TheosGuy

I have heard people say quite a bit that they just wish they knew what the will of God was for their life. Well here are some Scripture references that will tell us!

(Col 1:9 NKJV) For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

(Heb 11:6 NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

(Rom 12:1-2 NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(Pro 3:5-6 NKJV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

(1 Chr 28:9 NKJV) As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

(Mat 6:33 NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

(Gal 1:4 NKJV) who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

(1Th 4:3 NKJV) For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

(1Pe 2:15-16 NKJV) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men–as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

Tags: God, Living

1. The Holy Spirit is revealed as a divine Person. This is expressly declared (e.g. John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Mt. 28:19), and everywhere implied.
2. The revelation concerning Him is progressive:
1. In the O.T. (see Mal. 2:15, note) He comes upon whom He will, apparently without reference to conditions in them.
2. During His earth-life, Christ taught His disciples (Lk. 11:13) that they might receive the Spirit through prayer to the Father.
3. At the close of His ministry He promised that He would Himself pray the Father, and that in answer to His prayer the Comforter would come to abide (John 14:16-17).
4. On the evening of His resurrection He came to the disciples in the upper room, and breathed on them saying, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22), but instructed them to wait before beginning their ministry till the Spirit should come upon them (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8)
5. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit came upon the whole body of believers (Acts 2:1-4).
6. After Pentecost, so long as the Gospel was preached to Jews only, the Spirit was imparted to such as believed by the laying. on of hands (Acts 8:17; 9:17, etc.).
7. When Peter opened the door of the kingdom to the Gentiles (Acts 10), the Holy Spirit, without delay, or other condition than faith, was given to those who believed. (Acts 10:44; Acts 11:15-18). This is the permanent fact for the entire church-age. Every believer is born of the Spirit (John 3:3, 6; 1 John 5:1), indwelt by the Spirit, whose presence makes the believer’s body a temple (1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 8:9-15; 1 John 2:27; Gal. 4:6), and baptized by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-13; 1 John 2:20, 27), thus sealing him for God (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
3. The N.T. distinguishes between having the Spirit, which is true of all believers, and being filled with the Spirit, which is the believer’s privilege and duty (cf. Acts 2:4 with 4:29-31; Eph. 1:13-14 with Eph. 5:18)—”One baptism, many fillings.”
4. The Holy Spirit is related to Christ in His conception (Mt. 1:18-20; Lk. 1:35), baptism (Mt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Lk. 3:22; John 1:32-33), walk and service (Lk. 4:1-14), resurrection (Rom. 8:11), and as His witness throughout this age (John 15:26; 16:8-11, 13, 14).
5. The Spirit forms the church (Mt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23) by baptizing all believers into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13), imparts gifts for service to every member of that body (1 Cor. 12:7-11, 27, 30), guides the members in their service (Lk. 2:27; 4:1; Acts 4:6-7), and is Himself the power of that service (Acts 1:8; 2:4; 1 Cor. 2:4).
6. The Spirit abides in the company of believers who constitute a local church, making of them, corporately, a temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17).
7. Christ indicates a threefold personal relationship of the Spirit to the believer: “With,” “in,” “upon” (John 14:17; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8). “With” indicates the approach of God to the soul, convicting of sin (John 16:9), presenting Christ as the object of faith (John 16:14), imparting faith (Eph. 2:8), and regenerating (John 3:3-16). “In” describes the abiding presence of the Spirit in the believer’s body (1 Cor. 6:19) to give victory over the flesh (Rom. 8:2-4; Gal. 5:16-17), to create the Christian character (Gal. 5:22-23), to help infirmities (Rom. 8:26), to inspire prayer (Eph. 6:18), to give conscious access to God (Eph. 2:18), to actualize to the believer his sonship (Gal. 4:6), to apply the Scriptures in cleansing and sanctification (Eph. 5:26; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2), to comfort and intercede (Acts 9:31; Rom. 8:26), and to reveal Christ (John 16:14).
8. Sins against the Spirit committed by unbelievers are: To blaspheme (Mt. 12:31), resist (Acts 7:51; Heb. 10:29, “despite,” lit. insult). Believers’ sins against the Spirit are: To grieve Him by allowing evil in heart or life (Eph. 4:30-31), and to quench Him by disobedience (1 Thes. 5:19). The right attitude toward the Spirit is yieldedness to His sway in walk and service, and in constant willingness that He shall “put away” whatever grieves Him or hinders His power (Eph. 4:31).
9. The symbols of the Spirit are:
1. oil (John 3:34; Heb. 1:9);
2. water (John 7:38-39);
3. wind (Acts 2:1; John 3:8);
4. fire (Acts 2:3);
5. a dove (Mt. 3:16);
6. a seal (Eph. 1:13; 4:30);
7. an earnest or pledge (Eph. 1:14).

Adapted from Scofield, C. I. The Scofield Study Bible.

Tags: Trinity

1. The personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit appear from the attributes ascribed to Him, and from His works.
2. He is revealed as sharing the work of creation and therefore omnipotent (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4; Psa. 104:30); as omnipresent (Psa. 139:7); as striving with men (Gen. 6:3); as enlightening (Job 32:8); enduing with constructive skill (Ex. 28:3; 31:3); giving physical strength (Jdg. 14:6, 19); executive ability and wisdom (Jdg. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25); enabling men to receive and utter divine revelations (Num. 11:25; 2 Sam. 23:2); and, generally, as empowering the servants of God (Psa. 51:12; Joel 2:28; Mic. 3:8; Zech. 4:6).
3. He is called holy (Psa. 51:11); good (Psa. 143:10); the Spirit of judgment and burning (Isa. 4:4); of Jehovah, of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, good, knowledge, the fear of the Lord (Isa. 11:2), and of grace and supplications (Zech. 12:10).
4. In the O.T. the Spirit acts in free sovereignty, coming upon men and even upon a dumb beast as He will, nor are conditions set forth (as in the N.T.) by complying with which any one may receive the Spirit. The indwelling of every believer by the abiding Spirit is a N.T. blessing consequent upon the death and resurrection of Christ (John 7:39; 16:7; Acts 2:33; Gal. 3:1-6).
5. The O.T. contains predictions of a future pouring out of the Spirit upon Israel (Eze. 37:14; 39:29), and upon “all flesh” (Joel 2:28-29). The expectation of Israel, therefore, was twofold—of the coming of Messiah-Immanuel, and of such an effusion of the Spirit as the prophets described. See Mat. 1:18, refs.

1. Scofield, C. I. The Scofield Study Bible.

The major works and attributes of God are ascribed separately to each person of the Holy Trinity, as shown in the following table.

Tags: Theology, Trinity

Philippians 2:7 tells us that Jesus emptied (Greek = kenosis (1)(2)) Himself. What did this mean? Did He give up His Divine attributes? The following helps to define.

Dr. Walter Martin said,

Jesus put aside the independent exercise of His divine attributes in His full submission to the Father.

Dr. David Hocking adds,

The Roman centurion when going into battle would remove his insignia that identified his rank. He would then go to battle on the front lines with his soldiers. After the battle, he would then replace his insignia. The act of removing his insignia in the Greek language was denoted with the word, kenosis. The centurion did not cease to be in full command of this troops.

Tags: Theology

The following reading, Christ’s Passion,
is from F.E. Marsh’s 1000 Bible Study Outlines¹.

The passion of His atoning death is ever the secret and soul of
the Gospel. It speaks of:

1. Sin’s hindrance removed—Heb. 9:26.
2. Sin’s guilt answered for—Heb. 2:17.
3. Sin’s author overthrown—Heb. 2:14.
4. Sin’s gulf spanned—Heb. 10:19-20.
5. Sin’s pollution removed—Heb. 10:10.
6. Sin’s power broken—Heb. 10:16-18.
7. Sin’s victory destroyed—1 John 3:8.

1. 1000 Bible Study Outlines, Marsh, F.E., Reading number 175.

Tags: Christ, Marsh, Salvation, Teaching Ideas

The following reading, Christ’s Message on Being Saved,
is from F.E. Marsh’s 1000 Bible Study Outlines¹.

The pages of the New Testament ring with the word “saved. ”

1. Christ’s message was, “That ye might be saved“
   (John 5:34).
2. He said those who entered into the shepherd fold of His
   grace should “be saved” (John 10:9).
3. His commission to His disciples was that those who
   believed should “be saved” (Mark 16:16).
4. He assured a woman who came in penitence to Him,
   “Thy faith hath saved thee” (Luke 7:50).
5. He declared that Satan’s machinations were to keep men
   from receiving His Word, lest they should “believe and be
   saved” (Luke 8:12).
6. He revealed that God sent Him into the world that it
   might “be saved” (John 3:17).

1. 1000 Bible Study Outlines, Marsh, F.E. Reading number 171.

Tags: Christ, Marsh, Salvation, Teaching Ideas

Here is an outline comprised of Christ’s I “Have’s” in John 17, from F.E. Marsh’s 1000 Bible Study Outlines¹.

1. “I have glorified Thee” (John 17:4).
2. “I have finished the work” (John 17:4).
3. “I have manifested Thy Name” (John 17:6).
4. “I have kept” (John 17:12).
5. “I have given them Thy Word” and “Words” (John 17:8, 14).
6. “I have declared Thy Name” (John 17:26).
7. “I have known Thee” (John 17:25).
8. “I have sent” (John 17:18).
9. “I have given them Thy glory” (John 17:22).

1. 1000 Bible Study Outlines, Marsh, F.E. Reading number 160.

Tags: Christ, Marsh, Teaching Ideas

Quote from Martin Luther:

God hides His power in weakness,
His wisdom in folly,
His goodness in severity,
His justice in sin,
His mercy in His wrath.¹

It is interesting that in the cross we see displayed both the mercy of God and the justice of God. The mercy given to God’s people who by faith come to Him. The justice, His wrath placed upon His Son, the sacrifice for sin. I am very glad for this duality (at least) of the Cross. Otherwise, the wrath would have to be placed upon me. But thankfully, God has given me not only mercy, but imputed to me the very righteousness of Jesus Christ, my Savior.

The wisdom of God has ordained a way for the love of God to deliver us
from the wrath of God without compromising the justice of God.²

_____________________________

Footnotes:
1. As quoted in, Farley,William P. Outrageous Mercy. (Phillipsburg, PN:P & R Publishing, 2009), 8.
2. Piper,John. Desiring God. 2 ed. (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc., 2003), 59.

Tags: Christ, Cross

Here are some verses talking about enjoying our God!

(Psa 43:4 NKJV) Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.

(Psa 37:4 NKJV) Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

(Psa 42:1-2 NKJV) To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

(Psa 63:1 NKJV) A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.

(Psa 36:8 NKJV) They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.

(Psa 34:8 NKJV) Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

(Psa 119:103 NKJV) How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

(Psa 16:11 NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.