Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
The Kingdom of God is in your midst. The real sign for the Church-age believer. Part 1.
Wednesday, April 9, 2003
1CO 1:22 For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom;
Circumcision; Gen 17-10-11.
Passover; EXO 12:7-13.
Sabbath; EXO 31:13-17.
Bible doctrine; DEU 6:4-8.
Virgin birth; ISA 7:14.
Cross; JOH 2:18-21.
Death, burial and resurrection, MAT 12:39-41.
Turn to MAT 12:38
LUK 17:20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;”
LUK 17:21 nor will they say, “Look, here {it is!}” or, “There {it is!}” For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.
“The more you grow with your relationship in God; the smaller you will become.”
Holiness is the product of grace and God gives grace only to the humble.
A hypocrite is a person who excuses his own sin while condemning the sins of another.
A hypocrite is one who refuses to admit he is, at times, two-faced; thereby pretending a righteousness that he fails to live in.
The first step we truly take toward sanctification is to admit we are not as holy as we would like to appear.
Turn to PRO 3:33
JAM 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
1PE 5:5b for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Humility brings grace to our need, and grace alone can change our hearts.
Turn to 1CO 1:18
Humility is the substructure of transformation.
The Holy Spirit reveals our sinfulness, not to condemn us but to establish humility and deepen the knowledge of our personal need for grace.
Those who become devout and serious about their relationship with God see their need and appeal to the grace of God for deliverance.
Those who are hypocrites are they who, in seeing their sin, weakness, and failure to fulfill the PPOG, excuse it and remain intact.
True spirituality and the experience of “the kingdom of God is in your midst” starts not with rules but with the forsaking of pride.
Out of self-discovery comes forth humility, and in meekness true holiness grows.