Weekend Message/Devotion
June 23, 2019
Back to Basics
(second in a series)
Sermon Prayer: “Heavenly Father, I stand before Your people, to deliver Your message. Though the words are mine and I prepared this message, I pray that this message is Your message in its entirety. I pray your blessing and anointing on the message, its delivery, its reception - and most of all, its application in our lives.” Amen
Today, we are continuing a series of messages entitled “Back to Basics”. The series will be to review basic biblical doctrines. In other words, reviewing what our beliefs and practices are based upon. We are utilizing Bible Doctrines (A Pentecostal Perspective) authored by William Menzies, Logion Press 2001; The Great Doctrines of the Bible by William Evans, Moody Press 1974; and of course, God’s Holy Word.
The Doctrine of God
Last week, we talked about how and why we believe that there really is a God – A Supreme Being – The Ultimate Creator.
Today, we’ll delve into the attributes of God.
But first, let’s back up and allow me to address a question that was raised after last week’s message: “Pastor, you say that God is a “Spirit” and not to be viewed in human form. Clearly, the bible speaks of God walking in the garden, and that we are created in His image. I have to think that He is in some way similar to man in appearance.”
This is a very good observation and deserves to be pursued.
I believe that any expression of God walking, talking, using hands, etc. are used descriptively to aid in understanding His works. If we can keep ever before us the fact that God is Omnipotent (All Powerful) we understand that He can do anything and everything. Certainly Jesus – God the Son was made manifest in actual flesh and blood, yet He ascended back to the realm of heaven in Spirit form, which is non confining or is limitless. Likewise, God is not limited to time, space nor abilities of humanness but as The Spirit, He is indeed OMNIPOTENT.
“So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Gen. 1:27)
“…and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (from Colossians 3:10)
---according to the image---
“…and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”: (from Ephesians 4:24)
---according to righteousness and holiness---
We are created in the imagery of God in an intellectual and moral sense.
God NEVER changes – The God of today (Our God) is without any deviance the same God in Genesis straight through to Revelations. I love to hear the words of Charles Stanley who is often seen on television with a brief message: “Remember, you cannot change the laws of God”. God nor God’s laws are forever TRUTH and cannot be manipulated to fulfill any moral or legal whims of man to meld with an everchanging society. Society MUST conform to the laws of God, not the other way around.
Our God is Holy!
“...but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
God the Father – God the Son – God the Spirit - Holy Indeed –
“…I will help you,” says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” (from Isaiah 41:14)
“But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,…” (from Acts 3:14)
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30) God the Spirit is most commonly referred to as God the HOLY Spirit!
Who but a The Holy and Supreme God can with all certainty forgive us of our confessed sins?
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Can we not understand that once forgiven of our sins, we become Holy ourselves? Holy meaning sanctified, meaning set apart! Set apart from the world. We remain Holy if we walk in obedience to the Laws of God. The forgiveness of sin is the second greatest expression of love to mankind following the sacrifice of His only Son, providing the means to pardon.
“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.” John 3:16
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),…” (from Ephesians 2:4-5)
This brief overview of the Doctrine of God is just that – a brief overview! May I encourage you to dwell a little on this message and if you are not involved in a bible study or small group fellowship that openly discusses and shares the wisdom of Holy Scripture, that you make every effort to avail yourself. Join a study group and PARTICIPATE!
When I was in the army, I advanced very rapidly because I understood the value of learning what was being offered in the myriad of classes and exercises. I was quickly recruited to become an instructor. It was then that I realized that preparing lesson plans and exercises was the best way to learn and retain the subjects.I was assigned to teach one of the most boring subjects you could imagine - “Map Reading” and even a class in how to properly fold a map while on deployment. After I got into it a little bit and began to understand, I also began to enjoy it. Shortly after being promoted to Sergeant, I was assigned the job of Battalion Training Sergeant, responsible for assigning training subjects and schedules for the entire Battalion.
I say that to encourage anyone who has the desire to learn, Get Involved! Libraries and the internet have unlimited information on any subject that you can come up with. Bible studies abound on the internet, but the desire must be there to avail oneself.
If you do believe in God and if you do seek to do His will and have never accepted His promise of eternal life, I invite you to join me in the following prayer:
“Almighty God, I believe that it is in Your will to grant me new life here and eternal life in the hereafter, if I confess that the Lord Jesus is Your Son, Whom you raised from the dead. Therefore, Almighty God, I confess that Jesus is now the Lord of my life. I submit my life to Him right now. I believe that You raised Him from the dead. I confess that I am a sinner and ask Your forgiveness for my sins. Amen”
If you have prayed this prayer with me and are not physically with us in our fellowship gathering today, I urge you with all of my being to seek a Bible believing church and include regular corporate worship and also speak with your pastor about a discipleship program.
Next week, we will continue this overview of Biblical Doctrines.
Let us pray.
I humbly and sincerely ask for your prayers!
https://churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/311609-how-to-pray-for-your-pastor-ronnie-floyd.html?utm_source=outreach-cl-daily-nl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=read-more&utm_campaign=cl-daily-nl&maropost_id=&mpweb=256-7370272[HG1]
Note: It is the practice of this church to preach straight from the bible. We follow the lectionary assigned readings from which the sermon/messages are derived.
