Sermon Central
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The Key To The Treasure Series
Contributed by Carol Patterson on Feb 24, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: God has wonderful treasures for us.
February 15, 2009
“Key to the Treasure”
I. He dwells on High
Isaiah 40:12-31 (New International Version)
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?
13. Who has understood the mind [a] of the LORD,
or instructed him as his counselor?
14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge
or showed him the path of understanding?
18 To whom, then, will you compare God?
What image will you compare him to?
21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
25 "To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom
A. God is ever present and whether we acknowledge it or not He reigns.
II. He is a God of Justice and Righteousness
A. Acts 5:1-11
B. Deception was their sin
1. The money was theirs
2. They wanted the praises of men more than truth and integrity
3. They feared man more than God
4. If they had had a proper fear of God they would not have lied in His presence.
5. We sometimes become too familiar with the presence of God
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."[a]
17Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
a. Only love someone we know
b. True love for God is founded on the truth of who God really is.
7. We must understand that we will give an account for what we have done on earth
10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 11Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.
III. He is a sure foundation
A. Isaiah 28:16
16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
B. I Cor3:11
11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
C. II Timothy 2:19a
19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "
IV. A rich store of Salvation
7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
V. Knowledge is for those who fear the Lord
14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
B. Proverbs 2:5
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
1. Intimacy comes when we “know” 6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just
