04 08 Knowing Twp

The Preacher’s Notebook The Paper and Electronic Pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Mineral Springs, NC (Delivered by E-mail and Us Postage Through Subscription as an Extension of the Pulpit Ministry of this Church)

Dr. Terry W . Preslar – PO Box 388 – M ineral Springs, NC 28108 (704)843-3858 – E-Mail: [email protected] Copyright (C) 2007. Terry W. Preslar All rights reserved.

Vol. II

April, 2008

Issue 4

Some Things You May Know In the book of 1st John To know is from the Greek word “ginosko” (ginwskw, Strong’s #1097), which means to perceive, be resolved, be sure, understand. Almost every Biblical truth has a corrupted counterpart. Corrupted teaching concerning the deity of Christ is “Arianism.” Corrupted teaching concerning the person of man is “Pelagianism.” Corrupted teaching concerning salvation is “Arminianism.” This list could go on but I hope the point is made. The study of corrupted knowledge is “Gnosticism.” Gnosticism is a philosophy that was prevalent in the days of the Apostles (and can be found today in books and movements that attack Historic Christianity through the “Jesus Society,” and books like “The Bible Codes,” and the Fiction Books like “The Da Vinci Codes”). The “post-modern” world view is seeking to redefine Christian values, teaching and practice. To accomplish this the attack has used the forgotten false teachings of the Gnostic cult. These teachings are entirely out of sync with the Biblical world view of Historical Christianity. According to Gnostic teaching, the physical creation was made by God through a progression of angels. The Gnostics believed that God is pure, but that the creation – the physical things of the world – are impure, since the progression of angels was thought to have become less pure as they moved from God. Gnostic means knowledge, and Gnosticism promoted a sort of secret society of the intellectually elite. Only a certain special group were considered advanced enough to be accepted. The Apostle Paul denied this search for secret knowledge when he said all knowledge is in Christ (“...In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:1-4). When we have Christ Jesus, we have access to all wisdom. Gnostics also believed that Christ was only an angel, or an emanation from God, but not truly God Himself. The Apostle Paul countered this false belief in Col. 1:15-19 and 2:8-10. (Col. 2:9 “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”) The system of Gnosticism is the gross abuse of “knowledge” and the claiming of “special knowledge” denied to others. Our exposure of Gnosticism does not discount the fact that there is true Spiritual knowledge. The Book of First John is a blessed treatment of the subject of Spiritual knowledge. No other book of the Bible deals with this matter so well as this one. The Christian is in the best of all positions to have knowledge of his own lot. The “know-so-“ kind of salvation has put him in the light and unless he chooses to walk in darkness he need not ever be in doubt again. In I John alone the word “know” is used 27 times in relation to Spiritual Truth. The believer is in this position, enabled to know. I- You may “Know-So” by the Word of God (1 John 5:13) (The Matter of the Message) A) You may know JOY – “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:4). The joy of the Holy Spirit (1 Thes. 1:6), that deep abiding, inner rejoicing in the Lord (Phil 4:4). (Neh. 8:10; Psa. 30:5; 30:11; 47:1; 118:24; Isa. 12:3; Hab. 3:18; Luke 6:22-24; John 16:24; 15:10-11; Acts 2:28; Rom. 15:13). -1-

Joy is attributed to God as a general characteristic of the divine personality. (Deut. 28:63; 30:9; Jer. 32:41). It is the environment of Heaven (Luke 15:10-32) and God intends for Earth to be filled with the full expression of Joy. (“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”John 15:11). Many examples of the Joy of the Lord which is our strength (“...for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”) may be found. There is the Joy of Moses and the Israelites, when Pharaoh and his army were destroyed in a victory that can be seen as God’s victory – a gift to them. (Ex. 15:1-22). Then there is the Joy of Deborah and the Israelites, when Sisera was overthrown. (Judges 5:1-31). Also, there was the Joy of Jephthah’s daughter, when he returned from his victory over the Ammonites. (Judges 11:34). There is great personal Joy upon the answer of prayer. I might sight the Joy of Hannah, when Samuel was born. (1 Sam. 2:1-11). There is the Joy of Naomi, when Boaz showed kindness to Ruth. (Ruth 2:20; 4:14). It is hard to imagine the Joy of a whole nation, but that Joy belonged to the Israelites: When Saul was presented as their king (1 Sam. 10:24), when David killed Goliath (1 Sam. 18:6-7), when they came to David in Hebron to make him king (1 Chron. 12:40), when they took the ark of the covenant from Kirjath-jearim (1 Chron. 13:8), when they brought the ark of the covenant from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem (1 Chron. 15:16, 25, 28), when they made gifts to the house of God (1 Chron. 29:9), when they observed the dedication of the temple, and the feast of tabernacles under Ezra (Ezra 6:16, 22), of the Jews, after hearing, anew, the word of God (Neh. 8:9-18), when they turned away from idolatry (2 Chron. 15:14-15; 23:18, 21; 29:30, 36; 30:21, 23, 26), when the wall of Jerusalem was dedicated (Neh. 12:43) and when the foundation of the second temple was laid (Ezra 3:11-13). There is royal Joy for David, over the offerings of the princes and the people for the house of God (1 Chron. 29:10-19). There is Joy expressed at the relaxation of danger for the Jews, over the hanging of Haman (Esther 8:15-16; 7:10). In the New Testament there was Joy: For Elisabeth, when Mary visited her (Luke 1:5-44), for Mary, when she visited Elisabeth (Luke 1:46-56), for Zecharias, when John the Baptist was born (Luke 1:67-79), among the angels (six months later), when Jesus was born (Luke 2:13-14), with the shepherds, when they saw the infant Jesus (Luke 2:20), with the Magi as they followed the star (about two years after the birth of Christ) (Matt. 2:10), with Simeon, when Jesus was presented in the temple on the eighth day (Luke 2:28-32), later, for the disciples, because the demons were subject to them (Luke 10:17), in the father, in the parable, when his prodigal son returned (Luke 15:20-32), and there is Joy among the angels, when sinners repent (Luke 15:7, 10). Near the end of Christ’s Earthly ministry, there was Joy with the disciples, when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem (Matt. 21:8-9; Mark 11:8-10), with the women who returned from the Lord’s sepulcher (Matt. 28:8), with the disciple, after the resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:41), with the disciples in the temple after the ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:53) and with the disciples in the temple because they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:46-47). There was Joy in the Apostolic period: with the immobile man who was healed by Peter (Acts 3:8), with Paul, when he went up to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22-24), again with Paul and Silas, in the jail at Philippi (Acts 16:25). There was Joy for Rhoda, when she heard Peter at the gate (Acts 12:14), with the disciples at Jerusalem, when Peter told them about the conversion of Cornelius and other Gentiles (Acts 11:18), with Barnabas, when he saw the success of the gospel at Antioch (in Syria, there are two cities with this name) (Acts 11:22-23), with Paul and the Corinthians, because the excommunicated member repented (2 Cor. 1:24; 2:3), with Paul and Titus, because of the hospitality of the Corinthians (2 Cor. 7:13; 8:6; Rom. 15:32; 1 Cor. 16:18), among the Macedonian Christians, when they made a contribution for the Christians at Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:2), with Paul, when he -2-

prayed for the Philippian Christians (Phil. 1:4), with the Thessalonians, when they believed Paul’s gospel (1 Thes. 1:6), with Paul as he rejoiced over his converts (1Thes. 2:19-20; 3:9; Phm. 1:7) and with the early Christians, when they believed in Jesus (1 Peter 1:8-9). B) You may know PURITY – “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1 John 2:1). The value of “purity” is under-estimated in our modern Christian culture. The idea that God might “wink” at sin is actually to be seen in reverse. (“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30). Purity should be seen as more practically probable than ever. On the matter of purity in church attendance, Paul says: “...and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Heb. 10:25). There is an opportunity of Spiritual Purity in our time, that might never be better. In general, the subject of Christian Purity is clearly stated. The question of this purity is asked and then answered (“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” Psa. 24:3-4). The emotional state of the pure is made known (“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matt. 5:8). The motive of Purity is made clear. (“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 1 Tim. 1:5). There is a warning about Purity (“Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” 1 Tim. 5:22). The presence of Purity is a direct component of the Truth of God. (“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:” 1 Peter 1:22). Webster’s 1828 Dictionary says that Purity is: “Freedom from foreign admixture or heterogeneous matter; as the purity of water, of wine, of spirit; the purity of drugs; the purity of metals.” The primative drives of the flesh are strong but it is even possible to have sexual Purity (Deut. 5:18; Job 31:1; Prov. 5:20; Matt. 5:28; 1 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thes. 4:3; Titus 2:5; Rev. 14:4). The source of Purity is the pure words of the Lord. (Psa. 12:6; 18:30; 19:8; 119:140; Prov. 30:5; Isa. 45:19). Therefore, the advice given to the young man is sound for all who seek Purity. (“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Psa. 119:9) C) You may know FREEDOM – “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.” (1 John 2:8) The law of Moses pointed out the cases in which the servants of the Hebrews were to receive their freedom (Ex. 21:2-4, 7-8; Lev. 25:39-42, 47-55; Deut. 15:12-18). Under the Roman law the “freeman” (ingenuus) was one born free; the “freedman” (libertinus) was a manumitted slave, and had not equal rights with the freeman (Acts 22:28; comp. 16:37-39; 21:39; 22:25; 25:11-12). Spiritual Freedom is a Mark of the New Dispensation (“To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” Isa. 42:7). The freedom that God give is full and free, unimpeded by the fetters of flesh and folly. The divine deed of giving freedom is the Mission of Christ to Proclaim (“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;” Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18). Without a doubt, the Truth is the Instrumentality in the matter of freedom (“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32; Rom. 6:18). This “Truth” is the A New Law of Life that sets all Free (“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:2). With this Freedom the Bondage of Sin is Severed (“Because the creature itself also shall be -3-

delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Rom. 8:21) and the Presence of the “Spirit” is Secured (“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 2:4). However, there are stern Warnings against the Abuse of freedom (“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.” 1 Cor. 8:9; Gal. 5:13; 1 Peter 2:16). The Limitations of this freedom (“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Cor. 6:12; 9:19; 10:23) are indicated only in simple terms. Yet, this freedom has an eternal element that is without limits through the Jubilee system (“And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.” Lev. 25:10). A Spiritual imagination is all that is required to see eternal application of the jubilee. (“My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Psa. 45:1) The Hebrew word for “inditing” (Strong’s #H7370) means to gush, to bubble over. The advantages of this institution were manifold. 1- It would prevent the accumulation of land on the part of a few to the detriment of the community at large. 2- It would render it impossible for any one to be born to absolute poverty, since every one had his hereditary land. 3- It would preclude those inequalities which are produced by extremes of riches and poverty, and which make one man domineer over another. 4- It would utterly do away with slavery. 5- It would afford a fresh opportunity to those who were reduced by adverse circumstances to begin again their career of industry in the patrimony which they had temporarily forfeited. 6- It would periodically rectify the disorders which crept into the state in the course of time, preclude the division of the people into nobles and plebeians, and preserve the theocracy intact. Redemption does this and more as Salvation returns the innocence of childhood and restores Freedom to all who are bound in trespasses and sins. (Eph. 2:12-17). D) You may know SECURITY – “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.” (1 John 2:12). To be confident and sure; free from danger; void of care; safe (Judges 18:7; Job 11:18; Matt. 28:14). There are several kinds of Security. There is “security” of one’s self. There is the “security” of one’s character. There is the “security” of one’s life. But, by far, the most amazing “security” is one’s eternal security. Eternal Security is the doctrine that salvation cannot be lost. Since it is not gained by anything we do, it cannot be lost by anything we do. This does not mean that we can sin all we want (Rom. 6:1-2) because we have been freed from sin and are set apart for holy use (1 Thes. 4:7). This doctrine is clearly taught in these passages, John 10:28-29; Rom. 11:29; Phil. 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5. It, moreover, can be seen that the teaching of perseverance follows from a consideration of: (1) the immutability of the divine decrees (Jer. 31:3; Matt. 24:22-24; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:30). (2) the provisions of the covenant of grace (Jer. 32:40; John. 10:29; 17:2-6). (3) the atonement and intercession of Christ (Isa. 53:6, 11; Matt. 20:28; 1 Peter 2:24; John 11:42; 17:11, 15, 20; Rom. 8:34). (4) the indwelling of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14; 1 John 3:9). E) You may know CONFORMATION – “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.” (1 John 2:13). The state of the believer is not always sure. Added to the worshipper’s security is this “Conformation”. Confirmation -4-

is: “to be made like another” – this is both internal and external. Internally, conformation is the word summorphoo (summorjoV, Strong’s #G4832) which means “to become or be like,” or “of the same form”, indicating an inner change of nature, working into the outward life (Rom. 8:29; Phil. 3:10, 21); while externally, conformation is the word suschematizo (suschmatizw, Strong’s #G4964) which means “fashioned according to” (Rom. 12:2). Thank God for the conformation that has fashioned us in the same way as the Son (“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2), will soon fashion us like His Son (“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Phil. 3:21) and will, even now, make us one of His servants as He was asked by the prodigal son (“...make me as one of thy hired servants.” Luke 15:19) and the Father made him a Son. Recently, at a family funeral, I saw an old friend and as we talked of old times he said he remembered when we did things together but he also remembered when the change came for me. That friend remarked on this without knowing it was the “Conformation.” And that continues until now. I, therefore, seek this conformation that I may be spiritually satisfied. (Psa. 17:15). F) You may know OVERCOMING – “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.” (1 John 2:13) There are Rewards Bestowed upon those who Overcome (1 John 2:13; 4:4; 5:5), Spiritual Food for the spiritual overcomer (Rev. 2:7), even a New Name for those who overcome (Rev. 2:17). There is an Authority that comes to the overcomer (Rev. 2:26). In heaven, the overcomer will be recognized in the Robes of Righteousness (Rev. 3:5). A Memorial Pillar establishes the overcomer’s status with eternal ceremony. (Rev. 3:12). Like the two pillars of Jachin and Boaz (in Solomon’s Temple – 1 Kings 7:15-22; 2 Kings 25:16-17; 2 Chron. 3:15-17; Jer. 52:17), this passage (Verse 12) speaks of pillars of witness. the two pillars of Jachin and Boaz did not support the roof, were not alter pillars, with hearths at their top, as some have supposed, rather they were “pillars of witness,” as was the pillar that witnessed the contract between Jacob and Laban (Gen. 31:52). The overcomer is gifted of God, purely for His imperial purpose (“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:” Eph. 1:9). This is not unlike His redemption that is found to be purely for His imperial purpose (“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” Eph 1:11). And His temporal blessing which is, also, purely for His imperial purpose. (“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” Eph. 3:11). This overcoming state of life will be subject to and Enthronement in Heaven (Rev. 3:21; 12:11), will benefit from an Eternal Inheritance (Rev. 21:7), will be an Everlasting Ingredient of present testimony. (“...for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Heb 11:5). G) You may know KINSHIP – “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.” (1 John 2:13) The Hebrew word is “goel”, (Strong’s #H1350) from root meaning to redeem. The goel among the Hebrews was the nearest male blood relation alive. (See Heb. 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”). Certain important obligations fell unto him toward his next of kin: 1- If any one from poverty was unable to redeem his inheritance, it was the duty of the kinsman to redeem it (Lev. 25:25, 28; Ruth 3:9, 12). He was also required to redeem his relation who had sold himself into slavery (Lev. 25:48-49). -5-

2- God is the Goel of his people because he redeems them (Ex. 6:6; Isa. 43:1; 41:14; 44:6, 22; 48:20; Psa. 103:4; Job 19:25). His redemption is the element of our highest praise! (“I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.” Psa. 118:21). 3- The Goel also was the avenger of blood (Num. 35:21) in the case of the murder of the next of kin. Oh, how shell we call on Him for our, fleshly, kin? They be dead without Him! So it is with our “Goel” – What a wonderful surprise to find that He has redeemed us (“...sold under sin...” Rom. 7:14)? I was “Hopeless” (“...having no hope, and without God in the world...” Eph. 2:12) and He “hopened” me to redemption. I was “Helpless” with no help to redeem myself and He helped me to the rock of His Redemption (“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psa. 61:2). But in all, I was not “Hapless”. My “kinsman” had provided for Redemption. (“And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.” Ezek. 16:6). The grand state of this “Kinsman” is beyond challenge and His banner is clear. The way is made plain (“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” Isa. 35:8). The sinner’s charge against him are undeniable, unequivocal and unexcusable, yet, with this “Goel,” who can have anymore charge against him. (“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” Rom. 8:33). The old song said truly: “...Sinners, Look above, Jesus completely saves. He will lift by His love out of the angry waves.” II. You may know about the subjects of Satan’s attack (The Initiation to the Mystery) In all “Mysteries” there is an Initiation and it is true in this matter. The “Mystery” would only be an enigma, a conundrum, unless it be exposed to knowledge through the initiation. In the “Secret Society” of the Gnostics, Satan’s attack is outside that purview but in the “Open Society” of the Saints, our Master intends us to walk in light (“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 John 1:7). This light drives out the darkness and scatters light in all places (“Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:6). Therefore we are informed on matters of: A) The knowledge of Christ’s person (1 John 2:3-4, 29; 5:20) B) The knowledge of the believer’s position in Christ (1 John 2:5, 29; 3:2, 5, 19, 24; 4:13) C) The knowledge of the urgency of the hour and day (1 John 2:18) D) The knowledge of the revelation of the truth (1 John 2:20-21a+b) E) The knowledge of the standing of the believer (1 John 3:14; 5:18-19) F) The knowledge of sin (1 John 3:15) G) The knowledge of the Spirit (1 John 4:2, 6) H) The knowledge of the love of God (1 John 5:2) I) The knowledge of the future life (1 John 5:13) J) The knowledge that God answers prayer (1 John 5:15) III- You may “Know-So” by the Holy Ghost (“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26) (The Might of the Mystery). A) by the open companionship (“...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5b) The Holy Spirit has never refused to fellowship with the most common saint. The depth of that Fellowship is limited only by the intensity of that saint’s holiness. Companionship is the deepest Fellowship enjoyed by believers. The “open-ness” of this companionship makes it like no other comradeship among the human family. This companionship is a wonderful joining on a grand scale. -6-

As in the earthborn family, often conjoined in the consumption of food, so the Holy Spirit joins us in the “Bread of Life” – the meat and drink of heavenly fellowship, God’s Word. Christ, Himself, is the medium of this Fellowship (“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35). For the thirsty, He too is the drink of this Holy companionship (“...If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” John 7:37). The Spiritual drink that satisfies and the food that sustains is brought nigh through Christ (“For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” John 6:55). So it is with a multitude of the marvelous means of this companionship: Emotional comfort (“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 2 Cor. 1:3), Effectual consolation (“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace” and Eternal conformity (“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Rom. 8:29) B) by the inward witness (“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” Rom. 8:16). (See Matt. 28:20 with Heb. 13:5-6). HIS “ever-existence” is only surpassed by HIS “ever-presents” as HE lives HE manifests HIMSELF to HIS own. HIS presents is to thrill and bring joy and if HIS presents doesn’t do these things you need to examine yourself and your profession. (2 Cor. 13:5). In mankind’s view of God, we reduce the discussion to His attributes. Attributes are qualities or characteristics of a person or thing. Although general revelation may give us a glimpse of God’s attributes (surely the Creator of the universe is omnipotent), it is not until we come to God’s Word that we understand the character of God as he has revealed it to us. Special revelation is absolutely necessary in order to understand the Creator. These attributes are divided into two major groups – His Natural Attributes (Incommunicable) and His Moral Attributes (Communicable). Natural attributes are the very nature of God’s Being. They are unique to Him and cannot be the characteristics of man either now or in the future. This is sometimes questioned because of 1 John 3:2 (“...but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”). This reference does not refer to His natural attributes but His Moral Attributes (Love, Holiness, Mercy, etc.) We can never become like Him in His Natural Attributes (Eternity, omniscience, omnipotence, etc.) The two, seemingly contradictory, attributes of God that are considered here are “Transcendence” which says that God is above His creation (“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa. 57:15) and “Immanence” which says that although God is above all (transcendence), He has seen fit to be actively involved within His creation. Christ is the example of this attribute (“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Eph. 4:6). C) by the excellent joy (“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;” 1 Peter 1:18). As a fruit of the Spirit, Joy is not like happiness. Happiness depends on “happenings” and things that happen are at the whim of “fate” (whatever that is – Fatalism is a component of paganism, not a Christian Doctrine). The sovereignty of God is a mighty source of Joy – there is no more jubilant, joyful sensation than to know that God controls my life. It is God’s will for believers to be Joy-filled. It is right that this study close upon the note of Joy. Let us say that we love Him for his most excellent Joy. In the Old Testament, our great God has an excellent majesty (Esther 1:4), is excellent in power (Job 37:23), has an excellent name (Psa. 8:1, 9; 148:13; Heb 1:4), is a purely excellent delight (Psa. 16:3), expresses an excellent lovingkindness (Psa. 36:7), is more glorious and excellent -7-

than the mountains (Psa. 76:4), gives an excellent oil in anointing (Psa. 141:5), is of excellent greatness (Psa. 150:2), his countenance is as excellent as the Lebanon cedars (Song of Sol. 5:15), He hath done excellent things (Isa. 12:5), is throughly excellent in His working (Isa. 28:29), His brightness is excellent Dan. 2:31). He is excellent majesty (Dan. 4:36), excellent spirit (Dan. 5:12) and excellent wisdom (Dan. 5:14). In the New Testament we see that His way is a more excellent way (1 Cor. 12:31), He has an excellent ministry (Heb. 8:6), He gave an excellent sacrifice (Heb. 11:4) and is full of an excellent glory (2 Peter 1:17). Seeing all this be true, why should He not give an excellent Joy? Believers are to be joyful people. A right relationship with God provides joy. Jesus wants His followers to be filled with joy (John 15:11).

Conclusion Spiritual Knowledge is fixed upon the “will” of God. Knowledge of God brings men into His will. We are to seek after the will of God (Rom. 12:2; Col. 1:9; 4:12), but seeking the will of God is not like trying to find a needle in a hay-stack. The Bible seems to paint the picture that the will of God was accessible, not in a distant galaxy far, far away, in the sweet by and by, but in the sweet now and now. The will of God was known to those who sought it. The Biblical data gives me reason to believe that God will often seek us out to reveal His will to us. How did God reveal His will to Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and the apostles? He made it plain to them. Abraham, Moses, and Paul were not even looking to hear from God, yet they could not miss His voice/will because God desired to communicate it to them. Paul said God is working in us to give us the will and the ability to perform His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). The author of Hebrews gave assurance that God would equip us with everything good so that we could do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight (Heb. 13:21). We need not fear that God is not working out His will in our lives. Trust God and His ability to lead you in the paths you should go (Prov. 3:5). As long as you keep a prayerful attitude and spirit you can be sure that the desires of your heart are not self-willed desires, but God-given to fulfill His purposes (Phil. 2:13). If you truly desire to know and do His will, He will make that will known to you. (“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:17). Therefore, You can know...!!

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This Periodical is printed by Gospel Publishing and Colportage, a ministry of the First Baptist Church of Mineral Springs, NC, and is designed for education, evangelism, and edification. If we may assist you in knowing more about Christ and the Christian life, please write us without obligation: First Baptist Church of Mineral Springs PO Box 388, Mineral Springs, NC 28108 (704)843-3858

Psalms 107:2 S É S Romans 12:1-2 These Sermons are used through the subscription to an E-Mail list maintained by Bro. Preslar ([email protected]) and are the copyrighted property of Dr. Terry W. Preslar. This document is part of a growing collection that is part of the Fresh Waters Digital Library. Re-distribution is allowed with this restriction: This document must not be disassembled or reverse engineered and all pages must be distributed together. This material may not be used in any commercial manner. All files in this series are in the PDF file format and can be read with the free pdf reader from Adobe called Acrobat Reader (now in version 8 for Windows – It is recommended that ver. 5 or above be used). It is hoped that this restriction will not hinder the effective use of this sermon/essay in the teaching and preaching of this document. – The Editor

“...when thou comest, bring with thee...the books, but especially the parchments. (2 Tim. 4:13) Psalms 107:2 S É S Romans 12:1-2 P.O. Box 388 Mineral Springs, N.C. 28108 1(704)843-3858 E-Mail: [email protected]

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