Category: God

The world has a skewed view of the Almighty God of heaven. Some consider Him to be a hateful, vengeful God. When they consider God’s treatment of the pagans in Canaan, of Sodom and Gomorrah, and other examples of God’s judgment, they see only His reaction, not the just causes that precipitated that judgment.

Others go to the other end of the spectrum. They see the love of God expressed in Jesus’ life and death and consider Him to be a benevolent God that will overlook sin, and allow all men a heavenly home.

Both images are partly accurate, but entirely wrong because they are incomplete. They emphasize one aspect of God, while rejecting another! God is both just and merciful. Any accurate view of the Almighty must balance these two attributes. The Psalmist, in Psalm 85, expresses that balance well.

“Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven” (10-11).

The Psalmist understood the fierceness of God’s anger. Israel was guilty of sin, and so God showed them His wrath. However, upon their repentance, the Psalmist confidently called upon God to “Show us Your mercy, Lord,
And grant us Your salvation” (7). Eternal salvation is available to all who fear Him, showing God’s justice, and His mercy!

God hates sin. There is no doubt concerning this, as the scriptures use that very term to describe God’s attitude toward various sins. For example, the sin of idolatry. Deuteronomy 16:21-22 records, among other admonitions in that context, “You shall not plant for yourself any tree, as a wooden image, near the altar which you build for yourself to the Lord your God. You shall not set up a sacred pillar, which the Lord your God hates.” Likewise, in Malachi 2:16, it is written, “‘For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,’ Says the Lord of hosts. ‘Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.’”

Continue reading “Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner” →

Job’s friend Elihu, in describing the majesty of Almighty God, said among other things:

“From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen” (Job 37:9-10).

With the weather of the last couple of days, we are reminded of the power of our God. It is one of a myriad of ways that nature proclaims His glory. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

The same God that made the universe has revealed His will to man. Consider His words recorded by the prophet, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

The Almighty God who created the universe has promised us that His word will be accomplished on the earth. The only way this can be a pleasant truth is if one is in accord with that will. To oppose it is foolish. Those who do so are destined for ruin. There is, however, victory in Jesus!

The circumstances of Jesus’ birth are established forthrightly by Matthew and Luke. While modernists struggle with the concept of a child being born of a virgin, the believer accepts God’s intent, purpose and ability to bring this event about.

Matthew reveals the following in this short section of his gospel:

1. After Joseph and Mary were betrothed (a type of engagement), Mary became pregnant.
2. At this time Mary was a virgin, the conception was the work of the Holy Spirit.
3. Joseph was informed of God’s plan, and scuttled his plans to put away Mary (as he obviously had thought from her pregnancy that she had been with another man).
4. God’s plan was that the virgin would bear a son named Jesus, who would be the Savior of mankind (vs. 21).
5. The birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 7:14). That prophecy refers to the child as “Immanuel” which means “God with us.” Thus, Jesus was declared from birth to be God on earth (cf. John 1:14).
6. In answer to the vision from God, Joseph did not have sexual relations with his wife until after she gave birth to Jesus.

This account marks the beginning of the events leading to the ultimate redemption of mankind (cf. John 17:3).

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The talk contrasts the wisdom of God with the words of men. (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

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The text of 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 is examined. Paul prohibits idolatry. He states that when we offer up worship to idols, we provoke the Almighty God.

Idolatry is alive and well today, in various forms.

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The lesson establishes that God is impartial, and discusses the ramifications of that fact as it impacts the redemption of mankind.

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Lesson 7 of 8 in a series on Awesome Texts.

The Apostle Paul preaches the gospel of Christ to the Athenians on Mars Hill, explaining to them who the Unknown God truly is, and what He requires of man. (Acts 17:16-34)

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Lesson 1 of 8 in a series on Awesome Texts.

Revelation 4 and 5 reveals a vision of John, where he describes the throne room of God. The text reveals a most important point. God is the center of the universe, and all of creation exists to offer up praise to Him, and the Lamb of God.

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Many today deny the existence of God. However, the clarion call of His voice can be heard in many ways. And, it will be heard by the unprejudiced heart.

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The 50th Psalm reveals God to be a righteous judge. One that will reward the righteous, and punish the wicked. We have no right to question God and His righteousness, but man commonly does, not realizing that God is not like us!

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Sermon 7 of 9
Gospel Meeting May 5-10, 2012
Speaker: Chip Foster

The third chapter of Lamentations is used to express the truth that despite the trials of life, there is hope if we wait on the Lord, and bear our yoke before Him.

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Romans 11:22 affirms that God is both good, and severe, depending upon our standing with Him. The lesson affirms the need for obedience, that we might witness God’s goodness.

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“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one” (Psalm 14:1-3).

Today, April 1, is commonly called “April Fool’s Day.” It is a day for misdirection and practical jokes. These things are just silly fun, as long as they do not get out of hand. However, some people are making fools out of themselves! Those who deny God’s existence take a stand that is intellectually absurd. First, this is so because it is impossible to determine that God does not exist, unless one is both omniscient and omnipresent. Second, and most importantly, there is abundant evidence that God does indeed exist!

“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:1-3).

Don’t be a fool today, or any day! God exists!

Joshua instructed the people to rely upon God’s guidance as they entered the promised land for the first time, for “You have not passed this way before.” The same admonition is relevant to our lives as we contemplate such varied things as our salvation, marriage, raising kids, and even the eventuality of death.

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