Can We Be Good Without God?

Transcription

1 L Can We Be Good Without God? Larry L. Lichtenwalter, Ph.D. Andrews University, Michigan Conference

2 L Seven Promises That Can Change Your Life Larry L. Lichtenwalter, Ph.D. Andrews University, Michigan Conference

3 16 cylinder 1001 Hp 0-60 mph 2.46 sec 60-0 mph 2.3 sec $2,000, Bugatti Veyron

4 A Blessing? material physical emotional relational spiritual opportunity status advantage break escape

5 Blessings? - Bring you benefit - Bring you happiness - Desired and worthy of pursuit - Something for which to be thankful - Unearned, unexpected, not self-created - A divine gift, favor, or empowerment

6 How can I experience true blessings of God?

7 Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

8 Blessed - Greek word makarios = blessed, fortunate, happy, privileged - Occurs seven times in Revelation (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14) - A fulness of blessing is promised

9 Seven Blessings - Not automatic - Involve active participation in their outworking--yet not earned! - Are divine promises in keeping with a pathway and response

10 Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

11 Listening Heart - Blessing linked to God s revealed will and purposes - Blessing experienced through attentive listening that internalizes and obeys - Blessing linked to the moral purpose of prophecy

12 Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on! Yes, says the Spirit, so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.

13 Living Final Message 1. One can only die in the Lord because they have lived in the Lord 2. from now on sets blessing in context of biblical time of the end and truths of the Three Angel s Messages 3. There is blessing in faithful service 4. There is blessing in personal witness

14 Revelation 16:15 ( Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame. )

15 Character Imagery 1. Garments and robes 2. Mind and heart 3. Mark, seal, name in forehead/hand 4. Characterization and caricature 5. Books and judgment

16 Spiritual Vigilance 1. Spiritually awake and alert 2. Guarding one s spiritual commitment to Christ 3. Attentive to character and inner life 4. Keeping faith and a good conscience

17 70 Years of Spiritual Vigilance

18 Revelation 19:9 Then he said to me, Write, Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are true words of God.

19 Accept Invitation 1. Hear the Invitation 2. Believe the invitation include you 3. Welcome the Invitation 4. Prioritize the Invitation 5. Accept the Invitation

20 Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

21 Hope 1. Of resurrection life beyond the grave 2. That God will bring an end to evil 3. For understanding and reconciliation 4. For a way of escape from the second death 5. Of new creation life beyond

22 Revelation 22:7 And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.

23 Prophetic Vision 1. Echos and heightens the first blessing 2. Keep biblical prophetic vision 3. Grasp true nature of the conflict between Christ and Satan 4. Sense the imminence of Christ s soon return and anticipate it

24 Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

25 Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

26 let the one who does wrong, still do wrong and the one who is filthy, still be filthy and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy (Rev 22:11)

27 The Semitic poetic structure links our being and doing.

28 Being and doing not only connect, they matter in Revelation s unfolding warfare. Character is in Revelation s purview, even God s character!

29 Imperative = Choice Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong and [let] the one who is filthy, still be filthy and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and [let]the one who is holy, still keep himself holy (Rev 22:11)

30 The Book of Choice 1. A book about choices. 2. What kinds of things we must choose and/or choose against 3. How we understand the results of choice. 4. Who we are (have become) as a result of what we have chosen. 5. How choices impacts history and destiny.

31 Blood-Washed White The action of washing one s robes in the blood of the Lamb is a metaphor for moral and spiritual cleansing and reformation.

32 Blood-Washed White Washing one s garments points to a fundamental moral orientation, purpose and decision in the context of the atoning work of Christ and the reign of God.

33 Blood-Washed White The saving and purifying effect of appropriating the sacrificial death of Christ is experienced through the waters of baptism, a decision of gracious cleansing for a lifetime!

34 How can I experience true blessings of God?

35 7 Paths to Blessings 1. Attentive to God s Word 2. Live God s Final Message 3. Spiritual Vigilance 4. Accept God s Invitation 5. Believe the Hope set before Us 6. Hold on to the Prophetic Vision 7. Experience Christ s Redemption Now

36 Seven Blessings - Not automatic - Involve active participation in their outworking - Are divine promises in keeping with a pathway and response - Link the future with the present - The promised future always involves a radical alteration of the present.

37 True Happiness

38 Intimacy with God One God Breath, Mouth Garden, Field God and man in the garden together is blessing!

39 True Blessing - Linked to ones relationship with God - A spiritual condition more than a material one - Ancient Chinese character included worshiping hands - Responding in worship to God who loves us and wants to live in harmony with us

40 Nothing can give us the sense of wellbeing and blessedness that being united with God does.

41 The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. --Numbers 6:24-26

42 Esau said to his father, Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father. So Esau lifted his voice and wept. --Genesis 27:38

43 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal....

44 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. --Hebrews 12:16, 17

45 Then he said, Let me go, for the dawn is breaking. But he said, I will not let you go unless you bless me. --Genesis 32:26

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