GOD
Introduction:
Learning about God is important to all people of all ages all over the world. Knowledge about God gives all people the opportunity to make the decision about their eternal destiny and abiding relationship with God --- everyone needs to make the choice after knowing God about whether they will serve Him of serve the devil. This lesson is a lesson that will acquaint us with God’s essential qualities that are important to us as we seek to know Him.
I. God is eternal:
A. Genesis 1:1-2, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (NKJV).
B. Ephesians 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (NKJV).
C. Psalms 90:1-2, “1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting , You are God” (NKJV)
II. God is a rewarded of those that obey HIM:
A. Isaiah 40:27-31, “27 Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God"? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” (NKJV).
B. Revelation 22:12-14, “"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”
C. Matthew 16:24-27, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (NKJV).
III. God is love:
A. John 3:16-17, “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (NKJV).
B. Romans 5:7-8, “ 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (NKJV).
C. 1 John 4:7-8, “7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (NKJV).
IV. God is unchangeable in His essential nature:
A. Hebrews 13:8-9, “8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
B. Psalms 102:25-27, “25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. 27 But You are the same, And Your years will have no end” (NKJV).
V. God always keeps His promises:
A. Titus 1:1-2, “Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” (NKJV).
B. Hebrews 6:13-18, “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (NKJV).
C. 2 Peter 1:2-4, “2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises , that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”
Conclusion:
To know that God is real and that He is conscious of all our comings and goings aids us in making good choices in Life. Our choices in life will be more and more influenced by God as we learn more and more about Him. Serving God is:
“THE WHOLE OF MAN” (KJV)
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, 13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (NKJV).
Thursday, December 2, 2004
WHAT TIME BRINGS
INTRODUCTION:
All of man's accomplishments, all of man's hopes, dreams, and aspirations depend upon time. As we consider the subject "WHAT TIME BRINGS" I want to suggest that "TIME BRINGS" at least four realities. The whole thrust of human philosophy may well be summed up through an understanding of the four elements involved in our study.
THE FOUR REALITIES ARE:
I. TIME BRINGS THE TRANSITORINESS (i.e., passing) OF LIFE:
1. Life passes with unbelievable speed:
James 4:14,
14 whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (ASV)
1 Peter 1:24,
24 For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass.
The grass withereth, and the flower falleth: (ASV)
2. The temporary things of this life are but empty and vain:
Many are the times whenever men place great emphasis on the things of
this earth. At given moments man considers the fleeting things as the most important of all but in the words of Solomon, they are empty and vain.
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11,
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
3 What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun?
4 One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever.
5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth.
6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its course, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.
7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again.
8 All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter (it): the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long
ago, in the ages which were before us.
11 There is no remembrance of the former (generations); neither shall there be
any remembrance of the latter (generations) that are to come, among those that shall come after. (ASV)
II. TIME BRINGS THE INEVITABILITY (i.e., the assurance) OF DEATH:
Hebrews 9:27,
27 And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this (cometh)
Judgment; (ASV)
1. The body wears out and the spirit leaves it,
Ecclesiastes 12:7,
7 and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto
God who gave it. (ASV)
2. Because of God's love for man (cf., John 3:16), man may be saved from the grave and Hell. This great opportunity is a glorious plan that is referred to as "God's Plan of Salvation". This plan of God consists of (*** See the transparency titled, "GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION HERE):
GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION
(1) Hearing the gospel,
Rom 10:17,
17 So belief (cometh) of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
(ASV)
(2) Believing the gospel,
Mark 16:16,
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
disbelieveth shall be condemned. (ASV)
(3) Repenting of sin,
Acts 2:38,
38 And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (ASV)
(4) Confess Christ,
Rom 10:10,
10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation. (ASV)
(5) Be baptized for the remission of sin,
Acts 2:38,
38 And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (ASV)
CONSIDER THIS:
After one has complied with God's Plan of Salvation" he is then added to the church by Jesus Christ:
Acts 2:47,
47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to
them day by day those that were saved. (ASV)
III. TIME BRINGS THE MUTIBILITY (i.e., the decay) OF NATURE:
1. Heraclitus, pronounced hehr uh KLY tuhs, was an early Greek philosopher active about 500 B.C. He regarded himself as having access to a central truth available to all people. However, people remained ignorant of this truth due to failure to use their senses and understand correctly. This truth is a unifying rational principle called the logos. Heraclitus asserted that everything in the world constantly changes and moves, a condition he called strife (flux). He believed that this unending motion ties together all opposing forces--such as hot and cold--in a delicate balance or state of tension. This underlying unity has come to be known as the unity of opposites.
Heraclitus lived in Ephesus, a city in Asia Minor (now Turkey). He wrote one book from which about 130 fragments have survived. In ancient times he was known as the Obscure because of the difficulty of his thought. (From 1998 World Book CD)
2. Modern science with its knowledge of the expanding universe and the principles of thermodynamics (i.e., things change from useful to less useful in the process of time) recognize that the material universe is in a state of perpetual flux (i.e., subject to constant change).
3. Although that which has been created (i.e., the material universe) is in constant change to a less useful substance, the Originator and the law which motivates it does not change at all.
God upholds the universe by His own power:
Hebrews 1:1-3,
1 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers
portions and in divers manners,
2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in (his) Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;
2 who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance,
and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (ASV)
4. In spite of the fact that God continues to uphold the laws He originally set in motion.
The material universe is changing and growing older day after day.
CONSIDER THIS:
Hebrews 1:10-12,
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands:
11 They shall perish; but thou continuest: And they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12 And as a mantle shalt thou roll them up, As a garment, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, And thy years shall not fail. (ASV)
IV. TIME BRINGS THE END OF THE WORLD:
2 Peter 3:10-14,
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in (all) holy living and godliness,
12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye
may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight. (ASV)
CONCLUSION:
My dear friends, are you ever conscious that time is passing now? Will you make the decision today to make preparation for that time when all TIME WILL BE OVER?
… COME …
Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
I. COME AND REASON:
1. Reason not after ones own selfish desires,
Jeremiah 10:23, “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself, It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (NKJV).
2. Reason not after the wisdom of mankind,
1 Corinthians 1:21, “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. NKJV
II. COME AND TAKE (“have”) - Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (NKJV).
1. Come and have peace,
John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (NKJV).
2. Come and have joy,
John 15:11, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (NKJV).
III. COME AND REST - Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (NKJV).
1. Rest for the soul,
Matthew 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (NKJV).
V. COME AND INHERIT – Matthew 25:34, “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (NKJV).
1. An incorruptible and undefiled inheritance for all the saved ones –
1 Peter 1:4, “to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you”
CONCLUSION:
Come to Christ today, obey hiis instruction - cf. Hebrews 5:8-9. Only good will be the result of your conversion to Christ, do it today so that your inheritance will be in heaven - 'SOMEDAY."
Tempe, AZ – March 16, 1980
Revised - April 26, 2005
IS CHRIST WITH US?
Sermon by Garreth L. Clair
TEXT:
Luke 2:40-52,
40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. 41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." 49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (NKJV).
INTRODUCTION:
1. Jesus parents thought that He was with them.
2. They traveled a whole day’s journey before they realized that He was not with them [i.e. before they realized their error].
3. Many people today suppose that Jesus is with them, and it often takes a ling time to convince them that He is not.
BODY:
I. CHRIST IS WITH MAN WHEN MAN IS WILLING:
1. Hear Him, Matthew 17:5, “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"
2. Believe in Him, John 8:24, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (NKJV).
3. Repent of past sins, Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. NKJV
4. Confess Him as the Messiah, i.e. the Christ), Romans 10:10, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (NKJV).
5. To be buried with Him in baptism, Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (NKJV).
Romans 6:4, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (NKJV).
6. To walk [continuous action] in newness of life, Romans 6:4-6, "4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. NKJV
II. CHRIST WILL NOT BE WITH US WHEN WE:
1. Gratify the lust of the flesh, Galatians 5:19-21, "19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (NKJV).
2. Give heed to the doctrines of men, Matthew 15:9, “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (NKJV).
3. Bids God’s speed to that which is evil, 2 John 9-11, "9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;
11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (NKJV).
CONCLUSION:
Psalms 23:1-6
“The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever” (NKJV).
June 1982
Revised April 26, 2005
Consider Magazine is an independent work by Garreth L. Clair
Garreth has over 50 years experience as a preacher, and is currently the preacher for the church that meets at 4840 Cemetery Road, in Hilliard OH.
http://www.cemeteryroadchurchofchrist.org/
Copyright 2005, All Rights Reserved. (Please contact us for permission to reprint.)
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