Tag: The Absolute Greatness of the God I Serve.

The Gospel As Seen Through John’s Eyes – John 3:22-36

The last couple of weeks we have seen the gospel as told to us in Jesus’s own words. Ye must be born again was His declaration. The remedy He gave was Himself. Condemnation was already here. Man is born condemned and Jesus declares He is the only way for condemnation to be removed. Praise the Lord, He removed it for all who believe in Him –

John clarifies the difference between the Messiah and John the Baptist

A. John the Baptist pointed men to Jesus.
B. John stated clearly “I am not the Christ”.
C. John was the friend of the bridegroom – indication here that John the Baptist was never a part of the church.
D. The profound statement – v.30 He must increase, but I musts decrease.

THIS IS THE KEY TO THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF CHRISTIANITY.

  1. If man is the center, it is not Biblical.
  2. If man claims any power outside of what God is doing through Him, he is not biblical.
  3. If man is pushing a personal agenda that promises riches and fame, he is not biblical.
  4. A true minister of Christ will NEVER try to bring attention to his self.
  5. A true minister will allow Jesus to be the one the light shines on

John’s declaration

A. God is true – v33.
B. God the Father loves God the Son – V.35
C. God’s way to salvation – v 36

Here we see, in v 36 what Johns feels is of utmost importance.

A. John repeats this in the book of I John 5:11-13 -And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
B. God has given us the record (the proof) that eternal life is in Jesus.
C. One must possess, not just confess.

Romans 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

D. Unbelievers will experience the wrath of God if they do not repent and turn to Jesus.

Psalms 2:12  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

1 Thessalonians 1:10  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Hebrews 2:3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 6:16-17 – 16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The Most Wonderful Story Ever Told

John 3:15-21

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.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.18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

There has never been a greater story told than the one of God’s redeeming love.  Think about it.  God created the worlds and everything in it and the last thing He created was man.  Man was created in God’s image, placed in a perfect environment, walked, and talked with God daily and could pretty well do whatever he wanted too, except one thing. 

Genesis 2:16-17 –   And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

The simple facts

  • Eat of all the fruit of the trees but one. 
  • One simple thing is all God asked. 
  • One.  What did man do? 
  • He ate of the tree anyway.
  • Eat at your own peril, but if you do, you will die!
  • Isn’t that just like man today?

The problem

  • A sneaky snake.
  • It tricked Eve. (side note) It appears that God told Adam not to eat before He created Eve.
Genesis 2:18 - And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
  • Eve did not get the facts right – Genesis 3:2-3 – And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
  • Eve is not the one God held responsible.
  • Adam was responsible.

Why

God gave the message to Adam, not to Eve.

Adam was responsible to properly relay the message to Eve.

Adam was present when Eve ate the fruit, but made no attempt to stop her.

Eve was tricked – deceived!

Adam was fully aware he was violating God’s command.

The cure

Genesis 3:14-15 –  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel

  • Adam did not fully understand God’s statement of redemption to come.
  • Satan surely did.
  • Satan brought condemnation to all man kind
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
  • The message of Christ is not one of condemnation, but of hope.
  • The world’s message is one of darkness and despair

John 3:19-20  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

You and I are to shine the light –

Matthew 5:14-16 –  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

What will our light Do?

  • It will reveal the truth to those who have no hope.
  • It will focus on the cure, not the curse. Jesus came to remove the condemnation, not to condemn – our focus should be the same. (you and I can not remove someone’s sin, only Jesus can do that – we are to make Him known.)
  • The true light will lead sinners to eternal life.
  • Man can not respond if the light is not revealed.
  • You and I are indeed the way God has chosen to take the light.

I Corinthians 3:8-11;16 – Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 16   Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

God’s plan:

  • Provide a way to Him.
  • Use us (you and me) to share the good news.
  • To remove man’s condemnation and replace it with eternal life.
  • To make man’s part simple – Believe!!

Romans 10:9-10;13 –  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:14-17 – How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Matthew 28:19-20 – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Absolute Greatness of the God I Serve, part 4

Philippians 2:3-8 – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus set the example.
I represent Jesus to the world.
Real servanthood is:

  • Humility
  • Obedience
  • Action
  1. Quit being concerned about how you look, and start being concerned with how He looks.
  2. Obedience was why Jesus was able to endure the cross.
  3. Humility is what leads to obedience. I Peter 5:6-7 –  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
  4. Service is faith in action. James 2:15-18 – If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; otwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
  5. Service is being willing to go to the back of the line. Mark 10:28-31 – Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.31  But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

A. It is the PHD reaching into the gutter to lift up the old drunk.
B. It is the teacher reaching down to where the student lives.
C. It is the doctor being willing to pray with the hurting.
D. It is the Lawyer being willing to get down on the floor with snotty nose Sunday school kids.
E. It is the pastor being willing to leave the pulpit and touch the life of some homeless person.
F. It is the CEO serving food to people at the food kitchen.
G. It is the carpenter fixing a hole in the wall some kid put their playing in the nursery.
H. It is the great orator being willing to teach that timid child the story of Jonah.
I. It is the couple who is reaching out to the widow making sure she is cared for.
J. It is a childless couple working in the nursery.
K. It is the teenager helping the old one out of the car and into the church.
L. It is the poorest of the poor casting in a penny.
M. It is the millionaire paying the rent for the man out of work.
N. It is the man out of work sharing what he has with another.

The Absolute Greatness of the God I Serve, part 3.

As we look at honor today we will look at the attribute of our God that makes Him worthy of our honor. That will be His power. Then we will look at how we can honor Him for the Power He has displayed in our lives. The word glory literally means beauty, to honor, to boast about. So let us get started. 

HONOR

Jerimiah 10:11-12 –  Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.12  He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

Jeremiah 27:5  I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.

First, let us look at the power aspect.
Let us talk about His power.

  • He spoke the world into existence. We talked about this last week.
  • He made man and breathed His own breath into him. (last week as well.)
  • He is making an everlasting home for His children –

Matthew 25:34 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:


1 To be God’s child you must be born again.
2 Not all people are children of God.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.


Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,

KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS

  • No earthly leader will ever match the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
  • His kingdom is eternal. All man’s kingdoms will come to an end.
  • HE IS MY KING AND MY LORD, is He yours?
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
  • God has made Himself known to ALL men.
  • He is seen in all His creation.
  • Man who rejects God is without excuse because God shows Himself daily to all men. (the sun, the moon, the stars, the sea, the mountains, the trees, the flowers, the animals, etc. ALL MADE BY GOD HIMSELF.

1 John 4:12  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

  • We demonstrate His power, not by doing supernatural things, but by loving each other.
  • We can love each other because His Holy Spirit dwells in us.
  • Only through Christ can our love become perfect – we demonstrate His love, not our own. Expand      

Peter 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen

  • His power enables us to Grow.
  • His power enables us to Glorify Him.
  • The natural man lacks the ability to truly Praise and Glorify Him.

HONOR

1 Timothy 1:17  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.  

Proverbs 15:33  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

We begin by having a reverence for Who He is, not necessarily for what He can do.  

Isaiah 29:13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

We realize action, not lip service is a must. (praise is demonstrated not only by words, but by being obedient.

1 Samuel 15:22  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Malachi 1:6  A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 

1 Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.Honor for God is shown by our honor for those in our own Home.   

Philippians 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.Honor for God involves us being humbled.  

1 Peter 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Honor is shown by our ability to endure the hardships of life. (persecution, pain, hurt, etc.) 

1 Thessalonians 4:4  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;Honor is shown by forsaking the world and living a Godly life.

2 Corinthians 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

Proverbs 3:9  Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Honor is shown by my willingness to give to His work. NOTE: He should get the first, not the leftovers. (time, money, talents, family, etc.) 

I Thessalonians 5:12-15 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;13  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

  • Honor is demonstrated by the way I treat those in spiritual authority.
  • Honor is demonstrated by the way I treat my brothers and sisters in Christ.
  • Honor is demonstrated by the way I treat the lost.

The ultimate way to honor His is to make Him known.

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

2 Corinthians 7:14  For if I have boasted anything to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

The Absolute Greatness of the God I Serve., part 2

PRAISE

Psalms 29:4  The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. My God made the heavens, and earth and plants and oceans, and mankind, what has your god done?

Psalms 96:4-9 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.5  For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.6  Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7  Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.8  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.9  O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Psalms 145:3  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.         

There is no god like our God.         

He is the only God worthy of my worship.He is the only God that can change your life –

II Corinthians 5;17-18  – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Praise Him because He has trusted you to carry this message of God news 

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
  1. To better understand the love of God, learn to be still. (clear your mind of your thoughts and fill it with His.)
  2. Get to know God as you would a friend.
  3. He will never forsake His children –

Hebrews 13:5-6 – Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Proverbs 18:24  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

    Acts 17:22-31 – Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.23  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;25  Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;26  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.29  Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: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.

    Any other god is only an idol – money, fame, popularity, people, etc. We are to give Him praise (too often we give men praise for what God has   done. 

    Exodus 20:3 – Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

    Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.     

    1 Corinthians 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.  

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