ANSWER: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, POWER, holiness, justice, goodness and truth. (John 4:24; Ps. 147:5; Ps. 90:2; James 1:17; Rev. 4:8; Ps. 89:14; Exod. 34:6,7; 1 Tim. 1:17)
GOD IS…INFINITE, ETERNAL, AND UNCHANGEABLE…IN POWER
PSALM 147:5 “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power.”
JEREMIAH 32:17 “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK OF GOD’S POWER IN THREE WAYS:
1) POSITIVELY: Genesis 17:1 "I am God Almighty.”
2) NEGATIVELY: Luke 1:37 “Nothing is impossible with God.”
3) COMPARATIVELY: Matthew 19:26 "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
God’s infinite, eternal, and unchangeable power is clearly set forth in at least 5 ways: His I) Creating, II) Preserving, III) Governing, IV) Redeeming, and V) Judging.
I. CREATING POWER
Psalm 33:9 “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”
Romans 1:20 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
II. PRESERVING POWER
Hebrews 1:3 “[Jesus] upholds the universe by the word of his power.”
III. GOVERNING POWER
1) Elements
Deuteronomy 4:36-38 “And because he loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power.”
Mark 4:37-41 “37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’ 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’”
2) Men
Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Proverbs 21:1 “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”
Exodus 9:16 “But for this purpose I have raised you up (Pharoah), to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”
3) Demons
Matthew 8:31 “And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.”
4) Wicked men
Isaiah 37:29 “Because you have raged against me and your complacency has come to my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came.’”
Daniel 4:35 “all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
IV. REDEEMING POWER
I) The virgin birth of Jesus Christ
Luke 1:35 “And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.’”
II) Jesus’ resurrection from the dead
Romans 1:4 “[Jesus Christ our Lord] was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead”
III) Taking dead sinners and converting them to living saints through the preaching of the gospel
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
IV) Empowering Christians to be witnesses for Jesus
Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
V) Guarding Christians through faith
1 Peter 1:5 “who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
VI) In giving His saints resurrected bodies
1 Corinthians 6:14 “And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.”
Philippians 3:20-21 “20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
V. JUDGING POWER
I) In judging unrepentant sinners
Romans 9:22 “What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.”
Romans 2:4-5 “4 …do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.”
Q8. WHAT IS GOD? (POWER)
Sermons on the Baptist Catechism
July 29, 2020 • Brett Baggett
WHY USE CATECHISMS? Colossians 1:21-23
May 24, 2020 • Brett Baggett
Why use Catechisms? I. Because "[Jesus] has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard" (Colossians 1:21b-23a). II. The way to be stable and steadfast is to be properly instructed (catechized). Why is it crucial that we are properly instructed? I. If we do not continue in the faith, we reveal that we are not reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus (Colossians 1:21-23). II. We are commanded to grow up into the likeness of Jesus, no longer children tossed around by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:11-14). III. There are many who are catechizing you according to damnable heresies (2 Peter 2:3, 1 John 2:6; 4:1). IV. There are difficult doctrines “which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). V. Leaders must be raised who can “give instruction in sound doctrine and also confute those who contradict it” (Titus. 1:8). VI. “Such that are not settled in the faith can never suffer for it” — Thomas Watson. (see Mark 4:16-17). VII. The more instruction you drink, the more intoxicating joy you will have in Jesus—to know Him more is to love Him more (Psalm 16:11). VIII. The better instructed you are the better you will be able to instruct others. Being properly catechized will make you more useful in helping others be glad in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Q1. WHO IS THE FIRST AND BEST OF BEINGS?
May 27, 2020 • Brett Baggett
A. God is the first and best of beings. Q. WHY DOES THE CATECHISM BEGIN HERE, WITH GOD CLARIFIED AS THE FIRST AND BEST OF BEINGS? I. WE MUST BEGIN WHERE THE BIBLE BEGINS GENESIS 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." II. WE MUST BEGIN WHERE TRUE WISDOM BEGINS PROVERBS 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” PROVERBS 9:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” PSALM 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” Stories are best begun in the beginning or confusion will abound. Foundations are best laid on the ground or everything will fall apart. So it is when we are seeking to be grounded in the faith—we must begin with God or confusion and crumbling may surely follow us all the days of our life. Q. What is God? A. God is the Creator and Sustainer of everyone and everything. (New City Catechism Q2) Q. WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD IS FIRST? A. First in Existence and Preeminence. I. FIRST IN EXISTENCE GENESIS 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." JOB 38:1-7 1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? PSALM 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” COLOSSIANS 1:16-17 “16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” REVELATION 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” II. FIRST IN EMINENCE PSALM 97:9 “For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” COLOSSIANS 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” See the sad state of all who do not honor God, the first and best of beings. ROMANS 1:21-23 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things ISAIAH 44:9-11 9 All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. 10 Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? 11 Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together. Q. WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD IS BEST? I. BEST IN GLORY AND GOODNESS PSALM 8 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, 7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! See the happy state of all who are reconciled to God by His Son Jesus Christ! The first and best of beings—Jesus Christ our Lord—was made a little lower than the angels. He debased himself in order to Redeem His bride. On the cross, the first and best of beings was treated like the last and worst of beings. Why? So that you could be cleansed of your filthy sin and clothed in the pure white robes of Christ. HEBREWS 2:9-11 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers. BENJAMIN KEACH (1640-1704) Originally from Buckinghamshire, Keach worked as a tailor during his early years. He was baptized at the age of 15 and began preaching at 18. He was the minister of the congregation at Winslow before moving in 1668 to the church at Horsleydown (Horse-lie-down), Southwark where he remained for 36 years as pastor (1668-1704). This congregation later became the New Park Street Church and then moved to the Metropolitan Tabernacle under the pastorship of Charles Spurgeon. Keach’s catechism was first published in 1693. For a brief biography of Keach, see http://baptisthistoryhomepage.com/keach.benjamin.tbe.html For easy access to a digital copy of The Baptist Catechism, see http://www.ekklesiamuskogee.church/the-baptist-catechism/ To purchase a hard copy of The Baptist Catechism, see https://www.amazon.com/1689-baptist-confession-faith-catechism/dp/1599253771/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+baptist+catechism&qid=1590608161&sr=8-2 HERCULES COLLINS (1646/7-1702) For a brief biography of Collins, see https://founders.org/2012/07/12/baptists-and-1662-the-persecution-of-john-norcott-and-hercules-collins/ To purchase a hard copy of An Orthodox Catechism, see https://www.amazon.com/orthodox-catechism-hercules-collins/dp/0980217911/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=utf8&qid=1590608349&sr=8-1 For easy access to as digital copy of An Orthodox Catechism, see https://www.thecalvinist.net/etc/1680%20orthodox%20catechism%20(hercules%20collins).pdf
Q2. WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN?
June 3, 2020 • Brett Baggett
Q2. What is the chief end of man? A. Man's chief end is to glory God and to enjoy Him forever. Distinctions to be made concerning the glory of God: 1) Intrinsic glory. 2) Ascribed glory. The Intrinsic glory of God is like the Grand Canyon; ascribing glory to God is like giving others a helicopter ride through it to simply behold its beauty. The glory is there. You cannot add to it. You are but meant to show it! Or if you prefer, the glory of God is like the moon. It is huge and beautiful but it seems far away to we simple men. To glorify God is like helping others look through a telescope to see its bigness and beauty up close! WHY MUST WE GLORIFY GOD? I. Because it is the plain teaching of Scripture that this is why we exist. II. Because this is why all things exist. III. Because this is why Jesus purchased sinners on the cross. I. We must glorify God because it is the plain teaching of Scripture that this is why we exist. 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” - Watson: “The glory of God is the silver thread which must run through all our actions.” Philippians 1:20 “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” - Watson: “The glory we give God is nothing else but our lifting up His name in the world, and magnifying Him in the eyes of others.” II. We must glorify God because this is why all things exist. Colossians 1:16-18 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ... that in everything he might be preeminent.” III. We must glorify God because this is why He purchased sinners on the cross. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 “You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” - Those who know they were bought on the cross with the precious blood of Christ make it their aim to glorify that precious One whose blood was spilled for their sake! WHAT IS IT TO GLORIFY GOD? Watson: “To glorify God consists in four things: I. Appreciation. II. Adoration. III. Affection. IV. Subjection. This is the yearly rent we pay to the crown of heaven.” I. Appreciation (thought/prayer life). - Watson: “To glorify God is to set Him highest in our thoughts.” Psalm 97:9 “For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” - Watson: “To glorify God is to have God-admiring thoughts; to esteem Him most excellent, and search for diamonds in this rock only.” II. Adoration (worship). Psalm 29:1-2 “Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” III. Affection (love). Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” IV. Subjection (joyful obedience). 1 Corinthians 6:20 “You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "ENJOY HIM FOREVER"? Psalm 73:25-26 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Philippians 3:7-8 “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” Philippians 1:21, 23 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ... I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” HOW MAY WE MOST ENJOY GOD HERE AND NOW? I. Fellowship with Him through the scripture and prayer. II. Trust His promises. III. Fellowship with His saints. IV. Take, by faith, His Supper. V. Help others know Him and enjoy Him. VI. Enjoy Him by glorifying Him and glorify Him by enjoying Him.