two ideas about the love of god. Someone once said, “In order to know God, we must know love.” Let us come to know love, that we might truly come to know God.
As in each of the previous lessons, conviction will determine conduct. If you believe that God loves you, then that will be one of the great guiding forces in your life. However, if you do not believe in God’s love, then you will live a lonely life. Join me then as we consider the wonderful love of God.
I WHAT IS LOVE?
1. First, we need to realize that God is love.
A. 1John 4: 8 That he is love is a part of his divine nature, and can not be denied.
B. This fact is obvious both in word and in deed.
2. What is love? First, love is giving.
A. Gen 2: 18-25 God’s love for Adam in that he gave him Eve!
B. Gen 21: 3 God’s love for Abraham, in that he gave him Isaac!
C. Ex 12: 51 God’s love for Israel, in that he gave them freedom!
D. Luke 23: 39-43 God’s love for the thief, in that he gave him peace of mind.
E. Ro 5: 8 God’s love for humanity, in that he gave us salvation!
3. Just as God is love, so love is also a teacher.
A. Jn 14: 21 Love teaches us to love Christ, and his commandments!
B. 1Th 4: 9 Love teaches us to care for one another!
C. Eph 3: 17 Love teaches us to be rooted and grounded in the truth of God’s word!
D. Mk 12: 30 Love teaches us to love God with all that we have!
II TO WHOM IS LOVE SHOWN?
1. There are three groups to whom God has shown his love.
A. god has shown his love to his CHILDREN.
B. God has shown his love to his CHURCH.
C. God has shown his love to his CREATION.
2. In what way has God shown his love to his children?
A. By the fulfilling of his promises.
B. Gen 22: 18 Through the fulfilling of the promise made to Abraham!
C. Jn 1: 29 Through the fulfilling of the promise made concerning the messiah!
D. Heb 9: 28 Through the fulfilling of the promise to return, and reward the faithful!
3. In what way has God shown his love to his church?
A. In the protection he has given.
B. So many times during the history of the Lord’s church, the future has looked so bleak.
C. Yet time and time again, just as the book of Revelation promises, God has seen us through!
4. In what way has god shown his love for his creation?
A. Through the giving of himself.
B. Jn 3: 16 God so loved his creation, that he gave his son.
C. Col 1: 19 In the person of Christ dwelt both man and God.
D. In the giving of his son, God also gave a part of himself, that we might have everlasting life.
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