Joy of God's Character- Part 1
Notes
Transcript
Joy of God's Character
Nehemiah 9:32-37
Characteristics of God
Great (32)
Mighty (32)
Awesome (32)
Covenant Keeper (32)
Righteous (33)
Revealer (34)
Giver (35-36)
Disciplinarian (37)
Part One: Nehemiah 9:32
INTRODUCTION
Southern Baptist Convention
Our convention entities are strong.
Leaders of our 5 seminaries- faithful to God and Bible.
North American Mission Board- In last decade 17% of our SBC churches have been started. 54% of Canadian Churches started in last decade. Largest Annie Armstrong offering in history.
IMB- It is what unites us. Commissioned 52 missionaries on Tuesday.
2 Big Controversies
Fundamentalist Push- CBN/ limit who can cooperate./ Want to get rid of what they call a “liberal drift”. It was not a vote against Voddie Baucham or Tom Ascol. It was a vote against the new line in the sand of cooperation.
Sex Abuse Scandal- Sad reality is some of the leaders of the CBN found themselves at the center of this scandal.
Even with this division going on the report received overwhelming support and the recommendations were approved. Over 90% support.
We are going to do everything we can to protect our members from the youngest to the most vulnerable.
We chose to support the survivors over the institution.
After our next business conference I will address more specifics and take questions. You are welcome to contact me anytime.
Supreme Court Decision to overturn Roe vs Wade.
We can celebrate. We have won a battle that evangelical churches have been fighting for almost 50 years.
It was just a battle in a bigger war. The war is not against liberals. The war is not against women. The war is a spiritual battle for the souls of mankind.
We will continue to support women and babies as we have for the last 2000 years. 20% of babies were aborted last year. But it is actually a symptom of a bigger societal issue.
A return to Biblical sexual relationships of one man and woman for life is the answer. God gives boundaries and getting outside those boundaries has far reaching affects on a society as a whole.
However, the good news for us, breeds hate and despair to those who believe that the right to end the life of a baby is part of reproductive rights. Riots of hate have sprung up all over our nation. It has added fuel to the millions who feel rejected by society. Add $5.00 a gallon gasoline and war in Europe, and despair gives way to unrest.
How do we make it in a world that seems to be falling apart?
We find our anchor in God.
32 “Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day.
The people of Israel had come together with Nehemiah to fix the walls of Jerusalem as well as return to God’s Word.
They were living firsthand the affects of sin.
13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Prayer of repentance (last few months)
4 Characteristics of Our God Who Anchors Us
1- God is Great
1- God is Great
Strength
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
Things are not out of control.
He is holding things together.
He is strong enough to hold things together in a fallen world.
God orders or allows all things. If he allows it, it has a purpose.
2- God is Mighty
2- God is Mighty
Hero/ Champion
He will save the day. It’s what heroes do.
Old Testament pointed to the hero- the Messiah.
New Testament points back to the first coming of the hero, Jesus, and the future coming when he puts an end to sin and death completely.
Best stories have heroes and villains.
Top Gun Maverick - great story that makes you feel good.
The Avengers
Star Wars
God is the hero.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
He died for all of mankind.
3- God is Awesome
3- God is Awesome
We over use this word.
Song in The Lego Movie, “Everything is Awesome.”
We use it for anything fun, beautiful, likable...
Biblical Word= Worthy of fear.
He is so powerful and good/ the just judge.
ILL- killing Papa’s beautiful pheasant.
I walked up to the one I loved with fear of what he might do to me.
4- God is Faithful
4- God is Faithful
“keeps covenant and steadfast love.”
He always kept the covenant he made with God’s people.
They had messed up and been driven out of the promised land.
However, 2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
He was bringing them back to what he had taken away.
We live under a new covenant on this side of the cross.
Greater covenant because the sacrifice is greater.
27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
No matter what you are going through, God is faithful.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
He loves you and has provided everything you need.
CONCLUSION
We are all sinners in need of a Savior.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Do you need an anchor in your life?
