The games People Play – Risk
Does God really mean what He says?
Introduction:
I was at a Barnes and Noble book store in Nashville one day when I heard a young mother call to her young son. He looked to be about three and was standing at the top of the stairs making faces at his mom. She called to him telling him to come down. The young boy continued to stand at the top of the stairs and make faces. She said” I’m counting and if I get to five you are getting a spanking!“ and preceded to count. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5!” the young boy continued to stand at the top of the stairs. The young mother said “Don’t make me count to ten!” and once again she started “6, 7, 8, 9, 10!” And the young boy continued to stand on top of the stairs. A little amused and a lot disgusted I turned around and left the store.
A. The game we will discuss today is the game Risk.
B. So many of us and people we know Risk our salvation because we believe that God, Like this young mother, will not keep His word.
C. We need to understand that God is consistent, in His word and in his dealings with us.
D. We read in Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.
E. Yes God is completely unchanging.
I. He keeps His word. (Even when it comes to His Son)
38 Prophecies in all.
A. Place of Birth
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are too small to be among the army groups from Judah, from you will come one who will rule Israel for me. He comes from very old times, from days long ago." Micah 5:2
B. Born of a virgin
The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be pregnant. She will have a son, and she will name him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
C. Babies were murdered
This is what the LORD says: "A voice was heard in Ramah of painful crying and deep sadness: Rachel crying for her children. She refused to be comforted, because her children are dead!" Jeremiah 31:15
D. He would be betrayed by a friend
My best and truest friend, who ate at my table, has even turned against me. Psalm 41:9
E. He was sold for 30 pieces of Silver
Then I said, "If you want to pay me, pay me. If not, then don’t." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. Zechariah 11:12
F. He was accused by False witnesses
Do not hand me over to my enemies, because they tell lies about me and say they will hurt me. Psalm 27:12
G. Crucified with Sinners
For this reason I will make him a great man among people, and he will share in all things with those who are strong. He willingly gave his life and was treated like a criminal. But he carried away the sins of many people and asked forgiveness for those who sinned." Isaiah 53:12
H. Given Gall and Vinegar
They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Psalm 69:21
I. Hands and Feet Pierced
Evil people have surrounded me; like dogs they have trapped me. They have pierced my arms and feet. Psalm 22:16
J. He will pray for His enemies
They attacked me, even though I loved them and prayed for them. Psalm 109:4
K. He would be resurrected
because you will not leave me in the grave. You will not let your holy one rot. Psalm 16:10
L. If God kept his word even to the extent of the death of His Son then God will truly keep his word with us.
II. God keeps his word to us.
A. He has promised to supply every need we have.
1. Philippians 4:19: "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
a) Now notice, God has obligated Himself only to the extent of our needs.
That would include food, clothing, shelter, companionship, love, and salvation thru Jesus Christ. It would not include the multiplicity of luxuries that we have come to think of as needs.
2. God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us.
2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
3. God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with
temptation. Instead, He assures us that a way of escape will be provided.
1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
Jude 1:24: "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy--"
4. God has promised us victory over death.
He first resurrected Jesus by way of assuring our resurrection.
Peter said: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32).
Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4).
Later on he adds: "but thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:57).
5. God has promised that all things work together for good to those who
love and serve Him faithfully.
Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
With Months Like my family had last month sometimes it’s difficult for us to see and understand how this is accomplished, but God has promised it, and He will deliver.
6. God has promised that those who believe in Jesus and are baptized for
the forgiveness of sins will be saved.
Mark 16:16: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
7. God has promised his people eternal life.
John 10:27-28: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
III. Where does this leave us.
A. First our responsibility is to Obey God.
1. When we stop obeying we stop believing God.
B. Our Second Responsibility is to teach our Children.
1. We need to teach them that there are rules
a) If you break the rules there will be consequences
b) If you obey the rules there will be freedom
2. We need to teach our children to Respect and Fear the Lord.
a) We do this by having a proper Parent Child Relationship.
Close.
If today you would like to come to believe and Trust in the promises of the Lord and stop taking Risks you can do that today.
