All That Glitters Is Not Gold

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

All that glitters [sparkles, gleams] is not gold” is a saying which means that things/people which might look good on the outside may not be so when you look closer.

Sadly, we live in a world obsessed with glitter and outward appearances (e.g., social media highlights!).

1. The domain of darkness glitters

(a) Satan has lied from the beginning:

(b) Satan has servants who also look good but who lie:

(c) And sadly, many are duped by Satan and his servants (we all were, in fact):

2. All that is gold does not glitter

(a) Jesus was despised:

(b) But His blood was more valuable than any amount silver or gold:

(c) His true worth is praised:

3. Truth and the kingdom of God’s beloved Son

(a) Why did Jesus come into the world?

(b) The importance of truth:

(c) So we must be diligent to know this truth and to not let it go!

4. Remain transferred from darkness to light

(a) Jesus’ mission:

(b) Paul’s mission was the same as Jesus’ mission:

(c) Our mission is the same as that of Jesus and Paul:

(d) Beware, because “once transferred doesn’t mean always transferred”:

All that glitters [sparkles, gleams] is not gold” means that things/people which might look good on the outside may not be so when you look closer.

 

We’ve seen:

  1. The domain of darkness glitters (paradoxical)
  2. All that is gold does not glitter (= Jesus)
  3. Truth and the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (the truth is so important)
  4. Remain transferred from darkness to light (Jesus’ mission)

Everything becomes crystal clear when we see the Lord.

Isaiah found this out …

(i) He saw the Lord

(ii) He then saw himself and society minus the “glitter”

(iii) He was then truly transformed

That’s what we’ve got to do constantly!

Is God Joking?

Is God Joking?

Does God really mean what He says, or is He joking (= saying ridiculous things which cannot be taken seriously)?

Let’s consider:

  1. Sarah
  2. Lot’s sons-in-law
  3. Some of Pharaoh’s servants
  4. The people of Judah
  5. The crowd with Jairus’ daughter
  6. Mockers in these last days

What’s New in the New Year?

What’s New in the New Year?

God has graciously granted to us all here today the start of another new year:

  • 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

But, What’s New in the New Year?

  1. There is nothing is new under the sun
  2. But everything is new under the Son
(i) A new and living way to God
(ii) A new covenant
(iii) A new man
(iv) A new life
(v) A new creature
(vi) A new heaven and a new earth

Let’s make the most of whatever time God has graciously given us to serve Him and to help others as we should (cf. Matt. 22:36-40).

Ongoing Obligations to Ourselves and to Others (According to Jude 20-23)

Ongoing Obligations to Ourselves and to Others

(According to Jude 20-23)

Continually hear from God, talk to God, obey God, and wait for God!

Don’t let such “ungodly persons” (Jude 4) claim more victims!

  • Christians have a responsibility for their own spiritual well-being.

But Christians also have a responsibility for the spiritual well-being of others

Do not add to or take from God’s commands

Do not add to or take from God’s commands

 

1. In the first century

 

(a) The sect of the Pharisees added to the word of God

(b) The sect of the Sadducees took away from the word of God

(c) Jesus and His disciples simply obeyed the word of God

 

2. Today

 

(a) Modern sects/denominations also add to the word of God

(b)  Modern sects/denominations also take away from the word of God

(c) Like Jesus, we must simply obey the word of God

Conclusion

Our lesson today has been:  Do not add to or take from God’s commands

Reject all modern sects/denominations which add to or take away from the word of God!

Simply be added to and remain in the church that Jesus built

 

 

Have you not Read?

Have you not Read?

What Happened at the Beginning? Where God Spoke and it was So? Gen 1:6-7; Gen 1:9; Gen 1:14-15; Gen 1:24; Psa 33:8-9 Where God gave Commandments to Adam Gen 2:15-18 Where Mankind Believed a Lie? Gen 3:1-6; 1Ti 2:14 What Jesus Said in His Day? Jesus uses the Word of God as his Sword to defeat Satan Mat 4:3-10 Jesus warns followers about the unfaithful teachings of the religious leaders Mat 23:1-3; Mat 15:1-3; Mat 22:1-5 What we need to do? Where Jesus gives the great Commission? Mat 28:18-20 How we know that we know Him? 1Jn 2:3-6 If you Don’t do his Will? Mat 7:21-23; Rev 21:7-8

The Door Will Shut (Luke 13:22-30)

The Door Will Shut (Luke 13:22-30)

Someone asked Jesus a very relevant question: And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” 

Let’s consider Jesus’ teaching in Lk.13:24-30 today under the following headings:

  1. Strive to enter through the narrow door (13:24)
  2. The head of the house will get up and shut the door (13:25-27)
  3. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (13:28-30)

Will you and I be among the saved when the door is shut?

  • Let’s “strive to enter through the narrow door” ( 13:24)!

Not yet a Christian?

  • 16:16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Erring as a Christian?

  • Acts 8:22 “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.

Already a Christian?

    • Rev 2:10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Lord of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1)

Lord of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1)

The Lord of Heaven

A blank Canvas Gen 1:2-5; Psa 118:27

God made heaven or space Gen 1:6-8

God made the sun and the moon Gen 1:14-19

The Lord of Earth God Creates plants, Trees Gen 1:9-13

Birds of the Sky and fish of the Sea Gen 1:20-23

God makes all land-dwelling organisms Gen 1:24-25

The Lord of Man Made in God’s Image Gen 1:26-28

Pangs of Conscience Gen 3:7-8; 1Ti 4:2; Eph 4:19

We are accountable to our Creator Mat 22:36-39; Mat 12:33-37