NO MYSTERY HERE. Seven provisions for the Child of God
Are these in you? If so, Are you ready to Serve?
7 observations from scripture about God’s provision for his children, the promise, and evidence.
By William Akehurst, BA
HSWC
KEYVERSES
Colossians 1:27
Acts 6:15
John 14:26
Proverbs 8:13
Isaiah 35:8
Isaiah 35 chapter
John 14:2
Matthew 9:35-38
Romans 10:12-15
John 4:35
Psalm 126:6
GOD’s PROVISION FOR HIS CHILDREN
What is it that we have that other’s do not? For the unbeliever, it is a mystery. Perhaps it has been commented of you, there is something different about you. Perhaps you have even been questioned and even asked. There is something different about you, and I want it. God can use anyone, but why not make sure you understand these 7 observations.
It is:
1. CHRIST IN YOU
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
THIS IS THE MYSTERY REVEALED. THE DIFFERENCE IS CHRIST IN YOU.
Without Christ in you, you are, with OUT the savior. You are outside of the Savior.
DO YOU GLOW FROM HIS FACE SHINING UPON YOU?
WITH CHRIST IN YOU, DO YOU LIGHT AND RADIATE HIM?
2. GLORY IN YOUR FACE
Stephen, a believer, was before the Sanhedrin, who were falsely accusing him of things against the Church and GOD.
Acts 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
INNOCENCE, BRIGHTNESS, AN OUTWARD GLOW
WE HAVE A TEACHER TO HELP US THROUGH LIFE.
3. THE SPIRIT AS YOUR TEACHER
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
4. FEAR OF GOD AS GUIDANCE FOR YOU
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
KNOWING THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM. THIS FEAR, REVERENCE FOR THE GOD OF ALL GOODNESS, WILL GUIDE US BETWEEN IN OUR CHOICES. TO CHOOSE THE LORD,
IS TO CHOOSE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, GOOD AND JUST.
ASIDE: For our seniors, I had to read this entire chapter of ISAIAH 35. The key verse being vs 8, a highway of holiness.
But for the seniors of our church, vs 3. is an encouragement.
Isaiah 35
1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.
3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
5. SEEING, HEARING, LEAPING, SINGING
Isaiah 35.5-10
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
6. HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS TO WALK IN vs 8
Isaiah 35:8-10
8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
THIS ZION IS AS REVELATIONS TELLS US OF HEAVEN, THAT THERE WILL BE NO MORE SORROW, NO MORE TEARS, THAT OUR SORROWS WILL BE TURNED TO GLADNESS.
CONCEPT: THIS HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS. Interesting how when we hear Jesus say that the pathway of righteousness is a straight and narrow.
Take it to this point. The pathway of righteousness is straight and narrow because it must be done alone. Each of us must make that choice to follow in the footsteps of JESUS. A straight and narrow path.
This path takes us to JESUS, who is the GATE, or the DOOR. And the only way to the HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS is to singly go the path of righteousness, enter through the gate, who is JESUS and enter to the HIGHWAY.
Those who do not take that walk to and through the gate, never enter to the HEAVENLY HIGHWAY. In CHRIST, there will be many who travel the highway of holiness. But it is ONLY to the Believer who has made it through the GATE. WOW!
AND KNOWING THAT THERE IS A HIGHWAY, WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A DESTINATION.
7. HEAVEN AS YOUR DESTINATION
John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
JESUS CAME, LIVED, TAUGHT, LOVED, CARRIED, BLED, DIED, BURIED, RISEN TO LIFE, TO PREPARE OUR PLACE, PATH, GATE, HIGHWAY, HOME, IN HEAVEN
IS IT IN YOU? NO, RATHER, IS HE IN YOU?
IF HE IS, TAKE IT TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU
HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THEM WHO BRING GOOD NEWS. Romans 10:15
ARE YOU READY TO SERVE?
THERE IS A NEED FOR EACH OF US TO GO OUT TO THE WORLD AROUND US.
The Whitened Harvest
Matthew 9:35-38
The Need for Workers
35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."
WHO CAN BE SAVED?
Romans 10:12-13
12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
HOW CAN THEY BE SAVED IF THEY DON’T HEAR, IF NO ONE TELLS THEM?
Romans 10:14-15
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"
CHRIST IS SENDING HIS OWN. WE MUST TELL HIM. WE MUST BE READY TO SERVE.
NOT NOW? YES NOW.
ILLUS: John 4:35
One morning, my lawn was full of dandelions. They were beautiful. Most people hate them. My neighbors had treated their lawns, as there were but a few dandelions there.
For anyone who likes dandelion salad, or indulges in what I have heard as dandelion wine, my yard was ready that morning for gathering. Little did I know what ahead just a few hours later.
That day, we left for but a few hours, it was one of the hotter days of the season thus far. Upon our return, these beautiful little yellow dandelions had all at once turned white and were gone POOF. And dried to their white harvest parachutes which were blown away, spreading their love! HA. (probably into my neighbor’s yards)
WE MUST BE READY AND GO NOW. THE FIELDS ARE READY- NOW.
John 4:35
35 You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
Psalm 126:6
6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
LET’S GET MOVING
