Christ; The Creator

Colossians 1:16-17  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Introduction:       These verses deal with the creation of the universe.  

It deals with questions such as:

              1.           What is the origin of the universe?

              2.           How did the world come into existence?

              3.           What is the purpose of creation?

              4.           What holds things together?

    a.           What is the power behind the law of gravity?

There Are Three Basic Views Of Creation;

1.           The world and all around us just happened. (The big bang theory)

              a.           No power stands behind the world.

              b.           It just runs in perpetual motion

                             i.            Just willy nilly any old way

2.           Some god did create the universe and world.

              a.           This is the Gnostic point of view

\Gnos"tic\, n. [L. gnosticus, Gr. ? good at knowing,sagacious; as a n., man that claims to have a deeper wisdom,fr. gignw`skein to know: cf. F. gnostique. See {Know}.]  (Eccl. Hist.)

                                           i.            Use of men's intelligence

                          b.           Some see this god as good

                                           i.            Some see him as evil

                          c.            Some believe he did it himself

                                           i.            Others believe he had help

3.        God Himself created all; (the Christian point of view) a.       That, the Sovereign Majesty created it         Himself.

b.           We believe the King James Bible account told to us in the Book of Genesis.

I.            CHRIST CREATED ALL THINGS            (v 16)

              A.           The Words

                             1.           “…by him…”

                                           i.            Means Christ created ALL

John 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

B.               “…all things…”

1.               Means ALL things

              i.            Nothing is left out

  

II.           CHRIST CREATED ALL THINGS FOR HIMSELF.    (v 16)

A.              For His Pleasure

Romans 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

1.               Only for Him

2.               Only through Him

3.               Only to Him

              i.            Are all things

III.         CHRIST IS BEFORE ALL                                                   (v 17)

              A.           Christ Has Always Been

                             1.           Before time

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

              B.           Christ Is The Creator

John 17:5  And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

              C.           Christ Spoke All Into Being

              D.           Nothing Is Superior To Christ

                             1.           What He created was perfection

                                           i.            Yet, not superior in perfection to

                                                          Christ

Revelation 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

IV.         CHRIST HOLDS ALL THINGS TOGETHER.                  (v 17)

              A.           His Energy

                             1.           Holds the universe; the world

                                           i.            In balance

Hebrews 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

                             2.           The Word of His power

CONCLUSION: Christ’s energy, His power is how you and I are sustained.  Actually, when we consider creation, every human, every animal, every insect, on down to the bases of life forms, all thrive in Christ’s power.

              The first thermodynamic law states, “...energy can neither be created nor destroyed…”  What this also states by implication you cannot create matter from nothing.  [Big Bang Theory]

              Since we have a law of physics to judge by, and then if the “Big Bang” happened; Where did the opposing matters of energy come from?  If one was gas and the other a spark of static electricity, how did they meet?  Who created the gas and who created the spark?

              Christ created the heavens, humans, animals, insects and ALL creatures one at a time just like He created Man then Woman.

              How do I know, cause my Bible told me so.

THE ONLY GOSPEL GOD EVER GAVE

Galatians 1:1-12  Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)  (2)  And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:  (3)  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,  (4)  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:  (5)  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  (6)  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  (7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  (8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  (9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.  (10)  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.  (11)  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  (12)  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION:           There is an abundance of false “gospels” floating around today.

              Everything from visualization to yoga claims to be the end — all the way to peace and God.

              In many cases the destiny of eternal souls are being dictated by the current winds of spiritual fashion.

              Astrology, numerology, meditation techniques, hypnosis, positive affirmation's, and the New Age Movement all pave the road to hell!

              A.           There Is Only One Way To Heaven.

              1.           There is only one way to God.

              2.           There is only one God.

              3.           There is only one way to freedom.

              B.           Jesus Proclaimed,

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the GOSPEL.” Mark 1:15

1.           Some might ask, “What gospel?”

2.           I answer, “The only gospel God ever gave!”

I.            THE ONLY GOSPEL GOD EVER GAVE IS SCRIPTURAL.

A.           It Is Given For Our Use.

(II Timothy 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:               

            B.           Scriptural Definition Of The Gospel.

(1 Corinthians 15:1-4)  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain ³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

            1.           All that I received

                             i.            How Christ died for our sins

                             ii.           That He was buried

                             iii.          That He arose on the third

day.

a.           All according to the scriptures.

 C.           Any Teaching Of Salvation Or Spiritual Attainment

1.           That is not supported by the scriptures

i.            Is not of God.

II.           THE ONLY GOSPEL GOD EVER GAVE IS STRICT.

A.           Webster Defines “Strict” As

“exact or precise; not loose, vague, or broad.”

1.           Jesus said,

Matthew 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

B.           The Strait Gate Is Described In

(Ephesians 2:8-9)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

            1.           That gate is NOT works

2.           It is a gift of God.

C.           There Is No Room For Compromise In The Gospel!

(Galatians 1:6)  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  

(Galatians 1:9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

III.         THE ONLY GOSPEL GOD EVER GAVE IS SIMPLE.

A.           All Are Sinners.

(Romans 3:23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

(Romans 3:10)  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

B.           Sin Results In Death.

(Romans 6:23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C.           Salvation Comes Through Faith In Christ.

(Romans 10:9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

(Romans 10:13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

IV.         THE ONLY GOSPEL GOD EVER GAVE IS STRUCTURAL.

A.           The Seed Is Sown

(Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

B.           The Spirit Convicts.

(John 16:7-11)  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. ⁸ And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ Of sin, because they believe not on me; ¹⁰ Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; ¹¹ Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

                             1.           He will reprove (convict)

                                           i.            Of Sin

                                                  a.           They believe not

                                           ii.           Of righteousness

                                                          a.           I go to the Father

                                           iii.          Of Judgment

a.           Because the Devil will be judged.

C.           The Father Draws.

(John 6:44)  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:…

D.           The Son Saves.

(1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

                        1.           By our Lord Jesus Christ

                                           i.            Who died for us

                                           ii.           Whether awake or sleep

                                                          a.           Live with Him

V.           THE ONLY GOSPEL GOD EVER GAVE IS SUFFICIENT.

A.           To Free Us.

(John 8:36)  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

B.           To Cleanse Us.

(1 John 1:7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

                                    1.           He cleanseth us from all sin

                                           i.            With His blood

                                                          a.           If we walk in the light.

CONCLUSION: Are you happy with the knowledge you have with the Gospel.     

       It is important to know it.  You won't be pulled aside into one of these cults if you know what the Bible says.

It is important to understand the direction into which the Bible leads us.

The Sower

Luke 8:4-15  And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:  (5)  A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.  (6)  And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.  (7)  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.  (8)  And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  (9)  And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?  (10)  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.  (11)  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.  (12)  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  (13)  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.  (14)  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.  (15)  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Introduction:       When John the Baptist started preaching and Baptizing, the whole Jewish world was in a state of revival.

              It started with John the Baptist and continued on with Jesus Christ the Messiah.

              They both were preaching for us to change the direction of our lives.  They were asking us to change (repent) our ways and accept God.  (That is what we did when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour.)

              The whole nation was electrified with expectation.  Not only was Jesus claiming to be God, He was backing it up with demonstrations of power, the kind of power only God could have.

(John 2:25)  And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Jesus knew that many were not sincere.

He knew they didn’t have what it takes to walk the narrow road.

They lacked:

1.               A real spirit of repentance (change)

2.               A changed life

3.               An honest commitment

4.               A willingness to sacrifice

5.               To be consistently obedient

They had no faith.

                        Jesus knew others followed not because they wanted to know Him, they followed because:

1.               Their family and friends followed.

2.               For the fellowship

3.               A social identification

4.               Maybe just to feel good about themselves

This insincerity cut to the quick of Jesus heart.        He knew He must warn and win many people.

              Jesus wanted us to know that just hearing the Word of God was not enough.

Jesus tells us that those who sincerely believe and sow seed will bear fruit.

              We see in verse one multitudes followed Him.  We understand Jesus led thousands to their salvation. 

              When Jesus finished the parable, (v 8), it says Jesus cried, (we suspect in an elevated voice) “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

I.            THE SOWER IS:

A.              Jesus Christ The Lord

(1 Peter 1:23)  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1.               A servant of Jesus is a sower.

(1 Corinthians 3:9)  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

i.                US

ii.               Anyone who with sincerity called upon Jesus name,

a.        For their salvation

B.              The Gospel

1.               It brings forth fruit

(Colossians 1:5-6)  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; ⁶ Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

C.              The Seed

1.               It’s success depends on the hearer.

II.           JESUS INTERPRETS THE PARABLE

              A.           The Seed By The Wayside

1.               Hears Gods Word

i.            He is present at church

ii.           He does not involve himself

iii.          He respects Christ

2.           He never misses a Sunday or Wednesday service.

i.            Pay little attention to the Word’s warnings

(Hebrews 3:13)  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

3.           If we haven’t accepted Him there

could be a day when we cannot accept Him.

B.              The Seed On The Rock

1.               This hearer becomes excited

i.                Receives God’s Word

2.               Fails to count the cost of:

i.                The commitment

ii.               The self denial

iii.             The sacrifice

3.               Consequently, does not get rooted

i.                In God’s Word

ii.               Has no grounding in God’s Word

4.               When trials come he falls away

i.                The same when temptation comes the hearer falls away

ii.               Stops coming

(Luke 6:49)  But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

C.              The Seed Among The Thorns

1.               Honestly tries to live for Christ

i.                Likes the church

a.        The fellowship

ii.               It all appeals to this hearer

2.               One problem

i.                The thorns for this hearer

ii.               He is unwilling to leave his old friends

iii.             His old sins

(2 Corinthians 6:17)  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

3.               There are three areas that choke the life out of men.

1.               The cares of this life

(Matthew 6:25)  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

2.               The riches of this life

(1 Timothy 6:7)  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

3.               The pleasures of this life

(1 Timothy 5:6)  But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

            D.           The Seed On The Good Ground

1.               Has a willing heart  (Honest / Sincere)

i.                They honestly seek

a.               To learn

b.               To know the Truth

(1 Thessalonians 2:13)  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2.               This Hearer has a sacrificial heart

i.                Devoted

ii.               Committed

iii.             Given over to the Truth

iv.             When the Truth is known

                                                                          i.     They hold fast

(Deuteronomy 26:16)  This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

3.               They keep the Word

i.                They resist the devil

ii.               They resist temptations

iii.             They endure trials

(1 John 2:3)  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4.               They bear fruit with patience

i.                They constantly water the seeds

ii.               They constantly pluck out the thorns

iii.             They continue until the fruit is ripe

a.           Ready to be taken home by the master.

(John 12:24)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

CONCLUSION: So which hearer are you?

              Are you by the wayside just hanging around, not ready to commit to anything?

                  Or are you the seed on the rocky ground, excited but when times get tough, it is time to go?

              Or are you among the thorns, afraid to lose your friends, afraid to fully step away from the world?

              Or are you the one who is on good ground, ready to water the seed and pluck the thorns and serve God to the best of your ability?

              I hope and pray that each person here today is in the last category, it is the only place to be.

              I cannot see your heart nor can I judge your motives.  Only you and God can do that.  If you have a notion, you are not in the last group today is the day that should be taken care of, before it is eternally to late.