Sermons

PREACHED BY JOHN GAINES
AT LEONARD STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST

5th Sunday Questions & Answers

SEPTEMBER 30, 2001

1. Is it possible to see God? Please reconcile verses such as 1 John 4:12 and John 1:18 and OT verses such as Exodus 24:9-10 and Genesis 32:30.

A. A clear Bible truth is that man cannot look upon God.

1. God is a spirit [John 4:24 (NKJV) "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."] He does not have a physical being.

2. John 1:18 (NKJV) No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. Cf. 1 John 4:12 (NKJV) No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

3. Cf. Exodus 33:20 (NKJV) But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live."

B. Moses and the elders of Israel were privileged to behold the glory of God.

1. Exodus 24:9-10 (NKJV) Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.

2. Exodus 24:15-17 (NKJV) Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain. 16 Now the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.

3. When Moses returned from the mountain, his skin shone as a bright light [Exodus 34:30 (NKJV) So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.]

C. While on the mountain, Moses asked to be permitted to see God's glory. Look at the Lord's reply: Exodus 33:20-23 (NKJV) But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." 21 And the LORD said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 "So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. 23 "Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen." A human being could not be exposed to the full power of God's glory and majesty and live. Moses was given the privilege of seeing partially the glory of God. No one can see God as one sees another person.

D. What about the "theopanies" (appearances of God on earth)?

1. Genesis 32:30 (NKJV) And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." Cf. Hosea 12:4 (NKJV) Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, And there He spoke to us;

2. There are 68 references in the Bible (NKJV) to the "Angel of the Lord." The angel of the Lord is sometimes spoken of as if he were God Himself. Many Bible scholars believe that this "Angel of the Lord" is not an ordinary angel but preincarnate appearances by Christ. Whether or not this interpretation is correct, it is certainly true that God acted through the agency of either "an angel" or "the Angel" in appearances to men.

E. Conclusion . . . The Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend [Exodus 33:11]. This refers to the intimacy and friendship evident in the relationship between Moses and God. God spoke directly to Moses in a way which He does not to us. Obviously from what we have studied it cannot mean that Moses saw God's face.

2. Please explain Luke 17:34-35.

Luke 17:34-35 (NKJV) "I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 "Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.

1. The questioner asked vocally whether this verse provides any justification for homosexuality. Of course, it does not. First, in the Greek there is no word for "men" -- it is simply two in the bed, one taken, the other left. Furthermore, at most times and places in history, homosexuality was considered such a perversion that two men would have thought nothing untoward about sleeping in the same bed. Most of us can remember a time when two men might share a bed with no thought being given to any homosexual connotations.

2. This is part of Jesus description of events occurring when He returns. It shows the great separation which will take place. People sleeping in the same bed will be separated; two women will be working at the mill together and they will be separated; two men will be working in the field and they will be separated.

3. Does God cause temptation. Jesus prayed "lead us not into temptation" in the Model prayer, but James 1:13 says God does not tempt anyone.

1. God does not tempt us to sin [James 1:13-15 (NKJV) Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.]

2. God does bind Satan's power so that temptation cannot become irresistable [1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.]

3. The Model Prayer prays for God to give us strength to resist temptation. It prays for God's leadership in the right direction. Jesus surely never meant to suggest that God would lead the disciples into temptation. God allows us to be tested (or tried) by the experiences of life, but He never causes us to fall prey to solicitation to sin.

4. Do you have to attend Bible classes (Sunday and Wednesday) to go to heaven?

1. Do we have to be perfect Christians to go to heaven? No . . . we are all growing in our faith and our service to God. We should always want to be getting closer and closer to God's ideal for our lives [Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.]

2. Bible classes are one very important way in which we grow stronger in the Lord. Every Christian should want to grow -- 2 Peter 3:17-18 (NKJV) You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

a. BEWARE lest you fall from your own steadfastness . . . being led away with the error of the wicked. We need all the spiritual strength we can get!

b. GROW in grace and knowledge. How can we grow in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ if we do not devote ourselves to studying the word? We can study at home, but we miss out of opportunities to benefit from others' study, to ask questions, and to be encouraged in our study by discussing God's truth with others.

3. Christian growth should be desired by all of us [1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV) as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,] Cf. Matthew 5:6 (NKJV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

4. Anyone who does not have this desire to learn and grow should be very concerned about the state of his faith and faithfulness. Some will miss Bible classes because of health problems, work, or other unavoidable circumstances. If they study and grow in other ways, it may not be a great spiritual detriment. However, when people simply choose not to come to Bible classes, there is a warning flag which ought to raise great concern. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. We need to stir up those who don't appreciate the importance of studying the Bible together to "love and good works."

5. Is there anything wrong with singing "God Bless America" in church?

A. Acknowledgement that this is a judgment call . . . a matter where brethren might reach different conclusions.

B. By "church," I assume the questioner means a worship assembly. There would be nothing wrong with singing patriotic songs in the church building. The appropriateness of singing such songs in worship is another matter.

1. It's great to be patriotic. In times of crisis, we ought to be proud of our country and express that pride in every approrpiate way. Flags flying -- banners -- lapel pins -- these all demonstrate our patriotism. When members of Congress stood on the capitol steps September 11 and sang together, I don't think I've ever been so proud of them. The message they sent that night was exactly what the country needed.

2. We should recognize, however, that a worship service is intended as a time for offering praise and worship to God. As Christians, we have a higher citizenship in the kingdom of heaven [Philippians 3:20 (NKJV) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,] A time of worship to God is not the time or place to express our American patriotism. The two should not be mixed.

3. It is true that some patriotic songs have religious elements in them. There may be elements of prayer in some of the lyrics and that leads some to think that this is acceptable. In my judgment, it is better to keep praise for God distinct from our expressions of patriotic support for our country. Both are good, but there is a time and place for each.

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