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There are some things in the Bible that can be easily understood, even by a child, but on the other hand there are passages that are hard to understand. Nicodemus was a scribe, a ruler of the Jews, well educated, yet he struggled to understand what it meant to be born again.
John 3:9-12 “Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Vs10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Vs11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.” Notice what Jesus mentions to Nicodemus in verse Vs12 “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” Matthew Henry once said, “If the regeneration of the soul of man is such a mystery, what then is the incarnation of the Son of God? These are divine and heavenly things indeed.” John 3:13 “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” Why Some Passages are Hard to Understand? 1. It is God’s Word The Bible is the revelation of God to man; for God is all-knowing, and all-powerful, and His ways differ from ours. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Vs 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 2. Vast Culture Difference “We are separated from Bible events by thousands of years... God gave the Scriptures for all people of all centuries and He was in control of the time and context of its giving; but at the same time, it is not reasonable to expect there will be no problems in understanding the Scriptures.” ~ David Cloud 3. Some things are Hidden God would speak in parables to conceal truth from those who did not have a heart for the truth. Matthew 13:13 “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” 4. A Need for Spiritual Growth Peter exhorts Christians to “...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” ~ 2 Peter 3:18. Prior to these word he explains in verse 16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 1 Cor 2:12-16, Heb 5:11-14 5. A Need to Study the Scriptures Studying God’s Word takes time, hard work, patience, passion, and prayer. God wants each Bible student to rightly divide His truth. (Next week we will take a look at the golden rules for Bible interpretation) Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services
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God is the God of the Impossible. There is not a thing that God cannot do. Generally, the impossible is something beyond our control or human ability.
When God said to Abraham that his wife would be with child, Sarah laughed because she was old and well above the age of conceiving. However, notice how God replied to Sarah... Genesis18:14 “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” The Lord asked the question not expecting an answer but rather as stating the obvious. In this case God promised Abraham that from his seed would come a great and mighty nation, and that God would show Himself strong, and demonstrate His power through feeble people. Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” There are some reasons why God will not Work the impossible. 1. Not the right time There are times a person may doubt if their prayer will ever be heard. Christians can mistake the silence of God to be unanswered prayer. However, it could be that God has already answered but it is not the right time; or it could be that the answer was not as you expected and God’s desire was to do a mighty work in you and work patience in your life; which leads us to the next point. 2. Asking amiss James 4:3 “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” Not everything we ask God to do He is going to do. If we do come before the Lord in prayer, what we ask God must be in-line with His will. He knows best! Next point is: 3. Lack of Fasting Mark 9:28-9 “And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? vs. 9 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” Fasting with good motives demonstrates dependence on God. It helps a person be God-dependant, and not self-dependant. Anna was a widow who “...served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Luke 2:35-37 4. Lack of Faith Matthew 13:58 “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” A person’s Faith is strengthened by hearing the Word of God. However a person can be exposed to God’s powerful Word and still choose not to trust it. In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services Finally, seeking “the will of God” is submitting to God to do a work in your life and character far and above what you are capable of.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” People are in the business of conforming to the image of others or the world, but God is in the business of transforming lives into the image of His dear Son - Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” The Will of God is: 1. God Working in You! As you submit to God and yield to the Holy Spirit, it is God that works in you to give you the will and the doing of it. If you ever desire to seek God’s will for your life, pray that God will work on your character to look more like Christ so that you bring glory to God the Father! There is no greater fulfilment in life than to know that God Almighty is working His purpose in you for His glory! Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” The Will of God is: 2. God Working through You What a joy it is not only to know that God is working in you, but also that He desires to work through you; as His vessel you can be used by Him. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 25 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit…. Verse 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” God has enabled His people with different talents and gifts so that He may use them in the life of others; reaching the unsaved and building up the saved. Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; vs 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” A person cannot be used of God if he does not allow God to do a work in him first. So let God continue to work in your life that He may use you for His glory and for the sake of the Gospel. Fulfill God’s will in your life by allowing Him to Work in you and through you! In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services THE BOOK OF BOOKS Within this ample volume lies The mystery of mysteries. Happiest they of human race To whom their God has given grace To read, to fear, to hope, to pray, To lift the latch, to force the way; But better had they ne’er been born That read to doubt, or read to scorn. *Sir Walter Scott* Ephesians 5:17 “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
As a Christian seeks to understand the will of God, he must continue to: 1. Walk Circumspectly Ephesians 5:15 “See then that ye walk circumspectly...” That is to walk exactly, accurately, and diligently according to the Word of God. Keeping in mind that God is watching will help a Christian to be in line with God’s Word and desire to live it out in this world. Proverbs 5:21 “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.” 2. Walk in Wisdom Ephesians 5:15 “… not as fools, but as wise, “ Jesus said that a foolish man builds his house upon the sand; this is a man that hears the Word but does not live it; but He said a wise man builds his house upon the rock; this man hears God’s Word and lives it. Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. To know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.” Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Knowing God’s Word is one thing, but doing it is another! 3. Walk in the Spirit Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” To be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by God; allowing God to take every thought captive, direct each step, and be willing to surrender all decisions according to the will of God. This means that God is the manager of your life, and when He points out something in your life that needs changing, you change it; when He pulls you up on a sin that you have committed you confess it and forsake it; when God touches you to meet a need, you meet it.; when He calls you to do something, you do it. Something or someone is controlling your life, and if you desire to have God’s will fulfilled in you, then you must be filled with the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services Ephesians 5:17 “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
God Almighty instructs His children by the Apostle Paul to be wise and to endeavour to seek and to understand what God’s will is. How is the Christian to understand what the will of God is? 1. Christians must awake from their sleep Ephesians 5:14 “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” God promises to give light to them that awake out of their sleep and get serious regarding the things of the Lord; to sober up concerning eternity and to recognise the need of the hour in these last days. Time is running out! Ephesians 5:16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Jesus said “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” ~ Mark 13:33 There must be an awaking from being apathetic, indifferent and nominal concerning eternal things. 2. God’s people are to live up to their Christian name Ephesians 5:8 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” Many people call themselves Christians but you cannot tell that they are believers because of the life they live. Their lives resemble worldliness instead of Christ-likeness. There is no distinction. Ephesians 5:6-7 “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Vs7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” The way a Christian lives must reprove those that live in darkness. The Christian is the light of the world; their lives must expose ungodliness. Ephesians 5:11-12 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. vs12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” 3. Believers are to be proving and discerning Ephesians 5:10 “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” Ephesians 5:13 “But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light…” The Word of God is what helps a person to know the difference between right and wrong; truth and error; what is acceptable and what is not. So many are accepting of new philosophies and ideas with no thought of how it may conflict with the Word of God. Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” Ephesians 5:15 In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services Believers are to die, live and breathe in Christ Jesus their Lord, and as they do, the will of God will be fulfilled and revealed.
Notice what people may have and can be in Christ Jesus! 31. Eternal Purpose ~ Ephesians 3:11 “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” 32. Saints ~ Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” 33. High calling in God ~ Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” 34. Perfect & Complete ~ Colossians 1:28 “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” 35. Great Boldness ~ 1 Timothy 3:13 “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 36. Promise of Life ~ 2 Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,” 37. Holy Calling ~ 2 Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” 38. Strong in Grace ~ 2 Timothy 2:1 “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 39. Salvation & Eternal glory ~ 2 Timothy 2:10 “Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services Believers are to die, live and breathe in Christ Jesus their Lord, and as they do, the will of God will be fulfilled and revealed.
Notice what people may have and can be in Christ Jesus! 21. Liberty ~ Galatians 2:4 “... false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:” 22. Children of God ~ Galatians 3:26 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” 23. Equal ~ Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” 24. New Life ~ Galatians 6:15 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” 25. Faithful ~ Ephesians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:” 26. Spiritual Blessing ~ Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” 27. Eternally together ~ Ephesians 1:10 “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” 28. In Heaven together ~ Ephesians 2:6 “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” 29. Good Works ~ Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” 30. Close to God ~ Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” To be continued… In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”
Psalm 25:14 “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”
To Fear the Lord is to have great respect, honour, reverence, faith, love and obedience unto Him. The will of God is revealed to those that fear the Lord. Why would God ever reveal His perfect will to those that are half-hearted, indifferent, and nominal toward the things of the Lord? Why would God ever take anyone seriously with their prayers if they do not demonstrate any fear unto Him? God will take you seriously when you begin to take Him seriously. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Before any decision take time to decide to fear the Lord! God’s will was not hidden from Abraham “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do.” Genesis 18:17 Question: Why did God reveal His will to Abraham and not hide it from Him? Answer: Abraham Feared God 1. He demonstrated Obedience & Faith Genesis 12:1 “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” Genesis 12:4 “So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;” • He was quick to obey without question • He left his comfort zone and trusted God 2. He demonstrated Submission & Honour Genesis 18:19 “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD...” • He was known by God! • He honoured God and submitted to him by teaching others to also fear God. 3. He demonstrated Reverence & Respect Genesis 18:27 “And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:” • He knew his humble state before a Holy God, and maintained his respect for God whilst speaking with Him. 4. He demonstrated Love & Sacrifice Genesis 22:2 “And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest...” Genesis 22:12 “And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him…” In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services |
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