WHAT’s So GREAT About GOD?-VI—1Peter 1:3-12
Attention:
Well-Done Please!
The city slicker had always dreamed of owning his own cattle ranch.
He finally made enough money to buy himself the spread of his dreams in Wyoming. So he moves his wife & 4 kids to Wyoming to their new ranch.
His best friend eventually flies out to visit.
”So, what did you name the ranch?" his friend asks.
"We had quite a time," admitted the new cowboy.
“We couldn't agree on anything. So we finally settled on the ‘Double R Lazy L Triple Horseshoe Bar-7 Lucky Diamond Ranch.’ ”
“Wow! that’s a great name!” says his friend. But looking around he saw no cattle.
"So... where are all the cows?"
"None of 'em survived the branding."
What’s so great about that name?...Not much if its misused! In fact it can work against you!
We can very easily misuse knowledge to our own misguided ends.
We can sometimes miss the power of God preferring rather to enjoy the social aspects of ‘our church’—‘enjoying’ the church but not enjoying God. And when confronted with our fears in such situations, we come to a standstill, not realizing ‘What’s So Great About God!’
Peter recalled basic justifications for glorifying God.
Blood-bought believers are justified in their glorifying/pointing to God.
Why are believers justified in glorifying/blessing/pointing to God?
Why is God considered Worthy?
13 governors for blessing God.
WHAT’s So GREAT About GOD?
Previously, we found that,
God is Great because He offers...
1. GOD(:3a)
2. His MEANS OF SALVATION(:3a)
3. MERCY(:3b)
4. REGENERATION(:3b)
5. VIBRANT HOPE(:3b-c)
6. STANDING INHERITANCE(:4-5)
7. INTERNAL JOY(:6)
8. GENUINE FAITH(:7)
9. LOVE(:8)
10. HOPE(:8b-9)
11. INTENTION(:9)
12—God is Great because He offers...
A STANDING WITNESS(:10-11)
Explanation:(:10-11)Written Witness/Record
:10—“Of this salvation the prophets have inquired & searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,”
Regarding the “salvation” of our very souls(:9), i.e. the “salvation” of present/currently living souls, “the prophets” themselves saw fit to diligently seek out God’s revelation in relation to their then future(present/current) “salvation.”
All of “the prophets”(the Lord’s spokesman) declared, whether as a major or minor part of their ministry, the coming of days of “grace” above that of law, which would arrive in the New Covenant initiated in Christ.
Jer. 31:31-34—“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel & with the house of Judah--not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, & write it on their hearts; & I will be their God, & they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, & every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, & their sin I will remember no more.”
Jesus’ blood sealed that covenant:
Mat. 26:26-28; Mk. 14:24; Lk. 22:20; 1Cor. 11:23-25—Mat. 26:26-28—“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed & broke it, & gave it to the disciples & said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, & gave thanks, & gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Mk. 14:24—“And He said to them, This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.” Lk. 22:20—“Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” 1Cor. 11:23-25—“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; & when He had given thanks, He broke it & said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Gal. 3:22-26—“But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith[its fullness] which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
“Salvation”(See :9)—swthria—
“Prophets”—profhthv—1) in Greek writings--An interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things; 2) One who, moved by the Spirit of God & hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, & in particular such as relate to the cause & kingdom of God & to human salvation. Strong—from a compound of pro[Fore/In front of/Prior] & fhmi[Speak/Say]; a foreteller("prophet"); by analogy--An inspired speaker.
**“Inquired/Sought”—ekzhtew—1) To seek out, search for; 2) To seek out, i.e. investigate, scrutinize; 3) To seek out for one's self, beg, crave; 4) To demand back, require. Strong—from ex[From, out(of)] & zhtew[To seek (literally or figuratively); specially(by Hebraism)--To worship(God), or (in a bad sense)--To plot(against life)]; To search out, i.e. figuratively--Investigate, crave, demand, by Hebraism--Worship. Used 7X.
**“Searched carefully/Sought diligently”(See :11)—exereunaw—1) To search out, search anxiously & diligently. To search after, thoroughly investigate (first used to tell of a dog sniffing out something with his nose). The prophets searched to find out the time of Messiah's appearance. Strong—from ex[ From, out(of)] & ereunaw[To seek, i.e. figuratively--To investigate]; To explore(figuratively). Used 1X.
“Prophesied”—profhteuw—1) To prophesy, to be a prophet, speak forth by divine inspirations, to predict—1a) To prophesy, 1b) With the idea of foretelling future events pertaining esp. to the kingdom of God, 1c) To utter forth, declare, a thing which can only be known by divine revelation, 1e) To act as a prophet, discharge the prophetic office. Strong—To foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office.
“Grace”—cariv—1) Grace; 2) Good will, loving-kindness, favor—2a) Of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, & kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues;. Strong—from cairw[To be "cheer"ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off]; Graciousness(as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially--The divine influence upon the heart, & its reflection in the life; including gratitude).
:11—“searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ & the glories that would follow.”
The prophets prior to Jesus’ unveiling/disclosure, were made aware that their ministries were key elements of & for a future generation of believers/people. They were actually ministering to a future people whom they would not know personally.
The “things” the former prophets revealed for future believers are the very “things” which “have been” currently “reported”—in clarity per the Cross-work of Christ— to Peter’s immediate audience & thus subsequently to the church at large today. These “reports” came “to the pilgrims of the elect diaspora”(1:1-2) through those whom God called to “preach” this Good News(gospel) of God’s peace in Christ.
The same Holy Spirit of Christ(:11) revealed the truths in a mystery(1Cor. 2:7-8) to the former prophets, but now has revealed the details/fullness of that Good News in Christ Jesus. It is no longer a mystery as it has all been fulfilled in Jesus the Christ.
1Cor. 2:7-8—“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
The “Holy Spirit” here is the self-same “Spirit of Christ” of :11. He was sent from heaven to indwell believers so that God could reveal His Good News to all.
“Searching”(See :10)—eraunaw—1) To search, examine into. Strong—apparently from erew[Speak/Say](through the idea of inquiry); To seek, i.e. figuratively--To investigate Used 6X.
“What”—eiv—Pronoun—1) Who, which, what. Strong—an interrogative pronoun--Who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions).
“What manner of”—poiov—Pronoun—1) Of what sort or nature. Strong—individualizing interrogative(of character)--What sort of, or of number--Which one.
“Time”—kairov—1) Due measure; 2) A measure of time, a larger or smaller portion of time, hence:—2a) A fixed & definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for, 2b) Opportune or seasonable time, 2c) The right time, 2d) A limited period of time, 2e) To what time brings, the state of the times, the things & events of time. Kairov is a definitely limited portion of time with the added notion of suitableness. Strong—of uncertain affinity; An occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.
“Indicating”—dhlow—1) To make manifest; 2) To make known by relating, to declare; 3) To give one to understand, to indicate, signify. Dhlow is to render evident to the mind, of such disclosures as exhibit character or suggest inferences. Strong—To make plain(by words). RWP—Imperfect active of dhlow, To make plain, “did keep on pointing to.” Used 7X.
“Testified beforehand/”—promarturomai—1) Antetestor; 2) To testify beforehand—2a) To make known, predict. Strong—from pro[Fore/In front of/Prior] & marturomai[To be adduced as a witness, i.e. figuratively--To obtest(in affirmation or exhortation)]; To be a witness in advance i.e. predict. Used 1.
“Sufferings”—payhma—1) That which one suffers or has suffered; 2) An enduring, undergoing, suffering. Strong—from a presumed derivative of payov[properly--Suffering("pathos"), i.e. subjectively--A passion(especially concupiscence)]; Something undergone, i.e. Hardship or pain; subjectively--An emotion or influence.
“Glories”—doxa—1) Opinion, judgment, view; 2) Opinion, estimate, whether good or bad concerning someone; 3) Splendor, brightness; 4) A most glorious condition, most exalted state. Strong—Glory(as very apparent), in a wide application(literal or figurative, objective or subjective).
“Follow”—meta—Prep.—1) With, after, behind. Strong—a primary preposition(often used adverbially); properly--Denoting accompaniment; "Amid"(local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive case association, or accusative case succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between apo or ek & eiv or prov; less intimate than en & less close than sun).
Argumentation:
Isa. 40:8—“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
Mk. 13:31—“Heaven & earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
Ps. 119 is an acrostic poem/song(?)176 verses describing the attributes of God’s word—His Law-Commandments-Statutes-Ordinances-Judgments-Precepts-Testimonies-Ways-Word...Given these truths, the author encourages the reader to Walk in, Keep, Be a student of, Apply, Speak of, Trust in, Delight in, Hope in, etc.!
Ps. 119:9-11—“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!”
Mat. 5:14-20—“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp & put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, & it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works & glorify your Father in heaven. Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven & earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, & teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does & teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes & Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Jn. 5:37-40—“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; & these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”
Lk 24:13-27, 32—“Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed & reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near & went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk & are sad?” Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered & said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, & have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed & word before God & all the people, “& how the chief priests & our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, & crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, & certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. “When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb & found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.” Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, & slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things & to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses & all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”.....“And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, & while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
Col. 3:15-17—“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; & be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching & admonishing one another in psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Illustration:
Traffic signs on the road—Construction Zone-Caution-Stop-Yield-Speed Limit, etc./All are there as witness to the law of the land...To make the driver aware & to beware!/A STANDING WITNESS
Vladimir Lenin in Moscow Russia—He headed the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic from 1917 & the Soviet Union to 1922/A ruthless Communist dictator who made his mark on that society to this day!/His Marxist policies led to the establishment of Joseph Stalin’s centralized totalitarian govt. from 1922-1953/He put the USSR on the map as an industrial power as well as bringing vast stabilizing improvements to a national agriculture setting prone to unreliability/However, literally millions of people were purged, exterminated, executed during his regime, which also involved Nikita Khrushchev, who came to power following Stalin’s death(1953)/Khrushchev spent the better part of his life leading strikes for better pay among people exploited for their labor while becoming Stalin’s right-hand man in the purges!/All were despisers of Christian religion!/Russian communist history presents A STANDING WITNESS
Application:
?You accepted God’s offer of A STANDING WITNESS?
?In your opinion is God Great & to be Blessed?
13—God is Great because He offers...
A LIVING WITNESS(:12)
Explanation:(:12)
:12—“To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into.”
The prophets prior to Jesus’ unveiling/disclosure, were made aware that their ministries were key elements of & for a future generation of believers/people. They were actually ministering to a future people whom they would not know personally.
God’s past work is incomplete apart from your current witness!
The “things” the former prophets revealed for future believers are the very “things” which “have been” currently “reported”—in clarity per the Cross-work of Christ— to Peter’s immediate audience & thus subsequently to the church at large today. These “reports” came “to the pilgrims of the elect diaspora”(1:1-2) through those whom God called to “preach” this Good News(gospel) of God’s peace in Christ.
The same Holy Spirit of Christ(:11) revealed the truths in a mystery(1Cor. 2:7-8) to the former prophets, but now has revealed the details/fullness of that Good News in Christ Jesus. It is no longer a mystery as it has all been fulfilled in Christ Jesus.
1Cor. 2:7-8—“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
The “Holy Spirit” here is the self-same “Spirit of Christ” of :11. He was sent from heaven to indwell believers so that God could reveal His Good News to all.
Though “angels” have an active “desire” are they able to act upon it?...Yes & no...
Evidently “the Gospel” is something of which even “angels” have no real grasp(intellectual/emotional/experience?) though they were involved in its revelation(cf. Lk.1:26-38; Mat. 1:20-21; Mat. 4:11(Mk. 1:13); Mat. 28:2-7(Mk. 16:5-7; Lk. 24:4-7; Jn. 20:12-13)). Thus these same “angels” possess a “desire” to acquaint themselves fully with “the Gospel.” Their purposes are to minister to & for God in all of His work regarding creation, & particularly as it relates to His dealings with mankind. Thus it seems that thru merely knowing of God’s works of grace, they are better able to minister to those ends—cf. Rev. 5:11-12—[as the Lamb takes the scroll, the 4 living creatures[angels] & 24 elders[men] praised God for redemption]—“Then I looked, & I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, & the elders; & the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, & thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power & riches & wisdom, And strength & honor & glory & blessing!”
Both can declare the Lamb’s worthiness, BUT...only humanity(men, women & children) can partake of salvation in Christ!
Men:
Jn. 3:3, 5, 7—“Jesus answered & said to him[Nicodemus], “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”.....“Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water & the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”.....“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
Acts 14:19-22—“Then Jews from Antioch & Iconium came there; & having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul & dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up & went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city & made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, & Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, & saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Angels:
Heb. 1:14—“Are they[angels] not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”
The statement here assumes that the “desire” of the “angels” will go unfulfilled. This is due to the fact that “angels” cannot experience redemption from sin as can men. Their decision to follow God rather than the devil had & has been sealed from time past.
“The angels”...“have a holy curiosity to understand the kind of grace they will never experience.”—MNTC
*Regarding the anticipation of salvation—“Old Testament prophets saw it from afar, & angels also marvel when gazing upon what God has done in Christ, while the Petrine readers actually experience it.”—NAC
“Revealed”—apokaluptw—1) To uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up—1a) Disclose, make bare; 2) To make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown. Strong—To take off the cover, i.e. Disclose.
“Us”—hmin—Pron.—1) Us, we, our. Strong—dative case plural of egw[I, me]; To(or for, with, by) us.
“Ministering/Serving”—diakonew—1) To be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon—1a) To minister to one, render ministering offices to, 1b) To wait at a table & offer food & drink to the guests, 1c) To minister i.e. Supply food & necessities of life, 1d) To minister. Strong—from diakonov[An attendant, i.e. (genitive case)--A waiter(at table or in other menial duties); specially--A Christian teacher & pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess)]; To be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or figuratively--teacher); technically--To act as a Christian deacon.
“Reported/Announced”—anaggellw—1) To announce, make known; 2) To report, bring back tidings, rehearse. Strong—To announce(in detail).
“Preached the gospel/Announced glad tidings”—euaggelizw—1) To bring good news, to announce glad tidings. Strong—To announce good news("evangelize") especially the gospel.
From—eu—neuter of a primary euv(good); adverbially--Well—&—aggelov—A messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication--A pastor.
“Sent”—apostellw—1) To order (one) to go to a place appointed; 2) To send away, dismiss—2a) To allow one to depart, that he may be in a state of liberty, 2b) To order one to depart, send off, 2c) To drive away. Apostellw includes a reference to equipment & suggests official or authoritative sending. Strong—Set apart, i.e. by implication--To send out(properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively.
From—apo—Off/Away from—&—stellw—properly--To set fast("stall"), i.e. figuratively--To repress (reflexively--Abstain from associating with).
“Heaven”—ouranov—1) The vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it—1a) The universe, the world, 1b) The aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds & the tempests gather, & where thunder & lightning are produced, 1c) The sidereal or starry heavens; 2) The region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal & consummately perfect where God dwells & other heavenly beings. Strong—perhaps from the same as orov[A mountain(as lifting itself above the plain)] (through the idea of elevation); The sky; by extension--Heaven(as the abode of God); by implication--Happiness, power, eternity; specifically--The Gospel(Christianity).
“Angels”—aggelov—1) A messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God. Strong—A messenger; especially--An "angel"; by implication--A pastor.
“Desire/Long”—epiyumew—1) To turn upon a thing; 2) To have a desire for, long for, to desire; 3) To lust after, covet—3a) Of those who seek things forbidden. Strong—To set the heart upon, i.e. Long for(rightfully or otherwise).
From—epi—Over, upon, etc.; of rest(with the det.)--At, on, etc.; of direction(with the accusative case)--Towards, upon, etc.—&—yumov—Passion(as if breathing hard).
“Look into”—parakuptw—1) To stoop to a thing in order to look at it; 2) To look at with head bowed forward; 3) To look into with the body bent; 4) To stoop & look into; 5) metaph. To look carefully into, inspect curiously—5a) Of one who would become acquainted with something. Strong—from para[Near/From beside/At(or in) the vicinity of/To the proximity with/On account of] & kuptw[To bend forward/Stoop];To bend beside, i.e. Lean over(so as to peer within).
Argumentation:
Isa. 43:10-13—“You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know & believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior. I have declared & saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses,” Says the LORD, “that I am God. Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, & who will reverse it?”
2Tim. 2:1-2—“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Jn. 4:38—“I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, & you have entered into their labors.”
1Cor. 3:9-17—“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, & another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; & the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God & that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”
Acts 1:1-8—“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do & teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days & speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; & you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, & in all Judea & Samaria, & to the end of the earth.”
Acts 5:27-33—“And when they had brought them[the apostles], they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, & intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter & the other apostles answered & said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince & Savior, to give repentance to Israel & forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, & so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” When they heard this, they were furious & plotted to kill them.”
Acts 2:1-12—“When the Day of Pentecost[50 days after Passover/Easter] had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, & it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, & one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit & began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, & were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed & marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians & Medes & Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea & Cappadocia, Pontus & Asia, Phrygia & Pamphylia, Egypt & the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews & proselytes, Cretans & Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed & perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
What it means is that the sacrifice of Christ & the purchase of our very lives by Christ is to be broadcast worldwide!
Mat. 28:18-20—“And Jesus came & spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven & on earth. Go therefore & make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; & lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
Mk. 16:15—“And He said to them, “Go into all the world & preach the gospel to every creature.”
Illustration:
A State Patrol officer is there to personally enforce the law of the road—the Standing Witnesses of the signs—Construction Zone-Caution-Stop-Yield-Speed Limit, etc./He is the state’s LIVING WITNESS!
Jesus is both the standing & living witness to God!!
Homosassa Springs State Park/In the Visitor’s Center you can see pictures & information about manatees/From the Visitor Center you take a ~20 minute boat ride to the entrance of the park where you buy tickets/Then you walk to the pavilion & ‘Fish Bowl’(underwater glassed observatory) located on a finger of the Homosassa River, which the manatees frequent/The Park is & offers a A LIVING WITNESS
Hymn—“Let us labor for the Master from the dawn to setting sun.”
The business opening at the foot of the bridge in Carrabelle will offer kayaking, paddle-boarding sales & services/I ‘listened’ to one of the owners at the Riverfront Festival/He was a great advocate of kayaking & paddle-boarding etc!—He has done those things before/A LIVING WITNESS
Application:
?You accepted God’s offer of A LIVING WITNESS?
?In your opinion is God Great & to be Blessed?
CONCLUSION:
Action:
God is Great because He offers...
12. A STANDING WITNESS(:10-11)
13. A LIVING WITNESS(:12)
1. GOD(:3a)
2. His MEANS OF SALVATION(:3a)
3. MERCY(:3b)
4. REGENERATION(:3b)
5. VIBRANT HOPE(:3b-c)
6. STANDING INHERITANCE(:4-5)
7. INTERNAL/TRUE JOY(:6)
8. GENUINE FAITH(:7)
9. LOVE(:8)
10. HOPE(:8b-9)
11. INTENTION(:9)
Pts. 12-13 Presented 05/24/2015am to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave.(Ave A) SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
