Dr. Paul Spence, Chaplain
Chaplain Spence Services
This Week's Sermon
IN THE TEXT, I invite you today to consider the two Words “God is.” I John 1.9. According to the Text, what is GOD? The Text makes a decided statement about GOD. “God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” Right here, I think, is a suitable place to inquire into a question. Question. Are there places in Scripture where JESUS told us Who “God is?” In the answer of this question, I would like to speak of four times JESUS said “God is.”
I. JESUS said “God is the God of the living.” In Matthew 22.32, JESUS was in a public debate with the Sadducees. The Sadducees did not believe the dead rise again. JESUS did. At the conclusion of this debate, JESUS spoke this sentence and won the day. JESUS said: “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” The Truth that JESUS conveyed on this occasion is that long ago Abraham died. Yet after Abraham died, throughout the Old Testament, GOD frequently called Himself “the God of Abraham.” Yet JESUS affirmed that “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Which speaks that although Abraham had died, his soul still lived. His soul now lived in the Presence of GOD waiting for the bright day when the dead shall rise again.
II. JESUS said “God is one Lord.” In Mark 12.29, JESUS said: “God is one Lord.” In these Words, JESUS confirms the Old Testament Truth that GOD does not consist of many. There is only one GOD. At the same time, JESUS also showed us that this ONE GOD exists in THREE PERSONS. On the day JESUS was baptized, in Matthew 3.16, there happened this extraordinary event. “When Jesus was baptized, [He] went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
III. JESUS said “God is a Spirit.” In John 4.24, JESUS said: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” In these Words, first, JESUS says Who GOD is. JESUS says: “God is a Spirit.” Which speaks that GOD is not made of flesh. GOD consists of Pure Spirit. Therefore, JESUS says, since “God is a Spirit,” “they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” The logic of the Words is, is GOD a “Spirit?” Then those who sincerely desire to worship GOD must attend to two things. They must worship GOD “in spirit” and “in truth.” They must worship “in spirit” because since GOD is a Spirit, no mere outward shows will please Him. GOD searches, sees, and knows the spirits of those who come to Him. GOD must be worshiped “in truth” because He has given the Scripture. The Scripture must be specially put to use and obeyed when GOD is approached.
IV. JESUS said “God is glorified.” The last time JESUS spoke the phrase “God is” was the night before He died. In John 13.31, JESUS said: “Now God is glorified in [His Son].” This is a staggering statement. When GOD created our First Father Adam, he did not glorify GOD. Genesis 3.6 says he partook of the forbidden fruit. As for ourselves, Isaiah 53.6 says: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” But when JESUS was here, He glorified GOD. GOD was glorified in His Person. John 8.29 says JESUS did always those things that pleased GOD. Hebrews 9.26 says JESUS laid down His Life as an Acceptable Sacrifice for our sins. So that now I Corinthians 10.31 says we also may glorify GOD through JESUS.
From today's Sermon, there are two instructions. 1. The first instruction: when JESUS was here, He showed us Who GOD is. In today's Sermon, I showed that when JESUS was here, He showed us Who GOD is. JESUS said: “God is the God of the living.” GOD will one day raise the dead. JESUS said: “God is one Lord.” And yet JESUS Himself demonstrated how GOD exists in THREE! JESUS said: “God is a Spirit.” Therefore said JESUS GOD must be worshiped “in spirit and in truth.” JESUS said: “Now God is glorified.” JESUS both glorified GOD and opened up a way that we may glorify GOD too.
2. The second instruction: how precious JESUS is! Did JESUS come and show us Who GOD is? Then this makes JESUS precious. John 14.9 says JESUS showed us THE FATHER. I wonder, which glass do you see GOD through? We all see GOD through some glass. Some go by their own hearts. Anything their hearts suggest about GOD they accept as gospel. But this is not the way. If this were so, why would GOD give us the Scripture? Why would GOD give us HIS SON to show us THE FATHER? Some bank on the Church. In their minds, the Church cannot err. Whatever the Church says is right. But, say, right in the Story of JESUS itself, is it not there written in the brightest colors that a Church in and of itself cannot be trusted? It is a striking Fact that will remain in the Scripture for the rest of time that the leaders of a leading Church crucified THE LORD of Glory. Which speaks unmistakably that it is possible for Churches to go astray. Surely, the best place, the safest place, the clearest place, the sweetest place where you may confidently learn about GOD is by going directly to the Words of Scripture. There, JESUS Himself shows us Who GOD is. This glass is unclouded. This glass is crystal clear. The Light shining through this glass comes from Heaven, and if you follow it, it will lead you to Heaven. Amen.