The Purposes of God Archives

What does the Bible mean by the knowledge of God?

September 11, 2007 No Comments

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverb 9:10

Jesus Christ did not die simply that we may have knowledge of the Bible. Jesus Christ died that we may know God.

The Hebrew concept is knowing is different to the Greek concept. Greek style knowledge is scientific, academic, reasoned knowledge. It can be totally detached from emotion.

Mountain Tribe Evangelized

April 8, 2007 No Comments

John Edwards from Australia and a group of Filipino pastors went to preach to tribal people living in a mountain area. God blessed them and the whole village accepted the gospel..

It took 5 hours by bus. From there we hired a motorcycle with four of us on one bike! After a couple of hours of crossing rivers and climbing a mountain, the bike would go no further. So we hiked the rest of the way up the mountain.

The Kingdom of God and the Message of Jesus

March 1, 2007 6 Comments

An introduction

The central message of Jesus Christ was the message of "the Kingdom of God" or "the Kingdom of Heaven". This message, when understood, is the most relevant message for the needs of humanity. It is a highly attractive message, and will produce the greatest results of any message one could give. This message must once again become the central theme of preachers and teachers in these last days.

The Wilderness Experience

February 28, 2007 45 Comments

After a person truly turns to Christ and receives the assurance of God’s forgiveness for their past sins, there is usually a short period of joy and blessing where everything seems so wonderful and new! During this period answers to prayer come easily, and God seems to give lots of favor. This may be compared to the joy that the Israelites had in leaving Egypt to head for the Promised Land.

The Fall of Man

February 20, 2007 No Comments

WE BELIEVE: that man was created by God by a specific, immediate act and his image and likeness morally upright and perfect, but fell by voluntary transgression. Consequently, all men are separated from original righteousness, being depraved and without spiritual life. Gen 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21.

Introduction.

The first three chapters of Genesis give us a detailed account of the creation of this world and the creation of man. What is quite clear is the perfection of God’s creation; everything was good.

Kings AND Priests

February 19, 2007 1 Comment

“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:5,6)

Jesus not only washed us from our sins in His own blood, but He has also lifted us up to two very important offices. The believer has the potential to operate as BOTH a king and a priest to God. One of the fundamental revelations of the Reformation was ‘the priesthood of all believers’ but I believe the Reformers themselves had a very limited idea of what this means.

The Plan of God

February 15, 2007 No Comments

God's Plan: A Family of Love

The Message of Haggai

February 11, 2007 No Comments

I heard a message in church this morning from a visiting speaker on the book of Haggai.

God said in Haggai 1:4: “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”

Now I know this is a favorite verse of pastors seeking to raise money for church building projects. Without it being explicitly stated, people quickly associate the “temple” that needs to be rebuilt with the church building which needs to be constructed. Its the typical Old Covenant mentality of special priests and holy temples to be supported by the common laity.