Sunday 09:19:10

What do you need from God? To Moses, God described Himself "as compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” He is described in scripture as the God who hears, sees me, provides, heals me. The God Who is present, is peace. The God Who is my righteousness. God is seen in the scriptures as the unending source of life, light, joy, truth, wisdom. Spring of living water (Jeremiah 2 & 17, John 4, and Revelation 21) He is to the psalmist the rock, fortress, shelter in who we can find strength and safety. He is the giver of joy and comfort, the God in Whom we delight. He provides wisdom and strength to those who ask of Him. He is the One who shows mercy, forgiveness, and love. He is the One who brings salvation, redemption, Jesus is referred to as the “Author and Finisher” of our faith The richness of God is something that can be forever explored, but never fathomed. Isaiah 64:4 4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Because we are so empty and God is so full; Because we are so destitute and He is so abounding; Because we are so limited and He is so limitless; Because we are so needy and He is so desiring to meet our need; When God’s people do not go to Him with their needs, it’s appalling. Jeremiah 2:12-13 12 Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror," declares the LORD. 13 "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Revelation 3:14-22 v 14 – Jesus is the “Amen”, “so be it”, telling of his sovereignty The true and faithful witness – John previously wrote that Jesus is the truth Ruler of God’s creation – He existed before and rules over all creation Vv15,16 – The Laodiceans were neither hot nor cold; disgusting to the palette. V17 – “I am rich… and don’t need anything” – They were content with material wealth, but did not realize their spiritual poverty. Why were they lukewarm? Luke 7:41-42 – Jesus anointed by a sinful woman 41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. They did not know their need for God. They were fine with their stuff. That made them lukewarm. The God of Jeremiah, who said, “be appalled” at my people who go to other places to have their needs met. How do you think He responds to people who don’t know they need him? “I’m about to spew you out of my mouth.” Of all the letters to the 7 churches, the church at Laodicea was the only one that Christ did not commend for something. He said, you are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” V18 – what does God counsel them to do? Stop being so wretched? No, “buy from me… Gold – the things from God that are truly valuable (truth, light, life, salvation) Clothes – to cover over your sin and shame with His righteousness. Salve – to open their eyes to see spiritual truth: their pitiful condition and God’s generous offer. V19 Those I love, I discipline – See Hebrews 12. Be earnest and repent. Of what? Not knowing your need for me. Being so satisfied with your stuff that you don’t know you need me. V20-22 Jesus is outside, knocking at the door. Who is inside – its’ His church. He says He wants to fellowship, but we can’t do that while you’re inside and I’m outside. Hebrews 11:6 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.