Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It Is To Men As They Are

"Preach The Word"

Text: Matt 22:41-42 says: " While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.

Introduction:

The Bible speaks about God’s thoughts and our thoughts. It is interesting to see what the Bible says about God’s thoughts.

1. They are countless thoughts.

Psalms 40:5 declares- "Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered."

2. They are deep thoughts.

Psalms 92:5 states, " O LORD, how great are thy works! [and] thy thoughts are very deep."

3. They are higher thoughts.

Isa. 55:8-9 reminds us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD–for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

4. They are peaceful thoughts.

Jeremiah 29:11 states: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." God wants us to have rest of soul by being reconciled unto Himself. That is why Jesus came, bleeding and dying for sinners.

You can think about selfish things, sinful things, or about spiritual things. You are wise to think upon the God who saved you and bought you soul at Calvary.

Today as I was going down the road in the automobile my thoughts were on the Lord. Do you want to know what I was thinking about God? I will be glad to take a few minutes to tell you what I though about as I considered Him.

I. I Think About A Friend

Prov. 17:17 says, "A friend loveth at all times."

The great Puritan, Charles Bridges, wrote in his commentary on this verse, if a man finds one true friend in a lifetime, he has found a great treasure.

A real friend loves you when you’re up and when you are down.

He loves you when others speak well of you or evil about you.

He is there when you are sinking as well as when you are sailing.

When your vessel crashes against the rocks, he is there to help pick up the pieces.

A. In Times Of Futility He Loves Us

"Futility" speaks of times of a sense of "uselessness." Do you often get to the point that you feel useless in the sight of God? Even when you feel that way, it does not change His love for you.

B. In Times Of Failure He Loves Us

How many times have we failed to live up to God’s expectations for us? How many times have we come far short of what we ought to be? It is one thing to come up short, but another thing come up short and not realize or admit it.

Ills. Simon Peter denied the Lord but Jesus told the disciples, "Go tell Peter"—after His resurrection.

C. In Times Of Forsaking He Loves Us

When others forsake us for whatever reason it may be, it does not change God’s feelings for us. We need to remember that Christ died for us "while we were yet sinners" (Rom.5:8).

Others will forsake you often even when you are trying to do the right thing about any situation. If everyone else turned their back on you, and gave up on your as a lost cause, it would not alter or change the affections of our God.

II. I Think About A Faithful One

Two times in the New Testament we read the words—"God is faithful" (1 Cor. 1:9 & 10:13). To be "faithful" is to be thorough in the performance of one’s duties—to be true to one’s word or promises—to be steady in allegiance of affection–to be loyal, constant, or trustworthy. I can say surely He is a faithful God.

A. He Is Faithful To Converse With Us ---"God said"

God speaks with his people in three main ways:

1. Through His Word- Hear the Word as it is preached.

2. Through His Spirit- Wait to listen for God’s still small voice.

3. Through His People-God may have some else to speak for Him in giving us a warning or exhortation.

B. He Is Faithful To Correct Us–

"He scourgeth every son whom he receiveth" (Heb.12:6).

He does so because He loves us and wants us to be like the Lord Jesus Christ. No child ever amounts to anything without correction.

C. He Is Faithful To Control What Affects Us–

Philippians 2:13 informs us about what do is doing in us, through us and for us: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure." Never fear tomorrow because you know Who controls it by His mighty power. In spite of devils and demons, Jesus still reigns and controls. He has authority and control over all of nature.

Illustration:

I never have been afraid of lightening as long as was in some enclosed shelter. My God is over it all. That ought to help you the next time a storm comes.

III. I Think About A Forever One

Psalms 90:2 declares, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou [art] God."

We humans divide time into past, present and future. But as God sees it, it is one eternal NOW. His existence excludes all measurement of time.

Someone has said, "Eternity is His title, the jewel of His crown. He is the King Eternal (1 Tim.1:17).

Note:I think of that heart-wrenching day I had to follow the body of my earthly dad to the cemetary. I loved him very much, but Ben Walker did not have an everlasting existence. But, thank God, my Father in heaven does.

IV. I Think of A Fruit Producing One

Jesus said in John 15:5: " I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

We should desire to be fruitful for the Lord Jesus Christ. We are beneficial and profitable to God as we bear fruit that He produces in us.

What does He give us? Gal.5:22-23–"love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance." The Holy Spirit produces Christian character in you and me. Self effort is not that which produces what we need in our lives to progress and prosper for God.

Conclusion:

Are you thinking of God much during the day?

Do you want to think of Him more? You say, "How do I do that?" Just do it and your life will be blessed, helped and furthered as you consider Him.

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