Dwell on these things
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Taking time to consider, to dwell
Taking time to consider, to dwell
It is good to take the time to consider, to dwell on the Bible. The things we read, the things we study and the things we should or are applying into our lives as we walk with Christ. It is good to dwell on the things we read in the bible that we believe so we may apply and we may grow.
Things worthy of dwelling on (Php4:8-9)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
In NASB it says dwell on these things; in ESV it says think about these things, in the NKJV it says meditate on these things and then in the NLT
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Do not be surprised if you hear these verses often over the next several weeks, I even challenge you to memorize them, for they are worthy of being pondered, reflected, thought of often.
Do not be surprised if you hear these verses often over the next several weeks, I even challenge you to memorize them, for they are worthy of being pondered, reflected, thought of often.
Gifts available to those who dwell on the truth
Eternal life (Jn6:68)
Peter said that the Words of Christ have eternal life (Jn6:68)
68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.
We know the word is life (Jn1
Eternal peace (Jn16:33; Jn14:27)
Jesus said there will be tribulation (Jn16:33) but take heart for he has overcome this world, now if that is not eternal peace then there is
My peace I peace with you, so do not be afraid (Jn14:27)
Eternal assurance (Jn20:31; 1Jn5:13)
31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
We all dwell on things, and sometimes we need to focus and dwell, consider, reflect, think about, mediate on the things of God. So today that is what we are going to do in this message, we are going to reflect on God.
Reflections on God
Reflections on God
Our reflection on God grows and changes as we seek Him and learn about Him through His world and more is shown to us through His creation.
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He is the Lord of heaven and earth (Act17:24-28)
He is the creator and sustainer of all things (Gen1:1; Gen1:24-27; Col1:16; Jn1:3)
He is Omnipotent (Amo5:8; Acm4:13)
He is Omniscient (Ps139:1-6)
He is Omnipresent (Ps139:7-16)
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He is the Lord of heaven and earth (Act17:24-28)
If you have your bible, follow along as I read this, let the beauty of these verses, the description sink in.
24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;
Act17:24-25
26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
ACt1
A religious people with many gods, Paul explains to them about the unknown God. How many people do we know that are seekers, looking for answers, looking for God or something greater, something that has purpose for this life. You have the answers in the True God, He is not unknown, He is the God that we come to know when we read and study the Bible. We can come to know His character, His nature, His mercy and His grace.
He is the Lord of heaven and earth (Act17:24-28)
He is Omnipotent (Amo5:8; Acm4:13)
He is the creator and sustainer of all things (Gen1:1; Gen1:24-27; Col1:16; Jn1:3)
He is Omniscient (Ps139:1-6)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
He is Omnipotent (Amo5:8; Acm4:13)
24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind”; and it was so. 25 God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.
He is Omnipresent (Ps139:7-16)
He is Omniscient (Ps139:1-6)
He is Omnipresent (Ps139:7-16)
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
And can’t leave out some N.T. too
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Col3:
And in the beginning there is this too
Jn1:3
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
We could spend all morning, all day looking just at that, there are so many passages in the scripture to look at regarding God’s creation, it can blow your mind. So, grab your bible and reflect on God’s creation, you won’t run out of things to dwell on.
He is the Lord of heaven and earth (Act17:24-28)
He is the creator and sustainer of all things (Gen1:1; Gen1:24-27; Col1:16; Jn1:3)
He is Omnipotent (Amo5:8; Acm4:13)
A beautiful portrait of this is found in the book of Amos, he is one who got it!
8 He who made the Pleiades and Orion And changes deep darkness into morning, Who also darkens day into night, Who calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the surface of the earth, The Lord is His name.
He is Omnipresent (Ps139:7-16)
13 For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind And declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness And treads on the high places of the earth, The Lord God of hosts is His name.
Aco4:13
God is all powerful, He knows all things, created all things, sustains all things and knows the thoughts of man.
It is difficult to try to pull one verse to try to describe the things we can ponder on God.
He is the Lord of heaven and earth (Act17:24-28)
He is the creator and sustainer of all things (Gen1:1; Gen1:24-27; Col1:16; Jn1:3)
He is Omnipotent (Amo5:8; Acm4:13)
He is Omniscient (Ps139:1-6)
1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.
Ps139:1-2
3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
Ps139:5-6
5 You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
So He is the Creator of all, is all powerful, all knowing
He knows the thoughts of man, and knows everywhere we go
All things made by Him, for Him and one day we will be held accountable to Him for what we do with what we have been entrusted with.
Now to the next point.
He is the Lord of heaven and earth (Act17:24-28)
He is the creator and sustainer of all things (Gen1:1; Gen1:24-27; Col1:16; Jn1:3)
He is Omnipotent (Amo5:8; Acm4:13)
He is Omniscient (Ps139:1-6)
He is Omnipresent (Ps139:7-16)
This is another longer passage but look at it, dwell on these words and you can feel the heart of the writer here and hopefully your heart aligns too.
(Read slow, read emphatically, dramatically)
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” 12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.
13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
Ps139:13-14
Ps139:
15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
From the womb to the tomb we cannot hide from Him, we cannot flee from His presence.
His glory is displayed in creation
His glory is displayed in creation
We have dwelt on He is the Creator, now we turn to the glory of God that is displayed in His creation.
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The Heavens declare His glory (Ps19:1-3)
Even the stones can cry out of his glory (Lk19:40)
His eternal power is displayed in creation (Rom1:20)
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The Heavens declare His glory (Ps19:1-3)
Ps19:1-
1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.
Are we taking time, are we telling of the glory of God? the heavens are and even the stones will, if we don’t
The Heavens declare His glory (Ps19:1-3)
His eternal power is displayed in creation (Rom1:20)
Even the stones can cry out of his glory (Lk19:40)
40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”
His eternal power is displayed in creation (Rom1:20)
Now I have to be forthcoming this verse comes on the heals of the Pharisee’s trying to tell Jesus to shut his disciples up and the crowd as Jesus is entering into Jerusalem on His triumphal entry.
Leading to one more part of his glory being displayed in His creation.
The Heavens declare His glory (Ps19:1-3)
Even the stones can cry out of his glory (Lk19:40)
His eternal power is displayed in creation (Rom1:20)
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
His creation makes his eternal power known and the Godhead known. No one has any excuse not to believe, for the time of ignorance has passed. More to come on that in a minute.
His will is revealed in His Word
His will is revealed in His Word
May the Word of God tell us of the glory of God and the power of God to save sinful man. May we look at the Word and some of its revelation to us.
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It is revealing (Ps19:7-11)
It is reminding (2Tim3:16-17)
It is demonstrating, confirming and reconciling (Rom5:8-11)
It is telling and describing (1Jn4:8-9)
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It is revealing (Ps19:7-11)
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
It is reminding (2Tim3:16-17)
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
It is demonstrating, confirming and reconciling (Rom5:8-11)
It is telling and describing (1Jn4:8-9)
Ps19:11
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
I will hold off on summary until the end of the passages
It is revealing (Ps19:7-11)
It is reminding (2Tim3:16-17)
It is demonstrating, confirming and reconciling (Rom5:8-11)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
It is telling and describing (1Jn4:8-9)
It is revealing (Ps19:7-11)
It is reminding (2Tim3:16-17)
It is demonstrating, confirming and reconciling (Rom5:8-11)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
It is telling and describing (1Jn4:8-9)
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
It is revealing (Ps19:7-11)
It is reminding (2Tim3:16-17)
It is demonstrating, confirming and reconciling (Rom5:8-11)
It is telling and describing (1Jn4:8-9)
8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
So it is, perfect, sure, it is right and it is pure. It is clean, it is true. It is righteous and it is complete. It is sufficient to make the man of God complete.
God’s love manifested in us through Christ Jesus, now that is something to ponder, to dwell on, to think on, to meditate on and it should make you be in awe of our awe inspiring God.
His judgment is promised to come
His judgment is promised to come
We don’t like to think about it, but it is true. We don’t like to talk about it, but it is necessary (Act17:30-31)
30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
God made us to seek Him and to worship Him. He has made Himself known and made Himself available through Christ Jesus.
God has commanded “all to repent”
God has told us who is going to be the judge (Jesus)
God has assured that by raising Jesus from the dead.
Abraham Lincoln said this:
“I can see how it might be possible to look around earth and not believe in God, but I cannot conceive how anyone could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.”
C.S. Lewis said:
“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.”
A.W. Tozar stated:
“You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him.”
We have seen God’s creativity, his omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, His glory, His will, His love all revealed and the coming judgment that is promised.
(lead to invitation)
23 Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;
24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.
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