R sbc
July 22 2007
Sunday Morning
Series:“Christ the Sum & Substance of the Bible”
Sermon # 125
Subject: “SEEING HIM AS HE IS”
Text: I John 3-1-3
Intro: In this marvelous text we stand this morning before you to preach on one the mysteries of the bible. It is not entirely a mystery because it has been revealed to us, and in the revelation of it, we still cannot fathom it.
These three verses unveil Christ in a magnificent way.... it shows the heart of GOD our Father Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. The term “Behold” It does not mean simply to look at, but it means to turn your whole attention to, mind, soul, and senses.
It was a common word in John’s day... Just like John the Baptist used it call attention to the LORD. It was used a lot in the OT. Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
So in this message this morning I wish to show you if I may, the power of this revealed text, the one of whom the text really speaks of... JESUS CHRIST our LORD.
I... “ THE MANNER OF HIS LOVE...VS 1
It is the manner of love, why would it begin with such a statement. I would say without the Love of God for his people there would be no sending of Christ to die for us.. I say nothing knew this morning, but wish to show and emphasize his love as the motivation of his grace and mercy to us.
1. It is inseparable love:
Ro 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. You quit loving me, husband quit loving their wives and wives the husband, children the parents, but not GOD he will never quit loving us...
2. It is a love that is in us:
Ro 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
3. It is a kind love:
Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
4. It is a sacrificial love:
1Jo 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jo 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
5. It is a constraining love:
2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
II... THE MARVEL OF HIS LOVE: VS 1
It is clear that it has been bestowed on us, THAT MY FRIENDS IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT...My vocabulary is limited to describe such a fact. The word means to be astounded at. Paul used the word and so did the Lord Jesus when their was a reaction to his preaching, and in Paul’s case when they had so suddenly removed themselves to another gospel.
1. The marvel of the bestowal of his love:
Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
2. The marvel of our sonship:
This is a grand and glorious position that we have because of Christ we are full grown sons of GOD. The next verse says “beloved now we are the sons of GOD. Not going to be, but we are.
How may I know if I am a son of GOD?
a. Have you received Christ:
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born , not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
b. Are you being led by the Holy spirit? Ro 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.Ro 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
c. Do you have a witness in you?
Ro 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
d. Do you have faith in Christ
Ga 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Ga 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
3. The marvel of glorification: vs 2
We know that according to the bible, this is a foregone conclusion. We know that Paul preached and wrote that for our assurance. Romans 8-29 ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
To deny these verses is to deny the purpose of GOD. It is really spiritual stupidity to deny such wonderful verses in the BIBLE. This honors the Lord and deflates man.
1 Cor 15-42-49
4. The marvel of purity:
David said: Ps 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
a. The sure promise: When he shall appear.
This want fail... Jesus said he would come again, Paul said he would, the angles said he would, the preachers say he will the bible clearly teaches it.
b. The sure hope: vs 3
This word hope has to do with a joyful expectation of the children of GOD. Not all will welcome Christ, but only those who have repented and have had faith in the LORD JESUS CHRIST as their only saviour.
Conclusion:
Wherein lieth your source of peace, wherein lieth your hope, wherein lieth your joy, wherein lieth your wisdom... it must be without doubt in this final verse this morning: Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Christ is all you need to be saved, Christ is all you need to fit for heaven, Christ is all you need for righteousness, Christ is all you need to be forgiven, Christ is all you need to accepted in the beloved, Christ is all you need to be whatever GOD demands of us to be, for we are complete in him...