"From The Garden To The City" Series

Prepared For Lexington Church Of God For Sunday Morning March 16th, 2003

“From The Garden To A City”

TEXT: 1 Cor 2:4-13 (KJV)

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Only to those of mature faith can he impart God’s wisdom

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Introduction:

The Apostle Paul declares that the Mysteries Of God are accessible to

God’s People.

God has made His future plans for the church known.

(1) What a privilege we have as Christians.

(2) The things that baffle Kings, World Leaders, Scientist, So-called

Physics, and even the Leaders of DEAD RELIGION are accessible

To God’s children.

(3) You don’t have to be some super duper, whipper whopper.

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(4) You just have to be a child of God.

[A] Should we study Bible Prophecy?

(1) Should we take the time to read the Prophecies of the Bible?

I have heard people say and I have even in times past used this as an out; “Well I am not planning on being left behind, so I am not going

to try and figure it all out. Just give the Gospels & Acts.

(2) Some people read the New Testament through from Matt to Jude

And then they go back to Matt. Again.

[B] Reading and studying the Prophecy Scriptures has changed my

Whole Perspective of God.

(1) I see Him in a whole new way now!

(2) Why should you read the Prophecy Scriptures?

Rev 1:3 (KJV)3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

{a} Those who read it and seek to understand it will be happy

and secure.

{b} Those who hear it will be happy and secure.

{c} The prophecy scriptures tell of the things that are to

Come to pass. We are to be misled, caught off guard.

{d} Those with the proper knowledge can take the proper

measures to escape from the impending evils.

[C] The Revelation Of Jesus Christ as given to John begins with this

promise and it concludes with this promise.

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Rev 22:7 (KJV)7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the

prophecy of this book.

[D] There’s a great deal of interest in the world today about the future,

About the “End Times.” “Armageddon”

The best seller list has been dominated by “End Time” novels.

People turn out in massive numbers to view movies that deal

With the “End Times.”

Even sinners are spending quite a bit of money on these items.

(1) People have a natural Curiosity about future events,

mysteries the mysterious etc…..

[E] “What does the future hold for me?”

I. We Learn About The Depth Of God’s Love

[A] His deep affection for us. His abiding love.

[B] You are the apple of His eye!

Psalms 17:8 (KJV)

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

*Prophecy scriptures reveal --Christians are the apple of God’s eye!

[C] To the Heavenly Father, you are the apple of His eye, you have

a bright future, eternal hope, peace, Joy

II. A Solidified Hope

[A] God in His Word has a lot to say about our future.