Proofs that God can be seen.

God has been seen with a body

John 4:24

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Man was made bodily in God’s image

Genesis 1:26-27 

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God ate food with Abraham

Genesis 18:8 

And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

Jacob wrestled with God

Genesis 32:24 

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

Evangelism

"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.

So one hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become ‘unity’ conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified. The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier. The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and a higher life." – A. W. Tozer

Judgments of Scripture

Subjects: believers as to sin

 Romans 6:10  

The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

Hebrews 9:25-28 

25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.  26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.  27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Judgments of believers’’ sins in the Cross of Christ

John 12:31-32  

Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”

Time: on the Cross

John 3:14  

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,

1 Peter 2:24  

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

John 17:4  

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

Place: Calvary

Luke 23:33  

When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

Basis: Christ’s perfect work

John 3:16  

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 5:24  

“I tell you the truth; whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

Romans 6:8  

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Result: death of Christ; life to believers

Please read: Rom. 4:1-24,      Rom. 5: 1-21,  Rom. 8: 1-16

The Runner

How beautiful…are the feet of him who brings good news. – Isaiah 52:7

In Old Testament times, there was no instant way of getting news. No television programs could be interrupted to announce that a coup had overthrown a government somewhere. No e-mails conveyed information instantly from the Chief of Staff to his Field Marshal. There was no CNN or Associated Press.

So, if an army was fighting a battle, the news of the outcome was sent to the homeland by a runner. The people of the city knew a battle was being fought, so they lined the city walls, eagerly awaiting the news of their army's defeat or victory.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have the marvelous news of a victory to share. We can report that the battle for our souls was won by Christ on Calvary when He gave His life for us (Matthew 27:45-50; Romans 6:23). We have the proof: God raised Him from the dead in triumph (Matthew 28:1-10). Now we can proclaim the good news of the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life in heaven with the Father. This is assured for those who trust in Jesus, His Son (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7).

As we tell the good news to others, let it be with the joy of victory in our hearts, and with feet that are "beautiful" because of the glorious message we bear.

Go to the lost, in the home, in the mart, waiting no longer; today make a start; tell them of Jesus who died in their place, Share the good news of salvation by grace.

The next person you meet may need to meet Jesus.

The Height of God's Love for You

By Rick Warren

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39 NIV).

"If you want an antidote for loneliness, here it is: You will never be separated from God's love. The fact is we do lose loved ones."

There is no place that you can go where God's love isn't. You'll never be separated from God's love.

Nothing—no circumstance, no situation—can separate you because God's love is everywhere: ". . . neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord . . ." (Romans 8:39 NIV).

If you want an antidote for loneliness, here it is: You will never be separated from God's love. The fact is we do lose loved ones. If you're married, one of you is going to die first.  And you will grieve over that.

But if you're a Christian, you'll never be lonely because you can tune into God's love. I'm not talking about religion; I'm talking about a relationship with Jesus Christ. His love lasts forever and his love is everywhere.

"Where could I go to escape from you? Where could I get away from your presence? If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there. If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west, you would be there to lead me, you would be there to help me. I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light around me to turn into night, but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you" (Psalm 139:7-12 TEV).

186, Things Men Can Do

(1 to 2 out of 186)

1)

Repent and believe the gospel; they are commanded to do so or be lost

Mark 1:15  

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Luke 13:1-5 

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?

3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Romans 1:16  

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

2)

Accept or reject the gospel of their own free will

John 1:11-12  

11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

John 3:16-18  

                           

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

1 Timothy 2:4  

Who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9  

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Revelation 22:17  

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

How to Have a Quiet Time

By Rick Warren

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. Luke 22:39.

Choose a special place

The location where you have your quiet time is also important. The Bible indicates that Abraham had a regular place where he met with God (Genesis 19:27). Jesus had a custom of praying in the garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him” (Luke 22:39).

Your place ought to be a secluded place. This is a place where you can be alone, where it’s quiet, and where you will not be disturbed or interrupted. In today’s noisy Western World, this may take some ingenuity, but it is necessary. It ought to be a place –

• Where you can pray aloud without disturbing others;

• Where you have good lighting for reading (a desk, perhaps);

• Where you are comfortable. (WARNING: Do not have your quiet time in bed. That’s too comfortable!)  Your place ought to be a special place. Wherever you decide to meet with the Lord, make it a special place for you and him. As the days go by, that place will come to mean a lot to you because of the wonderful times you have there with Jesus Christ.

Your place ought to be a sacred place. This is where you meet with the living God. Where you meet the Lord can be just as holy as the place where Abraham met God. You don’t have to be in a church building. People have had their quiet times in their cars parked in a quiet place, in an empty closet at home, in their backyards, and even in a baseball dugout. Each of these places has become sacred to them.

Blessings from waiting on God

Justice

Isaiah 26:8-9

8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.

9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Isaiah 30:18 

And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

Objections and Excuses

I am afraid I can’t remain faithful

1 Peter 1:5 

Who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Responsibility

We are responsible for actions performed in response to circumstances for which we are not responsible. - Allan Massie

Evangelism 

 "Revival is the whole assembly powerfully and passionately winning lost souls to Christ." – James A. Stewart

Prepare to meet your God.

Amos announced God’s judgment on the people for turning away from God, for being cruel to the poor, and for living selfishly. In a series of five visions, Amos saw the day of doom as being close. He warned the people that they were to prepare to meet God. (Amos 4:12). For those who loved God, however, Amos had a word of hope. The day was coming when the kingdom of David would be re-established and God’s people would dwell in safety.

Because God punishes sins:

“On that day I punish Israel for her sins. I will destroy the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground”…Amos 3:14

“I hate, despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-falling stream!”…Amos 5:21-24

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”…Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”…Romans 6:23

How to be Ready? –Jesus has prepared the Way—Himself:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”…John 14:6

When to be Ready?—Now is the time:

For says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, and now is the day of salvation…2 Corinthians 6:2

Why to be Ready? Because man may die at any time:

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”…Hebrew 9:27

Where to be Ready? Here and now:

“Seek the Lord, while he may be found; call on Him while he is near”…Isaiah 55:6

Three important things in the Bible

By Late Rev. Elisha James

Psalms 139:23 -   Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Three invitations of Jesus:

Come, let us reason together

Isaiah 1:18  

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Come and See

John 1:46  

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

Come and Rest

Matthew 11:28  

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Three things secured from the rock

Water

Exodus 17:6  

I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Fire

Judges 6:21  

With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared.

Honey

Psalms 81:16  

But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Believe

And how shall they believe

Romans 10:14  

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

A wife who does not believe

1 Corinthians 7:12  

To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.

I spoke we also believe

2 Corinthians 4:13  

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,

Given to those who believe

Galatians 3:22  

But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Christ, not only to believe

Philippians 1:29  

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,

Comes to God must believe

Hebrews 11:6  

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Believe that there is one

James 2:19  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Behold, do not believe

1 John 4:1  

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

186, Things Men Can Do

(1 to 2 out of 186)

1)

Repent and believe the gospel; they are commanded to do so or be lost

Mark 1:15  

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Luke 13:1-5 

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?

3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Romans 1:16  

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

2)

Accept or reject the gospel of their own free will

John 1:11-12  

11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

John 3:16-18        

                     

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

1 Timothy 2:4  

Who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9  

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Revelation 22:17  

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

200 Miscellaneous Commands from the Bible

       (5 to 11 out of 200)

5

Accuse none falsely

Luke 3:14  

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

            6

Add to Christian graces

2 Peter 1:5-7  

5 For this very reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

            7

Admit unprofitableness

Luke 17:10  

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

8

Admonish one another

Colossians 3:16  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God

.

            9

Admonish the unity

2 Thessalonians 3:15  

Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

            10

Agree with your adversary

Matthew 5:25  

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

            11

Allow no liberty to ensnare you to commit sin

1 Corinthians 10:25-30  

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,

26 for, “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.”

27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.

28 But if anyone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake—

29 the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?

30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?