Freedom To Approach God

No one is born patriotic; it must be instilled through habitual practice. Each generation must rekindle its allegiance to our country and reverence for those in our nation’s past.

One has written:

How do we preserve our heritage for future generations? It would be simple if Mason jars could be filled and labeled BLOOD SHED WHILE THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER WAS BEING WRITTEN, OR TEARS AND SWEAT FROM THOSE WHO FOUGHT NAZISM, OR THE BREATH OF THOSE WHO GAVE ALL IN SOME MIDDLE EASTERN DESERT TO FREE A PEOPLE FROM A TYRANNICAL DICTATOR. But the accomplishments cannot be bottled for future generations.

Our national heritage must be preserved within the human heart. Each generation must come to the place of appreciation for the sacrifices made and determine to pass them on to the next generation.

We have been given great freedoms in this nation because of God’s design and the sacrifice of many, let us determine to make the most of these freedoms!!!

We have the freedom to worship according to the direction of the Word of God, let us determine to Worship God today!!

No one is born patriotic it must be instilled, no one is born a Christian they must be taught by another Christian, in other words Christianity must be instilled in every succeeding generation.

The Bible is very clear that there is only one way whereby a person may be saved from their sin and the wrath to come.

Romans 5:8-9

8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Acts 4:12

12 Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under Heaven, given among men, whereby ye must be saved.

Note – After we are saved, we have the joy of approaching God in worship. We can worship by:

1. Presenting ourselves – Romans 12

Romans 12:1–2 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2. Prayer

3. Praise

4. Offering (All of these are what Paul calls spiritual offerings.)

Note – The beginning place of all worship is the Word of God—the Bible.

Ill – Spiritual offerings are given in response to the Word. Spiritual songs are sung in response to the Word. (Colossians 3:16)

Note – When we approach the Bible, we are approaching God.

John 1:1

1 In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.

1 Peter 1 – The Word of God lives and abides forever.

1 Peter 1:23-25

23- Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

24- For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

25- But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Note – This is a God-breathed book.

2 Timothy 3:15-16

15- And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16- All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Peter 1:21

21 For the prophecy came not in the old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

I. Believers Approach God through the Bible

Illustration: many people say they don’t read the Bible because they have a hard time remembering what they have read. “a young believer was discouraged in his attempts to read and remember the Bible. He said, it’s no use no matter how much I read I always forget what I just read. A wise pastor replied, ‘take heart. When you pour water over a sieve, no matter how much you pour you don’t collect much. But at least you end up with a clean sieve.”

A. The Scriptures testify of God.

John 5:39

Search the Scripture, for in them ye think that ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.

Note – The Word of God reveals the God of the Word!

1. Omnipotent Job 42:2,Psa.33:9

2. Omnipresent Psa. 39:7 – 9

3. Omniscient I Chron. 28:9

4. Holy I Pet. 1:16

5. Righteous Psa. 116:5

6. Love I Jn.4:8

7. Faithful I Cor. 1:9

8. Gracious Psa. 145:5

9. Longsuffering Micah 7:16

10. Compassionate I Kings 8:23

11. Unsearchable Job 11:7, Psa. 145:3

12. Immutable Psa. 102:26,27

13. Truth Jere. 10:10

14. Incorruptible Rom. 1:23

15. A Consuming Fire Heb. 10:29

16. Great Psa. 86:10

17. Invisible I Tim. 1:7

18. Upright Psa. 25:8, 92:15

19. Light I Jn. 1:5

20. Immortal I Tim. 1;17.6:16

21. Perfect Matt. 5:48

22. Eternal Psa. 9:2

23. Glorious Psa. 145:5

24. Jealous Josh. 24:1

25. Good Psa. 25:8

B. The Scriptures are the Word of God.

I Thessalonians 2:13

13 …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.

Note – Do you want to know God?

II. Believers Approach God through Biblical Preaching

Ill – Martin Luther – “When I declare the Word of God, I offer sacrifice.”

Note – Preaching is a vital part of worship, because Biblical preaching reveals God.

1 Corinthians 1:18-23

18- For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19- For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20- Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21- For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22- For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23- But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

Ill – Little boy insisted on giving his offering directly to the pastor. The pastor refused it and said, “Why won’t you give it to the usher?” Boy, “My dad said you’re the poorest preacher he ever heard.”

A. Biblical preaching shows His praises.

I Peter 2:9

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

B. Biblical preaching manifests His Word.

Titus 1:3

3 But hath in due times manifested His word through preaching which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour.

C. Biblical preaching glorifies Christ.

I Corinthians 2:2

2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Note – Preaching is more than a study of facts—it should reveal the Lord.

Ill – Modern day concept of worship often doesn’t originate with the Word.

III. Believers Approach God through Biblical Response

Note – Our response to the Word should be to approach God with offerings of obedience and praise.

Note- the difference between teaching and preaching is a response is prompted by preaching.

Illustration: you may give without loving, but you will never love without giving.

Note – Bible reading and especially Bible preaching has an immediate impact.

A. The disciples’ hearts burned. – Luke 24

Luke 24:32 KJV 1900

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Psalm 39:3 KJV 1900

3 My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned: Then spake I with my tongue,

B. The Psalmist’s heart praised.

Psalm 119:7

7 I will praise you with uprightness of heart, when I have learned thy righteous judgments.

Note – Did you arrive today longing to meet with God, and draw closer to Him?

Quote – Warren Weirsbe – “In this day, I fear that too many worshippers deliberately delay their hearing of the Word until it is convenient. Or, if the person is inclined to take notes, he or she may be so intent on writing choice notes, that the immediate impact is lost.”

Note – When I open the Word, fellowship begins. As I obey the Word, fellowship continues.

Conclusion:

Besides the avenue of prayer, the way to approach God is by opening His Word. Enter that holy ground! Believers approach God when they open the Bible.

Believers approach God when the Bible is preached.

Believers approach God when they respond to the Bible.

Do you truly desire intimacy with God? Do you desire to approach Him?

Psalm 119:105

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

God’s Word directs us into His presence! Have you been there?

An unknown writer said, “This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.”

Romans 10:17

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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