Acts 17:27 [By Ron Halbrook]. Introduction: 1. Acts 17:27 God rules the universe: those who seek Him...

Acts 17:27

GOD & MAN:Those Who Seek God

Can Find Him

[By Ron Halbrook]

2

• Introduction:

1. Acts 17:27 God rules the universe: those who seek Him find Him


Can Find Him

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

3

• Introduction:

2. Very good news: We can know God exists We can know the nature of God & of man We can seek & find God!


Can Find Him

4

I. Evidence of God: Abundant & Clear A. Ps. 19 How God Reveals Himself:

Material Creation & Special Revelation Vv. 1-6 Existence & operation of universe


Can Find Him

Vv. 1-6 Existence & operation of universe 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

6


Material Creation & Special Revelation

Vv. 7-11 Nature & effect of Scripture


Can Find Him

Vv. 7-11 Nature & effect of Scripture 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Vv. 7-11 Nature & effect of Scripture

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

9


Material Creation & Special Revelation Both bear His autograph Both reflect His power, wisdom, & love


Can Find Him

10

I. Evidence of God: Abundant & Clear B. Universe Points to God as Creator

Gen. 1:1 Adequate cause of creation: God or universe?


Can Find Him

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

11


Heb. 3:4 Adequate cause of creation: God or universe?


Can Find Him

4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

12


2 Pet. 3:5-7 Adequate cause to sustain: God or universe?


Can Find Him

2 Pet. 3:5-7 Adequate cause to sustain: God or universe?

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

14


Acts 17:24-28 God created & sustains us, not vice versa


Can Find Him


24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;


27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

17

I. Evidence of God: Abundant & Clear C. Scripture Points to God as Author

2 Tim. 3:16-17 Adequate cause of Scripture: God or man?


Can Find Him

2 Tim. 3:16-17 Adequate cause of Scripture: God or man?

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

19

I. Evidence of God: Abundant & Clear C. Scripture Points to God as Author

Evidence of divine inspiration Unity of message Prophecies, shadows, types fulfilled Person & message of Christ: unique Preservation of Scripture Perfections: no error, contradiction, defect


Can Find Him

20

II. The Nature of God & of Man A. God’s Nature: Distinct & Personal

Acts 17:24, 29 God is distinct & independent from all He created


Can Find Him

Acts 17:24, 29 God is distinct & independent from all He created

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

22


Acts 17:24, 29 God is distinct & independent from all He created “God:” not another name for

created things in whole or in part


Can Find Him

23


Deut. 6:4 One God, Godhead, Deity: one divine nature,

not many kinds of Gods


Can Find Him

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

24


Matt. 28:19 One God, Godhead, Deity: three persons share the divine nature


Can Find Him

Matt. 28:19 One God, Godhead, Deity: three persons share the divine

nature 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

26


Matt. 28:19 One God, Godhead, Deity: three persons share the divine

nature “The name:” one divine nature, power,

& authority Three persons share it


Can Find Him

27


In personal nature or character, God is: Ps. 90:1-2 Eternal


Can Find Him

1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

28


In personal nature or character, God is: Ps. 102:24-28 Immutable, unchanging


Can Find Him

Ps. 102:24-28 Immutable, unchanging

24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

30


In personal nature or character, God is: Prov. 15:3 Omnipresent:

all things in His presence


Can Find Him

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

31


In personal nature or character, God is: Ps. 147:5 Omniscient:

infinite wisdom


Can Find Him

5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

32


In personal nature or character, God is: Ps. 147:5 Omnipotent:

all power


Can Find Him

5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

33


In personal nature or character, God is: Isa. 6:3 Holy


Can Find Him

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

34


In personal nature or character, God is: I Jn. 4:8; Prov. 6:16 Perfect in love & hate


Can Find Him

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

35


God has all qualities of personhood. God is not:

Part of the creation A philosophical concept An impersonal power, force, or fate


Can Find Him

36


Jn. 4:24 God is a spirit without our body of flesh & blood


Can Find Him

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

37


Jn. 4:24 God is a spirit without our body of flesh & blood

Jn. 1:14 A body was prepared for Jesus


Can Find Him

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

38

II. The Nature of God & of Man B. Man’s Nature: Distinct & Personal

Man is spirit & body Gen. 1:26-28 Spirit made in God’s image


Can Find Him

Gen. 1:26-28 Spirit made in God’s image 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

40


Man is spirit & body Gen. 2:7 Body made of dust


Can Find Him

7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

41


Man is spirit & body Ja. 2:26 Union of body & spirit


Can Find Him

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

42


Man’s personal nature & character: Immortal spirit Personhood: know, choose, love, hate Distinct from, above all other life forms Rules over all other life forms Conscious in or out of the body


Can Find Him

43


Separate, distinct: God, man, animals “Man” not another name for God

in whole or in part Hierarchy: God over all, man over animals Natural world serves man: it is not God,

man not subject to it, not passive God’s will & power not hidden in man


Can Find Him

44

III. Men Who Seek God Can Find Him! A. God Seeks Men to Serve Him

Jn. 4:23-24 Seeks true worshippers


Can Find Him

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

45

III. Men Who Seek God Can Find Him! B. God Makes Himself Accessible

Acts 17:26-27 Rules so men can find him


Can Find Him

Acts 17:26-27 Rules so men can find him

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

47


Rom. 1:20 Without excuse if not find Him


Can Find Him

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

48


Rom. 1:20 Without excuse if not find Him Atheist, agnostic without excuse Men making false gods


Can Find Him

49

III. Men Who Seek God Can Find Him! C. God Accessible via the Gospel of Christ

Jn. 14:6 Find God via Christ


Can Find Him

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

50


Jn. 6:43-45 God draws men via Christ


Can Find Him

Jn. 6:43-45 God draws men via Christ

43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

52


Jn. 12:32 Christ’s death draws us to God


Can Find Him

32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

53

III. Men Who Seek God Can Find Him! D. Key to Find God: Seek Him Above All Else

Acts 17:27 Seek & find


Can Find Him


54

• Invitation:

1. Acts 17:27 God rules the universe: those who seek Him find Him


Can Find Him


55

• Invitation:

2. Very good news: We can know God exists We can know the nature of God & of man We can seek & find God!


Can Find Him

56

• Invitation:

3. God forgives our sins through blood of Christ: Gal. 3:26-27 Penitent sinner baptized into Christ


Can Find Him

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

57

• Invitation:

3. God forgives our sins through blood of Christ: Acts 8:22 Erring saint prays


Can Find Him

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Acts 17:27 [By Ron Halbrook]. Introduction: 1. Acts 17:27 God rules the universe: those who seek Him...

Documents

Transcript of Acts 17:27 [By Ron Halbrook]. Introduction: 1. Acts 17:27 God rules the universe: those who seek Him...