Abraham

Abraham

The Friend of God, The Father of All Men that Believe - Genesis 11-25; Acts 7

I. The Call of Abraham (demanded absolute confidence) Joshua 24:2

The divine title used (Lord of Glory - Psalm 24:7; King of Glory - Psalm 29)

The fact of the father's appearing (Acts 7:2-3)

His communication to Abraham - Genesis 12:2

Command accompanied not with reason, but promises -

Progressive - 12:1- Show thee

12:7 - Unto thy seed

13:15 - All the Land

Get out of country, from kindred unto land

Call of Abraham shows us the:

starting point of life of faith (separate)

response - Genesis 11:31; Hebrews 11:8

II. Abraham and Lot (Genesis 13:18 - Hebrew fellowship)

Results of Abraham's backsliding:

1. Genesis 13:1-2

2. Genesis 16:3 - Genesis 21:9; Genesis 13:6-7

a. Lot's departure - II Peter 2:7-8; Lot - righteous man - 1 John 2:16 (Lust of flesh, lust of eyes, pride of life)

b. Lot's sojourn in Sodom - Genesis 14:11-12

c. Lot's deliverance from Sodom

Lot's failures - a warning to us

1. His choice of residence

2. His yielding to spirit of worldliness

3. Lot's deliverance from Sodom

III. Abraham and Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18)

Proverbs 28:1 - righteous bold as lion

Hebrews 7:2 - A type of Christ

IV. Abraham's vision - Genesis 15

V. Abraham and Hagar - Genesis 16

VI. Abraham at 90 + 9 years - Genesis 17

VII. Abraham at Gerar - Genesis 20:1-2

VIII. Birth of Isaac - Genesis 21

A child of promise

A child of miracle

A child of conflict

Birth of Isaac revealed true nature of Ishmael.

IX. The offering up of Isaac - Genesis 22:1-8

Tests for Abraham - Hebrews 11:17-19

separate native land

to give up Lot

abandon plan for Ishmael - Genesis 17:17-18

now offer Isaac as burnt offering

Important Lessons From Call of Abraham - Genesis 12

Call that came to Abraham comes to all of us Christians

1. The call for absolute confidence in God - The call to take Him at His word and step out in simple and unquestioning faith. The call to separate ourselves from the world to live a life of pilgrimage in dependency upon Jehovah.

2. The trial of Abraham's faith is the lot of all of His children. Profession must be tested. Abraham's failure a warning against being occupied with circumstances instead of with God.

3. Beware of going down to Egypt. Enmity against God - wasted time

4. In failures of Abraham - see yours - moved at His mercy.

Looking Back

Looking Back

Genesis 19:17

1. The Cost of Looking Back
Lot's wife
Judas
Money
Friends
Life
Christless - away from God

"No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God"
Luke 9:62

2. The Profit of Looking Back
Paul - "This one thing I do"
Look at yourself
Look at Cross of Christ

Where is the Lamb for the Burnt Offering?

Where is the Lamb for the Burnt Offering?

Genesis 22:7-8

(I am not sure who wrote this, but it has a personal notation in the beginning.)

Introduction: One of the first texts I remember as a child is Genesis 22. I would love to pass it on to some other boy and girl that it may bless their heart. To answer the one question, we must ask three questions.

I. What was behind Isaac's question?

Two great truths of God's Word
A. God requires an offering for sin from every soul on earth.
1. Because all are sinners. Romans 3:9-20
2. Because only through an offering in the blood is there any forgiveness of sin.
Hebrews 9:22-26
B. Boy understood well that he and his father had nothing to offer for their sins, neither do we!

II. What then were they to do? Abraham answered correctly, the only answer:

A. They must trust God to provide the Lamb for the sin offering and believe that He would provide.
B. Must accept God's lamb for their sin offering when He did provide. Abraham and Isaac did this, will you?

III. Why should everyone accept the Lamb which God has provided?

A. Because like Abraham and Isaac, we have nothing to offer for our sins.
B. Because of God's amazing love and goodness in providing his own Son as a sin offering.
John 3:16-18
C. Because this one offering is for all time and eternity. Hebrews 9:12-14; 9:22-28
D. Because Jesus as the Lamb of God has already tested death for every man. We need to accept his offering as ours. Hebrews 2:9; John 3:14-16

Child of God

My sweet daughter burned herself with hot chocolate last Saturday. She is too grown and decided she wanted a nice hot drink. After arriving in her bed to sit down while holding the drink, she spilled it. She subsequently received 1st and 2nd degree burns on her arms, stomach, and leg. I have wanted to transfer all her pain on to myself. I guess that is a natural reaction when you see your child hurting. It dawned on me that is what God wants of us. He wants us to give him all our pain and suffering. He tells us to give him our worries. He simply looks upon us as his true child. Why this occurred to me more clearly during this time is a mystery, but it comforted me. I truly thought why don't I just give him everything good and bad with myself. That is what he wants for me to be truly his child. I prayed that he would give me all of Olivia's pain so she would have peace and comfort. Instead, I learned to give it all to him Olivia's and mine.

Four Steps into Darkness

Four Steps into Darkness

Genesis 3:1-19

(Sermon by Jack Nazary - Fellowship Baptist Church 1993 and West Carthage Baptis Church 1998)

Introduction: Temptation, sin, ruin almost always follow the same set pattern. Look back and see. Satan does not need to change his devices with most of us. Look at Eve in the Garden of Eden. Eve strolling - voice of Satan - Smiles at Eve - Raises a question about the honor of God - First human error in history.

I. Eve listened and lingered

Lingered to listen to what Satan had to say. She was smart enough to know that anyone who questioned the loving intentions of her heavenly father, could not have anything good for her. No doubt, little alarm bells went off in her conscience. She knew the conversation was not proper. If she had whirled and fled, the story would be different for the time being at least, but she did not flee she listened. Anytime anyone hangs around to hear what Satan has to say, he will find tears, tears in his eyes and in his heart before too long. Oh, if only Eve had not listened. How deadly it is for people to listen to Satan and to evil!

She lingered and listened while Satan swept out of her heart the tenderness sh felt toward the father. Now a doubt about her father's intentions. He had apparently held out on her and her husband - afraid that they would become as wise as he. So he had forbidden them to eat of the best fruit of the garden. She may not have known except Satan told her. She now had a flurry of questions about God and not one was good. Satan had crushed her confidence in God. She was hurt, for worst this she could know at the moment. Now - What is next?

II. She looked.

In verse 6, she looked at the tree and it's fruit as never before. Why had she never noticed how attractive it was. Just think at what she and Adam had missed. She looked on the forbidden thing and now comes the next material step - that deadly step.

III. She lusted.

Ordinarily we think of lust as having to do with sex. Yes, this is lust - the unbridled sexual appetite, but not all of lust. Any desire that is based on a sinful attitude is lust. Any appetite for that which we have no right to share is lust. Any greed is lust. Now she knew lust for the 1st time in her life. She wanted that fruit and the treasure it contained. She had lingered and listened to Satan then she had looked - Now, she lusts. She lusts for that fruit enough to defy God to get it. After all any disobedience is defiance of God - It is rebellion. She listened, lingered, looked, and lusted - one - two - three - and now - She...

IV. She Lost.

Sin brings loss. Sin never misses a payday. Its wages are always those of full measure. What did she lose by defying God? She lost so much we can't list it all. But let me mention a few of the things she lost:

1. She lost her innocence - became guilty

2. She lost her soul.

3. Lost her pleasure in God - her companionship with God.

4. Lost Eden - Security

5. Lost her happiness and joy

Where is God?

Where is God?

Sermon by Jack Nazary

I. In the Garden - Genesis 3:8

Adam and Eve could not get away from God - that is how it is when sin comes into our lives. He's going to find us every time.

David - Psalm 139:7-10

Jonah - Jonah 2:9 - He found that "salvation is of the Lord"

II. In the Burning Bush - Exodus 3:1-6

God reveals himself. Communes with man and manifests himself different ways in the bible. He spoke to Adam and to Moses - met them at the time of their need. He led Moses into the way and work God wanted him to do.

III. Over the tabernacle - Exodus 13:21-22

God revealed himself to Moses in a personal way, but wanted to reveal and manifest himself to the entire nation. The tabernacle built, carried along leading the way - by day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire signifying the presence of God. Shekinah - Glory of God - Not only revealed his presence but the way they should go.

IV. In the Still Small Voice - I Kings 19:11-12

Hindrance to hearing God's voice - Preoccupied, indifferent, strong self will, unwillingness to do his will, unconfessed sin.

V. In the Temple - Isaiah 6:1-5, II Chronicles 7:1-3

VI. In the Furnace - Daniel 3:23-26

In Afflictions, trials, and troubles, God will be with you by your side, an ever living presence (HE IS) to keep you and help you in the time of need.

VII. In the Incarnation

Isaiah 9:6 - "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us" 740 years before Jesus - Isaiah prophesied. John 1:1-3; 1:14 - In the beginning..

How? - Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 2:7

VIII. On the Cross

Present on the cross - John 19:5 Pilate says "Behold the man" - WRONG - There was more than a man - The Christ died, buried, arose after 3 days, and appeared 11 times. John 20:23 - Thomas cried "My Lord and My God"

IX. In the Christian

John 14:16-17 = Talked about something none had experience before - Not Abraham, Not Sampson, Not disciples - did not have Holy Spirit in them, but later Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20 and in Acts 2:1-4 the promise was fulfilled. Yes, God revealed himself in many ways, but "completely" in Jesus Christ, who went back to heaven and come back in person of Holy Spirit to indwell the believer - God's holy temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Romans 8:9-10.

Oh the glory of His presence - Now we can sing "And he walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am his own and the joys we share as we tarry there; none other has ever known.

Half Way and All the Way

Half way and All the Way

Genesis 11:31 - Genesis 12:1-5

Introduction: The Call and response of Abram

1. This call is often only half obeyed
2. This call is of a very special character
3. This call, when it is really obeyed puts the obedient upon a special footing, particularly the Lord's.

I. The Call is often half-obeyed - "they went as far as Haran, and settled there"

Do not know how the call came to Abram - whether audible voice, impulse upon his mind, dream, vision, but Luke in Acts 7 says, "The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham..."

Knew true God wanted him to leave Ur, father's house, his family clung to him, the dreaded separation spared murmuring on the way to reach Haran.

God's word does not censure him for this, but there is silence about blessings, communion with God. To a friend of God - his silence is a rebuke. If a friend fails to smile, you do not know his favor.

He was conquered not by foes but by compromising friends, Adam by Eve.

Consequences of tarrying at half-way house
1. To obey the Lord partially is to disobey Him. The essence of obedience is its exactness.
2. Half-way obedience increases our responsibility when "we know the Lord's will"
3. Result of Abram was the absence of privileges. God spoke not to his servant in Haran, neither dream, vision or voice came to him in place of hesitation. Lord loved him, but hid his face.
4. Card must be broken - death of father
5. While here created cause for future trouble. Cling to nephew Lot carried away captive.

II. This call, as it comes to us is of a very peculiar character.

1. To us, it is wholly spiritual. Not called out from kindred, but to live a new life, in world, not of it, lives must be Christlike and pure.

Have you heard the call? It means - flee all sin without exception and follow all that is pure and holy.

If in doubt - don't
Be out and out for Jesus
Appearance of evil avoid
Abhor evil - cling to good
Friendship of the world - enmity with God
Let word of God be sure, rule - nothing else
Religion that's not according to God's word is false

2. Comes to believer from God himself - calls to separated life by word, preached or heard, Holy Spirit applies it.

3. It has for us (coming from God) a supreme authority. We follow our Lord even when darkness is round about us - then we know not the way - we know the Lord.

4. If we thus separate ourselves unto obedience, we must expect opposition.

5. To go forth and lead a separated life will need faith and the grace of God.

6. The walk of separated believer involves trial. It will not be smooth.

III. This call, when obeyed puts us on special ground.

1. For God is bound to justify the cause which he commands.
When Abram obeyed - It was God's responsibility
Thus we stand on the ground of justification.

2. We cease also to be of the world - separated

3. Free grace has separated you. You come into a honored fellowship with him.

4. Come under the divine care and protection

5. Henceforth Abram was for God's use only.

Do you know about this? - Received the Divine Call

The Special Balloon

The Special Balloon

by Olivia Jones

On the day PawPaw died, we were at my grandmother's house for my cousin's birthday party. We got three helium filled balloons and when we went home, my dad said I should let the balloons go. I let one balloon go and it got stuck in a tree on the left. Then, my mom called my dad and while they were on the phone, I was thinking that pawpaw had probably died. I let the other balloon go while daddy was still on the phone and it got stuck in a tree on the right. My dad got off the phone and I asked him if pawpaw had died then he said yes and he also said why don't we make this balloon represent pawpaw's spirit?! Then, I let it go and it did not get stuck in the tree. It went straight through the middle of the other two balloons and off into the sky. It reminded me of God. I knew God was real like I have always known that moment was a really big proof to everyone who didn't believe in God.

Happy Mother's Day

MOTHERS

Proverbs 31

Sermon by Jack Nazary - West Carthage Baptist Church 1997

I. Seven characteristics of Godly mothers. Proverbs 31

1. Seeks good of her husband always, therefore he can trust her. verse 10-13

2. She is industrious and has no time to be a busybody. verse 13-15, 19, 21-24

3. Constantly looking after the welfare of her family. verse 27

4. Good judgement about financial well-being of family. verse 16-18

5. Spends time ministering to the needs of those outside her family.

6. She is honorable, wise, and kind.

7. She firmly fears (reverences) the Lord.

Such a mother will be rewarded by both her children and husband, and he will rise up and call her blessed. verse 28 Mother, are you like this? If not, why not?

II. Seven ways to praise the Lord. Psalm 100:1, 2, 4

1. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. verse 1

2. Serve the Lord with gladness. verse 2

3. Come before his presence with singing. verse 2

4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving. verse 4

5. Enter into his court with praise. verse 4

6. Be thankful unto Him. verse 4

7. Bless his name. verse 4

III. Seven things mothers should do daily.

1. Spend time in Bible study.

2. Talk to God daily.

3. Express appreciation to her family.

4. Show love and affection to her family.

5. Witness of her faith daily.

6. Be on the alert and sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

7. Spend time with her family.

IV. Seven ways to love your child

1. Dedicate to God - Hannah in I Samuel 1:24-28 - Psalm 127:3

2. Discover: Temperament, intelligence, spirit (sensitive, humble, proud, stubborn), abilities (studious, physical)

3. Direct your child - Influence, teaching, example - Deuteronomy 6:6-9 Eli, Lot, Jacob, Esau - Psalm 127:4-5

4. Develop him in being responsible for his actions. Work, relationship with friends, spiritual things, marriage.

5. Discipline - By chastisement or instruction - Proverbs 19:18; 13:24 Restrict activities that are wrong.

6. Discern - Recognize danger signs, stubbornness, rebellion, recognize maturity.

7. Disciple one - on - one - Don't leave to church or school - Let him talk.

A Godly Mother

A Godly Mother

Sermon by Jack Nazary - West Carthage Baptist Mission 1996

Life is a gift from God. The Bible teaches us that "God created man in His own image." The Psalmist stated "What is man the You take thought of him....You crown him with glory and majesty!" (Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 8:4-5)

We need to thank God for life, but in particular, to thank Him for mothers.

Read Proverbs 31:10-31

Title: A Woman to be Praised

I. Her own works praise her - verse 13-19

A. Care for her household - verse 13-15 - Family oriented - loves her home - children and grandchildren
B. Given to industry - verse 16-19 - "Did not eat the bread of idleness" verse 27 - A good steward...
C. Generous - verse 20 - Help to others - selfishness is destructive
D. Clothed in garments of strength and Honor and honorable lady, well dressed.
E. Opened her mouth with wisdom - verse 26 - She was in that she related life to the will of God...Jesus Christ...the Church...the Bible...no wonder she spoke with wisdom, for the reverence of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..
F. Ruled by the law of kindness - verse 26 - Kind disposition, always gracious, always saying the encouraging words, a joy to be in her presence.

II. Her Husband Praises Her - Verse 28b and 11, 12

1. A virtuous woman
2. Husband can trust her
3. Does him good and not evil

III. Her Children Praise Her - verse 28

It is always inspiring to hear a child or a grandchild praise a mother...A Godly mother's children rise up and call her blessed...She is concerned for her children's welfare - physically, socially, spiritually.

IV. Her Works Praise Her, Her Husband Praises Her, Her Children Praise Her...And her Lord will praise her in saying..."Well done good and faithful servant..." "She shall be praised" verse 30.

During her lifetime a Godly mother establishes her testimony that she believed God. Jesus Christ is her savior and Lord and the Bible her guide. She can say with every assurance. "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."

The text from Proverbs states that such a person will be praised by her works, husband and children..and that she shall rejoice in time to come - verse 25.

The Depth of Our Lostness

The Depth of Our Lostness

Genesis 3:6-8
Romans 1:18 - 3:23
Ephesians 2:1-3, 11-12
James 1:14-15

I. Lostness is Separation from God

Genesis 3:6-8; Prohibition - Genesis 2:15-17

Four Characters - 1. Adam 2. Eve 3. God 4. Satan

Familiar ring? Does Eve's rationalizing tha tfruit is pretty, tasty, and educational seem almost contempory? Does Satan's getting Eve to forget other freedoms and focus on one prohibition seem modern? Does Adam's excuse for taking fruit forbidden seem natural? Look at the patience of God as He cries in the garden "Where are you?" - Is he like the shepard seeking one lost sheep? - Luke 15

Modern man does not live ing the Garden of Eden, but connection between what happened then and our efforts to make our world a garbage dump.

Temptation doesn't come by talking to a snake today, but many voices of temptation are calling men to disobey God.

Still Today - Man fashions aprons of fig leaves to cover sin in vain - I Corinitians 15:21-22

SIN: Definition and ingredients

1. Sin is to miss a goal or barrier.
2. Sin is rebelling against superior or unfaithfulness to an agreement.
3. Sin is disobedience.
4. Sin is failure to do good.
5. Sin is living independently of God.
6. Sin is failure to trust Christ.
7. Sin is unbelief.
8. Sin changes the status of even the nature of the person (guilty) soul becomes diseased.

Some assumptions which accompany any discussion of sin

1. The existence of responsibility - objects, animals, children - not responsible.
2. The existence of a revelation - sin is not disobeying an unknown will of God, but a known one revealed.
3. The existence of willful disobedience - will - the ability to decide.

Unbelief: The Root of Sin

God's will - single prohibition - Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil - Genesis 2:16-17

Attitudes about sin often go unchallenged

1. Sin as necessary for moral growth and maturity - "I know its wrong but think how dull life would be without it?!! - Sin kills life.
God's goal for Adam was not sin but innocence - mentioned Christ - So second Adam
2. Over tendency to blame sin on author of prohibition, God, root of sin, not God's prohibiting, but man's disbelief.

Temptation of Adam and Eve made personal and externalized by the serpent - Genesis 3:1
1. Serpent misrepresented the command of God - Genesis 2:16-17
2. Satan challenged the truth of God's statement with "You surely will not die!" Genesis 3:4
3. Satan challenged God's motives - Genesis 3:5 - Satan misrepresented God's motive - not good - she thought that she could be like God - unwillingness to be man and desire to be God is at the heart of man's fall

Bad to be confused about existence of God - worse to doubt Word of God but to feel tha tGod does not have his best interests at heart - sin reached vitals of his life.

Verse 6 - took of fruit, ate, gave to Adam - Sin appeals to physical, Sin appeals to the Aesthetic, Sin delight to eyes, Sin appeals to intellect - make one wise

Spiritual Death - The Fruit of Sin

Adam and Eve found out sin never delivers what it promises - shame and fear instead of peace, joy, and self-respect - Gone was the boldness of innoncence - sin brought separation and death - Spiritual death to relationship with God

Beginning with Genesis 3:9 - God Calls; 11-13 - God questioning; 14-15 - serpent pronounced; 16 - Eve; 17-19 - Adam; 21 - Provision; 23-24 - expulsion

Example - spiritual death to youth - sin kills rebelling youth, compromising adult - true internally - externally

Lostness: Result of Sin - Romans 1:18; 3:23 - Man is responsible to respond to God at whatever level he reveals himself.

A. Creation - Romans 1:20 (Psalms 19:1-2)

B. Conscience - Romans 2:15

C. Law - Romans 3:19 (for Jew)

D. God's revelation in Jesus Christ

Lostness: Every man's experience - Ephesians 2:1-3; 11-12

Course of this world - Ephesians 2:2

Sin is universal, world has evil influence upon us - "the prince of the power of the air" - Ephesians 2:2 > personal devil

"By nature childeren of wrath" Ephesians 2:3

Why do men sin? - man a sinner - Romans 5:15 - a course of life - an inborn disposition - depravity - weakness so great - results in sin - experience says this is true - the Bible says this is true - History confirms it.

Something wrong with man - man is not as bad as he can be. Nature is toward evil, but he has a choice - man in power and grip of sin

Problem of sin - not just acts, but our nature - new birth is necessary > new, not new rule book, but heart.

Lostness: A modern day experience

Lost - broken marriage vows, drug addiction, etc.

Luke 19:10 - Jesus came to seek and save the lost - separated from Christ, alienated strangers, having no hope, without God - that describes Modern Man

Modern man without Christ looks more like Adam than he is willing to admit:

1. Cannot get along with himself - prelude

2. Cannot get along with marriage relations

3. Races of men - cannot get along together

4. Nations cannot get along

5. Man cannot get along with nature - strip coal from surface lets wind and rain wash away mountain, leaves farm for the city, factory he works in pollutes the air he breathes, city he lives in dumps garbage into river he used to fish in

Man without God -

• Man surrounded by people, but lonely
• Has heart attack because in great hurry
• Has leisure time, but is afraid of it so he gets a second job
• Works hard to retire and resents it when the time comes
• Gets drunk to forget what life is about
• Gets high on drugs to see what might be

Source of Man's Sin - James 1:13-15

Our Wonderful God

Our Wonderful God

Genesis 1

Sermon by Jack Nazary - Calvary Baptist 1985

Bible - Source of Truth

II Timothy 3:16-17 - "All scripture is inspired by God"

II Peter 1:21 - "For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." All the Bible is the Word of God - it just does not merely contain it.

Selected item about Bible -

"This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of Hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and a river of pleasure. It will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. It is the Book of Books - God's Book - the revelation of God to man." Selected (no reference noted in sermon outline)

All Truth is derived from the Bible - Our source of truth is the Bible - Jesus said, "I am the Truth..."

A thrill to the Christian is seeing the Word come alive - Have you as you've read and studied it? - Just jump out at you!!

Our lives and service can never be what it should be without a proper or scriptural understanding of our kind of God - a knowledge of him is essential.

What kind of a God is he?

I. The Creator God - Genesis 1:1

Of:

1. Heavens and earth - Genesis 1:1; Psalm 33:6


2. Man - special creation - Genesis 1:26-27

II. The Owner of All Things

1. Exodus 19:5 - "All the earth is mine..."

Psalm 24:1 - "The earth is the Lord's and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it"

Psalm 89:11 - "The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all it contains, You have founded them."

Psalm 95:4-5 - In whose hand are the depths of the earth, The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it, And His hands formed the dry land."

1 Chronicles 29:11 - "...everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all."

Haggai 2:8 - "The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine", declares the Lord of hosts.

We must settle in our minds that everything belongs to God.

Psalm 50:10 - "For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills"

2. The Owner of Man

a. By creation - Genesis 1:27

b. By Discovery - Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

c. By inheritance - I Kings 8:51 - "they are Your people and Your inheritance.."

d. By purchase - I Corinthians 6:19-20 - "...you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price.." I Peter 1:18 - 19; Romans 8:32

e. By preservation - I Peter 1:5; John 10:27-30

III. Our God

1. His Nature
   a. God is Spirit - John 4:24 - "God is spirit"

b. God is a person - Personal names ascribed to him - Exodus 3:13-14; Matthew 11:25 - Father, Lord of heaven and earth.

Personal characteristics are used in referring to him - Knowledge - Isaiah 55:9-10, Emotions - Genesis 6:6, Will - Joshua 3:10 - "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and the He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivites, etc..."

c. There is One God - Unity of God - 1 Timothy 2:5 -"For here is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

d. The Trinity - 3 persons = Father, Son, Holy Spirit - Matthew 3:16-17 - At his baptism, Matthew 28:19-20

2. The Attributes of God

a. God is Omnipresent - Jeremiah 23:24 - everywhere at same time

b. God is Omniscient - Proverbs 15:3 - "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good." Matthew 10:29-30 - If sparrow fall - hair numbered

c. God is Omnipotent - All power - Matthew 19:26 - "...with God all things are possible." Ephesians 3:20 - "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us."

He was able to: Parting of the red sea - Exodus 14:21, 22, 29; Joshua 3:17 - Jordan, Provide cloud and fire to lead, provide manna

Children of Israel marched around Jericho

Elijah - prophets of Baal on Mt. Camel - burn up everything that needs burning

5000 men fed by Jesus in wilderness - John 6:1-13 - seven baskets full with some extra for the future - exceeding - abundant

Peter - obeying the Lord by letting down his net that filled both ships - Luke 5:6-7

When He made wine - made best at feast

d. God is eternal - Psalm 90:2

e. God is unchangeable - Malachi 3:6 - "For I, the Lord, do not change.."

f. God is holy - absolutely pure and sinless - Proverbs 15:9, 26; Isaiah 59:1-2

g. God is just - Psalm 119:137 - Everything he does is right

h. God is love - John 3:16 - "For God so loved..."

i. A Caring God - Romans 8:32 - "did not spare His own Son...freely gives us all things" Matthew 6:24-34; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:25 - Reveals; Matthew 6:26 - worry is useless; Matthew 6:27 - worry unprofitable; Matthew 6:31-32 - How fruitless it is to be anxious about things; Matthew 6:32-33

God owns you and is your answer to all of life

Matthew 10:30 - "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered"

God watches over the things that seem insignificant to me!

Calls for total trust, complete surrender, unconditional commitment to Him!!!

The Last Days

The last days of my grandfather's life were terrible to say the least. He began to have continuous pain which required stronger medication. At first, I felt medicating him was not necessary, but the suffering he was enduring was unbearable for him and us. Of course, the goal of hospice is to make the patient comfortable. The medicine helped ease his pain at first, but then it stopped. He would scream in agony pulling at his chest gasping for air. It was so difficult to see and not know what to do for him. It became necessary to medicate around the clock which helped him rest. He then drifted into complete unconsciousness. Sometimes, I thought he might know we were there. The nurses said he could hear us so my mother read scripture to him and gave him permission to leave us. It is hard to say, but a necessary process of death. Seeing him in this state was extremely hard for all of us. As the days passed, it became increasingly more difficult to watch the process of death. I have never experienced anything like it and pray I never have to again. We stayed constantly at his side, listening in the baby monitor, or watching him from the living room. By Sunday, nothing seemed any different. I tried to stay busy so I opened his door to the porch and began going through his old sermon tapes. I called myself playing them for him to hear. Later, I put a gospel music tape in his stereo as I continued to clean right outside his room. I could see him which was comforting to me for some reason. I didn't want to leave - neither one of us did. It is hard to explain as difficult to watch it was necessary to finish the process together. I remember walking outside for a moment and then walked back into the house to his room. His mouth began to close which was very strange because it had been wide open for two days. I was standing over him when the most incredible thing happened that I hope will continue to stay etched in my memory forever. He closed his mouth and smiled. Smiled. How perfect! I called my mom in the room and we sat with him as his breathing became more shallow and labored. About 15 minutes later with my mother holding his hand, he left us. What makes this even more incredibly sweet is the gospel music tape was playing "Sweet Sweet Spirit" (my grandmother's favorite hymn) and after the hymn was finished the tape stopped. Oh, what he might have seen? Isn't God GOOD!!! As hard as all of this was, I am so thankful for the opportunity to care for him and be with him on his last days on this earth!

Walking with God

I have been trying to figure out what to post and it finally occurred to me to start at the beginning - Genesis. I started with this sermon written by W.H. Wood and revised by Estelle Wood Nazary. I thought it was a great place to start in the collection of sermons and devotionals.

Walking with God

Genesis 5:21-24

Introduction: The entire authentic story of Enoch is told in 9 verses - 6 in the old and 3 in the new. History outside of the Bible knows nothing of him and yet he was honored as perhaps only one other was by the Lord. He walked with God and he was not because God took him. His greatness was the kind that pleases God. (Hebrews 11:5)
Quite likely his greatness did not win very hearty commendation from his contemporaries, not of military renown, political power, profound scholarship, successful statesmanship, splendid artistic or architectural genius, or even of magnificent other achievements.
It was greatness of a more quiet and less pretentious and visible nature, but of a far more real and lasting nature. It was greatness of character. He walked with God and God so enjoyed his company that He took him to with him permanently.
I want to make it clear to you three things: What it is to walk with God, What are some of the results of walking with God, and How we may get into such a walk ourselves.

I. What it is to walk with God?
For some this question needs no answer, but for others, yea many of us, it does need an answer. The words of the text have charmed us, soothed us, thrilled us, and yet just what does it mean? To live one's life in the consciousness of God's presence, and in conscious communion with him, to have the thought ever before us "God is beside me" and to speak with Him and have Him speak to us as we listen! In other words to Walk with Him means to live the real, constant, conscious presence of God. Genesis 5:22 - Enoch walked with God for three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah. It is possible for us to walk and talk with Him today, and to have Him talk to us. Now - the results of walking with God.

II. The results of walking with God.
A. Great Joy - Psalm 16:11 "In your presence is fullness of joy"
"No greater joy can come than that which comes from right companionship. Heaven will be wonderful because of Christ's presence.
B. A great sense of security and abiding peace - Psalm 16:8 - "I have set the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved" Psalm 46:1 - " God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Isaiah 41:10 - "Fear not I am with thee"
"The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear"
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee"
C. Spiritual enlightenment
Jude 14-15
Enoch - got hold on truth
2nd coming of Christ
D. Purity of Heart and Life - Nothing so cleansing as the presence of God. Things we have tolerated become intolerable when we bring them in to the light of God's presence. Things done in dark or in broad daylight we would not do if we realized that He was by our sides. Many deeds would be left undone, many words left unsaid, many thoughts and fancies we cherish would be speedily vanished. God's presence is with us always.
E. Beauty of Character - We become like those with whom we associate. Husbands and wives. Moses face shone as he for 40 days was conversing with God. - so will ours!
II Corinthians 3:18 - "with unveiled faces reflecting as a mirror the glory of God are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
F. Highest usefulness - If you want to be really, eternally permanently useful, WALK WITH GOD!
Enoch wrought out more good for man than:
Nebuchadnezzar - who built marvelous structures of Babylon
Augustus who found Rome "brick and left it marble"
Egyptian monarch who built pyramids to amaze
Edison - electric lights
G. We please God - Hebrews 11:5
Martha taken up with service for her lord, but Mary taken up with the Lord himself and He said she hath chosen the better part. Possible to so work for God that we forget Him for whom we work.
H. God's eternal companionship

III. How to enter into the walk with God

A. Trust in the atoning blood of Christ - Hebrews 9:22
The blood of Jesus Christ, God's son, cleanseth us from all sin.
B. If we would walk with him we must obey Him. John 14:15, 14:21, 14:23. Amos 3:3 - "Two cannot walk together unless they be agreed."
C. We must cultivate the thought of His presence. God is with me.

Aids to this - The study of God's word. Prayer. Thanksgiving. Worship. So let's walk with Him!