Barnabas Ministries UK

 Rev. E. Anderson

Knowing God through Providence

Reading    Psalm 57

Introduction

FAITH: David, the lad who had come to know God early in life, possessed the conviction in his being that God was wise, great and loving enough to plan and provide for his life and whole future. He affirms: ‘I will cry unto God most high; unto God who performeth all things for me’ – Psalm 57; 2. There was a deep, inward reliance that God could be trusted to direct, arrange and provide in all things so that he need not worry or be fretful. As long as he kept up a wholesome relationship with Him then there was no need to be overly concerned about anything. He would work everything out to his good, advantage and blessedness.

DEFINITION: The word is described as; ‘foresight, timely care, prevision; prudence; the beneficent care or control over His creatures’. One could detail and affirm it ‘as God’s loving, wise and able ability to oversee, rightly plan and provide all that is essential to the function and fulfilment of life.’  He is altogether sufficient to meet and minister into every aspect without any strain or problem. One of the titles ascribed to Him is ‘Jehovah Jireh’, the Lord the Provider – Genesis 22: 14. He is never thrust into crises or in a position where He cannot answer any demand or requirement. It is through this means He does to reveal Himself and cause people to know and understand Him.

EXPERIENCE: David personally experienced God’s providences in so many ways and continually desired to know God more and more by this route. Each manifest work of God on this front led him to appreciate the worth and wealth of God in his existence and he knew that if was to be anything and get somewhere then this was to be an integral part of his daily living. He knew it was far better to live within the plan and programme of God than doing what he thought was best.

It is possible to trace this truth and factor on a number of fronts:

1/. HIS PROVIDENCES ARE EVIDENT IN CREATION

Viewing the world order in which we live we must be impressed by its existence and continuance. Behind it is there is masterly design which is disclosed in the way everything functions with such dynamic precision and perfection. It is impossible to imagine that all came into being and working order from a universe and planet standpoint without an infinite intelligence and omnipotent power behind it.  We live in an ordered universe and world and it must be rightly argued that someone gave it that order. To suggest that the world came into being as a result of an almighty explosion seems rather foolish because explosions create chaos and not order.

·          Planet earth is integrated with all the other planets and is part of the whole immense universe that works cohesively, continually and purposefully. Our planet or world may be a single unit in one sense but from another viewpoint it is a part of the universal body of planets that inter-act with each other in a quiet by powerful manner. Behind all, is God in perfect control. The Scriptures teach clearly that through Jesus Christ – ‘all consists’ – Colossians 1: 17, that is ‘all exists and holds together’. There is no danger of the universe falling apart because the Creator has the capacity to create and sustain what He has created. It says of Christ: ‘He upholds all things by the word of His power’ – Hebrews 1: 3. He will keep this planet on course and in accord with all the others that exist.

·          Our planet is full of significant direction and ordering on a daily, monthly and yearly basis that bespeaks God’s providential arrangements. Genesis 1 simply reveals God creating and bringing life and order to this world in which we reside and He did it in an orderly fashion. The world above, around and beneath is full of divine arranging and workings and nothing is left to chance. The seasons are all part of His arrangements and the seas come under His absolute control. God opened the eyes of Job to His masterly working of His ability in Job 38 and 39 and he had to bow in worship at His extraordinary power in this direction.

2/. HIS PROVIDENCES ARE APPARENT IN HISTORY

Human history is viewed and studied by man for a number of reasons but one thing that is note that God has caused His mind and working to be an integral part of it. Some may think it is just a continual, ongoing manifestation of the human race in all of its diversity and complexity. The drama of the human race is quite a factor but it can only be properly understood when God is introduced into the equation. The Bible certainly puts God central and makes it clear that he knows all that has happened, is happening and is yet to happen on this planet and that He is actively engaged in it in a very committed way. With regard to man it states: ‘and hath determined the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him and find Him . . .’ – Acts 17: 26, 27.

·          It can be seen in His choice of a nation, Israel to serve His purpose to benefit the whole world of mankind. Their unique and distinct existence and the role it has had to play in mankind’s affairs as a whole as revealed in the Scriptures underline the truth of God’s providential plans and plans. Their birth, development an service was divinely organised for the specific intention of bringing spiritual benefit to the whole world. Paul makes this clear in Romans 8-11.

·          It can be seen in the incarnation of Christ who has definitely in His providences impacted history. The advent of Jesus was no accident but a deliberately purposed birth as Old Testament prophecies predict – Isaiah 7: 14; 9: 6; Micah 5: 2 confirmed in Matthew 1 & 2; Luke 1 & 2. His death was no misfortune or mistake was duly timed and arranged – see Isaiah 55; Psalm 22 and the fulfilment of the same as made known in the four Gospels. Through His life, death and resurrection Christ supernaturally changed the course of history.

·          It is seen in the birth and presence of the Christian Church that is outworking His purposeful arrangements. The Church of Christ was providentially birthed and has contributed throughout the centuries to the testimony of God and His strategy. All is being outworked according to His policy and will be finalised at the second advent of Christ which is duly arranged – John 14: 1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; 2 Peter 3: 1-13.

3/. HIS PROVIDENCES ARE TO BE MANIFEST TO A PERSONAL LEVEL

·          If there is one factor that stands out again and again in the Bible is the knowledge of God coming to people and for His providences to be witnessed in their lives. God moves in on individuals that are ready to accept His government and allow Him to be God. They are lifted out of their little comprehension of life into God’s greater plans. It was so for men and women. Here are but two examples.

·          Joseph discovered that God had a choice purpose to reveal and bring to pass – see Genesis 37-50. He was to find out in a real, significant manner how the God He trust in could bring about an enormous destiny for his life by a strange route and means. His testimony to his brothers was: ‘so it was not you that sent me hither, but God’ – Genesis 45: 5-8.

·          Ruth was to be made aware of the fact that God had good plans for her to succeed – see Ruth 1-4. This pagan woman that pinned her faith in God in difficult circumstances was to find out for herself that this God was able to work all things out for her good and blessedness. So many things happened that were more than coincidence or good fortune. God’s mind and hand were very much working behind the scenes.

3/. HIS PROVIDENCES ARE YET TO BE UNVEILED WITH REGARD TO THE FUTURE

All men need to know that God has not surrendered this world to fate but has gloriously determined great things for the planet and the people on it who have chosen Him and His salvation in and through Jesus Christ. All is to be changed in due time by the providence of God. Soon He is to put in motion His ultimate end time programme and this consists of:

·          The great return of His Son Jesus Christ, the Head of the Christian Church, to summon all His people to be with Him – Matthew 24: 27; 26: 64; Acts 1: 10, 11 etc. This has ever been in the mind of God and He has no reason to alter what He has purposed for any reason nor does He have to worry about the time schedule. It is in His hands and will quietly but certainly move to the precise hour of Christ’s appearance.

·          The whole Christian community will be together for the first time gathered around her sovereign Head – 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; 1 Corinthians 15: 51-57. No one need worry about the Christian dead over the centuries. God has never lost sight of or relationship with any and His power is such that He has no problem in resurrecting them, giving them new bodies and likewise for all Christian believers who will be alive in this world at His advent. His providence hs planned for resurrection, renewal and rapture.

·          They will know a marvellous providential future with a new realm and home to live in and a magnificent, indescribable future – John 14: 1-3. In His providence He has already got everything lined up as to where they are all to dwell and what their role will be in eternity. Everything has been marked and mapped out for the ages to come.

·          The present material world is due for a divine renewal with His planning – 2 Peter 3: 13; Revelation 21: 1. This present planet may be in a messed up state due to man’s perverse ways and doings but God is not to leave it as it is. He has planned its complete renewal and refurbishment. It is extraordinary what He can do even in the midst of seeming chaos – see Genesis 1: 1, 2.

CONCLUSION

Every individual has the opportunity and privilege of believing in God and welcoming Him to demonstrate His providences in their lives. Whether they choose to do so is the option God has given. It is not enforced. They do exist for all men on a natural front, however, whether such is believed or not. But is wiser and better to invite Him to reveal His grace and power into life on the personal front and allow Him to be God. Those who experience and enjoy His providences now have a foretaste of what will be in an eternal setting.

Rev. E. Anderson

KNOWING GOD THROUGH LOVE

Reading     1 Corinthians 13

Text          1 John 4: 8, 16

Introduction

GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: The majority of human beings would more or less than the greatest and most influential attribute and force in life must be that of love. It is unmistakably presented in Scripture as the supreme quality that any being or person could possess and demonstrate – see 1 Corinthians 13. It exceeds and excels all other virtues.

‘We are all born for love . . . It is the principle of existence and its only end’ - Disraeli

DIVINE POSSESSION: The Bible makes the clear and positive affirmation for all to be aware of – ‘God is love’ – 1 John 4: 8, 16. He is to be equated. Compared and connected with this outstanding virtue and to be appreciated and valued with it. John Wesley stated: ‘God’s best Name is Love’. He is renowned with regard to this all essential quality of being. His love is different and unique because He loves unreservedly, without any strings attached. There are no ulterior motives in God. All He does He does from this highest and worthiest of inspirations.

‘Love is the image of God, and not a lifeless image, but the living essence of the divine nature that beams full of goodness’ - Luther

BIBLICAL REVELATION: This is a truth and theme that is the subject matter of the Bible. It seeks to give from outset to finish a true disclosure of God’s heart, making clear the love exists in Him eternally, exceedingly, experientially and experimentally to all His creatures, angels and men. Mankind, however, has clear and definite unfolding of it and as it is embraced personally leads to a glorious knowledge of God in a pure and true sense and experience.

God can be known and His love through the revelation of it as unveiled in the Scriptures and human experience. Here at four ways in which it is manifested and must be thought upon to good advantage.

1/.  IT IS APPARENT IN THE CREATION OF MAN

        No one who truly and honestly takes a sensible judgment of man cannot but come to the conclusion that if God made him then he made him a choice creature out His infinite wisdom, ability and loving care. Man is a being that has been wonderfully created and constructed with such perfect design to enjoy existence in so many ways. He made him a being with the capacity and power to love, and He more than anyone, desired that man should come to know Him in this connection. In Genesis 3 it is revealed that He made daily approaches to our first parents with the purpose of building up a relationship in which love would be the most evident feature. Man was to feature immensely in His earthly and eternal purposes where He could make manifest His love in an increasing manner and measure. Every person needs to know this basic truth: they were made to be loved by God.

2/. IT IS EVIDENT IN THE FACT THAT HE LOVED AND LOVES IN SPITE OF MAN’S WICKEDNESS AND WAYWARDNESS

         Not even evil or sin can kill or quell the immense and intense love of God. Concerning love it is stated; ‘Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would be utterly contemned’ – Song of Solomon.

         Mankind, as the Bible reveals, discloses how all men have erred away from God and become victims of sin and rebelliousness, yet though this is true, God still loves Him. He could have wiped man off the scene many times because of his vile and violent attitudes and conduct, but His love is consistent and persistent and how He longs for a restoration to Himself so that man as a whole will benefit from His love and care. In no way as He wanted man to perish and has gone out of His way to prove His love. In Old Testament days He sought to demonstrate His love through a prophet to a wicked city. Through Jonah He sought to press this fact and truth home in the salvation of Nineveh in a great act of repentance – see Jonah 4: 9-11. He makes every effort to get through to all men and seeks to make them see He still loves in spite of the foul behaviour. Whilst he hates sin: He loves the sinner.

3/.   IT IS REVALENT IN THE LIFE AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST

         The advent and appearance of Christ was with this particular objective in mind: to prove to man His love on a personal and powerful front. The fantastic truth of the Christian faith is that God so loved mankind that He became incarnate as man himself in order to get close to him and be one with him in order to do something for him. Jesus Christ was God manifest in the flesh and His supreme motivation was to disclose and demonstrate love in His human body. Of all people that have ever lived, He stands unique and all glorious in this feature – loved flowed forth from Him in amazing manner and countless numbers benefited. Not only did they experience and enjoy a miracle at His hands, they were aware of the fact that such was done from a heart of love.

         The dramatic unveiling of His love came on to full view when He died on the Cross. This is the dynamic and lasting testimony to the enormity of divine love and is affirmed in John 3: 16 – ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’. When a person admits this truth and believes and receives Christ into their hearts as Saviour they know personally and beyond question the reality of God’s love. At the cross His love is birthed in us.

‘I never knew up to that time that God loved us so much.  This heart of mine began to thaw out; I could not keep back the tears.  I just drank it in…I tell you there is one thing that draws above everything else in the world and that is love’ - Moody

4/.   IT IS TO BE PREVALENT IN THE ETERNAL AGES TO COME

         This love is not of a temporary measure or order but springs and flows from God’s heart and is of an eternal quality. It is no short-lived factor but is of an enduring character. Man has been loved from the eternal past by the eternal God and that loved is to be demonstrated in a greater way and capacity in the eternal ages to come and will be prevalent in and to those who embrace His love. It is stated: ‘It is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him’ – 1 Corinthians 2: 9.

         God is going to evidence His love on a scale to those who have received His love in and through Christ, in an incredible manner. He is gong to show the objects of His love, His family, what he really things of them in the unborn ages to come – see Ephesians 2: 8.

CONCLUSION

The important thing in this life is to come to know God and His live so that life is inspired and influenced by this wonderful quality and attribute. Paul prayed that Christian saints in Ephesus would come to know this love because it would lead on to the possessing all the fullness of God’s life and nature – Ephesians 3: -17-19.

Rev. E. Anderson

KNOWING GOD THROUGH FAITH

Reading     Hebrews 11

Text          v6

Introduction

IMPERATIVE REQUIREMENT: It is vitally important for each and everyone to come to know and experience God at a personal level in this life. If existence is to be understood, blessed and truly fulfilled it can only come about through an intimate and vibrant relationship with God. A partnership and friendship with Him is that which makes present being and future existence meaningful and significant and delivers from ignorance and folly and places immense, incredible value on life and living. God must enter the scene and life if there is to be any real and lasting achievement and success. So there must be the pursuit of God by one and all until He is truly and fully known. To dismiss Him out of the equation of life is the worst thing that an individual can do. DEFINITE DESIRE: It must also be realised that God wants all to know Him. This is a fact that must be grasped and appreciated. God is switched on to mankind whether it comprehends it or not. His mind, heart and will are focused on each one and He greatly longs that everyone come into a personal and powerful accord with Himself. It has to be certainly sensed on man’s side that God will not impose Himself on any, although He is God, and could do so but does not choose this route. He has quietly and powerfully disclosed Himself in certain ways if man would sensibly taken specific considerations into thought and belief. For instance, His signature is invisibly yet visibly stamped on creation for those who have eyes to see.  REVEALED TRUTH AND FACT: Many people from all nations and generations have professed and confessed an encounter with Him and have enjoyed a brilliant and worthwhile relationship with Him. There testimony cannot be thrown aside as irrelevant and dismissed so easily. Things have occurred in their lives of an extraordinary nature that can only be put down to supernatural operation and care that bespeaks a Divine Being active in their affairs. If God can be so real and dynamic to such then He can be the same to all. A distinct disclosure of the Bible is that God loves all of His creatures and it is up to each one to reach out, discover and know that for themselves.

Here are a few noted considerations that aid in helping to know that God is to be known by the absolute rule and dynamic law of faith.

1/.  IT IS A DIVINE PRINCIPLE THAT IS REVEALED IN A CLEAR STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE

          The good Book, the Bible, is God’s Word to mankind. In it He reveals and underlines the way and procedure by which people can come into a close union and communion with Him that makes living what it should be. One must not ignore this law and principle that He has laid down for such to happen. In Hebrews 11: 6 it affirms categorically: ‘without faith it is impossible to please Him.’ Nothing could be more sure and definite that that. If you are not prepared to believe then a glorious knowledge and experience of God will never be known to you. God will permit an atheist and agnostic to live in that state of mind and being all their days if that is what they choose. We do not lay the route down: God does. It further states: ‘for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him’ – v6.

2/.  IT IS A DIVINE PRINCIPLE THAT WAS EXPRESSED BY THE PEOPLE WHO CAME TO KNOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD

         The Bible, in particular, highlights individuals who in their day reached out and discovered His reality and input into their situations and affairs. In Hebrews eleven a list of people are presented who allowed this divine law within their lives and proved beyond doubt that God was not only around and about but interested and committed to them. Out of the list is a man by the name of Abraham whose story is recorded in the book of Genesis of how He found God and God found him and from it how his life in and through God changed the course of history – read Genesis 11- 25. He had been at one time polytheistic in his faith but then the true God became known and believed in and the consequence, an incredible meaningful life. It is good to find out how people have encountered God and how God has encountered them because it aids in the quest of Him and His discovery.

3/.  IT IS A DIVINE PRINCIPLE THAT IS GENERATED AND NOURISHED BY AND THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES

          When individuals come with an honest and open mind to the Bible they will make an amazing discovery. It is simply and surely this, that Scriptures have within their power to create faith within the heart. In fact, it is a stated truth of the Bible itself: ‘So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God’ – Romans 10: 17. As it is read, God will give understanding on it and His inspiration and interpretation will cause faith to spring forth and be developed in and towards Himself. The testimony of countless millions is that as they have picked up and read the Bible in honest search, they have not been able to put it down because they have been laid hold of in a unique manner. Whilst not understanding immediately, as they have read on, God has become known and that knowledge of Him as increased and intensified by this procedure. It must be remembered that Jesus Christ was soaked and saturated with the Old Testament writings.

4/.  IT IS A DIVINE PRINCIPLE THAT IS ESTABLISHED IN AND THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

          No one knew and revealed God like Jesus Christ because He was God. He was the most outstanding and unique person that ever lived and He taught and practised the law and principle of faith and sought to create the same in those who were to be His disciples, successors and builders of His kingdom. As they allowed Him into their lives as their Saviour, Lord and Master, they discovered that the same dynamic standard and rule became theirs and worked. The apostle Paul, who was one time an antagonist of Christ, made this bold admission. He said: ‘I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me’ - Galatians 2: 20. It is possible to believe and live as Christ believed and lived and know God beyond any shadow of doubt through faith.

5/. IT IS A DIVINE PRINCIPLE THAT EACH ONE CAN PERSONALLY DISCOVER TO BE REAL, DYNAMIC AND PRODUCTIVE

         At the end of the day, life is personal and each one must make their own quest and make their own discovery. No one can do it for someone else. God will certainly seek to promote and provoke the honest and earnest inquiry but never enforce it. Every person has to be wise and desirous enough to give themselves entirely to this important and vital mission and pursue until they can cry out ‘eureka’ – I have found Him! One will not need the arguments or the persuasions of men on the matter afterwards. God is sufficient to confirm His identity, purposes and operations to the individual.

CONCLUSION

          Knowing God by faith in this life is but the commencement of a glorious and growing knowledge and experience that will never cease: it extends beyond death. The privilege

        and joy will be to come to an ever expanding understanding of Creator God and Father that will be more magnificent and inspiring. Ever remember that this the principle that God seeks to see revealed  ‘’the just shall live by faith’ – Habakkuk 2: 4; Not only are you made right with God by faith but you come to an increasing and worthwhile knowledge of Him by the same principle.

Rev. E. Anderson

Knowing god through humility

Reading    Psalm 138

Text         Isaiah 57: 15; Matthew 5: 3

Introduction

One can reckon that this is one of the priceless attitudes that can ever be possessed and evidenced by man and gives him the accreditation required by and before God. If God is to be truly and fully known by any human being then it is absolutely essential that there is the possession and expression of this disposition. It is certainly underscored in the Bible and must be accepted into life if there is to be any knowing and dynamic relationship with God.

RIGHT ATTITUDE: Humility is the acquiring of a quality nature that accord with the character of God. It is defined as lowliness, meekness, modesty, self abasement and unpretentiousness. It reflects a lovely nature that is courteous, kind, polite in recognition of others and their own station in life. It certainly does not mean grovelling in self-pity, demeaning and disgracing oneself. Humility is a hallmark of God and He desires the same who profess a relationship with Him. It is what God is always switched on to and switches man on to Him. This is His promise: “For this saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy; ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones’” – Isaiah 57: 15. Even Christ affirmed that this was His disposition – Matthew 11: 29. No man is going to know God or have any real, personal and powerful experience of and with Him unless this temper is present. AN OPPOSITE SPIRIT: God does make it known that the opposite, which is pride, is an abomination to him and is listed with and heads deadly sins. The psalmist puts it most succinctly when he declares: “Though the Lord be high, yet he hath respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off” – Psalm 138: 6. It is plain to see that God keeps those who are arrogant and haughty at a great distance and if such are at a distance how can they know and become familiar with Him. Many years ago I hear a preacher say respecting the proud that ‘he didn’t like them too near.’ A WORTHY ILLUSTRATION: God could not give a better or clearer evidence and proof of the demand for humility as revealed in His Son Jesus Christ who came to give a clear unveiling of the quality character of God. At all times, he gave a disclosure of this unique, divine attribute and was very pronounced in His birth, life, ministry and death and is the subject matter of Philippians 2. He sets the pattern for all men to emulate that if any man is to know God he must be humble and tread the path of humility.

1/.  HUMILITY IS EXPRESSED WHEN REVERENCE IN MANIFESTED TOWARDS GOD

          This is what is advocated by God in Isaiah 66: 2 ‘but to this man will I look, even to him that is  poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.’ God makes things very clear so that there is no misunderstanding on this front. To know and have any worthwhile relationship and dealings with Him then this is an absolute requisite. You need the attention and action of God in your life and affairs and the basic demand is that you possess a humble and contrite spirit. You honour God when you are prepared to live in humility, recognising who He is and what he has made you.

2/.  HUMILITY IS DEMONSTRATED WHEN WE RECOGNISE OUR SINFUL STATE

        Man regrettably has inherited a self-righteous attitude and spirit which manifests itself in self-justification, egotism and pride. Whilst this exists then there is no likelihood of any personal communion and contact with God. The call to each and all is to ‘repent’ of this evil, confess it, receive Christ and His salvation which brings both forgiveness and freedom from this awful attitude. Christ taught about two men who prayed: the Pharisees, one who felt he was alright and even sought to justify himself before God and men in his prayer. The other was a publican who recognised his sinful condition and confessed it. Christ revealed who was the one accepted by God – see Luke 18: 9-14. No personal merit can bring about your acceptance, approval and accord with God. Own up for what you really are before God and he will be pleased to strike up an affinity and close association with you.

3/.  HUMILITY IS EXHIBITED WHEN WE LIVE IN SHEER DEPENDENCE UPON GOD

         Man was created with this very much to the fore, that he should live and work in loving reliance upon God. It was planned and purposed by God that men should learn to relate to Him in complete faith and trust in a blessed and wholesome partnership that would benefit both parties. Unfortunately sin promotes wilful independence that is harmful and destructive and generates pride and arrogance. There has to be the giving up of self-will and determination and a readiness to humble oneself and act in accord with His great and supreme designs. The humble discover that God has something bigger for them than they could ever hope to achieve through the independent way. Christ made it obvious in the first beatitude He taught: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN’ – Matthew 5; 3. If you want to know God and go places with Him then the humble walk of faith and dependence is a must.

4/.  HUMILITY IS MANIFESTED WHEN WE HAVE A GENUINE OF OURSELVES

         God never intended that man should demean himself and live in low esteem and with a sense of worthlessness. He did not make him to be and live in an undignified condition and role. Such is the consequence of sin. Evil robs him of his real identity and worth. In Christ, be means of spiritual renewal, divine worth is imparted and that requires that each possess a humble and honest appraisal and opinion of oneself. Instead of being puffed up with pride there is the conscious realization that one is a child and son of God and so must act as God acts in humility and yet with authority. The advice given by Paul must be taken on board: ‘For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God as dealt to every man the measure of faith’ – Romans 12: 3. Know who you are in Christ and your gifting and work out the same in a humble manner and you will increasingly know God.

5/. HUMILITY IS REVEALED WHEN THERE IS AN APPRECIATION OF OTHERS

          What God loves to see is good-will and harmony amongst mankind and especially in the Christian Church. This occurs when people see beyond their own selves and selfish ambitions and take into consideration the persons and abilities of their fellow men. God is to be known in the midst of love, harmony and recognition. Everyone is needed and everyone is dependent upon everyone else as 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31. Again Paul sounds the message clear: ‘Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others’- Philippians 2: 3, 4. The more you recognise others so God will recognise you and you will get to know Him more.

CONCLUSION

         As you learn to renounce pride and all that is associated with it and learn to revere God, acknowledge your need of His grace and input into your life to deal with sin, and as you simply trust Him, be conscious of your new standing and gifting in Him and perceive the spiritual quality of others in every way, so your knowledge of God will be real and will increase.

Rev. E. Anderson

Knowing God through the Christian church

Reading    Ephesians 3

Introduction

PURPOSE: One of God’s purposes in and through Jesus Christ, with regard to the Christian Church, is to make it a manifestation of His person and power. The Church community exists as a divine society in order to give a dynamic unfolding of God in an incredible manner. She does not exist for herself but has been divinely brought into being through the sovereign action of God to give a true display and demonstration of God.

EPISTLE: The letter that Paul wrote to a group of Christian believers situated at a place called Ephesus focuses attention on the Christian Church from many angles. Without doubt, he makes it perfectly clear that the Church, under the Headship of Christ, is to exhibit God in a dynamic fashion. He uses a number of expressions to make this truth obvious. For instance, in Ephesians 2 he shows that both Christian Jews and Gentiles are now a single body made into a divine habitation for God to live in and make Himself known. This is quite a miracle and an act of God!

MANIFESTATION: The knowledge of God through the Christian Church can be viewed from a number of positions and perceived experimentally and experientially.

1/.  It is be evident in its regeneration

   The word regeneration actually means ‘to be born and made to live again’. Paul describes the position of a person before they met Christ as being ‘dead in trespasses and sins’ – Ephesians 2: 1-3. But through the intervention of God’s grace and favour through Jesus Christ, they have been ‘quickened’ to a new spiritual life and made a living member of the family of God and are now in His household. They possess the new life and nature of God and have access to Him as Father and know His Fatherhood in life. All are called upon as Jesus Christ did to reflect the Fatherhood of God and their divine sonship – see Ephesians 1; 3-6. The Christian Church must make it obvious that it is alive to God and manifest His life.

2/.  It is to be apparent in its character

         Jesus Christ comes to take up residency and presidency in and over all who are within His Church and Christianise all. The character of the Church is to primarily reveal the disposition and qualities of Jesus Christ in every way.  As people view His Church, that is, His people, they are to behold a visible manifestation and representation of Him. People know God exists and that Christ is alive because they see such personified in the faith and behaviour of professing Christendom. Paul could state: ‘Christ liveth in me, : and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me’ – Galatians 2: 20. A proof to the existence of God is to be recognised in those profess to not only believe in Him but have Him resident in them through Jesus Christ. Christ shapes the character of the whole Church.

3/.  It is to be demonstrated in its testimony

The Christian Church possesses a true and vibrant testimony as seen in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Christ said ‘you will be witnesses unto Me’ – Acts 1: 8. In its early historical record it gives real and tangible evidence of God operative within its message in the manifestation of the miraculous and the dynamic changed lives of countless people. Wherever the pure and true Gospel of Christ is preached with divine inspiration it has the power to radically changed and renew lives and manifest the supernatural. The Acts declares the absolute conversion of one who was completely opposed and became a great adherent and messenger. He saw the Gospel of Christ at work in an incredible manner and asserted: ‘For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth’ – Romans 1: 16

4/.  It is to be manifested in its ministry

        Paul stated categorically that the Christian Church is to ‘be filled with all the fullness of God’ and through it ‘might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God’ – Ephesians 3: 19, 10. An awesome responsibility is therefore placed upon the Church as a whole that it should know these two great factors. As she is filled with God then the tremendous wisdom of God will be manifest. The infant Church right from the outset gave evidence that it was acting in accord with what heaven desired and planned within its ministry. It continued the ministry and work that Jesus Christ initiated. They looked to God to guide and confirm their service and He did – see Acts 4: 29-31.

5/.  It is to be proclaimed in its unity

        The prayer of Jesus Christ in John 17 underlined what He desired should be greatly manifest throughout the whole community – ‘that they may be one, even as we are one’ – vv21-23. As the Christian community becomes one in spirit and service it makes it apparent that God is in it of a truth. In a very much divided world and society, people long for a disclosure of a community that demonstrates the love and grace of God and so become attracted and affected by the oneness – John 13: 35. This is why the Church exists to bring divine harmony to the whole world.

6/.  It is to be expressed in its destiny

        The Christian Church is not a passing fancy or exhibition as the Ephesian letter reveals. She is the product of the eternal God and in through it He is going to demonstrate His Godhead in an eternal setting. What God is producing in time on earth is for an everlasting duration and He purposes to bring it all together in the climax of time – Ephesians 1: 9, 10.

Conclusion

Every Christian is to make certain that they are fulfilling the purpose of God in making Him known by united within the Christian community and reflecting Christ in every way.

Rev. E. Anderson

KNOWING GOD THROUGH THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST

Reading      John 1: 1- 18

Introduction

PLATFORM: Creation, the Bible, and History are the platform for the greatest and most personal revelation of God to man. They combine together as a unity to proclaim and affirm the unique and distinct unveiling of the most intimate and affectionate disclosure of God to humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. Whilst separately they make known God in powerful ways, yet together their witness is to point and pave the way for the most wonderful and inspiring unveiling of God in incarnating Himself through His Son in human flesh.

WRITER’S EMPHASIS: The New Testament introduces the person of Jesus Christ to not only the Jewish nation but the whole world for consideration and faith. The four opening Gospels testify and affirm to the advent, work and impact that this extraordinary person had upon them and the immediate society of their times. But it is John that seeks to set out clearly and emphatically the unique character and personality of Jesus Christ by stating unequivocally that He was and is the Son of God. Throughout his writings he is at pains to underline the fact that Jesus Christ is God personified in a human body and proves so by the justified claims of Christ.

STATEMENT: Christ makes a true statement and affirmation when He said: ‘I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me’ – John 14: 6. To get to know in a personal way and in an experiential sense God the Father, it is imperative to know and believe in God the Son, Jesus Christ. Later, He also in His teaching on God the Holy Spirit, makes known the fact that God the Holy Spirit is known in and through Him – John 14-16.

John makes the point in his preface and prologue that Jesus Christ came with this vital mission and ministry, to fully make God known. He says in v18 ‘No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him’ – that is, brought Him to view and placed Him on show for all to see and know what God is like. God is not a hidden factor any more: Jesus Christ has made Him clearly and fully intelligible and known. To truly manifest God, one must be God. In reading, studying and honestly considering Him in a number of areas it is possible to see and understand that He was ‘God manifest in the flesh’ – see 1 Timothy 3: 16. The infinite qualities and face of God is to be perceived in this unique, divine person.

1/.  IT IS DECLARED IN HIS UNIQUE BIRTH

        No one is left in any doubt that His advent into the world was absolutely different to the birth of any other child as Matthew 1 & 2 and Luke 1 & 2 record. His was no ordinary birth and it was one that was predicted with accuracy by Israel’s former prophets, Isaiah 7: 14; 9:6, 7 and Micah 5:2. He has been forever impacted and influenced by the appearance of this unique baby. Israel was expecting the advent of a Messiah and He came on time in accordance with God’s schedule. His was an historic advent!

2/.  IT IS EVIDENT IN HIS MIRACULOUS WORKS

        No one performed such outstanding, incredible deeds like Him and He made it abundantly clear that they were His credentials and testimony as to who He was, the Son of God ‘the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of Me’ – John 10: 25; 15: 24; 5: 36. There are seven major miracles in John’s Gospel, each attesting His deity. The final one was in the raising of Lazarus – John 11, which was a phenomenal wonder. John states that He did so many miracles that a library of books would be inadequate to record all – John 21: 25.

3/.  IT IS DISCLOSED IN HIS DYNAMIC WORDS AND TEACHING

        Those in His day who heard Him speak and teach were held spell-bound by His utterances in their authority and content – see Matthew 7: 28, 20. He had the capacity to switch people on to what He had to say and made it clear that they were the words of God. He who was entitled ‘the Word’ – John 1: 1,14, spoke the words of God as God – ‘the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent Me’ – John 14: 24. One soldier sent to arrest Christ came back empty-handed and affirmed: ‘Never man spake like this man’ – John 7: 46.

4/.  IT IS UNVEILED IN HIS SINLESS CHARACTER

        He claimed this distinction above all other men – that He was sinless. He could challenge both friend and foe alike – ‘Which of you convinceth or convicteth Me of sin’ – John 8: 46. All men have to admit their sinful state but He was uniquely different thus denoting that He was God manifest in the flesh. No accusation could be brought against Him when He was brought to judgment by men before men. He was the man ‘who loved righteousness and hated iniquity’ just as God does – Hebrews 1: 9.

5/.  IT IS MANIFESTED IN HIS EXTRAORDINARY DEATH

        We come to know God through His unusual and exceptional death. His demise is actually forecasted centuries before by the OT prophets – Psalm 22; and Isaiah 53 and is portrayed inn type in the offering of the sacrificial lamb in the ceremonies of Israel. It is also typified in the sacrifice of Isaac as related in Genesis 22. see John 1: 29. He was the man who was born to die and to die for the whole world in order to bring salvation and redemption – Matthew 20: 28. He made it clear that it was to be by the means of His death that man would be renewed and restored to a relationship with God, and His death was to be a covenant factor – Luke 22: 14-20. As Christian believers commemorate His death in Holy Communion they know and confirm their oneness with Him.

6/. IT IS CONFIRMED BY HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION AND EXALTATION

         His resurrection from the dead gives indisputable fact of His deity and person and His ascension and exaltation to heaven to occupy the throne expresses His continuance – Romans 1: 4. Christ is to be known in resurrection power as He is received and trusted in and He will be known as Lord. The early Christians were convinced of the fact that He was not only alive but Head and in control of His Church – see Acts 2: 29-36. All those who believe in His Saviourhood and accept His Lordship do discover these are absolute realities for He personally makes them good and effective.

CONCLUSION

When a person turns to and believes in Jesus Christ He confirms at the personal level His true identity and work, and it becomes obvious that He truly is God.

Rev. E. Anderson

KNOWING GOD THROUGH HISTORY

Reading Matthew 1

Introduction

SUBJECT: History is a subject that most people are interested in. It is mainly taken up with records of what has taken place of significance.  Each nation has its chronicle of events of things that have occurred of note, of people and epoch moments that have shaped their destiny. What has taken place nationally has impacted and affected in some cases the world at large. Most people look at such and interpret it from merely a human angle. That is all they know.

DIVINE HISTORY: When the Bible is read and investigated it puts a different aspect on it altogether and reveals that God has an agenda and program running. He is to be seen and known within such happenings. Primarily history is HIS-STORY, because he is outworking a fantastic eternal purpose which has to be understood, believed and for all to know an integral part.

From Genesis 1-11 there is the introduction of man’s historical beginnings and how things turned out, regretfully man failed God his Creator which resulted in chaos, disaster and judgment as evidenced in the Flood in Noah’s day – another historical fact – Genesis 6-8. Man got into further difficulty through pride and so the dispersion took place and the further break upon – Genesis 10-11. Although man had made a mess of things and was in a mess, God was not prepared to give mankind up. He was to begin a process of regeneration in a unique way.

    1/. HISTORY REVEALS GOD CHOOSING AND WORKING IN AND THROUGH A MAN

The name of Abraham has gone down not only in Bible history but world history, too. His contribution to mankind has been massive and quite extraordinary.

His life and history reveals a person who came to believe in God and the impact of his faith made upon his life. At the first, he was more or less polytheistic in his beliefs – believing in many gods. But then in supernatural and radical manner the true God was made known to him that as a result he, his life and his future was to be different and unique – Genesis 12: 1-4.

God did special and supernatural things thus showing His existence, love and power on his behalf. He was to give a son when it was no longer possible for Sarah to conceive and be pregnant and to be a mother – Genesis 15: 1-417: 15-19; 18: 10-15; Romans 4: 17-21. God was written into this man’s life and history beyond any doubt.

   2/.  HISTORY REVEALS GOD CHOOSING AND USING A NATION

God made known the prophetic fact of a unique people who would come into being through this seed and through whom He would make evident greater things for all mankind. They were simply to be a starting point and agency of something significant for humanity. He foretells their history in prophecy and so it came to pass.

·          He predicted they would become a nation of slaves – Genesis 15: 13

·          He proclaims ahead of time that they would know an amazing deliverance  - Genesis 15: 14

·          He announces that they would be possessors of a unique land – Genesis 15: 18-21

·          He foretells that He would make a great nation of them – Genesis 12: 2

·          God used this people to produce the sacred Scriptures, the writes all came from Israel – Romans 9: 4

·          God revealed that the main reason for their existence would be to prepare for the birth of a world Messiah and their prophets spoke of this unique person in their ministry – see Isaiah 53

   3/. HISTORY EXPRESSES THE BIRTH OF A UNIQUE PERSON WHO WAS TO IMPACT HUMAN SOCIETY

There is little doubt that this has reference to Jesus Christ, God’s Son, the man who invaded human history and the world has never been the same every since. Even the chronicle of time was affected – BC and AD.

The biographical and historical accounts of His life, work and accomplishments have been permanently recorded in the New Testament and such knowledge is at hands for all to read, understand and believe. God is to be known in the advent of Christ and it is to be realised it was all God-planned and produced.

 4/. HISTORY INCLUDES THE APPERANCE OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST THAT WAS AND IS TO AFFECT THE WORLD

The New Testament further attests the information of how the Christian Church was birthed and progressed and it cannot be seriously and studiously looked at without sensing that it is a vital part of human history that has certainly had a dynamic effect upon the world – see the book of Acts. The centuries have passed and it has continued in spite of all efforts to suppress and extinguish it. It has been a formidable factor and still is a growing concern. No one can deny that this agency and divine institution has had a big bearing upon this world. Those who have a mind to consider must surely see God in her being and working in spite of certain factors concerning her practices at times.

CONCLUSION

The simple but sure point that is being made is this: a perusal of history will throw up the fact that there is a unique design that has been working something important in the affairs of mankind. It is nothing less than the mind and will of God and this is to be appreciated and believed in.

Rev. E. Anderson

 KNOWING GOD THROUGH THE BIBLE, THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

Reading      2 Timothy 3: 15-17; Luke 24: 25-27, 32; Romans 1:2; 3: 2 etc

Introduction

The Bible, known as the Holy Scriptures are purposed to give a disclosure and unveiling of God to mankind. This is primarily the reason why they have been written and wonderfully preserved, it is for the benefit of opening the understanding of man with regard to God and in turn to create and cultivate within his heart toward God.

A UNIQUE BOOK: Without question, it is readily acknowledged that the Bible is recognised at the greatest book in human literature. It is still the most produced and publicised book and read by millions of people world-wide. Such a position is something of note. It is surprisingly a library of books written over centuries and God used various people in its composition from various walks of life. The Bible has been investigated by sincere and true scholars and each book had to pass an acid test with regard to authenticity and divine inspiration. Paul makes the point: ‘All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God’ – that is ‘God-breathed’

Someone once described the two Testaments as God’s two lips speaking to mankind through a written volume.

The underlying purpose of the Bible is to introduce man to God. If it is God’s book then it should reveal Him and make known some important considerations with regard to himself. Just as a written biography of any person can introduce and make obvious its author in a personal way so that it is possible to become acquainted with him/her, so with the Holy Scriptures.

QUALITY ASPECTS: In the revelation definite quality features are to be unveiled and established that gives a clear impression to mind and heart as to who the God of the Bible is in every way. These should be duly thought about and truly appreciated. They lead to quite a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of Him. If people will pray over the book to its author, then He will shed light on it and speak through it.

Here are some things the Holy Scriptures convey in relation to God.

1/.  A NUMBER OF TITLES ARE ASCRIBED TO HIM THAT DENOTE HIS PERSON IN SOME DEGREE

         God gives a self-revelation and disclosure in the names that are ascribed to Him in the Old Testament. Within a name is the embodiment of a meaning that carries vital truth that gives illumination on His person and character. Here are but three names:

         El as employed in Genesis 1: 1 ‘God’ which means the ‘Mighty One’. From the introduction of the Bible, Genesis, God establishes the fact that power and might truly belong to Him as noted in creation in all aspects, including man.

         El Shaddai is a name by which He made Himself known to Abraham and Jacob – Genesis 17: 1; 28: 3; 35: 11; 49: 25. It reveals Him as the God of all-sufficiency, as the One who is able to minister to all whatever the demand. He is typified as the ll-breasted God who can feed and fill all His creation and creatures at the same time without difficulty.

         Jehovah is the special title that was revealed to Moses and was to be particularly known to Israel and is expressed in the name ‘LORD’. The word relates to ’being’ and emphasises His eternal and ever-present existence. Someone translated it ‘ I continue to be what I continue to be’. The three tenses, past, present and future is combined in one unique title and declare Him as the ever-present God. He is to be known in this capacity and ministry.