What You Believe Matters…WHO You Believe Matters More!  (P2)

 What people believe matters. Last week we began this series with the premise that “Everyone is a believer.” That includes secularists, atheists, agnostics, and religious people. We looked at three subject areas that form our belief systems and two results:

Existence. Purpose. Authority        Truth. Worldview.

Today we are going to begin examining the same five areas with one major difference: We will do so from the biblical Christian perspective. In so doing, I must rearrange the order of how I presented them last week. The reasons will become evident as I do.

Authority. Who is in charge?

Last week I intentionally listed this one third to demonstrate that most people are first concerned with their own lives. Where did I come from?  Why am I here? Then the answer to the who is in charge question becomes obvious: you are! (self) That makes people who think and live that way their own gods (lower case g). I discussed some of the problems related to that mindset.

Most people say they believe in God (capital G); the one talked about in the Bible. Unfortunately the way they live does not support their claims. Others say they believe in a higher power or authority – something greater than themselves. That helps them feel better about the state of this world; all the evil and strange things going on that is so hard to explain.

As born-again Christians, we believe in one God for one reason: He said so. We take Him at His word. We believe God the Holy Spirit spoke to and thru men to write what ultimately became known as our Bible. That is the primary way He revealed Himself to His created mankind. God also revealed Himself in nature (His creation). Finally He reveals Himself at times thru what some refer to as personal revelation. The latter can be a slippery slope for those who misuse or abuse it. We know this: no revelation has been or will ever be given by the Holy Spirit to man or woman that is in any way inconsistent or contradictory to His Word.  The best source to understand the authority of God is His Word; what He said about Himself.

The Self-existent, eternal One

“In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1a)

“For this is what the LORD says, He who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it as a waste place but formed it to be inhabited): “I am the LORD, and there is no one else.” Isaiah 45: 18

“Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”  Psalm 90:2

“For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;”  John 5: 26

“Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”  Colossians 1:16-17

The Authority of God (aka His Sovereignty)

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear Him … The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. “  (from Psalm 103: 17,19) 

“Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?” Job 40:8

“Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,”  Jeremiah 32:17

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.””  Matthew 28:18

“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;”   Acts 17:24-25

Authority over Death. On this foundation rests the entirety of the Christian church.

“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”  Hebrews 2: 14-15

Invitation to repent and receive Jesus Christ as your savior.

Are you afraid of death?  Apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ, your fear is justified. Now understand two things that satan would keep you blind to; about which he has deceived your mind and heart:

• the love of God as He defined it: John 3:16
• the only way to salvation and eternal life in Heaven with God your Father and all who have been born-again in Jesus.

I plead with you, do not turn away or refuse Him again. I may be the last evangelist God sends to give you His invitation.  Today choose life not death.

For Christ’s sake,