Nothing in the universe matters more than knowing God. He has revealed himself in striking ways that call for complete realignment of our lives around him.
Jude 24-25 speaks to the IDENTITY of God
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
- He is the eternal God — “before all time and now and forever.”
- He is the absolute and exclusive God — “the only God.”
- He is the saving God — “our Savior.”
- He is the reconciling God — “Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- He is the approachable God — “through.”
- He is the caring God — “him who is able to keep you from stumbling.”
- He is the sanctifying God — “to present you blameless before the presence of his glory.”
- He is the fulfilling God — “with great joy.”
- He is the exalted God — “be glory, majesty, dominion and authority.”
Romans 16:25-27 speaks to the ETERNAL PURPOSE of God
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
- He is “the only wise” God.
- He is the strengthening God — “him who is able to strengthen you.”
- According to the gospel.
- According to the preaching of Jesus Christ.
- According to the revelation of the disclosed mystery.
- According to the command of the eternal God.
- He is the authoritative God — “to bring about the obedience of faith.”
- He is the glorified God — “be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!”
Hebrews 13:20-21 speaks to the ONGOING MISSION of God
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
- He is the peacemaking God — “may the God of peace.”
- He is the resurrecting God — “who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus.”
- He is the shepherding God — “the great shepherd of the sheep.”
- He is the covenant-keeping God — “by the blood of the eternal covenant.”
- He is the equipping God — “equip you with everything good.”
- He is the sovereign God — “that you may do his will.”
- He is the working God — “working in us that which is pleasing in his sight.”
Nothing in the universe matters more than knowing God.
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? (Gal 4:8-9)
This sermon was delivered on April 7, 2013.
For more sermons, visit the sermons archive or subscribe to the podcast.