"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Genesis 1:27
The Creation of Man, the final and grand climax of all that God had accomplished in the Creation week of miracles. Man's body was shaped from dust but only became a living soul after God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils.
With David we need to say:
"I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14
"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou has ordained; What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For Thou has made him a little lower than the angels, and has crowned him with glory and honor."
Psalm 8:4-5
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Immutability of God
James 1:17 - "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness , neither shadow of turning."
All changes are either for the better or the worse, however, God is unchanging because He is perfect and cannot get better nor become worse. Scripture describes God's nature, will, and character as immutable or unchanging.
To be immutable does not mean to be immobile. God also has the qualities of personality and can act, think, create, and make decisions.
God is the Father, or Creator of the heavenly bodies. As their Creator, He is certainly more stable than they. With God, there is not even the slightest change; He is immutable. God is only good - and always good.
God is unchanging; therefore, Christians can depend on His love and power, because God does not change.
(KJVB)
All changes are either for the better or the worse, however, God is unchanging because He is perfect and cannot get better nor become worse. Scripture describes God's nature, will, and character as immutable or unchanging.
To be immutable does not mean to be immobile. God also has the qualities of personality and can act, think, create, and make decisions.
God is the Father, or Creator of the heavenly bodies. As their Creator, He is certainly more stable than they. With God, there is not even the slightest change; He is immutable. God is only good - and always good.
God is unchanging; therefore, Christians can depend on His love and power, because God does not change.
(KJVB)
Sunday, October 14, 2012
What's In It For Me?
Today's sermon was taken from Isaiah 40:28-31
Even the Christian, whether spoken or unspoken, asks God, "What's in it for me?" God answers that question throughout scripture.
We find that the obedient child of God has
"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Even the Christian, whether spoken or unspoken, asks God, "What's in it for me?" God answers that question throughout scripture.
We find that the obedient child of God has
- a closer walk with God
- a stronger faith
- a persuasive testimony
"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Paying The Price
Today's Sunday School Lesson was taken from Acts 7:51 - 8:1a.
"Stephen kneeled, down and cried wiht a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:60).
Acts 7:51 - "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye."
Points from today's lesson:
Fallen man has an unquenchable lust for evil and a heart that rejects God. It takes a miracle to change the unbeliever's uncircumcised heart and ears.
1. Until you see your salvation in this way (v.5), you really haven't fully grasp what God's grace is. "Why me"? Why was I chosen to receive God's salvation? God's grace!
2. If the Word is truly spoken in your life, there will be strife.
3. If God is sovereign and holy, you can know without a doubt He can bring you through.
It is important to know that God is sovereign and man is not. God is holy, man is not. Let God be holy no matter the uncircumcised in heart and the uncircumcised in ears. Let God be holy!
There is no greater place in heaven or in earth than in the hands of Holy God.
"Stephen kneeled, down and cried wiht a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:60).
Acts 7:51 - "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye."
Points from today's lesson:
Fallen man has an unquenchable lust for evil and a heart that rejects God. It takes a miracle to change the unbeliever's uncircumcised heart and ears.
1. Until you see your salvation in this way (v.5), you really haven't fully grasp what God's grace is. "Why me"? Why was I chosen to receive God's salvation? God's grace!
2. If the Word is truly spoken in your life, there will be strife.
3. If God is sovereign and holy, you can know without a doubt He can bring you through.
It is important to know that God is sovereign and man is not. God is holy, man is not. Let God be holy no matter the uncircumcised in heart and the uncircumcised in ears. Let God be holy!
There is no greater place in heaven or in earth than in the hands of Holy God.
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Dangers of Love
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in the casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable....The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the 'dangers of love'...is Hell". C. S. Lewis
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Depending on Jesus, Leaning on Jesus
Today's sermon, "Depending on Jesus, Leaning on Jesus", was taken from Philippians 4:11-13.
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Steadfast Love
This week's Sunday School Lesson, "Steadfast Love", is taken from Hebrews 13:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity."
Illustrated High Points:
- Let Brotherly Continue
- Entertain Strangers
- Seeketh Not Her Own
"But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven, for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and on the unjust."
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Faith Alone
Today's sermon, "Faith Alone", was taken from Galatians 2:16-17.
"Faith Alone" is one of the five "Solas":
Key points from today's sermon:
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
[Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
"Faith Alone" is one of the five "Solas":
- “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone)
- “Sola Gratia” (Grace Alone)
- “Sola Fide” (Faith Alone)
- “Solus Christus” (Christ Alone)
- “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone Be Glory)
- One may think he can get right with God by "working" off his sins.
- No one can make themselves right with God by observing the law.
- One is made right with God by "faith alone".
- Romans 3:28 - "...a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
- Romans 5:1 - "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
[Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Steadfast Thanks
This week's Sunday School Lesson, "Steadfast Thanks" is taken from Hebrews 12:18-29.
(Bible Expositor and Illuminator)
"One who does not see a reason to be thankful does not live by faith. He does not acknowledge God as the Giver of all blessings he enjoys.
The downward spiral of mankind into corruption began wiht an 'unthankful attitude'.
When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were they thankful (Romans 1:21).
Thanklessness is thus a dangerous attitude and a sure sign of a lack of trust. It may arise out of self-sufficiency that says trust is unnecessary. Or it may come from disappointment that says trust is futile.
The original readers of Hebrews needed a reminder concerning blessings for which they should have thanked God."
We, too, need to be reminded of the blessings for which we should be thankful for and how great our salvation is.
Read Psalm 136 - "Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy"
(Bible Expositor and Illuminator)
"One who does not see a reason to be thankful does not live by faith. He does not acknowledge God as the Giver of all blessings he enjoys.
The downward spiral of mankind into corruption began wiht an 'unthankful attitude'.
When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were they thankful (Romans 1:21).
Thanklessness is thus a dangerous attitude and a sure sign of a lack of trust. It may arise out of self-sufficiency that says trust is unnecessary. Or it may come from disappointment that says trust is futile.
The original readers of Hebrews needed a reminder concerning blessings for which they should have thanked God."
We, too, need to be reminded of the blessings for which we should be thankful for and how great our salvation is.
Read Psalm 136 - "Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy"
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Be Satisfied With What "You" Have
Today's sermon was taking from Hebrews 13:5-6, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
This passage warns against the sin of coveteousness and the promise of God's divine presence.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
This passage warns against the sin of coveteousness and the promise of God's divine presence.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Steadfast Fortitude
This week's Sunday School is taken from the book of Hebrews, Chapter 12, verses one through eleven.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
Monday, May 21, 2012
John 1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
John 1:1-9
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
John 1:1-9
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