THERE IS NONE LIKE HIM

THERE IS NONE LIKE HIM

'O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? [Deu 3:24]

For who in the skies is comparable to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty is like the LORD,.... O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. [Psa 89:6,8]

There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. - "For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know.   "For this reason You are great, O Lord GOD; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. - But just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."  For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. [Psa 86:8,- 2Sa 7:21-22,- 1Co 2:9-10]

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

[Deu 29:29]

Love your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all our soul, with all your might and Love you neighbor as you love yourself.

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BOLDLY PRAY TO YOUR FATHER - CHAMBERS

Words of great wisdom from Oswald Chambers:

What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? -Matthew 7:9

The illustration of prayer that our Lord used here is one of a good child who is asking for something good. We talk about prayer as if God hears us regardless of what our relationship is to Him (see Matthew 5:45).

Never say that it is not God's will to give you what you ask. Don't faint and give up, but find out the reason you have not received; increase the intensity of your search and examine the evidence. Is your relationship right with your spouse, your children, and your fellow students? Are you a "good child" in those relationships? Do you have to say to the Lord, "I have been irritable and cross, but I still want spiritual blessings"? You cannot receive and will have to do without them until you have the attitude of a "good child."

We mistake defiance for devotion, arguing with God instead of surrendering. We refuse to look at the evidence that clearly indicates where we are wrong. Have I been asking God to give me money for something I want, while refusing to pay someone what I owe him? Have I been asking God for liberty while I am withholding it from someone who belongs to me? Have I refused to forgive someone, and have I been unkind to that person? Have I been living as God's child among my relatives and friends? (see Matthew 7:12).

I am a child of God only by being born again, and as His child I am good only as I "walk in the light" (1 John 1:7). For most of us, prayer simply becomes some trivial religious expression, a matter of mystical and emotional fellowship with God. We are all good at producing spiritual fog that blinds our sight. But if we will search out and examine the evidence, we will see very clearly what is wrong- a friendship, an unpaid debt, or an improper attitude. There is no use praying unless we are living as children of God. Then Jesus says, regarding His children, "Everyone who asks receives . . ." (Matthew 7:8).

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SERMON: ON SONSHIP

20190825su-SERMON-Sonship In Christ Gal 4: 1-31

SERMON SYNOPSIS

Being a part of the Body of CHRIST is being a part or portion of the whole universe. A Universal Family. One that eternally exists. Just as with our earthly bodies, our parts each play a special, sometimes critical role in our ability to be alive. In our families we each play an important part in the function and success of the whole. My sister and I were three years apart, I was the older. The idea that we were expected to be a part of the family solution usually fell short by several methods of measurement. We disagreed about breathing the same air! As we matured, or at least my sister did, unimportant issues fell away replaced by love, respect, cooperation, understanding, loyalty.....God!

Today, on this Lord's day, we find the Apostle Paul returning to the churches of Galatia. It is a bittersweet reunion because the Gospel that had been originally preached and received has become polluted by heresy, and false doctrine. The deviations in the practice of the faith now needs Fatherly attention, firmness, and a whole-lotta love! Today we will study in the New Testament and the Book of Galatians, with close attention to Chapter Four.

OPENING PRAYER

O Lord, our GOD, we live in a time of enormous distraction and a strong bond with the worldly influence on our SOULS. That is a dangerous place to be in the present times. Father, it is a difficult time for believers and a huge challenge for us just to maintain that which we have gained and that which we have yet to overcome ....by Your wondrous GRACE. Open our ears to the words of Your Servant Paul as he guides the churches of Galatia back to that narrow road, the path to Eternal Glory. Let the TRUTH in SCRIPTURE be on my lips this morning......In the Name above of all names, we pray, AMEN.

SERMON

The Galatian churches were founded by Paul at his first visit, when he was detained among, them by sickness, during his second missionary journey, about A.D 51. He visited them again on his third missionary tour. The people have always been described as "susceptible of quick impressions and sudden changes, with a fickleness equal to their courage and enthusiasm, and a constant liability to that disunion which is the fruit of excessive vanity. {Smith Bible Dictionary}

The Apostle Paul was credited with establishing the first Christian Churches in Galatia, so as a Father figure, he was most concerned when upon his return to the land, the PURITY of the preached GOSPEL had suffered.

We begin our study in Galatians Chapter 1, and Verses 6 through 10:

Gal 1:6-10  [Paul is speaking here] : I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;  (7)  which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  (8)  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  (9)  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!  (10)  For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Paul's heart was sorely wounded by what he found upon his return. What made it even more distressful was the unacceptable behavior by PETER and to a lesser degree, BARNABAS, shunning the New CONVERTS at ANTIOCH, refusing to eat with the Gentiles when in the presence of the JERUSALEM JEWS who would visit.

Paul continues from Verse 2:11;

Gal 2:11-16  But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.  (12)  For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.  (13)  The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.  (14)  But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?  ..... Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

Without exception, Paul is absolutely determined to halt the spread of this HERITICAL CANCER that was seemingly ignored by members of His own team.

Gal 3:1-6  You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?  (2)  This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  (3)  Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  (4)  Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?  (5)  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 

It is difficult for us, you and me, to grasp the constant conflict that presented itself between followers of Jesus and of those whose lives were literally sewn to the fabric of the LAW. Having said this, I proclaim to you that same struggle, that same opposition continues today through out many religious DENOMINATIONS. DENOMINATIONS that teach that which is ABSOLUTELY counter to what is written in HOLY SCRIPTURE. The LAW was written about 430 years after God's Promise to Abraham that his SEED, not seeds, His SEED would become the SAVIOR of the World! That was the very WORD of God.

Open your Bibles to the Book of John, Chapter One, Verses 1 - 5 and 14:

Joh 1:1-5  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 came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  (4)  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  (5)  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. Joh 1:14  And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The PROMISED SEED spoken of to Abraham is the same seed that has always been with God, ETERNALLY. The SEED is also known by His other name, the WORD, and the WORD to which John refers is JESUS. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is absolutely CRYSTAL clear that through the Atoning Death and Resurrection, the shedding of the blood of JESUS, those who call upon His name and hold true to obeying His word until the end, THEY WILL BE SAVED! By Grace, through FAITH in CHRIST, according to SCRIPTURE in glory to GOD!

If ANY presentation of the Gospel tells you that you must have WORKS plus FAITH or any other requirement to be saved, they are preaching a FALSE GOSPEL. Our salvation by GRACE make us Heirs of His promise. Heirs to the Kingdom.

Gal 4:3-7

So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.  (4)  But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,  (5)  so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  (6)  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"  (7)  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

Mere words cannot express the grandeur, or the wonder in the fulfilling words that I have just shared with you. Paul shed many tears for these precious converts who were being teased away from the TRUTH of SALVATION--and led

toward a false teaching.

SUMMARY

In Jesus own words: Mat 24:24  "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. These last three words " even the elect" are scary words even to the well versed Bible student or scholar. Don't let your faith in Christ Jesus be shaken by doubt over sweet sounding words that tickle your ears and make you feel good while leading you straight to Hell. We are saved by GRACE through FAITH in Jesus the Christ, according to SCRIPTURE all for the glory of GOD.

HOW DO I KNOW THIS? IT'S IN THE BOOK!!!!

CLOSING PRAYER

O Mighty Sovereign Creator , In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with YOU, and the Word was YOU.  He was in the beginning with YOU. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. He in YOU and YOU in Him. How very blessed we are LORD to have Your very Word available at all times to be our Guide, our Light, our MAP of Life leading to the TRUTH. I pray Your words will be forever anchored in all of our hearts, minds and souls, that we will steel ourselves and be strong in the face of all temptations that fail the tests of Your mighty TRUTH. Be with us, keep us strong, keep us true and in Your Word. IN the name of Jesus the Christ, I pray, AMEN.

BENEDICTION AND CLOSE

Heb 13:20-21  Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,  (21)  equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE

Galatians 1:6-10, 2: 11-16, 3:1-6, 4:3-7, Mt 24:24, Heb 13:20-21

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FOLLOWING HIS EXAMPLE

FOLLOWING HIS EXAMPLE

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. [1Pe 2:21]

At the very moment that our "substance" was formed in our mother's wombs, God was there! As our tiny bones were being "knitted together" The Lord gave us our instructions and our design. The type of personality, talents, characteristics, interests and abilities; all programmed into our tiny growing bodies in that special secret place. These attributes were gifted so that we could use them to bring great glory to HE who created us. The awareness of the Lord's existence was written on our hearts. He gave us the internal sense of being created. Created by something or someone much, much greater than ourselves.

God gave us much more through His son, the Christ. From the very day of creation of the world, Jesus was there --  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. [ Joh 1:1-4,14]

From the start, Jesus was there. Interceding on our behalf before the Father. As the Father spoke, the Word created and the Holy Spirit guided. Serving the Father of all creation as only a Son can serve. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. [Mar 10:45]

This wondrous gift, Holy and pure, born of a natural woman by heavenly seed took on the mantel of biological man to teach us by His example how to love and serve our Creator. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. [ Act 10:38]

Time and time again, even beyond the Cross, Jesus takes us by the hand and demonstrates the reality of an Eternal life beyond our tent, serving and loving , step by step; Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. [ Gal 6:2]

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; - Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you,- the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. [Php 2:3- Eph 4:32-1Jn 2:6]

But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Luk 23:34-Heb 12:2]

Are YOU following HIS example?

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HE DREW ME

HE DREW ME

He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. {Psa 18:16}

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. - And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,  in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. {Psa 40:2 - Eph 2:1-3}

Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer.  From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. - You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance. {Psa 61:1-2 - Psa 66:12}

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. {Isa 43:2}

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JEHOVAH-SHALOM

Jehovah-Shalom

Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace. [Jehovah-Shalom] {Jdg 6:24} The Lord displayed such patience with Gideon, waiting at Gideon's request as a proper sacrifice was prepared, and thrice more as Gideon further tested to be assured that the Lord was, in fact, the Lord!

Great patience has the Lord, and through His grace He wills that PEACE shall prevail, WISDOM and KINDNESS to be watchwords.

Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. -- The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. -- For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. {1Ch 22:9, Mat 12:42}

The prophesy of the coming of the Lord begins in Genesis and flows all through the Old Testament and squarely into the New. The Word culminates in the Revelation of Jesus to the Apostle John. What was spoken of in Isaiah comes alive; Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places;  (19)  And it will hail when the forest comes down, And the city will be utterly laid low. { Isa 9:6, Isa 32:18-19}

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall. -- This One will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land, When he tramples on our citadels, Then we will raise against him Seven shepherds and eight leaders of men. {Eph 2:14, Mic 5:5} --These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful. {Rev 17:14}

Are you in this group? The called, the chosen, the faithful? God Bless you if you are. If you are not in this group, why not? There is no middle ground! Make a choice!

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. {Joh 14:27}

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