December 11, 2004 God Speaks Today
December 19, 2004, Acts 17:24-27
December 26, 2004 God’s Marshmallow Test

December 11, 2004
God Speaks Today

"The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land-not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD Amos 8:11-12

But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak … nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Psalms 115:4-5, 7

"Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? …For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. … Can it give guidance? Habakkuk 2:18-19

Through His Scriptures

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, Hebrews 1:1

1. Revelation

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

2. Inspiration

3. Illumination

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. … When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:27, 30-32

4. Application

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror James 1:22-23

…and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

… Through His Son

· Creation

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. … The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-2

· Incarnation

… in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being … Hebrews 1: 2-3

… Through His Spirit

"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
John 16:12-15

Finding God

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December 19, 2004
Acts 17:24-27

What keeps you from seeking God?

· Religious traditions

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men Mark 7:8

· Pride

In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. Psalm 10:4

How do I find God?

· Seek Him wholeheartedly

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

· Start with Jesus

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9

· Get rid of the barrier between you and God

… everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. Romans 3:23 Today’s English Version

How will I know that I found God?

· Accept by faith that God is with you

Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. Ephesians 2:8-10 The Message

· You will no longer feel guilty

… the blood of Christ … cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God. Hebrews 9:14

· You will begin to change

When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Living Bible

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December 26, 2004
God’s Marshmallow Test

Luke 2:25 – 35
Historical context

· God caused His people to wait throughout the Old Testament
· The Intertestamental period was 400 years of silence
· Messianic expectation was high just before the birth of Jesus

The ability to wait well, to delay gratification is the master aptitude that leads to personal maturity and effective living
Daniel Goleman in Emotional Intelligence

Simeon gained patience to wait by …
… The Work of the Holy Spirit

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior Titus 3:5-6

· Infilling v. 25
· Revelation v. 26
· Guidance v. 27
… The Hope of Salvation

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? Romans 8:24

· For Simeon this was the birth of Jesus
· For us this is the return of Jesus

But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. I John 3:2-3

… you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. I Thessalonians 1:10

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Titus 2:11-13

This sermon outline has been adapted from Scott Wenig, a professor at Denver Seminiary

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