Grace Bible Church
Pastor-Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Friday,
July 5, 2019
- GEN 3:9, "Where are you?"
2. GEN 4:9, "Where is your brother or sister?" - GEN 16:8, Where are you going?"
4. NUM 22:9, "Who are these men or individuals with you?" - 1KI 19:9 "What are you doing here”
6. 2KI 5:25 "Where have you been” - My Question = “When you get to where you’re going, where are you going to be”
If I were to quote some passages this evening that are taken from the Bible, I would like you to think about the answers objectively and indirectly.
Focus in on the questions that God gave certain individuals at certain times and then focus in on how important the answers are, if you were given the very same questions I am going to quote from the Bible.
The answers that you give, if you are honest with yourself, it will reveal where you are spiritually.
- The first question is that in Gen 3:9, the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?"
Are you in a place where you are growing in God’s grace and knowledge or are you in a place where the apostle Paul said would exist in the last days; 2Ti 3:1-5.
The one place that the majority of believers live in described by the next verse in 2TI 3:2, where men or people will be “lovers of self.”
Jannes and Jambres were the two magicians the Pharaoh called to match the miracles of Aaron and Moses.
The apostle Paul warned about those resisting the Gospel and those who reject Bible doctrine because they want to be entertained by the “magicians" or the dog and pony show in our day.
These type of apostate believers have no idea why they were created.
No idea of the Angelic Conflict.
No idea of how to communicate the Gospel properly.
No idea of the why there is Sin, Satan, and Suffering.
No idea of the Hypostatic Union and what undiminished deity and true humanity means concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.
No idea of the Church-age.
No idea of Mystery Doctrine.
No idea of the Total depravity of all mankind.
The only real measuring stick that we have is how many believers fulfill Mat 5:13-14 as it relates to the principle of the Pivot.
Our Lord did not go around advertising or promoting His spiritual abilities.
Why wouldn’t He want His miracles spread around for all to hear?
Why not make a big deal out of raising the dead, opening up the eyes of the blind or having the hearing restored or given for the first time to the deaf?
The problem is our emotions change all the time.
They’re not lasting nor do they bring about the permanent change mankind so desperately needs.
When they would see or hear of the miraculous things He did, their emotions went wild.
They sought Him to see the spectacular, the dog and pony show, the circus of the holy rollers.
Where were the masses and throngs or crowds as He hung on the cross?
When the “show” leaves town they stay excited for a short while but because there is no root in their relationship with Jesus the excitement fades and off they go into life as usual.
This happens when we seek Him based on our emotions and not our desire of a relationship.
He didn’t want to attract people for the wrong reasons.
He didn’t want to overemphasize the miraculous because He knew what they needed was much deeper than fireworks, dogs and ponies.
They needed a relationship with their Savior, not an autograph from an entertainer.
Jesus plainly told them; “the kingdom of God does not come with observation.”
Stop chasing the spectacular and start listening for that still, small voice within you.
KJ”s = 1Ki 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
PSA 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Excite you, Yes. But save you? No.
A real, heart-based relationship with Jesus Christ never burns out. Nor will it ever disappear.
- The first question is that in Gen 3:9, the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?"
Are you in a place where you are growing in God’s grace or are you in a place where you are a spiritual disgrace?
A question I have asked you through-out the years -- “When you get to where you’re going, where are you going to be?”
- GEN 4:9, what would you say if the Lord said to you what He said to Cain after he murdered his brother; the Lord said, "Where is Abel your brother?" Or “Where is your brother or sister.”
“Do you even care where they are?
JOH 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
- The third doctrinal question from the Bible is in GEN 16:8 where our Lord spoke to "Hagar, Sarai's maid, and He asked where have you come from and where are you going?"
Sarai, Abram's wife had borne him no children and so she had her Egyptian maid Hagar have a child for Abraham.
Where have you come from and where are you going?"
Sometimes it’s good to remind ourselves where we have come from.
It’s a good thing to remember a good thing but sometimes we need to be reminded of where the Lord took us from and where He placed us.
PSA 103:1-2, Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, {bless} His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
Hagar was honest when the Lord asked her a question and she said; "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai."
- The third doctrinal question from the Bible is in GEN 16:8 where our Lord spoke to "Hagar, Sarai's maid, and He asked where have you come from and where are you going?"
Do you even know where have you come from and where are you going?"
Are you fleeing away from the calling of God upon your life.
- In NUM 22:9 God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"
PRO 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
- The fifth question comes from 1KI 19:9, Elijah came to a cave and he was depressed and so the Lord said "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
“What are you doing here?”
(Past) What have you done?
(Present) What are you doing?
(Future) What are you planning to do?
- 2KI 5:25 Elisha said to his servant, one whom he depended upon, "Where have you been?"
The sad thing but the good thing is that Elisha’s servant was honest with Elisha when he said, "Your servant went nowhere."
- The last question is from me which says; “When you get to where you’re going, where are you going to be?”