One of the things we need in our society today, confidence. Some may have it, but many are struggling. In our country, many are struggling. We need to gain confidence as God's children.
Some gain confidence in the stock market. There are people who will gain confidence when we get the vaccine for the Corona virus. Different people, or things give us confidence.
We're going to be looking at a 3 lesson series to discover Where are the Directions. These three lessons will help us to have the confidence to understand that we have everything we need.
The Word of God Gives us the Direction we Need
The Bible has everything we need to gain confidence in this life.
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” — John 12:48
These are words which Jesus spoke in His earthly ministry. He said, there is coming a day when everyone will face the judgment. He also says, the words that He has spoked will judge us.
You can take confidence in that because you can know He gave us the words by which we will be judged. Therefore, you can learn from it, and prepare for it.
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” — John 5:28-29
We have from these two passages;
- A Day of Judgment
- An hour when this will begin
- A resurrection with onion two possible outcomes
How long does Life & Damnation last?
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”— Matthew 5:46
- Eternal - Punishment
- Eternal - Life
There is no difference between the word everlasting and eternal.
One of these two destinies will be faced by every single person. And, that destination will be determined by the very words of Jesus.
Our Direction Comes from the Words of Jesus, they will Judge
Where did Jesus get these words?
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” — John 12:49
Jesus Christ, is acting under the authority of God the Father. He gave mankind The Words that would that will be used to judge us all in the last day!
During His primary ministry, he spent most of His time with his apostles, the chosen 12 Jesus taught and prepared them to preach and teach all people what to observe.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” — Matthew 28:18-20
What if these men forgot something? What if they left something out? What if they forgot something when it came time to write these things down?
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” — John 14:26
Nothing is going to be left out!
The Holy Ghost would make sure of that. The Holy Ghost would help them to remember everything that He had taught them. Nobody was going to forget anything important.
We Can Be Confident that Nothing was Left Out of our Guide for Direction
All 3 members of the Godhead were working together to make sure the words that are going to be used to judge us would be available to the 1st century Christians.
- GOD - The Father - The originator
- God - The Son - The Executor
- God - The Holy Spirit - The Communicator
- John 1:1,15
- Acts 5:1-11
God was in charge of the whole thing from start to finish and was Active in every aspect of it. All carried out by God.
Nothing was Left Out!
The giving of the word of God was a matter of Divine accomplishment throughout.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” — 2 Peter 1:3
Nothing was Left Out!
This was done by Divine accomplishment.
The people living in the 1st century HAD the directions. They HAD ALL the directions.
- Came from God
- Set into place by God
- Given to man by God
- God the Father - Originated
- God the Son - Executed
- God the Holy Spirit - Communicated
They had ALL the directions!
Where Are the Directions Today?
So, how did the directions which came directly from God – get from the 1st century Christians to 21st century Christians?
Through written language the message was carried forth.
- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 13
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13
The words are not the words of men, but they are the very words of God.
They had ALL the directions! How do We know that we do?
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” — 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Nothing was left out. They received in the first century everything that God wanted them to have. It was written down. We can be confident that the Bible is God's word.
Do you have that confidence?
Are you living obediently to God? Are you following His will in everything that He's given us? Everything that's for us today as New Testament Christians?
If so, you are believing that these are the very words of God. If not, it may be because we don't really trust it. Maybe we think, something got left out.
If we aren't obedient to His will we don't believe it, trust it or obey it. When you are holding the Bible in your hands you are holding the very direction of God from start to finish. If God has done that
If you aren't a child of God, you can show your confidence in God and Jesus Christ dying for you and giving His word through the Holy Ghost, by obeying it. By believing in Jesus Christ, repenting of your sins being willing to confess the name of Jesus Christ and be baptized to wash away your sins he says He will add you to His body of believers.
As a Christian, with everything going on, are you living in fear? Or, do you have confidence in God? If you have a need for prayer we will be happy to pray with you.
If you are seeking direction for your life, we can assist you in learning to navigate this life by coming to know the Word of Christ, contact us so that we can meet with you.
