good morning. It is great to be home, and it is always a joy to be back with you. Sometimes you write sermons and then you go back to them some time later, sometimes years later, and you look at what you wrote. You know, everybody that’s true. But I missed the point. Probably the first year that I was preaching. I wrote a sermon on Psalms 1 39 If only we believe everything I wrote in that sermon was true. Entitled it the Our Missions of God in Psalms 1 39 verses one through six,

The Psalmist writer describes what God knows. He describes God’s knowledge in the best terms that human humanity can can conjure and truly got his arm nish it that is all knowing God knows beyond what we know. He sees beyond what we see, and he knows this from beginning to end. Jesus described his existence when he spoke to those Jews in relationship to Abraham and said before Abraham Rose, I am not I waas not I will be. I am. He has existed and has always existed and will always exist.

There is no point in time where you look it God. And you go well before that? No, there is nothing before that. Well after there was nothing after that. And God, not bound by time, understands us in our being bound by time in ways that we simply cannot comprehend. He knows are sitting down and are rising up. He knows what we will do, how we will live. He knows the powers that we can take the paths that we will take. He knows our thoughts before we think them.

The Psalmist writer says he knows our words before we speak them. And so as I rode that sermon, I was thinking about what God knows and the on missions of God and truly there is a point to be made from someone 39 concerning the ah missions of God, and certainly God is Amish int. But in writing a sermon about the ah missions of God, I missed the point of someone 39 and it’s not because it’s not clear. It’s because I was looking for something else. And we do that sometimes with Scripture,

we come to a passage looking for something in the passage. Instead of looking for what’s in the passage we bring to our interpretation what we want the passage to stay to say, instead of allowing the passage to speak for itself. Sometimes we do so when we don’t do damage to the scripture and we learn things and let we don’t fully grasp what’s there. Someone 39 Verse one. Oh Lord, you have searched me and known me. This sewn declares the on the presence of God. God is everywhere. It declares the our missions of God.

God knows everything. It declares the power in the mind of God. Daughter is all powerful. It declares all of those things. The Psalmist writer isn’t writing an academic description of God. Somis writer is declaring God, you know me and the Psalmist writer is declaring his relationship to the God who is. We don’t have a relationship to a God who is not. We do not have a relationship to a God who might be. We have a relationship to a God who is and who is there in every aspect of our lives,

who knows are sitting down and are rising up. We don’t go through a day except we know that he knows us. As we discussed in the Bible class this morning as we discussed this passage. That’s a fearful thing for a wicked person. For an individual bent on doing iniquity. Bent are living his own way, bent on serving himself instead of God. It’s not a wonderful being. A bit of news to say God knows you, he knows you From the end of your day to the beginning He knows what you will do And he knows what you will think And he knows what you will say.

And that is not a calming fought for wicked individual before righteous one for a person of God For one who loves the Lord with always hard with all his mind, with all his strength. Such an idea has great strength and great hope. Lord Jehovah. Yeah, way the self existing What the I am that I am. You have searched me and known me. You know, my sitting down in my rising up You understand? My thoughts are far off And that’s where I want to spend our time this morning in a series of westerns were going to consider the idea.

God knows me and we’re gonna begin with our thoughts The soonest writer says. You understand my thoughts, you discern my thoughts. The S V says You comprehend my thoughts of fall. You know what I’m thinking before I think it. You know what I’m wanting before I want it. Jesus will describe to his disciples as he tells them concerning prayer as he speaks to them concerning their relationship with the father. He says, Ask and it shall be given to you. Seek and ye shall find knock and the door shall be opened unto you.

And he describes a child relationship with the father. He says, What child asks of his father a slice of bread and receives a stone? What child asks for a fish and receives a soap in’t? If you being are three, I know how to do good things to your Children. How much more does the father know what you need before you even ask it? But Jesus Point is God still wants you to ask. He knows you. He knows you more than you know you, but he still wants a relationship with you.

God! Oh Lord, you searched me out. God, Ron’s a relationship with you. He wants a relationship with your thoughts for Samuel, Chapter 16 In first, same attractor 16 God send Samuel his profit to go anoint a new king. He wants a king who will serve him, who will obey him because in first aid, which after 15 so said, I’ve done everything that God commanded me to do everything he told me to do. I’ve obeyed. And Samuel said, What’s the bloom of the sheep that I hear?

Why’s kilo bag standing here? You were told to go and to annihilate that people and to destroy everything that I have. You were told to bring about the judgment on them that God had pronounced all the way back in the Book of Exodus and you didn’t do it. And yet you claim to. So in Chapter 16 God send Samuel, you go and find and anoint a new king and saying they will go to the house of Jesse and he will see their David’s older brothers. You go to the house of Jesse,

Jesse will bring your sons before Samuel and the very 1st 1 looks like a king. That’s what a king looks like.

Remember, that was the description of Soul. He was hand and shoulders about all the people. He looked like a king,

but his heart wasn’t. Sam Will believes. He’s found the right one in Jessie’s older son. And God tells Samuel no and the next one?

No. Then the next one. No, wait a minute. Jesse, Do you have any more sons?

Well, yes, the youngest one. He’s out tending the flock Send for him. But in first stable Chapter 16 we find this statement made by God to Samuel as he is helping Samuel to understand why he’s not choosing the way Samuel is in first.

Same a chapter 16 and in verse seven, we read. But the Lord said the Samuel do not look at his appearance or his physical stature because I have refused him.

That says, I’m a who I want. I know neither one is that I’ve chosen, and he’s not it.

He might look like a king, but he’s not lying, for the Lord does not see as man sees for.

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. We’re related to read of David’s brothers who were soldiers,

and they will be with you or me of God. They will be standing across the valley from the Philistine Sze and one philistine would come out.

His name was Goliath and he would stand before the armies of the Lord and he would blast team their guard and he would declare to them You send out a man and we will do battle.

And if we win, you serve us. But if you win, will serve you. But Goliath was a giant.

When you look at the outward man, when you look at the statue of Goliath he’s an intimidating man,

David Young man that he waas sent by his father to go check on his brothers to bring supplies to them.

And he hears the words of the philistine and he can’t understand why the army of God isn’t doing anything about it.

He can’t understand why. So the king, the leader of the army of God, isn’t going out to meet this uncircumcised philistine because in David’s mind,

he knows God is the run who will defeat Goliath and not the soldier. And so, David, a man who thinks the world God does goes out to meet him,

not with armor, not with m battlements, not with great swords. and protection, but with five stones.

God knows me, David writes. You searched me out. You know, my Stanley happen by sitting down.

You know what I think before I think it acts. Chapter one as Jesus has ascended back in the heaven and the apostles are preparing to preach the gospel.

They’ve been told by Jesus. You remain in Jerusalem until power comes from on high. And while they’re there and they’re gathered together,

they appoint one to take the place of Judas. They appoint Warren to serve in the place as an apostle who will take the place of the one who betrayed Christ.

And as they’re seeking to appoint this individual, they do not take it upon themselves to determine who it is they do set forth of criteria.

Peter speaks up and says it has to be one who’s been with us from the beginning. It has to be one who walked with Jesus.

It has to be. One who saw him while he was here has to be well, in whom is the spirit of God.

But it comes down to two individuals in acts. Chapter one, we raid around Verse 21 therefore of these men who have accompanying accompanying us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out of oneness,

beginning from the baptism of John to that day when he was taken up from us. Rum of these must become a witnessed rumors of his resurrection.

And they proposed to Joseph called bar service, whose surname who was surname, Justice, and Mathias. And they prayed and said you were a Lord who knows the hearts overall show which of these you to you.

Which of these two you have chosen? Isn’t it interesting? They examined their deeds, examine their life.

They examine their faithful Mr Christ, they saw on their actions. And they said we can’t choose between the two based on actions.

But God, you love the heart. When you can’t determine the life based upon the actions, God still knows the heart.

And it was the heart that qualified Mathias over Barsa bus. I don’t know anything about bar service. I don’t know that he had a problem in his heart.

But the apostles knew God could choose the right one, and he knew that it was in their hearts in their thoughts in their mind that the difference would be made.

When the apostles went out, it will make taut. And when they were persecuted and when they were imprisoned in just a few chapters,

they would come away rejoicing that they were counted wrongly to suffer with Christ. How is it that people who are enduring pain and affliction and anguish and persecution can say,

what a joy to have gone through, that it’s not because they think like most of us, it’s because they think differently than most of us.

Most of us go through life and will be struggling where we have difficulties when people do harmful to us.

Hopeful things to us were made mistreated, as we think we need to get them back. For that,

I need to treat them the way they treated me. The apostles prayed to God and thanked him. What is that?

But an expression of the thoughts and heart that was in them. God knows me, he knows my thoughts.

He knows my heart, and he knows yours, too. As we consider that idea, we would understand that.

Jesus says the thoughts determined the person, not the other way around. Is that right? I mean,

no I I controlled my fault. That’s true. But your thoughts determine who you are. Totally Matthew,

Chapter 15 Jesus will be confronted by the Ferris ease from Jerusalem. They will come and they will question him.

Why don’t your disciples wash their hands hands according to the traditions of the elders? Why no, they cleanse themselves before they eat.

Jesus will confront then concerning their traditions and how their traditions opposed the very word of God and transgress the word of God.

They will call them hypocrites. And then Jesus will separate himself from them, having record of them. It’s not what goes into the body that the files a man.

But what comes out? That the files A man we read in verse 10 of Matthew, Chapter 15.

We’ll make hope. When he called the multitude to himself. He said to them here and understand, not well goes into the mouth of files.

A man. But what comes out of the mouth that the files a man, then his disciples came and said to him,

Do you know that the fair seas were offended when they heard this saying, Jesus, do you not understand that when you called them hypocrites when you called them those who were guilty of the same thing.

That the people as a cz day. We’re guilty of that. They were offended by that. Jesus replied.

Every plant which my heavenly father is not planning, will be uprooted. Let them alone. They’re blind leaders of the blind.

And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into the ditch. Then Peter answered and said to him,

Explain this parable to us. So Jesus said, Are you still also without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and has eliminated the bottling process of eating food?

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart. And these are they defile a man for out of the heart proceed.

Evil thoughts, murders, adulterous fornication steps, false witnesses, blasphemies. These are the things which are rich.

The file a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not. The file A man Jesus says your heart produces who you are and what you do.

You look a individual. He’s committed murder. You reveal individual who’s blushing. You look at an individual is doing evil to his fellow man.

And you know it’s not just his actions, it is his heart. That is the problem. It is in his mind where that evil resides that causes those actions to come to pass.

Jesus says it is the heart that determines the man, not the other way around. Seven. God knows me,

God knows what I think Before I ever think it God knows who I am in my heart whether anyone sees it or not,

that might be a scary thing for us. But for the sole miss writer, it was a very interesting thing because if we turn back to someone 19 he introduces this psalm about God knowing him Where have you searched me?

And I have known me You know, my sitting down in my rising love You understand my thoughts of far off You come for him My half to my lying down You’re a corner with all my ways For there is not a word on my tongue But behold the Lord you knew it all together But he closes the psalm with search me Wait a minute.

I thought I thought you already said he did. I thought you said he searched for you in the past.

Search me Oh God, and know my heart Well, we come to a relationship with God. We’re all right with God.

When we love God love one another When we serve him with our whole heart it is non a fearful thing to say.

God examined me, Test me, try me and know me he says. Search me Oh God and know my heart trying move And no,

my anxieties. This all these writers not saying I never struggle. He’s not saying I have nothing to fear.

He’s not saying I don’t have difficulties. He’s saying, God, when you know me, you can help.

May overcome May and see if there’s any wicked way in me and lead me in the war of everlasting total of problems.

Chapter three. They did, son. Well, right to David’s grandson. Verse five. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean Not on your own understanding in all your ways.

Acknowledge him and he will direct your pass. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

Salomon learned from his father. That is your thoughts. The direct your path unless you turn your thoughts over the God and let him direct your path.

Let’s examine that idea in three passages as we close second Corinthians Chapter 10 Paul writes to the church in Corinth,

and, as he is writing to them, this deeply emotional book, This is probably one of the most emotional letters that exists in all the New Testament as a personal relationship that Paul had with this church.

It Corrine, he says. Chapter 10 in Verse one. Now I, Paul myself, I’m pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ who in presence and lonely among you but being absent and burned toward you.

What’s he saying? He’s saying, I’m writing to you with boldness so that when I can come to you in person,

I can come to you in humility in meekness because we have unification and unity and oneness and fellowship in Christ.

So I write to you and boldness to correct the problems before I get there. He says first, too.

But I beg you that when I am president, I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some who think of us as if we walked according to the flash.

For though we walk in the flash, we do not war according to the flash, Paul says. Weird.

In this life we walk in this life. We deal with the anguish and the difficulty and the pain and the temptation in the soil of this life.

But we don’t walk according to flesh. Those four for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

Paul says. We don’t walk after the flesh because our weapons in this world fair aren’t material. They’re not fleshly.

They’re not carnal Christians don’t own themselves with swords and staves and guns and bombs because they’re warfare isn’t in the flesh,

he says. Verse tanto verse five, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,

bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, he says. Our weapons aren’t call all raw fairs and choral warfare is fighting.

Excuse me. A battle of nudge or warfare is fighting a battle of the one who doesn’t know God bringing his thoughts captive to Christ Asians.

Chapter six describes the word of God as the sword of the spirit. Hebrews speaks concerning the word of God being that which that can cut away the sin from our lives.

Paul says our warfare, our battle is against spirituals, things with a spiritual sword, which is the word of God.

So if we’re going to bring our thoughts captive to Christ, if we’re going to allow God to be able to search our hearts,

it is because we have a heart. That fire is God. Turn the Philippians Chapter four Philippians chapter forward.

We often read Verse eight about the things that we can can and should think on. But we just read Verse eight.

We missed the force of verse eight. Go back to verse five. Let your gentleness be known to all men.

The Lord is at hand. The words the Lord is at hand is to say God is very near and everything that follows that phrase is because God is very near.

And what is it that the service in someone 39 was trying to convey? Wherever I go God, you are there.

Whatever. I think you know me. Whatever I say, you know it already. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving that you request be made known to God,

he says, Because God is there. Be gentle because God is their prey. Ask for what you need and the peace of God.

Verse seven, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus when your gentleness is known and when you understand the God is there and when you pray instead of worrying,

then God’s peace can be with you and can guard your heart. Then he says, Verse eight. Finally,

brother and whatever things are true. Whatever things are noble, whatever things are just whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely. Whatever things were, good report. If there’s any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy,

meditate on these things. Think about these things, make your heart your thoughts, your mind about these things.

But he doesn’t stop there. The things which you have learned and received and heard and saw in me when he tells them thing on things that are lovely,

think of things that are praiseworthy thing on things that are true. Think on things that are of good report,

think on these things that are our virtue Then, he says, and you saw be doing its things that you have seen in me.

These do and the god of peace will be with you. So if we put second really, is she?

After 10 verses ones we find together with Philippians, Chapter four versus 5 to 9, we find that God has a weapon that is in our hands to control our thoughts.

And it’s his word. And we think on his word and his deeds and his actions and the things that he has done through even the examples of those who are righteous before us.

And then we do those things and his peace protects us, but then turned the first John Chapter two,

first John, Chapter two, beginning in verse 12 John writes as the elder, the elder in the church,

the old man, Maybe at this time the only apostle still alive. We don’t know, and he says,

I write to you verse 12 of Chapter two little Children, because your sins are forgiven you for his namesake.

I write to you little Children because your sins are forgiven. He’s not writing the little toddlers spiritually. Children.

I write to you because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I like to your father’s because you have known him.

Who is from the beginning. I write to you young men because you have overcome Rick. It one I write to you little Children because you have known the father I have written to your father’s because you have known him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, Young Lynn, because you are strong in the world of God abides in you and you have overcome the wicked one.

He reassures them over and over and over again. I’m writing to you because you know God because of your relationship with him.

And then he says, Do not love the world because you’re forgiven because you’ve overcome because the word of God abides in you because you are who you are.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world of love, of the father is not in him,

for all of it is in the world. The rest of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father but is off the world and the world is passing away and the lust of it.

But hey, who does the will of God abides forever. Jesus said, not everyone that says to me,

Lord Lord, she’ll enter the kingdom of Heaven. But he who does the will of my father, who is in heaven.

But it begins with the thoughts we have the ability to overcome. We have the ability to control our thoughts.

We have the ability to set our minds on right things and from those things produce a right life where we can say to God,

search me and try me. But we can also know this, that if we are faithful to him and obedient to him and abide in his word and do what he says and think on what he says to think on,

that we can know him because here it is. Full circle Psalms 1 39 says God, you searched for me and you know me God search me and know me.

And in First John, Chapter two and in verse three, John writes Now by this we know that we know him.

John How is it that we know that we know him? Is it because we have a feeling in our heart note?

Is it because we have an emotional attachment? Oh God, no. Is it because we just got this assurance and clarity of mind that we’ve done everything that he said?

No, John, how do we know that we never heal now by verse? We know that we know him if we keep Hiss Commandments.

He who says I know him and does not keep his commandments is a liar. And the truth is not in him but whoever keeps his word true.

The love of God is perfected in him by this. We know that we are in him. So as we examine our thoughts and our relationship with God,

do we remember that God knows us whether we’re righteous or not? God knows us here knows our thoughts.

He knows our ways. He knows our speech. He knows our deeds. The question is, do we know him?

Have we kept his commandments? But it begins in the heart. It begins with turning our life over to him and obeying him,

getting rid of self and serving God. But to do that, you have to die. You can’t live anymore.

If God’s going to live in you, you have to die. You have to die with Christ Galatians,

Chapter three You have to be crucified with Christ. Roman’s Chapter six. You have to die with him and you have to be buried with him.

Romans, Chapter six. But if you’ve done that, you can be raised with him in newness of life.

And that happens in baptism. Roman’s chapter six verses three and four. When were baptized with him we rise again to walk in newness of life.

And not before then and hereby do we know that we know him. If we keep hiss Commandments. If you’re here this morning,

you’re outside the body of Christ. Don’t delay come to a relationship with God. Know him as he knows you make your life right with him.

If you have a need, any need, why not come forward now is we stay in and as we sing yeah,

good morning. It is great to be home, and it is always a joy to be back with you. Sometimes you write sermons and then you go back to them some time later, sometimes years later, and you look at what you wrote. You know, everybody that’s true. But I missed the point, probably about first year that I was preaching. I wrote a sermon on Psalms 1 39 If only we believe everything I wrote in that sermon was true. Entitled it the Our Missions of God and sometimes 1 39 verses one through six,

The Psalmist writer describes what God knows. He describes God’s knowledge in the best terms that human humanity can can conjure. And truly, God is our mission that is all knowing God knows beyond what we know. He sees beyond what we see, and he knows this from beginning to end. Jesus described his existence when he spoke to those Jews in relationship to Abraham and said before Abraham Rose, I am not I waas not I will be. I am. He has existed and has always existed and will always exist.

There’s no point in time where you look it. God and you go well before that? No, there is nothing before that. Well after there was nothing after that. And God, not bound by time, understands us in our being bound by time in ways that we simply cannot comprehend. He knows are sitting down and are rising up. He knows what we will do, how we will live. He knows the paths that we can take, the paths that we will take. He knows our thoughts before we think them.

The Psalmist writer says. He knows our words before we speak them. And so as I rode that sermon, I was thinking about what God knows and the on missions of God and truly there is a point to be made from someone 39 concerning the ah missions of God, and certainly God is Amish int. But in writing a sermon about the ah missions of God, I missed the point of someone 39 and it’s not because it’s not clear. It’s because I was looking for something else. And we do that sometimes with Scripture,

we come to a passage looking for something in the passage. Instead of looking for what’s in the passage, we bring to our interpretation What we want the passage to stay to say, instead of allowing the passage to speak for itself. Sometimes we do so when we don’t do damage to the scripture and we learn things. And yet we don’t fully grasp what’s there. Someone 39 Verse one. Oh Lord, you have searched me and known me. This sewn declares the on the presence of God. God is everywhere.

It declares the our missions of God. God knows everything. It declares the power in the mind of God. Daughter is all powerful. It declares all of those things. The Psalmist writer isn’t writing an academic description of God. Psalmist writer is declaring God, you know me and the Psalmist writer is declaring his relationship to the God who is. We don’t have a relationship to a God who is not. We do not have a relationship to a God who might be. We have a relationship to a God who is and who is there in every aspect of our lives,

who knows are sitting down and are rising up. We don’t go through a day except we know that he knows us. As we discussed in the Bible class this morning as we discussed this passage. That’s a fearful thing for a wicked person. For an individual bent on doing iniquity. Bent are living his own way, bent on serving himself instead of God. It’s not a wonderful being. A bit of news to say God knows you, he knows you From the end of your day to the beginning he knows what you will do and he knows what you will think And he knows what you will say.

And that is not a calming fought for wicked individual before righteous one for a person of God For one who loves the Lord with always hard with all his mind, with all his strength Such an idea has great strength and great hope Lord Jehovah Yeah, way the self existing What the I am that I am. You have searched me and known me. You know, my sitting down in my rising up You understand? My thoughts are far off and that’s where I want to spend our time this morning in a series of westerns were going to consider the idea.

God knows me and we’re gonna begin with our thoughts. The soonest writer says you understand my thoughts, you discern my thoughts. The S V says you compra him my thoughts of fall. You know what I’m thinking before I think it. You know what I’m wanting. Before I want it. Jesus will describe to his disciples as he tells them concerning prayer. As he speaks to them concerning their relationship with the father. He says, Ask and it should be given to you. Seek and ye shall find knock and the door shall be opened unto you.

And he describes a child relationship with the father. He says What child asks of his father a slice of bread and receives a stone? What child asks for a fish and receives a soap in’t? If you being our theory, I know how to do good things to your Children. How much more does the father know What you need before you even ask it? But Jesus Point is God still wants you to ask. He knows you. He knows you more than you know you. But he still runs a relationship with you.

God, A Lord. You searched me out. God runs a relationship with you. He wants a relationship with your thoughts, Samuel Chapter 16. In first same attractor 16 God send Samuel his profit to go anoint a new king. He wants a king who will serve him, who will obey him because in first aid, which after 15 so said, I’ve done everything that God commanded me to do everything he told me to do. I’ve obeyed. And Samuel said, What’s the bloom of the sheep that I hear wise kilo bag standing here You were told to go and to annihilate that people and to destroy everything that I have.

You were told to bring about the judgment on them that God had pronounced all the way back in the Book of Exodus and you didn’t do it. And yet you claim to. So in Chapter 16 God send Samuel, you go and find and anoint a new king and saying they will go to the house of Jesse and he will see their David’s older brothers go to the house of Jesse. Jesse will bring your sons before Samuel, and the very first one looks like a king. That’s what a king looks like.

Remember, that was the description of Soul. He was hand and shoulders about all the people. He looked like a king,

but his heart wasn’t. Sam Will believes he’s found the right one in Jessie’s older son, and God tells Samuel no and the next one?

No. Then the next one. No, wait a minute. Jesse, Do you have any more sons?

Well, yes, the youngest one. He’s out tending the flock Send for him. But in First Sailor,

Chapter 16 we find this statement made by God to Samuel as he is helping Samuel to understand why he’s not choosing the way Samuel is in first.

Same a chapter 16 and in verse seven, we read. But the Lord said the Samuel do not look at his appearance or his physical stature because I have refused him.

That says, I’m a who I want. I know neither one is that I’ve chosen, and he’s not it.

He might look like a king, but he’s not lying for the Lord does not see as man sees for.

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. We’re related to read of David’s brothers,

who soldiers and they will be with you or me of God. They will be standing across the valley from the Philistine Sze and one philistine would come out.

His name was Goliath and he would stand before the armies of the Lord and he would blast team their guard and he would declare to them You send out in man and we will do battle.

And if we win, you serve us. But if you win, will serve you. But Goliath was a giant.

When you look at the outward man, when you look at the statue of Goliath he’s an intimidating man,

David Young man that he waas sent by his father to go check on his brothers to bring supplies to them.

And he hears the words of the philistine and he can’t understand why the army of God isn’t doing anything about it.

He can’t understand why. So the king, the leader of the only of God, isn’t going out to meet this uncircumcised philistine because in David’s mind,

he knows God is the run who will defeat Goliath and not the soldier. And so, David, a man who thinks the world God does,

goes out to meet him, not with armor, not with m battlements, not with great swords and protection,

but was five stones. God knows me, David writes. You searched me out. You know my Stanley wrapping my sitting down.

You know what I think before I think it action after one, as Jesus has ascended back in the heaven and the apostles are preparing to preach the gospel they’ve been told by Jesus.

You remain in Jerusalem until power comes from on high. And while they are there and they’re gathered together,

they appoint Warren to take the place of Judas. They appoint warm to serve in the place as an apostle who will take the place of the one who betrayed Christ.

And as they’re seeking to appoint this individual, they do not take it upon themselves to determine who it is they do set forth of criteria.

Peter speaks up and says it has to be one who’s been with us from the beginning. It has to be one who walked with Jesus.

It has to be one who saw him while he was here has to be well, in whom is the spirit of God.

But it comes down to two individuals in acts. Chapter one, we raid around verse 21. Therefore of these men who have accompanying accompanying us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out of oneness,

beginning from the baptism of John to that day when he was taken up from us. Warm of these must become a witness.

Rumors of his resurrection. And they proposed to Joseph called bar service, whose surname who was surname, Justice and Mathias.

And they prayed and said you were a Lord who knows the hearts overall show which of these you to you.

Which of these two you have chosen? Isn’t it interesting? They examined their deeds, examine their life.

They examine their faithful Mr Christ, they saw on their actions. And they said we can’t choose between the two based on actions.

But God, you love the heart. When you can’t determine the life based upon the actions, God still knows the heart.

And it was the heart that qualified Mathias over Barsa bus. I don’t know anything about bar service. I don’t know that he had a problem in his heart.

But the apostles knew God could choose the right one, and he knew that it was in their hearts in their thoughts in their mind that the difference would be made When the apostles went out,

it will make taut. And when they were persecuted and when they were imprisoned in just a few chapters,

they would come away rejoicing that they were counted wrong. Me to suffer with Christ. How is it that people who are enduring pain and affliction and anguish and persecution can say,

what a joy to have gone through, that it’s not because they think like most of us, it’s because they think differently than most of us.

Most of us go through life and will be struggling where we have difficulties when people do harmful to us.

Hopeful things to us were made mistreated, as we think we need to get them back. For that,

I need to treat them the way they treated me. The apostles prayed to God and thanked him. What is that?

But an expression of the thoughts and heart that was in them. God knows me, he knows my thoughts.

He knows my heart, and he knows yours, too. As we consider that idea, we would understand that.

Jesus says the thoughts determined the person, not the other way around. So, you know, I I controlled my fault That’s true,

but your thoughts determine who you are. Totally. Matthew. Chapter 15 Jesus will be confronted by the Ferris ease from Jerusalem.

They will come and they will question him. Rhino, your disciples wash their hands hands according to the traditions of the elders.

Why no, they cleanse themselves before they eat. Jesus will confront them concerning their traditions and how their traditions opposed the very word of God and transgress the word of God.

They will call them hypocrites. And then Jesus will separate himself from them having the court of them. It’s not what goes into the body that the files a man.

But what comes out that the files a man we read in verse 10 of Matthew Chapter 15 will make hope.

When he called the multitude to himself. He said to them here and understand, not well goes into the mouth of files,

man. But what comes out of the mouth that the files a man, then his disciples came and said to him,

Do you know that the fair seas were offended when they heard this saying, Jesus, do you not understand that when you called them hypocrites when you call them those who were guilty of the same thing.

That the people as they used a word guilty of that they were offended by that. Jesus replied. Every plant which my heavenly father is not planning,

will be uprooted. Let them alone. They’re blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind,

both will fall into the ditch. Then Peter answered and said to him, Explain this parable to us.

So Jesus said, Are you still also without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and has eliminated the bottle in process of eating food?

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and these are they defile a man for out of the heart proceed.

Evil thoughts, murders, adulterous fornication steps, false witnesses, blasphemies. These are the things which are rich to file a man,

but to eat with unwashed hands does not. The file A man Jesus says your heart produces who you are and what you do.

You reckon individual who’s committed murder, you reveal individual who’s blushing. You look at an individual is doing evil to his fellow man.

And you know It’s not just his actions, it is his heart. That is the problem. It is in his mind where that evil resides that causes those actions to come to pass.

Jesus says it is the heart that determines the man, not the other way around. Seven. God knows me,

God knows what I think Before I ever think it God knows who I am in my heart whether anyone sees it or not,

That might be a scary thing for us. But for the sole Miss writer, it was a very interesting thing because if we turn back to someone 19 he introduces this psalm about God knowing him Where have you searched me?

And I have known me You know, my sitting down in my rising love You understand my thoughts of far off You come for him My half to my lying down You’re a corner with all my ways For there is not a word on my tongue But behold the Lord you knew it all together But he closes the psalm with search me Wait a minute.

I thought I thought you already said he did. I thought you said he searched for you in the past.

Search me Oh God and know my heart Well, we come to a relationship with God. We’re all right with God.

When we love God love one another when we serve him with our whole heart it is non a fearful thing to say.

God examined me, Test me, try me and know me, he says. Search me Oh God and know my heart trying move and no,

my anxieties. This all these writers not saying I never struggle. He’s not saying I have nothing to fear.

He’s not saying I don’t have difficulties. He’s saying, God, when you know me, you can help.

May overcome May and see if there’s any wicked way in me and lead me in the War of Everlasting Turn The problems.

Chapter three They did, son. Well, right to David’s grandson. Verse five. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean.

Not on your own understanding in all your ways. Acknowledge him and he will direct your pass. Do not be wise in your own eyes.

Fear the Lord and depart from evil. Salomon learned from his father. That is your thoughts. The direct your path unless you turn your thoughts over the God and let him direct your path.

Let’s examine that idea in three passages as we close second Corinthians Chapter 10 Paul writes to the church in Corinth,

and, as he is writing to them, this deeply emotional book. This is probably one of the most emotional letters that exists in all the New Testament as a personal relationship that Paul had with this church.

It Corrine, he says. Chapter 10 in Verse one. Now I, Paul myself, I’m pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ who in presence and lonely among you but being absent and burned toward you.

What’s he saying? He’s saying, I’m writing to you with boldness so that when I can come to you in person,

I can come to you and humility in meekness because we have unification and unity and oneness and fellowship in Christ.

So I write to you and boldness to correct the problems before I get there. He says first, too.

But I beg you that when I am president, I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some who think of us as if we walked according to the flash.

For though we walk in the flash, we do not war according to the flash, Paul says. Weird.

In this life we walk in this life. We deal with the anguish and the difficulty and the pain and the temptation in the soil of this life.

But we don’t walk according to flesh. Those four for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

Paul says. We don’t walk after the flesh because our weapons in this world fair aren’t material. They’re not fleshly.

They’re not carnal Christians don’t own themselves with swords and staves and guns and bombs because they’re warfare isn’t in the flesh,

he says. Verse tanto verse five, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,

bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, he says. Our weapons aren’t call all raw fairs and coral warfare is fighting.

Excuse me. A battle of nudge or warfare is fighting a battle of the one who doesn’t know God,

bringing his thoughts captive to Christ Asians. Chapter six describes the word of God as the sword of the spirit.

Hebrews speaks concerning the word of God being that which that can cut away the sin from our lives. Paul says our warfare,

our battle is against spirituals, things with a spiritual sword, which is the word of God. So if we’re going to bring our thoughts captive to Christ,

if we’re going to allow God to be able to search our hearts, it is because we have a heart.

That fire is God. Turn the Philippians Chapter four Philippians chapter forward. We often read Verse eight about the things that we can can and should think on.

But we just read verse eight. We miss the force of verse eight. Go back to verse five.

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Rewards the Lord is at hand is to say God is very near and everything that follows that phrase is because God is very near.

And what is it that the soulless in someone 39 was trying to convey? Wherever I go God, you are there.

Whatever. I think you know me. Whatever I say. You know it already. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing. but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving that you request be made known to God,

he says, Because God is there. Be gentle because God is their prey. Ask for what you need and the peace of God.

Verse seven, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus when your gentleness is known,

and when you understand that God is there and when you pray instead of worrying, then God’s peace can be with you and can guard your heart.

Then he says, Verse eight. Finally, brother and whatever things are true. Whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely. Whatever things were. Good report.

If there’s any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. Think about these things.

Make your heart your thoughts, your mind about these things. But he doesn’t stop there. The things which you have learned and received and heard and saw in me when he tells them think on things that are lovely.

Think on things that are praiseworthy thing on things that are true. Think on things that are of good report.

Think on these things that are our virtue. Then, he says, and you saw be dim. It’s things that you have seen in me.

These do and the god of peace will be with you. So we put second. Really, is she?

After 10 verses, ones were fined together with Philippians, Chapter four versus 5 to 9. We find that God has a weapon that is in our hands to control our thoughts.

And it’s his word. And we think on his word and his deeds and his actions and the things that he has done through even the examples of those who are righteous before us.

And then we do those things and his peace protects us, but then turned the first John Chapter two.

First John, Chapter two beginning and those 12 John writes as the elder, the elder in the church,

the old man. Maybe at this time the only apostle still alive. We don’t know. And he says,

I write to you Verse 12 of Chapter two Little Children, because your sins are forgiven you for his namesake.

I write to you little Children because your sins are forgiven. He’s not writing the little toddlers, spiritual Children.

I write to you because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I like to your father’s because you have known him who is from the beginning.

I write to you young men because you have overcome wicked one. I write to you little Children because you have known the father I have written to your father’s because you have known him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, Young Lynn, because you are strong in the word of God abides in you and you have overcome the wicked one.

He reassures them over and over and over again. I’m writing to you because you know God because of your relationship with him.

And then he says, Do not love the world because you’re forgiven because you’ve overcome because the word of God abides in you because you are who you are.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world of love, of the father is not in him,

for all of it is in the world. The rest of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father,

but is off the world and the world is passing away and the lust of it. But hey, who does the will of God abides forever.

Jesus said, not everyone that says to me, Lord Lord, she’ll enter the kingdom of Heaven. But he who does the will of my father,

who is in heaven. But it begins with the thoughts we have the ability to overcome. We have the ability to control our thoughts.

We have the ability to set our minds on right things and from those things produce a right life where we can say to God,

search me and try me. But we can also know this, that if we are faithful to him and obedient to him and abide in his word and do what he says and think on what he says to think on,

that we can know him because here it is. Full circle solves 1 39 says God, you searched for me and you know me,

God search me and know me. And in First John, Chapter two and in verse three, John writes Now by this we know that we know him.

John. How is it that we know that we know him. Is it because we have a feeling in our heart note?

Is it because we have an emotional attachment? Oh God, no. Is it because we just got this assurance and clarity of mind that we’ve done everything that he said?

No, John, how do we know that we never heal now by verse? We know that we know him if we keep Hiss Commandments.

He who says I know him and does not keep his commandments is a liar. And the truth is not in him but whoever keeps his word true.

The love of God is perfected in him by this. We know that we are in him. So as we examine our thoughts and our relationship with God,

do we remember that God knows us whether we’re righteous or not? God knows us. Who knows our thoughts.

He knows our ways. He knows our speech. He knows our deeds. The question is, do we know him?

Have we kept his commandments? But it begins in the heart. It begins with turning our life over to him and obeying Kim,

getting rid of self and serving God. But to do that, you have to die. You can’t live anymore.

If God’s going to live in you, you have to die. You have to die with Christ Galatians,

Chapter three You have to be crucified with Christ. Roman’s Chapter six. You have to die with him and you have to be buried with him.

Romans, Chapter six. But if you’ve done that, you can be raised with him in newness of life.

And that happens in baptism. Roman’s chapter six verses three and four. When were baptized with him we rise again to walk in newness of life.

And not before then and hereby do we know that we know him. If we keep hiss Commandments. If you’re here this morning,

you’re outside the body of Christ. Don’t delay come to a relationship with God Know him as he knows you make your life right with him.

If you have a need, any need, why not come forward now is we stay in and as we sing Yeah,

good morning. It is great to be home, and it is always a joy to be back with you. Sometimes you write sermons and then you go back to them some time later, sometimes years later. And you look at what you wrote. You know, everybody that’s true. But I missed the point. Probably the first year that I was preaching. I wrote a sermon on Psalms 1 39 If only we believe everything I wrote in that sermon was true. Entitled it the Our Missions of God in Psalms 1 39 verses one through six,

The Psalmist writer describes what God knows. He describes God’s knowledge in the best terms that human humanity can can conjure. And truly, God is our mission that is all knowing God knows beyond what we know. He sees beyond what we see, and he knows this from beginning to end. Jesus described his existence when he spoke to those Jews in relationship to Abraham and said before Abraham Rose, I am not I waas not I will be. I am. He has existed and has always existed and will always exist.

There is no point in time where you look it God and you go well before that? No, there is nothing before that. Well after there was nothing after that. And God, not bound by time, understands us in our being bound by time in ways that we simply cannot comprehend. He knows are sitting down and are rising up. He knows what we will do, how we will live. He knows the paths that we can take, the paths that we will take. He knows our thoughts before we think them.

The Psalmist writer says he knows our words before we speak them. And so as I rode that sermon I was thinking about what God knows and the on missions of God and truly there is a point to be made from someone 39 concerning the ah missions of God, and certainly God is Amish int. But in writing a sermon about the ah missions of God, I missed the point of someone 39 and it’s not because it’s not clear. It’s because I was looking for something else. And we do that sometimes with Scripture,

we come to a passage looking for something in the passage. Instead of looking for what’s in the passage, we bring to our interpretation what we want the passage to stay to say, instead of allowing the passage to speak for itself. Sometimes we do so when we don’t do damage to the scripture and we learn things. And yet we don’t fully grasp what’s there. Someone 39 Verse one. Oh Lord, you have searched me and known me. This sewn declares the on the presence of God. God is everywhere.

It declares the our missions of God. God knows everything. It declares the power in the mind of God. Daughter is all powerful. It declares all of those things. The Psalmist writer isn’t writing an academic description of God. Psalmist writer is declaring God, you know me and the Psalmist writer is declaring his relationship to the God who is. We don’t have a relationship to a God who is not. We do not have a relationship to a God who might be. We have a relationship to a God who is and who is there in every aspect of our lives,

who knows are sitting down and are rising up. We don’t go through a day. It suddenly know that he knows us. As we discussed in the Bible class this morning as we discussed this passage. That’s a fearful thing for a wicked person. For an individual bent on doing iniquity. Bent are living his own way, bent on serving himself instead of God. It’s not a wonderful being. A bit of news to say God knows you, he knows you From the end of your day to the beginning He knows what you will do And he knows what you will think And he knows what you will say.

And that is not a calming fought for wicked individual before righteous one for a person of God For one who loves the Lord with always hard with all his mind, with all his strength. Such an idea has great strength and great hope. Lord Jehovah Yeah, way the self existing What the I am that I am. You have searched me and known me. You know, my sitting down in my rising up You understand? My thoughts are far off And that’s where I want to spend our time this morning in a series of westerns were going to consider the idea.

God knows me and we’re gonna begin with our thoughts. The soonest writer says you understand my thoughts. You discern my thoughts. The S V says you come for a him my thoughts of fall. You know what I’m thinking before I think it. You know what I’m wanting Before I want it. Jesus will describe to his disciples as he tells them concerning prayer. As he speaks to them concerning their relationship with the father. He says, Ask and it should be given to you. Seek and ye shall find knock and the door shall be opened unto you.

And he describes a child relationship with the father. He says, What child asks of his father a slice of bread and receives a stone? What child asks for a fish and receives a soap in’t? If you being 03 I know how to do good things to your Children. How much more does the father know what you need before you even ask it? But Jesus Point is God still wants you to ask. He knows you. He knows you more than you know you. But he still wants a relationship with you.

God! Oh, Lord, you searched me out. God runs a relationship with you. He wants a relationship with your thoughts. Samuel. Chapter 16 In first Same attractor 16 God send Samuel his profit to go anoint a new king. He wants a king who will serve him, who will obey him because in first aid, which after 15 so said, I’ve done everything that God commanded me to do everything he told me to do. I’ve obeyed. And Samuel said, What’s the bloom of the sheep that I hear Wise King?

Oh, gag. Standing here you were told to go and to annihilate that people and to destroy everything that I have. You were told to bring about the judgment on them that God had pronounced all the way back in the Book of Exodus and you didn’t do it. And yet you claim to. So in Chapter 16 God send Samuel, you go and find and anoint a new king and saying they will go to the house of Jesse and he will see their David’s older brothers. You will go to the house of Jesse.

Jesse will bring your sons before Samuel and the very 1st 1 looks like a king. That’s what a king looks like. Remember, that was the description of soul. He was hand and shoulders about all the people.

He looked like a king, but his heart wasn’t. Sam Will believes. He’s found the right one in Jessie’s older son,

and God tells Samuel no and the next one? No. Then the next one. No, wait a minute.

Jesse, Do you have any more sons? Well, yes, the youngest one. He’s out tending the flock Send for him.

But in First Sailor, Chapter 16 we find this statement made by God to Samuel as he is helping Samuel to understand why he’s not choosing the way Samuel is in first.

Same a chapter 16 and in verse seven, we read. But the Lord said the Samuel do not look at his appearance or his physical stature because I have refused him.

God says, I’m a who I want. I know neither one is that I’ve chosen, and he’s Ni It He might look like a king,

but he’s not lying for the Lord does not see as man sees for. Man looks at the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart. We’re related to read of David’s brothers who soldiers and they will be with you or me of God they will be standing across the valley from the Philistine Sze and one philistine would come out.

His name was Goliath and he would stand before the armies of the Lord and he would blast team their guard and he would declare to them You send out a man and we will do battle.

And if we win, you serve us. But if you win, will serve you. But Goliath was a giant.

When you look at the outward man, when you look at the statue of Goliath he’s an intimidating man,

David Young man that he waas sent by his father to go check on his brothers to bring supplies to them.

And he hears the words of the philistine and he can’t understand why the army of God isn’t doing anything about it.

He can’t understand why. So the king, the leader of the glory of God, isn’t going out to meet this uncircumcised philistine because in David’s mind,

he knows God is the run who will defeat Goliath and not the soldier. And so, David, a man who thinks the world God does,

goes out to meet him, not with armor, not with m battlements, not with great swords and protection,

but was five stones. God knows me, David writes. You searched me out. You know my Stanley lap in my sitting down.

You know what I think before I think it action after one, as Jesus has ascended back in the heaven and the apostles are preparing to preach the gospel they’ve been told by Jesus.

You remain in Jerusalem until power comes from on high. And while they’re there and they’re gathered together, they appoint one to take the place of Judas.

They appoint warm to serve in the place as an apostle who will take the place of the one who betrayed Christ.

And as they’re seeking to appoint this individual, they do not take it upon themselves to determine who it is they do set forth of criteria.

Peter speaks up and says it has to be one who’s been with us from the beginning. It has to be one who walked with Jesus.

It has to be. One who saw him while he was here has to be well, in whom is a spirit of God.

But it comes down to two individuals in acts. Chapter one, we raid around verse 21 therefore, of these men who have accompanying accompanying us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out of oneness,

beginning from the baptism of John to that day when he was taken up from us. Warm of these must become a rudeness.

Rumors of his resurrection. And they proposed to Joseph called bar service, whose surname who was surname, Justice,

and Mathias. And they prayed and said you were a Lord who knows the hearts overall show which of these you to you.

Which of these two you have chosen? Isn’t it interesting? They examined their deeds, examine their life.

They examine their faithful Mr Christ, they saw on their actions. And they said we can’t choose between the two based on actions.

But God, you love the heart. When you can’t determine the life based upon the actions, God still knows the heart.

And it was the hard they qualified Mathias over Barsa bus. I don’t know anything about bar service. I don’t know that he had a problem in his heart.

But the apostles knew God could choose the right one. And he knew that it was in their hearts in their thoughts in their mind that the difference would be made when the apostles went out.

It will make taut, and when they were persecuted and when they were imprisoned in just a few chapters,

they would come away rejoicing that they were counted wrong. Me to suffer with Christ. How is it that people who are enduring pain and affliction and anguish and persecution can say,

what a joy to have gone through, that it’s not because they think like most of us, it’s because they think differently than most of us.

Most of us go through life and will be struggling where we have difficulties when people do harmful to us.

Hopeful things to us were made mistreated, as we think we need to get them back. For that,

I need to treat them the way they treated me. The apostles prayed to God and thanked him. What is that?

But an expression of the thoughts and heart that was in them. God knows me, he knows my thoughts.

He knows my heart, and he knows yours, too. As we consider that idea, we would understand that.

Jesus says the thoughts determined the person, not the other way around, is that right? I mean,

no, I I controlled my fault. That’s true. But your thoughts determine who you are. Totally.

Matthew, Chapter 15 Jesus will be confronted by the Ferris ease from Jerusalem. They will come and they will question him.

Why don’t your disciples wash their hands hands according to the traditions of the elders? Why no, they cleanse themselves before they eat.

Jesus will confront then concerning their traditions and how their traditions opposed the very word of God and transgress the word of God.

They will call them hypocrites. And then Jesus will separate himself from them having the cord of them. It’s not what goes into the body that the files a man.

But what comes out that the files a man we read in verse 10 of Matthew Chapter 15 will make hope When he called the multitude to himself.

He said to them here and understand, not well goes into the mouth of files, man. But what comes out of the mouth that the files a man,

then his disciples came and said to him, Do you know that the fair seas were offended when they heard this saying Jesus,

do you not understand that when you called them hypocrites when you call them those who were guilty of the same thing,

that the people as they used a word guilty up, that they were offended by that, Jesus replied.

Every plant which my heavenly father is not planning, will be uprooted. Let them alone. They’re blind leaders of the blind.

And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into the ditch. Then Peter answered and said to him,

Explain this parable to us. So Jesus said, Are you still also without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and has eliminated the bottling process of eating food?

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart and these are they defile a man for out of the heart proceed.

Evil thoughts, murders, adulterous fornication steps, false witnesses, blasphemies. These are the things which are rich.

The file a man but to eat with unwashed hands does not. The file A man Jesus says your heart produces who you are and what you do.

You reckon individual who’s committed murder? You wriggle individual. Who’s blushing? You look at an individual is doing evil to his fellow man.

And you know, it’s not just his actions, it is his heart. That is the problem. It is in his mind where that evil resides that causes those actions to come to pass.

Jesus says it is the heart that determines the man, not the other way around. Seven. God knows me,

God knows what I think Before I ever think it, God knows who I am in my heart whether anyone sees it or not,

That might be a scary thing for us. But for the sole Miss writer, it was a very interesting thing because if we turn back to someone 19 he introduces this psalm about God knowing him Where have you searched me?

And I have known me You know, my sitting down in my rising love You understand my thoughts of far off You come for him My half to my lying down You’re acquainted with all my ways for there is not a word on my tongue But behold the Lord You knew it all together But he closes the psalm with search me.

Wait a minute. I thought I thought you already said he did. I thought you said he searched for you in the past.

Search me Oh God, and know my heart Well, we come to a relationship with God. We’re all right with God.

When we love God love one another When we serve him with our whole heart it is non a fearful thing to say.

God examined me. Test me, try me and know me he says. Search me Oh God and know my heart trying move.

And no, my anxieties. This all these writers not saying I never struggle. He’s not saying I have nothing to fear.

He’s not saying I don’t have difficulties. He’s saying, God, when you know me, you can help.

May overcome May and see if there’s any wicked way in me and lead me in the well of everlasting turn The problems.

Chapter three. They did, son. Well, right to David’s grandson. Verse five. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean.

Not on your own understanding in all your ways. Acknowledge him and he will direct your pass. Do not be wise in your own eyes.

Fear the Lord and depart from evil. Salomon learned from his father. That is your thoughts. The direct your path unless you turn your thoughts over the God and let him direct your path.

Let’s examine that idea in three passages as we close second Corinthians Chapter 10 Paul writes to the church in Corinth,

and, as he is writing to them, this deeply emotional book, This is probably one of the most emotional letters that exists in all the New Testament as a personal relationship that Paul had with this church.

It Corrine, he says. Chapter 10 in Verse one. Now I, Paul myself, I’m pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ who in presence and lonely among you but being absent and burned toward you.

What’s he saying? He’s saying, I’m writing to you with boldness so that when I can come to you in person,

I can come to you in humility in meekness because we have unification and unity and oneness and fellowship in Christ.

So I write to you and boldness to correct the problems before I get there. He says first, too.

But I beg you that when I am president, I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some who think of us as if we walked according to the flash.

For though we walk in the flash, we do not war according to the flash, Paul says. Weird.

In this life we walk in this life. We deal with the anguish and the difficulty and the pain and the temptation in the soil of this life.

But we don’t walk according to flesh. Those four for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

Paul says. We don’t walk after the flesh because our weapons in this world fair aren’t material. They’re not fleshly.

They’re not carnal Christians don’t own themselves with swords and staves and guns and bombs because they’re warfare isn’t in the flesh,

he says, verse tanto verse five, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,

bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, he says. Our weapons aren’t call all raw fairs and Cole warfare is fighting.

Excuse me, A battle of nudge or warfare is fighting a battle of the one who doesn’t know God,

bringing his thoughts captive to Christ lesions. Chapter six describes the word of God as the sword of the spirit.

Hebrews speaks concerning the word of God being that which that can cut away the sin from our lives. Paul says our warfare,

our battle is against spirituals, things with a spiritual sword, which is the word of God. So if we’re going to bring our thoughts captive to Christ,

if we’re going to allow God to be able to search our hearts, it is because we have a heart.

That fire is God. Turn the Philippians Chapter four Philippians chapter forward. We often read Verse eight about the things that we can can and should think on.

But we just read Verse eight. We missed the force of verse eight. Go back to verse five.

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. The words the Lord is at hand is to say God is very near and everything that follows that phrase is because God is very near.

And what is it that the soulless in someone 39 was trying to convey? Wherever I go God, you are there.

Whatever. I think you know me. Whatever I say, you know it already. the Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving that you request be made known to God,

he says, Because God is there. Be gentle because God is their prey. Ask for what you need and the peace of God.

Verse seven, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus when your gentleness is known,

and when you understand that God is there and when you pray instead of worrying, then God’s peace can be with you and can guard your heart.

Then he says, Verse eight. Finally, brother and whatever things are true. Whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely. Whatever things were, good report.

If there’s any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. Think about these things,

make your heart your thoughts, your mind about these things. But he doesn’t stop there. The things which you have learned and received and heard and saw in me when he tells them thing on things that are lovely,

think of things that are praiseworthy thing on things that are true. Think on things that are of good report,

think on these things that are our virtue. Then, he says, and you saw be dim. It’s things that you have seen in me.

These do and the god of peace will be with you. So we put second. Really, is she?

After 10 verses, ones refined together with Philippians, Chapter four versus 5 to 9, we find that God has a weapon that is in our hands to control our thoughts.

And it’s his word. And we think on his word and his deeds and his actions and the things that he has done through even the examples of those who are righteous before us.

And then we do those things and his peace protects us, but then turned the first John Chapter two,

first John, Chapter two. Beginning in those 12 John writes as the elder, the elder in the church,

the old man, Maybe at this time the only apostle still alive. We don’t know. And he says,

I write to you verse 12 of Chapter two little Children, because your sins are forgiven you for his namesake.

I write to you little Children because your sins are forgiven. He’s not writing the little toddlers, spiritual Children.

I write to you because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I like to your father’s because you have known him who is from the beginning.

I write to you young men because you have overcome wicked one. I write to you little Children because you have known the father I have written to your father’s because you have known him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, Young Lynn, because you are strong in the world of God abides in you and you have overcome the wicked one.

He reassures them over and over and over again. I’m writing to you because you know God because of your relationship with him.

And then he says, Do not love the world because you’re forgiven because you’ve overcome because the word of God abides in you because you are who you are.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world of love, of the father is not in him,

for all of it is in the world. The rest of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father but is off the world and the world is passing away and the lust of it.

But hey, who does the will of God abides forever. Jesus said, not everyone that says to me,

Lord Lord, she’ll enter the kingdom of Heaven. But he who does the will of my father, who is in heaven.

But it begins with the thoughts we have the ability to overcome. We have the ability to control our thoughts.

We have the ability to set our minds on right things and from those things produce a right life where we can say to God,

search me and try me. But we can also know this, that if we are faithful to him and obedient to him and abide in his word and do what he says and think on what he says to think on,

that we can know him because here it is. Full circle Psalms 1 39 says God, you searched for me and you know me God search me and know me.

And in First John, Chapter two and in verse three. John writes Now by this we know that we know him.

John, How is it that we know that we know him? Is it because we have a feeling in our heart note?

Is it because we have an emotional attachment? Oh, God, no. Is it because we just got this assurance and clarity of mind that we’ve done everything that he said?

No, John, how do we know that we never heal now by verse? We know that we know him if we keep Hiss Commandments.

He who says I know him and does not keep his commandments is a liar. And the truth is not in him but whoever keeps his word true.

The love of God is perfected in him by this. We know that we are in him. So as we examine our thoughts and our relationship with God,

do we remember that God knows us whether we’re righteous or not? God knows us here knows our thoughts.

He knows our ways. He knows our speech. He knows our deeds. The question is, do we know him?

Have we kept his commandments? But it begins in the heart. It begins with turning our life over to him and obeying Kim,

getting rid of self and serving God, but to do that. You have to die. You can’t live anymore.

If God’s going to live in you, you have to die. You have to die with Christ. Galatians,

Chapter three You have to be crucified with Christ. Roman’s Chapter six. You have to die with him and you have to be buried with him.

Romans, Chapter six. But if you’ve done that, you can be raised with him in newness of life.

And that happens in baptism. Roman’s chapter six verses three and four. When were baptized with him we rise again to walk in newness of life.

And not before then and hereby do we know that we know him. If we keep hiss Commandments. If you’re here this morning,

you’re outside the body of Christ. Don’t delay come to a relationship with God. Know him as he knows you make your life right with him.

If you have a need, any need, why not come forward now is we stay in and as we sing yeah,

First Timothy chapter one verse 17 in spite of the technical difficulty we may be having at the moment, Paul writes to Timothy and as he is writing to Timothy, he says this beginning in verse 12 and I think Christ Jesus, our Lord who has enabled me because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. Let’s, let’s begin by noticing that Paul’s discussion is writing to this young preacher,

writing to this young man to tell him of the blessing that he’s received and the ministry that he’s received and that they, he’s received that by the grace of God because God allowed him to be there. He didn’t merit it. He didn’t earn it. It wasn’t by birth and it wasn’t by lineage. It wasn’t by tribe and it wasn’t by the the majesty or the glory or the the education that he had.

It was because God chose him and because God permitted him to be placed in this position to have this ministry. He says, although verse 13 I was formally a blasphemer, a persecutor and insolent man, but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. Paul says, there was a time when I was persecuting the church. There was a time when I was opposing God,

but I was ignorant about what I was doing. I did it in unbelief. Now, there’s an interesting point there. There. Here is an example of an individual who’s opposing God and is ignorant concerning God. Now, it’s an interesting point because Paul will later state and we’ll discuss even throughout this lesson that the reality was he was without excuse in his ignorance,

and yet he was ignorant and Paul will often tell individuals because of what God has revealed, that they will be held accountable and that they are without excuse. And yet he obtained this grace. The grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am.

Chief Paul is an individual that we often look to as a great preacher, as a great apostle. It’s a great writer of the new Testament, and yet he says of himself, I am the chief of sinners. I am the lowest of the low because of his past. However, for this reason, I obtained mercy that in me first, Jesus Christ,

Mike shell, all long suffering as a pattern to those who are going to believe on him for everlasting life. Paul says, if you want to find an example of God’s long suffering, if you want to show someone an example of God’s long suffering and giving mercy and grace to someone who didn’t deserve it, who he could have just as easily have killed instead of granting him grace and mercy,

use me. That’s why God did what he did. He granted he showed his long suffering that through his actions toward me, that I might be a pattern for those who were seeking after everlasting life. If anyone comes to God and says, you know what, I’ve just done too many wrong things. I’ve just been to insulin. I’ve just been too abusive.

I’ve just been too much of a persecutor. I’ve done too much. God says, look at Paul. I forgave him, but look at his faithfulness. Look at what he suffered. Look at what he endured for my sake. Yeah, And remember that was the cost. He says then verse 17 now too King. We discussed that this morning, our lesson this morning was on Christ the King and this context,

this passage is speaking of Christ now to the King, eternal immortal, invisible. Three words here used to describe Christ, three words backed up by other places in scripture that define and describe Christ as King. Now in the context of eternal, there are going to be far more passages than we have time to go through, and even the number of ones that I put up on the screen,

we won’t get to all of them and notice all of them. Otherwise we won’t have time for the final two words. But hopefully if you have a pen and a piece of paper, you can jot down a few of these as we go through them, especially those that we don’t get to and spend some time in your own study noticing all of the ladies that God describes the E turn ality of Christ in his being and in his kingship.

But as we get into this, the first thing we want to do is notice what this word eternal is. The word for eternal is the word from which we get our word eon. It is the word that means age. It is sometimes translated to mean world. It sometimes translated to mean age and yet it also carries with it this idea of forever and ever or forever more.

So the context is always going to to wrap this words idea and give it its definition. That’s why it’s important. Whenever you’re reading through scripture and you know a little bit about a word in the original language, it’s always important to interpret it by the context it’s in. Let’s begin in Luke chapter one as we notice this idea of eternal in relationship to Christ and Christ as King.

Let’s begin in Luke chapter one in verse 30 then the angel said to her, to Mary, do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God and behold you will conceive in your room and bring forth a son and shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the highest and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

and he will reign over the house of Jacob. And here’s that word Ian. For forever and of his kingdom there will be no, and the angel tells Mary the one who you are going to give birth to, the one who you will give birth to through the Holy spirit. The one who will be conceived in you by the Holy spirit is Jesus.

That will be his name, but he is the one who will be given the throne of David. He will be a King and he will be any Turnell King. But then notice another passage, Matthew chapter six verse 13 as this passage is referencing Christ in prayer to the father, yet it gives an interesting statement here Jesus is teaching his disciples to pray and he says in verse nine in this manner,

therefore pray our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and they’re,

the reason why that passage is so significant is yes, this is the son speaking to the father. Yes, this is Christ speaking of God the father, and yet it is the glory of the father that will be bestowed upon the son. So there’s a connection here, but then notice his presence. Jesus will tell his in Matthew chapter 28 and in verse 20 as he is preparing to leave this earth,

as he is preparing to ascend back to the father, that he has received all authority. He commands them to go out into teach all nations, to teach them, to baptize them, to teach them, But then he says this, and lo, I am with you always. Even to the end of the eon is the Greek word there. Age Christ is saying,

my presence isn’t going to depart from you. My presence isn’t going away because I am eternal. Then consider also that his blessings, his rewards are eternal. Peter real question. Christ concerning the rewards that will come to those who have given up things in this life who’ve given up homes and wives and families and, and, and, and possessions. And Christ says that they will receive more In this life and in the life to come.

Then they have given up here and now Christ speaks concerning the blessings and the rewards that he has to offer those who are faithful to him not being just in this life but being eternal. What is a King who offers a real Lord that he can’t give? Certainly not the kind of King you want to serve. And yet Christ offers a row ward that is eternal.

Why? Because he is eternal. But then consider as well you have the prophesied nature of Christ. If you turn over to John chapter one John chapter one beginning in verse 67, we have an interesting um, prophecy here. Not from necessarily someone you would expect if, unless you’re familiar with the passage, John chapter one, I’ve got the wrong versus hole.

That’s because it’s supposed to be. Luke chapter one I believe. I think I wrote the wrong book. Yes. Luke chapter one. Sorry for the typo. Luke chapter one beginning in verse 67 you have Zechariah and Zechariah is here speaking. He’s filled with the Holy spirit, verse 67 and he is speaking concerning the things that are to come because John,

his son, who we know is John the Baptist has just been born and he has just been named and Zechariah has just received the ability to speak again, but notice this prophecy now. His father’s Zacharias was filled with the Holy spirit and prophesied saying bless it as the Lord of Israel for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.

Okay, there’s a Sal. There is salvation coming? There’s a prophesied salvation coming. There’s a redemption coming and it’s coming from the house of David, just as the old Testament said it would as he spoke by the mouth of his Holy prophets who have been since the world began. Yeah. From the beginning of time, since the beginning of the age.

Since the beginning of the world here, Zechariah says, this has been spoken. This isn’t something that happened the way people do with modern day prophecies and three days before it happens. All this is going to happen in three days or a year before this happens. This is no from the foundation of the world. This has been told. You can go to Genesis chapter three and you can read God’s judgment against the serpent and you can see Christ,

the seed of woman as part of that judgment from the foundation of the world. This has been declared, but verse 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us to perform the Mercy’s promise to our fathers and to remember his Holy covenant, the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us, that we being delivered from the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him.

All the days of our lives. And you child will be called the prophet of the highest and you would go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways to give knowledge of salvation to his people and by the remission or by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Zechariah says of John, who has just been born, who has just been named you will be the prophet of the Lord. You will be the profit of the highest, the one who prepares the way of the Lord, who gives knowledge of salvation to his people. The eternal nature of the kingship of Christ is prophesied here. No, this is Zechariah says,

we will serve him our whole life, Right? If we are going to serve the King our whole life, it must be the case that the King’s reign going to extend beyond our life. We see the eternal nature of the King. Well then consider also this kingdom reaches to the Gentiles and the eternal nature also reaches to the Gentiles. Ephesians chapter three beginning in verse four we read this by which when you read,

you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed by the spirit to his Holy apostles and prophets, that the Gentiles should be fellow layers and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ through the gospel. So notice the context. Notice what Paul says.

The Gentiles are fellow heirs. They are per takers in the rewards and in the promise of the gospel of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God, given to me by the effective working of his power to me who am less than the least of all the saints. This grace was given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and the make all see which is the fellowship of the mystery,

which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ. Notice there was a mystery that was hidden unrevealed. It was yet to be declared. It was yet to be revealed and yet it was spoken of. It was told that the Gentiles would have a part in it, and yet there wasn’t a full revelation of what it was that would come to pass according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus,

our Lord in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in him. What is it that is part of the eternal nature of the kingship of Christ? What is it that is part of the eternal nature of Christ? Bringing his promises about in this life that will promise from the world, from the time of world began? It is the presence and boldness of the Gentiles to approach God.

And I suggest to you this afternoon that that’s very good news for all of us sitting here because I don’t think there are any Jews present. Okay? This is good news for all of us. It means we have part in the promises of God and Christ as King, but then you also see Christ in the old Testament. The eternal nature of Christ is that you don’t just see Christ in the new Testament.

You don’t just see Christ after he’s born, but you see Christ in the old Testament, first King, or excuse me, first Chronicles, chapter 10 Paul throughout this chapter will bring forward Christ in the old Testament, but notice a few of the examples. Yeah. Verses one Through four we read more over brethren. I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud,

all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. All ate the same spiritual food and all drink the same spiritual drink for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them. And that rock was Christ. Here he references the giving of water from the rock. He references the manna from heaven. He references the salvation coming through the red sea and he says this Was Christ.

Then verses five through verse nine we read, but with most of them, God was not well pleased for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted and do not become idolaters as they, as some of them were. As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink and Rose up to play,

nor let us commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in one day, 23,000 fell and notice this next phrase, no, or let us tell Crying As some of them also Tempted. Wait a minute. You’re telling me that in the old Testament when those Israelites went out and went forth and went into idolatry, that first-generation that proceeded out of the land of Egypt and into the land of Canaan,

but didn’t enter in and turned back and departed from the way have gone and followed after idols and followed after sexual morality and followed after their loss. You’re telling me they tempted Christ. That’s exactly what that passage just said.<inaudible> And were destroyed by serpents. Oh, you remember the time and book of numbers where the serpents were sent among them and it wasn’t until they came out and looked upon the brazen serpent that they would be healed And that one that was lifted up.

Yeah, In the midst of the camp that they had to look upon. That one that was lifted up, looked toward Christ. That’s exactly what Paul says, But then consider as well, you have Christ reign, Christ reign as King being without end. Ephesians chapter one. Yeah, Fijian chapter one beginning in verse 21 Paul as he is speaking here concerning the church and concerning Christ,

verse 20 which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this age but also in that which is to come and he’s put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church,

which is his body, the fullness of him that fill us all in all here, Christ is described as one ruling, not only in this age, but in the age to come. His reign is eternal. Chapter two verses six through seven has raised us up together and made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come,

he might show the exceeding riches of his grace and in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Not only is his reign eternal, the benefits of his citizenship are eternal. But then consider revelation chapter 11 revelation chapter 11 and in verse 15 we have this statement, verse 15, Dean of revelation chapter 11. Then the 77 angel sounded, and there were loud voices in heaven saying the kingdom of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign.

Oh, it doesn’t just say he shall reign, does it? It says, and he shall reign for forever and never Christ the King. Eternal. Chapter 22 and in verse one, as the picture of the new heaven and the new earth are presenting chapter 22 in verse one and he showed me a river of uh, excuse me, a pure river of water of life,

clear as crystal, proceeding from where? From the throne of God and of the lamb. Verse five there shall be no night. There may need no lamp nor light of the sun for the Lord. God gives them light and they shall reign or ever and ever. Paul says to the King eternal. It is because he understands the nature of not only the King but of his reign.

You might also consider as well that he is the one who brings forth the Gentiles into this kingdom. We might also notice that he’s the one who made the worlds. He is the creator from the very beginning. John chapter one verses one and two all things were made through him and without him was not anything made that was made. Yeah, Hebrews chapter one makes it clear that the one through whom God now speaks is the one through whom he made the worlds in.

All things are upheld by the word of his power. All of these passages make it clear that Christ is not only eternal in his reign but has been here from me. Turnitin. Okay. Jesus said it this way before Abraham was, I am Well then consider as well that his throne is eternal. Over and Hebrews chapter one Hebrews chapter one and in verse eight you have a prophecy from the old Testament,

from the book of Psalms and Psalms chapter 45 here applied to Christ correctly applied to Christ in the new Testament with clarity concerning what it is that the Psalmus writer meant. In Hebrews chapter one in verse eight we read, but to the son, he says, your throne, O God is forever and ever a Sceptre of righteousness is the Sceptre of your kingdom.

There’s an interesting statement there because the ones speaking is the Lord. The Lord is speaking and saying to the Lord, your throne, Oh God is forever. Jehovah is speaking to someone else. He’s speaking To the second person in the Godhead and he’s describing his throne as eternal, but then consider as well and Hebrews chapter five that his priesthood is eternal. I understand we’re focusing on his kingship,

but in interesting value proposition here. His priesthood is eternal and his kingship is eternal and he is a King and a priest after the order of is a deck. Hebrews chapter five and in verse six we read and he says, he also says in another place, you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. That comes from Psalms 110 again,

he reiterated that and Hebrews chapter seven verse 17 we read this, he testifies you are a priest forever according to the<inaudible>, as if we hadn’t quite gotten the point yet. Verse 21 for they have become priests without an old, but he is with an old by him who said to him, the Lord is warning will not relent. You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Why in the world is the Hebrew writer hammering this so many times Because there was never a priest in Israel Who was the King Because there was never a King in Israel who was a priest and every priest in Israel died And yet the King, the priest, Christ would be King forever. Not like the lineage of Aaron, but very much different from that,

but consider also the runner. He is our four runner into eternity. Hebrews chapter six beginning in verse 19 we read this hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, which enters the presence behind the veil. A few things that are important as we get to the next verse, the veil is death. There’s a hope that we have that enters beyond death that has gone ahead of us,

that anchor that we can cast through this life into eternity and have assurance of what is to come. And verse 20 we read where the four runner has entered for us. Even Jesus having become high priest forever according to the order of milk as a Dak Hebrew writer says, Christ is our anchor. He’s gone before us, and that hope that we have in Christ is a hope that is assured that enters beyond death and gives us confidence of what is to come.

But then consider also that Hebrew writer says that the, that Christ is the same. Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He’s unchanging. He’s not going to depart. He’s not going to leave us behind. He’s not going to neglect us. He is not going to forsake us. He is the lamb, the lamb that was slain and is alive again.

Revelation chapter five verse 13 he is the lamb that was slain and yet revelation chapter one verses 13 through 18 says this, revelation chapter one verse 13 says, and in the midst of the seven lampstands one like the son of man clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band, his head and his hair were white like wool,

as white as snow. And his eyes like the flame of fire. His feet were like fine. Brass is refined by a furnace and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand, seven stars out of his mouth when a sharp twoedged sword and his countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw him,

I fell at his feet as dead, but he laid his right hand on me saying to me, do not be afraid. I am the first and the last I am he who lives and was dead and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen. And I have the keys of Haiti’s and death. Write the things which you have seen in the things which are and the things which will take place after this.

Yeah. Christ appears to John and John sees his appearance and John falls down as dead and Christ lifts him up and says, do not be afraid on the first and the last. I’m the one who lives and who died and who is alive forevermore. Christ the King. Is he turtle? Well, then we come to this word immortal. You might think if you were looking at this from an English perspective,

that he terminal in immortal. That’s kind of the same thing. That’s not now when you go back to the original meaning of this word, because the original meaning of this world word doesn’t mean never dies. The original meaning of this word in the in the Greek language was incorruptible without quite literally not corrupted. The idea of this word is not only is God not going to die,

not only is Christ not going to die, not only is his, he is King not going to die, he is without corruption in his life. First Kings chapter, excuse me, I do that again. First Corinthians, first Corinthians chapter three and in verse 17 if anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is Holy,

which temple you are, the word defiled. There is the positive form of the word not corrupted. In first Timothy chapter one so first it’d be chapter one verse 17 you have in the Greek language, if you put an a in front of something, an alpha in front of something, it turns it into a negative. It means not this. So in this passage,

the word defiled is the word for corruption. First Timothy, chapter one verse 17 is not corrupted, not corruptible. Chapter 15 verse 33 of Corinthians. Paul uses this phrase inside this context of the resurrection and he, it’s very interesting that it’s here. We’re going to see some of the interesting aspects of this in just a moment, but inside a discussion of the resurrection,

he says this to these church, these brethren at Corinth, he says, verse 33 do not be conceived. Evil companions, corrupt good habits. Paul’s says that your way of life can be corrupted and it’s interesting. He uses this word that he’s going to use the negative form of and just a few verses. He says, your life can be corrupted by evil influences,

and by the way, the context is evil influences in the church. He’s talking about brethren teaching false doctrines. He’s talking about those brethren that are denying the resurrection. He’s not talking about evil influences in the world. He’s not talking about don’t spend your time with those who are committing fornication and adultery and unseemly things. He’s telling these brethren, you stay away from Christians who are teaching what is faults because they’re evil communication way of life will corrupt yours,

but then notice as well going to the use of the word incorruption. This same word that we have translated in first Timothy chapter one verse 17 as immortal. Romans chapter one verse 23 says, professing to be wise, verse 22 they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible men and birds and four footed animals and creeping things.

He’s talking about the idolatry of the Gentiles. He’s talking about the history of these pagan people who have taken the image of God. They’ve taken the idea of God, the glory of God, the declaration of God, and they’ve made him like a corruptible creature. They fashioned it with corruptible things. They fashioned images as corruptible individuals or creatures or animals and such like to represent God.

Paul says, you can’t take the image of God who is incorruptible and create an image that looks like him made out of that which is corruptible, but then notice also the crown of the King is referenced as that which is incorruptible. In first Corinthians chapter nine verse 25 we read this. You do not run, excuse me. You did not know. Verse 24 those who run in a race all run,

but one receives the prize run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown. Quite often during the days of the races that Paul is referencing, the crown would be made of of limbs and and, and uh, and leaves and that type of thing.

It was a full crown. It would die in just a matter of days. And yet he says, but we, for an imperishable crown, Again, we’re reminded that the reward of Christ, much like the existence of Christ is eternal. It is in corruptible, but then consider also Peter says, using this same imagery, this same word, he uses it to reference our inheritance.

In first Peter chapter one and in verse four he says to an inheritance, he’s speaking about the resurrection, Christ from the dead to an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled. And that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. We place our whole bar trust, our expectation of our inheritance in a Christ who is eternal. And his reward will not disappear,

Right? It will not be moth eaten, it will not be stolen. It is in corruptible. But then again, we are also reminded that the seed with which we are born into eternal life is also incorruptible first. First Peter chapter one verse 22 sends you a purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit in sincere love of the brethren love one another fervently with a pure heart,

having been born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible through the word of God which lives and abides forever. Now I mentioned this morning as we read row revelation chapter 19 and we read concerning the one who had a name that no one knew and we read concerning the one who was on the white horse and we read his name is The word Of God And then we’re reminded of John chapter one where we read that in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.

And we come here to first Peter chapter one verses 22 and 23 and we read that we have been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible through the word of God which lives and by AIDS forever. God says, my word will never pass away. My word will never be corrupted, and it is that seed which gives life, but then go back with me if you will,

to that context. In first Corinthians chapter 15 first Corinthians chapter 15 We find the remainder of this discussion. I mentioned verse 33 he’s talking about a corrupting influence. He’s talking about a corruption that will change their way of life from those who are within the body of Christ teaching that which is false. He says, verse 42 so also is the resurrection of the dead.

The body is sown in corruption, but it is raised in incorruption. He says, now as he’s talking about the resurrection, not only theirs is there going to be one, but the body that is resurrected is immortal. It is without corruption. Then notice verse 50 now I say now this, I say, brethren, that the flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

Nor does corruption inherit incorruption. The reason the body is changed, the reason why any eternity we won’t be as we are now is because this body is corruptible. This body can be defiled, this body can perish, can decay, but that body will not, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption versus 53 and 54 for this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.

So when this corruptible is put on incorruption and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass. The saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. So we have the King whose eternal, we have the King who will change us from being corruptible, decaying, departing, dying to incorruptible. But then we also have invisible.

This is simply a word that means not visible, not seen, not observable. And yet it’s interesting that Paul uses the word invisible to reference Christ Price was the one who said to his disciples in John chapter 14 if you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the father and yet it is through the manifestation of Christ that we see the father, that we understand the father,

and yet at the present time when Paul is writing this, Christ can’t be seen. Christ has ascended into heaven and is no longer visible. That is with the natural eyes, but turn to Romans chapter one Romans chapter one verses 18 through 20 we have in this context about paganism, about those who departed from the truth and their of God. This these words for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness because what may be known of God is manifest in them for God has shown it to them.

Notice there’s something that can be known. There’s something that even in the old Testament could be known about God and was manifest was made known to them. Verse 20 for since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes are clearly seen. Now, wait a minute. How can his invisible attributes be clearly seen? How is it that God who cannot be seen has the ability to clearly be seen?

Paul, what do you mean? Notice what he says. 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 me. Paul says, you can know that God exists. You can see he who is invisible by the deeds that he’s done by the works that he has manifested by the creation that he has given us,

but then consider as well that Christ revealed the father turned to collage in chapter one we already mentioned John chapter 14 verse nine but Colossians chapter one We read beginning in verse 12 giving thanks to the father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the son of his love.

Notice, here’s the King. Here’s the kingdom in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether Thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him.

And he is before all things and in him all things consist. We see Christ And yet we don’t. He is visible by his deeds. He is visible by his power. He is visible by his nature. He is visible by his salvation. He is visible by his redemption. He is visible by our forgiveness, Okay. And yet he is invisible.

Peter writes to those in the first century and speaks to Them about the one who though they’ve never seen him yet, they love him. Jesus Christ, the King, eternal, immortal, invisible. And yet Moses were told, and Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 27 for suc, the house of Pharaoh for suck the sin that was around him to be numbered among the people of God As seeing him who was invisible.

Moses was one who saw God. He saw God as a choice to serve God or to serve the flesh, to serve God or to serve sin, to be obedient to God and suffer or to live in pleasure and yet not know God. The King eternal, immortal, invisible is the one to whom we owe honor, glory, praise, worship, salvation,

redemption. And who has promised us and inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fades not away. So the question for us is, what will we do with the King? What will we do with his eternal nature? We can’t run away from him. We can outlive him. We can’t die and hope that we’ll just go out of existence. We have a judgment to face and he is King and he is judge,

and yet he has promised us a home. Do you have the assurance of that home today? Do you have the assurance of hope? The assurance steadfast then enters within the veil that when this life is over, that home awaits. There’s a King reigning and he’s waiting for you to come home. If you have need of the invitation, the invitation is open.

Why not come now as we stand and as we sing.

Take your Bibles if you will, and open them. The first Timothy chapter one. We will spend a little bit of our time in this passage this morning and then we will continue into a number of other passages throughout our study this morning and tonight we are going to be discussing this topic. The King eternal immortal, invisible. Paul writes to Timothy and as he addresses Timothy,

most likely Timothy at this time is in Ephesus and he is, they’re separated from Paul. Paul is writing to him as a young preacher. He is encouraging him. He is exhorting him, he is continuing to instruct him and he reminds Timothy of his own past. He reminds Timothy of what he used to be Saul of Tarsus, the one who was going about seeking to destroy the church,

seeking to demolish this sect of the Jews as he saw them. This group of people who had departed from Moses had the parted from the law, had departed from the tradition of the elders in his mind who had departed from the Lord and was doing what he thought was right Then as he was headed to Damascus, as he was journeying down the road to Damascus with papers,

with the authority to put Christians in prison, in jail, and even bring them to death. A light shines down from heaven And he is confronted by someone who he knows is the Lord, But knows nothing beyond that<inaudible> And he is confronted concerning the things that he is doing and it is stated, it is hard to kick against the pricks. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried that,

but in a culture that predominantly wore sandals, can you imagine the idea in sandals of kicking thorn bushes and how painful and frustrating that would be? And that’s what Jesus says Saul of Tarsus is doing when he’s trying to defeat him. He questions the Lord. Well, who art thou Lord Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecute us. In Matthew chapter 28 Jesus reveals to his apostles as he is preparing to back into heaven that all authority has been given unto him in heaven and on earth.

Yeah, We live in a society that doesn’t quite appreciate that statement. There is an ongoing dispute in our, in our culture and in our government right now about the possibility of impeaching a president not going to get into the politics of it. I just want you to note one significant fact. It’s possible within our culture to impeach a president. It’s possible under our laws to take the person who’s in the highest office and remove them And generally speaking,

that’s not true of a King. The nature of the King in a standard monarchy in the view of of old Testament and new Testament monarchies, the nature of the King is the King is the highest official in view of God. The King is the giver of laws. Matter of fact, one of the things that we find Moses described as in Christ described as is a law giver.<inaudible> The King.

The King was the highest authority. And so as we begin this morning, noticing this idea, the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, we want to begin with this idea of the King. We’re getting to eternal, immortal, invisible this afternoon. But as we were, as I was studying for this lesson, as I was focusing on these three words that describe the King,

it dawned on me, Aaron, you’ve kind of just jumped past one of the most fundamental aspects, and that is who’s the King and why? Yeah, So that’s what we’re going to spend our time on this morning, the King who he is and why. As we notice this first part, we notice what Paul says here in verse 17 now to the King.

This is a declaration. This is a, a blessing. This. This is a recognition of glory to the King, eternal, immortal, invisible to God alone who is wise beyond her and glory forever and ever. Amen. Now in these passages in a number of the passages that reference God and the King. It’s interesting to look at it because it seems as though won’t maybe God the father’s the one being talked about the goal in the first Timothy Chapter one and let’s read a little further back as we did in our,

in our, uh, scripture reading verse 12. And I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord who has enabled me because he counted me faithful, putting me in the mint, into the ministry. Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor and an insolent man, but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in on belief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love,

which are in Christ Jesus twice already. He’s referenced Christ Jesus twice already. He’s referenced our Lord, verse 15. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief three times now, Christ Jesus. It’s important to realize that the name Christ is not a name. It is a position.

It is a designation of a position. It is the Messiah, the word from the old Testament. Jesus Emmanuelle is his name. Christ is his authority, but then notice he says, however, for this reason I obtained mercy that in me, Jesus Christ might show all long suffering as a pattern to those who are going to believe on him for everlasting life.

They’re going to believe on who on Christ the antecedent, the nearest antecedent of the next verse is Christ. Now to the King Who’s the King. That’s where we’re going to begin this morning. Notice first and foremost, Matthew chapter two as we trace back this idea of the kingship of Christ, the kingship of Christ. Notice Matthew chapter two beginning in verse one now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,

in the days of Herod the King, but hold wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, where is he? Who has been born King of the Jews? Now, it’s an interesting thing because when a child was born to a King, they weren’t King. They, they were the child of the King. They might’ve been in line to inherit the throne,

but they weren’t King. And yet here come these wise men from the East and they’re searching for the one who noticed the phrase was born King of the Jews. He’s born. He’s King. From that moment is what their understanding is not the King to be the King who is, but none of notice what we read, who’s been born King of the Jews,

for we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him. They’re not coming to find this King so that they might be able to live under his rule to be able to live as a, as a member of the Jewish society. They are coming because they know this King is not just an earthly King. But then notice further, when Herod the King heard this,

he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes, uh, ascribed to the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ Was to be born. These men come from the East and they’re looking for the King of the Jews. And immediately he doesn’t go. What does the old Testament say about a King coming?

He goes, what does the old Desmond say about the Christ coming? The one who is the Messiah, the one who is of the lineage of David, the King who was coming one in the same thing and even Herod knows it, but then notice we read, they said to him in Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet,

but you, Bethlehem in the land of Judah are not believe are not the least among the rulers of Judah. For out of you shall come, a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod when he had sir secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared and he sent them to Bethlehem and said, go and search carefully for the young child and when you have found him bring back word to me that I may come and worship him.

Also when they heard the King, they departed and behold the star which they had seen in the East went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding joy and when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother and fell down and worshiped him and when they opened their treasures,

they presented gifts to him. Gold, frankincense and myrrh. Then being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod. They departed for their own country. Another way. Notice a number of important details in view of a coming holiday. A couple of details that are significant. Number one, no manger. Number two, no reference to how many wise men.

Number three, The child isn’t a baby anymore, he’s a child and there’s a significant difference in that Apparently the time of the birth and the time of their travel and all of these factors come in. They’re not arriving the day of his birth like the shepherds did. They’re not arriving in the night that he was born. They’re arriving when he is now a child.

The idea there is a toddler, A young child, not a baby, So they come to where Jesus is. They come to, by the way, the house, again, not a manger where Jesus is and they immediately upon seeing him fall down and worship him. If they were worshiping a man, they would have been sinning If they were worshiping an angel And we’ll get to this before we’re done.

They would have been sending but they weren’t. They were worshiping God. They were worshiping the Christ, they were worshiping the King. The wise men know who the King is, they know of his kingship, but then notice the prophets spoke of it. This is most obviously right, Why the wise men know concerning this, but let’s go to Matthew chapter 21 Matthew chapter 21 Beginning in verse one going down through verse five Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethpage at the Mount of olives,

then Jesus sent two disciples saying to them, go into the village opposite you and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a cold with her. Lose them and bring them to me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say the Lord has need of them and immediately he will send them all this was done, that it might be fulfilled,

which was spoken by the prophet saying, tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King is coming to you. Lonely and sitting on a donkey, a Colt the foal of a donkey. So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded. Now turn to Isaiah chapter 62 Here we have a quotation from the old Testament. Isaiah chapter 62 is one of the passages from wins.

It comes Isaiah chapter 62 verse 10 go through, go through the Gates, prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway, take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples. Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world, say to the daughter of Zion, Shirley, your salvation is coming, but hold his reward is with him and his work before him.

Here’s the declaration, the cry out to Zion, that G that Matthew references. But then notice Zechariah chapter Denying as Zechariah is writing, he writes to the people. Well, he writes in this prophecy, and by the way, Zechariah is one of those books that when you get to the latter parts of the book of Zechariah, you better be strapped in.

You better be prepared for some interpretation and some, some difficulty and understanding everything that’s stated. But some of the passages we have very clear explanations. We have very clear connections and this is one of them. Zechariah chapter nine beginning in verse nine we read rejoice greatly. O daughter of Zion. Shout O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your King is coming to you.

He is just and having salvation lowly and riding on a donkey, a Colt the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot for me, for him and the horse from Jerusalem. The battle though shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations. His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.

Notice here comes the King. He doesn’t come with a sword. He doesn’t come on a horse. He doesn’t come in battle. He doesn’t come raining and victorious defeating all of the enemies of the earth. He comes Speaking peace, speaking peace to those who are around them. He comes to bring peace. So then John chapter 12 John chapter 12 beginning in verse 14 John’s reference to this event.

Here we read. Then Jesus, when he had found a young donkey sat on it as it is written, fear not daughter of Zion. Behold your King is coming sitting on a donkey. His disciples did not understand these things at first, But when Jesus was glorified, that means when he was resurrected and ascended back to heaven when he was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him and that he had done or that they had done these things to him.

Notice the prophets spoke concerning Christ as King. The wise men knew the King had come. The prophets spoke Concerning the King. Jesus was aware of this. We’ll get into that more in a minute, but even afterwards, only afterwards do the apostles come to realize the connection with all of these details, but then notice his father gave it to him. Matthew chapter 25 Matthew chapter 25 beginning in verse 34 Jesus is in the midst of giving a number of parables speaking concerning the kingdom and in Matthew chapter 25 verse 34 as he speaks concerning judgment,

he says this, then the King will say to those on his right hand. Now let’s back up to verse 31 let’s get a little bit of context. When the son of man comes in his glory and all the Holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats and he will set the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.

Then the King will say to those on his right hand, come you blessed of my father. Notice this phrase, come you bless them, my father. Here’s the King. The King is reigning on his throne. The King is judging as a King and yet he says, calm. You blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world Who prepared the kingdom,

who made the kingdom and prepared the kingdom for the King to reign? Yeah, The father did. The father is the one who gave it. Verse 40 and the King will answer and say to them, assuredly, I say to you in as much as you did it to one of the least of these, my brother, and you did it too Me Multiple times here in this passage,

Christ is The King And he’s reigning over a kingdom given to him by his father, but then as well, in spite of many skeptics who claim that Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah and Jesus never claimed to be the son of God, Jesus never claimed to be this and claimed to be that apparently their struggle with reading is great. John chapter 18 beginning in verse 37 pilot therefore said to him,

Jesus is on trial before pilot. Are you a King? Then Jesus answered. You say rightly that I am a King. Yeah. Pilot says, well, they’ve accused you of claiming to be a cane. Are you? Yes, you’ve spoken rightly, but then notice what he says. Notice how he replies to him. You’ve spoken Reilly, that I am a for this cause.

I was born. I came into a world for this purpose. Not only am I a King, I was born To be a King, but then notice what he says for this cause. I’ve come into the world that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. I am a King and those who I reign over,

Those who are citizens in my kingdom are the hearers of truth. Pilot said to him, what is truth? Pilot’s skepticism is a parent in the passage, but then notice also Luke chapter 23 Luke chapter 23 in Luke’s account of this, we read in verse 38<inaudible> As Jesus has taken to the cross as Jesus is put on the cross because the Jews were offered a choice.

Do you want me to give you back your King or do you want me to give you back a murderer or a robber? A thief. A an insurgent? Barabis they say, give us Barabis. Crucify him. Okay, So pilot will wash his hands of the Dean and he will send him to be crucified. He will give him back to the Jews.

The day might crucify him. And notice verse 38 though he writes an inscription. It was common in the days of crucifixion that above the head of the individual being crucified was their sentence. What were they guilty of? What is it they had done wrong? Why were they being crucified? And in Jesus’s case, the answer came from pilot. This is the King of the Jews.

Pilot said, this one’s being crucified because He’s the King of the Jews. Jesus definitely claimed to be King. Jesus affirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was the King, but then consider as well that the apostles believed it. And acts chapter one, sorry, John, chapter one, going all the way back to the beginning of Jesus’s ministry.

We find this in John chapter one beginning in verse 49 Nathaniel has interacted with Christ and he has come as a result of what Philip has hold him, but then Philip will be uh, or excuse me, Jesus will tell Nathaniel verse 47 behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no deceit. Nathaniel said To him, how do you know me? Jesus answered and said to him before Phillip called you when you were under the fig tree,

I saw you. Nathaniel answered and said to him, rabbi, you are the son of God. You are the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said to him, because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree. Do you believe you will see greater things than these? And he said to him, most of surely I say to you here after you shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man,

not only do we find here one of the apostles confidence that Jesus was the King of Israel, but we will find Jesus declaring that all of his apostles will see evidence. They will see proof. They will see assurance That he is the King. They will know that he is who Profits claimed he would be. But then turn, if you will, to acts chapter 17 Paul preached it.

Paul preach that Jesus Christ was the King in acts chapter 17 he’s in Thesla Nikah and we read this now when they had passed the rim, pithy, listen Apollonia they came with vessel and I go where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was went into them and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures explaining and demonstrating That the Christ,

okay. Remember when the men from the East, the wise men from the East came looking for the King? Herod knew they were looking for the Christ, Okay. Explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead and saying, this Jesus, whom I preached to you is the Christ. But then notice the accusation when the Jews are fed up with this.

When the Jews accused Paul of bringing this doctrine that’s turning the world upside down into the vessel. Anika, we read in verse seven Jason has harbored them. They’re accusing Jason of this and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar. Caesar saying there is another King. Well, who were they saying is the King Jesus. Jesus is the one that Paul was preaching as the King.

He was preaching him as the Christ. He was preaching him as the Messiah. Okay, But then This, Not only is it clear that the prophets knew Jesus would be the King And that the wise men knew that the King had come And that Jesus claimed to be the King and was put on the cross because of being the King and that the apostles were assured that he was the King and that even Paul one born out of due season knew and preached that he was the King,

but also consider that Satan was defeated because he was the King. Revelation chapter 17 One of these days we’re going to do a study of the book of revelation. It is my probably my favorite book in all of the new Testament in revelation chapter 17 and in verse well we read the 10 horns which you saw are 10 Kings, whoever received no kingdom as yet,

but they received authority for one hour as Kings from with the beast. These are of one mind and they will give their power and authority to the beast. So just a little bit of back story. You’ve got the beast who’s risen up, who’s defying God, who’s blaspheming God? Who’s opposing the lamb? Who’s opposing God, the father, and now he’s giving a 42 these Kings of the earth.

He’s instilling these Kings of the earth with this authority. But then notice verse 14 these will make war with the lamb. The lamb is introduced to us in chapter five he’s the lamb who appears to be slain and yet he is standing. He’s alive, yet he appears to have been killed. He’s the Christ. He’s the Messiah who died, who’s not dead.

He’s the one who’s alive forever more chapter one then notice what we read. These will make over the lamb and the lamb will overcome them. For he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Those who are with him are called chosen and faithful. The bees will make war with the King But he won’t win. But turn to Deuteronomy chapter 10 before we move back into revelation,

you might keep your finger over there for a minute. We’ll be back in chapter 19 in a moment, but in Deuteronomy chapter 10 we have The precursor to This reference. Deuteronomy chapter 10 beginning in verse 17 we read for the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of Lords. Okay, This is Moses speaking to Israel, preparing them to receive the inheritance,

preparing them to go through the Jordan river to go into the land to receive what God has been promising them for 400 years And he reminds them your God is a God of gods and Lord of Lords. He says, the great God, all mighty and awesome who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the father, was in the widows and loves the stranger giving him food and clothing.

Therefore love the stranger. For you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and to him you shall hold fast and take owes in his name. He is your praise and he is your God who has done for you these great and awesome things which you have your which your eyes have seen. Your father’s went down to Egypt with 70 persons and now the Lord your God has made you as the stars of heaven in multitude.

Moses declares your God is the God of gods. Your Lord is the Lord of Lords and you’ve seen his deliverance. It’s Now to the first century to the church. John writes to the church that’s going through the midst of persecution that’s facing the trouble that’s coming at them from every direction that’s dying for the name of Christ. He reminds them Just as Moses did,

your God is the God of gods. Your Lord is the Lord of Lords. You fear him. You listen to him, you follow him. The lamb will defeat the beast. Turn over to revelation chapter 19 when we find this Jesus Christ is the King. Yeah. Everything that we’ve said thus far declares Jesus Christ is The King and because of it,

we ought to worship him just as the wise men did. Revelation Chapter 19 Yeah, Beginning in verse nine we read. Then he said to me, this is an angel saying to John, right? Blessed are those who were called to the marriage supper of the lamb, and he said to me, these are the true sayings of gone, and I fell at his feet to worship him,

but he said to me, see that you do not do that. I am your fellow servant and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus worship God for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The angels here, the angel declares this to John and John falls down in the midst of these things going on and he worships the angel. The angel tells him,

no, don’t do that. You remember how we said with the wise men came in, if they were worshiping a man, they would have seen if they were worshiping. An angel, they would have seen but they weren’t. They were worshiping God. Okay, Jesus, the Christ The King. And so the angel says to John, get up. I’m just another servant.

I am just a servant the same way you are. But then notice verse 11 now I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse and he who sat on him was called faithful and true and in righteousness he judges and makes war. What’s that? That’s a King. Verse 12 verse 12 his eyes were like a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns.

What’s that? A King. He had had a name written that no one knew except himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood. He’s a victorious King. His name is called the word of God. Now you hold onto that phrase for this afternoon. His name is called the word of God, and the armies in heaven clothed in fine linen,

white and clean, followed him on white horses. Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword and that with it, he should strike the nations and he himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the wine press of the fear, fierceness and wrath of almighty God. And he has on his robe and on his thigh a name Written King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Jesus Christ, isn’t it Kane? And when John falls down to worship the angel, the angel says, no, don’t you do it. Okay. And the next thing John C Is the King. All of the implications clear. There’s the one you worship. There’s the one you serve. There’s the one you follow. His name’s the word of God Out of his comes a sharp sword.

So then what does all this mean for us? He’s the King. So what? He’s the King of those who hear the truth. John chapter 17 verse 17 he said, sanctify them by thy truth. Thy word is truth. He called upon those who would believe on him to be one. He called upon them to hear his voice. He called upon all those who would hear the truth to become his citizens,

And that includes you and me. Our choice is to either serve the King Or be judged by the King. Now we come from a society that may look at that and think, that’s, that’s not the way it ought to be. I ought to have freedom. You do. You have freedom to choose whether or not you will serve The King, But you also have freedom to choose to be judged.

The choice is yours. He won’t keep you from making the choice, but he did say, by my words, you will be judged, but I hope you’ll come back this afternoon for the three words because the picture of the King, eternal immortal, and I’ll bet you don’t actually know what that one means. The King eternal, immortal and invisible Is waiting to reign in your life and mind,

But is he okay? Are you fearing him and obeying his voice today? If you’re outside the body of Christ, you’re not because the body of Christ, the church of Christ, the people, the assembly that make up his body Are those whom he rules. They are his kingdom. If you are outside the body of Christ this morning, why? Because you’re outside all the blessings that the King has to offer.

We’ll talk about those this afternoon, but if you’re here this morning and you have need of responding to the invitation, whether as a Christian who’s turned away as a citizen who’s turned his back on the King or one outside of the body of Christ, who needs to put his King on in baptism, dying to his old self, dying to his old sovereign,

dying to his old ruler of sin and rising again out of that watery grave to walk in newness of life, A citizen of the kingdom. You’ve not done that. Why not do that today? Do you have need of the invitation? Why not come as we stand in as we sing.

Good afternoon, several months back. I don’t know if everybody remembers. We did a lesson on why should I believe in God. We looked at Psalm 100 we saw that God, we for one he is our God. He is our creator and he is our shepherd. This lesson kind of follows up with that topic of why should I believe in God?

We’re going to look at today. How do I show that I believe in God? The word belief means a persuasion of truth on the ground of evidence and Hebrews chapter 11 verse one the state’s faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen. Faith is the foundation of hope and the proof of being convicted of things not seen.

There are tons, tons of evidence in the Bible and outside of the Bible. There is a God. If you look at the world around us and creation, you look at, we were talking the other day about the eye, the everything that’s involved with the eye and the creation. I, it just didn’t happen. There had to be a designer.

If you look at the our creation, you look at the stars in the sky, you know that there is a God. If you look at internal evidence, if you look at the Bible and you understand the prophecies, if you go to Daniel chapter two Juul chapter seven through 11 and all the prophecies of the, of the Kings that were going to come,

a Babylon of Alexander the great, the Grecian empire and how if you look through history, it happened. There had to be, there has to be a God. That evidence is what we use to as our bounds of our faith. We know that there is a God. We know there’s a God, but today we’re going to look at how do we show our faith.

We’re not looking at the evidence. We’re going to look at how do we show our faith. The word show means to be visible, to make known, to cost, to understand, to teach or in form. Think about our life. And first Timothy chapter four verse 12 Paul told Timothy, look man, no man, no man. Despise I youth,

but be thou. In example of the believers, Paul told Timothy charged him, you be an example. Show your faith and Matthew chapter five verse 14 through 60 we are the light of the world. Aren’t we a light that sits upon a Hill? It cannot be hid. We are to shine our lights. We are going to an example. We’re going to examine one of my favorite examples in the Bible.

This man was young when he, when he was young, but when he came became King. His grandfather, Manasseh was extremely evil. He brought wickedness to the land of Israel. He was a man, brought in idols into the temple of the Lord. He brought about practices that were extremely evil in the in in Israel, and not only Manasseh but Ammon.

His son was one that is stated to be even more wicked them and NASA, but yet there was the, the son Josiah was one that at an early age chose to follow God in the midst of the wicked world. Think about the wicked world around him and Josiah and Josiah, his life growing up there was wickedness everywhere. There’s evil practices going on.

There’s idol worship. God was taken out of the picture yet. Josiah chose a different path. We’re going to examine, uh, Josiah this afternoon and we’re going to notice how first he chose the right direction at a young age. Go to second Chronicles with me. There’s two different accounts we could go to. Second Kings chapter 22 or we can go to second Chronicles,

but I want to go to second Chronicles first and verse and chapter 34 and we’re going to read one through three. Second Chronicles chapter 34 verse one through three says, Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned in Jerusalem one and 30 years. And he did that which was right in the side of the Lord, in walked in the ways of David his father,

and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. Four in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David, his father. And in the 12th year he began to purge you to an Andrew slum from the high places in the groves, in the carved images. And the molten images.

He became King at eight years old and it says in the eighth year of his reign, which would make him 16 years old, he chose the right path. He chose a path of following God. A lot of people would say, well, your environment can make a big difference in your life. Josiah, he was eight years old here. He had,

his father was wicked. His grandfather has wicked. The place, the city, the country around him was wicked. Yeah, it’s still, he chose the right choice. Why is that? Well, it could have been some of the influences, maybe his mother Jetta diet. It could be like Timothy and first and second Timothy chapter one verse five. The faith that Timothy had was seen in first in his grandmother,

low grandmother and mother Lewis and Yunus. It could have been those that he spent time with. Go to second current second Kings. Now chapter 22 we see some good influences that he surrounded himself with or the influence he surround himself with. And second Kings chapter 22 and verse 10 says, it came to pass when the King had heard the words of the book of the law,

that he ran his clothes in the King commanded Hilkiah the priests and how you come. The son of chiffon, an echo and the son of McCaya and chiffon the scribe, and as a higher a servant of the King saying he had surrounded himself with two good examples. One was Hilkiah, the high priest, another was chiffon, the scribe. These two men serve God.

He surrounded himself with them. Notice the influence that had on his life. They influenced him to choose the right direction that Marines us. The question we always think, can those around us influence our belief in God and the direction we will take it? Can Josiah chose to seek God? Matthew chapter 26 or Matthew six and verse 33 but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

Josiah chose God. He chose to follow the direction of God. Notice he did not go to the right hand nor to the left. Where did he go? Straight towards God. Many times you would. You would imagine the people around him were pulling him both directions. The confusion of the world around him. You should serve this God. You should serve this guy.

No, you should do this, but he chose not to follow the right of the left, but to go towards the true and living God. This expression means an unwavering adherence to the law of the Lord. He didn’t waiver in his adherence to God what path that he followed. What path should we follow? We have a great example. Don’t we go to first Peter?

We have a path to follow also. First Peter chapter one or chapter two in verse 21 for he even here into where you call, because Christ also suffered for us. Leaving us an example that you should follow in his steps. Who is the perfect example? Christ, it says that we are to follow in his steps. Notice Psalm one 19 one to five thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

We have a path to follow. That path is following Christ. You know the, the idea of, you know, when we were back at home and all the snow that we would get, we’d get, you know, six to 10 inches of snow and I’d go out to do chores and Matthew would follow me and I would be walking through the snow and I turned around and was Matthew doing,

he’s fallen right in my steps cause it’s easier, right? That’s the idea there. He’s, we’ve, Matthew was following in my steps. We were to follow in the steps of our Lord. He’s shining a path for us. That perfect example. It is critical to start that at a young age, but it’s also critical to start that now choosing the path that we are going to take,

the foundation, the foundation needed to show or make visible our belief in God starts with the right direction. Notice Luke chapter two in verse 40 this is a stated about Jesus and the child grew in wax, strong and spirit filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. Jesus chose a path at a young age to follow God. Jesus grew in strength.

That’s physically in knowledge, spiritually and physically in wisdom, putting the knowledge into practice and in favor with God. Notice the right direction. He chose the right direction. Just like Josiah. We need to choose the right direction. Not right, not left but towards God, But once Josiah picked the right direction, notice what he does next. He gained his zeal with that new knowledge he obtained.

Josiah picked a direction to go back to second Kings. Notice what happens next. Second Kings chapter 22 start with me in verse eight<inaudible> And Hilkiah, the high priest said in chiffon the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord and Hilkiah gave the book to chiffon and he read it. Notice this is the high priest and a scribe finding the book of the law.

They were soupy ones that had it with him, read it and had it in a scribe would rewrite this. The law certainly could be preserved. Yet they found it in the temple while they were doing work to the, to the building. Interesting. That shows you how far the city was or the nation was getting from God. Verse nine and chiffon,

the scribe came to the King and brought the King word again and said, thy servants had gathered the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord and chiffon. The scribe showed the King st Hilkiah. The priest have delivered me a book and should follow and read it before the King and it came to pass when the King had heard the words of the book of the law that he rent his clothes.

Josiah. No, no. He, he must have read the things that they were not doing. We’ll see that he makes changes in the, in the, in the nation, but not only that, he was a read of what was going to happen to the nation of Israel because of their wickedness. Nate stated a couple chapters back. It brought him to his knees.

He rent his clothes. He had, he mourned for what was going to happen. Go down to verse 19 second Kings 22 verse 19 this is because nine heart was tender and now is humbled by self before the Lord. When now heard us, what I speak against this place and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse and half rent thy clothes and before me,

I also have heard these set the Lord, behold therefore I will gather the into thy fathers and now shall be gathered into thy grave in peace and I shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the King ward again because Josiah, when he heard of the w what was going to happen to Israel and heard the what they were not doing was right.

He fell to his knees and had an honest heart because he had a tender softened heart because he was humble. He was not going to see that evil in his day. His mind was not hard into what he heard, but it changed his mind and wanting to fix the country. Many times we can have our hearts hardened, Not at one accepted, but Josiah was humble.

When we think about the evidences of God, what does it do to our hearts? Our hearts should be tender to the message and bring a desire to renew our minds, not going left or right, but towards God. Romans chapter 12 verse one and two I love that passage talks about having our minds transformed. Be not conformed this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.

Josiah had a mind that was transformed. We see that in his actions. When we understand what a life without God brings, think about a life without God. Josiah saw it. He saw the tear that was coming because of a life without God and it brought him to his knees and we think about a life without God. It should push us to serve him with all of our minds.

Go to Matthew or Mark chapter 12 Mark chapter 12 in verse 29 And Jesus answered the first of all, the commands his hero, Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord and that shall love the Lord thy God. With all thy heart, with all his soul, with all my mind, and with all his strength. This is the first commandment.

When we notice, when we know what a life without God is like, it pushes us to go towards God with all of our minds. The love there is a concern coupled with interest for God. The heart is putting our feeling and desire into our love. True love, our ma, the mind. There is the intellect, submitting our mind, who is learning in the strength is putting all of our energy in our devotion to God.

That is what true love for God is. We show, we display our belief in God. We have a disease, a zeal or devotion for God. Notice what Josiah did again in second Kings chapter 23 now second Kings chapter 23 his next move Starting in verse one And the King sent and then gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem and the King went up into the house of the Lord and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him and the priests and the prophets and all the people,

both small and great, and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant, which was found in the house of the Lord. He took that book, not only read it himself, but he had the whole of Israel to hear it. He had them, had it read before them. Look at verse three and the King stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the Lord to walk after the Lord,

to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and with all their soul to perform the words of this covenant that were written in the book and all the people stood to that covenant. Josiah made an agreement. He made a covenant between God in the front and the eyes of the people that he was determined to follow the Lord. We can make that same covenant today when we become a Christian.

When we say, I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, we are stating that we know that he is deity, but we are also stating he is the Lord of my life. I am following him. He has the authority of my life. Now, that’s exactly what Josiah did. His devotion was shown in his life. Art of ocean should also be determined to do all of God’s commands by his word as we’d stayed in Psalms one 19 one Oh five,

but not only did Josiah gain a great zeal with the new knowledge he obtained, but it changed the world around him. He put his, he put his dude, his desire to action. He that internal decision that he had to, uh, to do the out, to do and follow our Lord was shown in his actions. He did not hide his belief,

but took the opportunity to make the changes he saw within himself first. And then in the nation. Notice chapter 23 again in verse four the King commanded Hilkiah, the PRI priests and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the DOR to bring forth out of the temple. All the, all of the Lord, a temple of the Lord, all the vessels that were made for bale and for the Grove and for all the hosts of heaven.

And he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of kid drawn and carry the ashes of them to Bethel. He may, he put his words into action. He told him to drag all those idols out of the temple and they burn them in the Valley of kid drawn and carry them away to Bethel. He put his words into action. He started with the house of God then and look at verse five then,

and he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the King of Kings of Judah had ordained to burn incidents in the high places in the city as of Judah and in the places roundabout Jerusalem, them also that burn incense and to bale to the sun and to the moon, to the planets. And to all the hosts of heaven. Then he moved to the groves,

their places of worship and tore them down. Look at verse six and he brought out of the grow from the house of the Lord without Jerusalem until the book kid drawn and burned it at the book. Brooke kid drawn and stamped at smaller power powder and cast the powder thereof upon the grays of the children of the people. Then he got rid of their wicked,

wicked sin sexual practices. Look at verse seven and he break down a house of the sodomites that were by the house of the Lord where the women were hanging for the Grove. Then look at verse 10 it just keeps going. Verse 10 and he defiled til fifth which is in the Valley of the children of Hinnom that no man may make his son or daughter to pass through the fire to Molek.

He ended This practice of sacrificing children to the false gods. Verse 24 continuing on, he got rid of the wizards, the wicked, the witches, and the idols. Verse 21 he instituted the Passover. Again. If you notice in second Chronicles chapter 35 in verse 18 it was stated that this Passover that he read instituted was one of the greatest Passovers since the day of Samuel.

That was hundreds of years before they had not had a Passover like this. Since the days of Samuel Josiah put his belief of God into practice. Our world is so confused. There is a need for Christians to be that shining light, the one that is sanctified, set apart from the world that can give direction. We can make a difference in our homes.

We can make a difference in our circle of friends for our young people, our schools, and our nation, but it starts with us. What can we do to make the world around us better? How can we change it? We look at our nation and how far away it’s getting from God. It seems impossible. It seems to possible how we can change things around,

but think about Josiah. He lived in a world that forgot about God. It was gone. They were far away from practice serving God. Yeah, he made a difference. Yes, he was a King. He had a position of authority, but his example Change that nation with a world that is turning from God and has no belief in him. Do you do we need to do just like what Josiah did and saying no to sin?

That’s what he did. He said no to sin. If someone offers us a drink, we say no. If someone is pushing us to listen to some gossip, to spread some gossip, we say no. When someone’s pushing abortion, we say no. We stand up against false doctrine. We stand it up against homosexuality. We do not support evil.

When we back and we pray and we protect the word of God, when we stand up for the truth, we can help to change our nation by being an example, by teaching just one person about Christ. Josiah made a big difference in his community and his nation because of his determination to show that he believed in God. If we want to make changes in our nation and our communities and our homes,

it starts with us. I pray that we have a conviction towards God and I pray that we strive to show our belief in God by first showing that we’re going to follow in the steps of Christ. We’re not going to veer right or left, but we’re going to go towards God. I pray that we have a zeal, a devotion to God that will push us to give it our all.

We will serve God with all of our might. Then with that zeal, we desire to change the world that is around us by saying no to sin and making changes in our small communities. First, notice what he says in second Kings chapter 23 in verse 25 this is close to the end of Josiah’s life. Verse 25 says, unlike unto him, was no King before him that turns to the Lord with all of his heart,

with all of his soul, with all his might, according to all the law of Moses, neither after him or Rose there any like him wouldn’t have. Be great to hear that be said of us, That we serve God with all of our minds, with all of our soul, and with all of our heart. Let us strive to always serve our God.

Where are you at today? You know, today is we do not want to give a, we do not want to miss the chance to be able to put Christ on in baptism before we can show that we have a belief in God. We first have to be a Christian. If we’re not a Christian, we’re not showing that we believe in God.

We’re following the world. Today is the day for us for salvation. Tomorrow be too late. Don’t put it off. Be baptized. Put me. Put Christ on in baptism. Or maybe you’ve fallen away. Maybe you’re not been showing your belief in God. Don’t wait. Do it today. She make that change to follow him with all of your mind.

Just like Josiah did. Whatever your need might be. Do it now as we stand, as we sing.