A.Our study of Deity has focused upon the holiness of the three persons of the Godhead – the Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit.
B.In this final lesson, our purpose is to increase our awareness of Deity at work in our lives today and to look forward to an eternity in the presence of Deity.
II.DEITY AT WORK TODAY
A.We can summarize the work of God in our lives today in a single word – providence.
1.Providence literally means “foresight” (Latin pro meaning “before,” and videns meaning “to see”), but it is commonly used to mean care or preparation in advance as the result of foresight.
a.“Providence” is not a Bible word, but it is a Bible concept.Every mention of God’s foreknowledge of events and preparation for them is a reference to His providence.
b.Evidence of God’s providence is all around us, for He exercises His providence every time He provides for us in any way.
2.Let us understand the difference between God’s providence and miraculous intervention.
a.Miracles (signs, wonders, etc.) are events caused by God in suspension of natural laws.
i.These rare occurrences were performed in Bible times to demonstrate the presence of God, His power, and His authority (see Acts 2:22; Heb. 2:4).
ii.It is incorrect to consider everything that God does to be miraculous.Most of God’s interaction with man throughout history has been through natural means.
b.Providence is whatever God does in order to provide for our needs.
i.In the Bible, there are occurrences recorded when God used miracles to provide for people.However, most of God’s providence has not been miraculous.
ii.We experience God’s providence today through natural means.It is the result of God’s control over nature and the affairs of men.
B.Providence includes the temporal blessings of life.
1.Every single provision of life is purposefully supplied by God.James wrote, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (Jas. 1:17).See also Matthew 6:25-34.
2.Christ said that God “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt. 5:45).Let it be emphasized that God causes the sun to rise and sends rain –these events just do not happen by chance.
3.It is tremendously important to our faith to be aware of the constant providential care of God all around us.The blessings from God we can see give evidence for the blessings we cannot see.
C.Providence also includes the spiritual blessings of life.
1.In Acts 2:23, Peter stated that Jesus was “delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.”God foresaw that mankind needed a Savior, and so He provided Christ according to His eternal purpose (Eph. 3:11).
2.God has provided for “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).These include faith, hope, love, salvation, forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation, fellowship, etc.
3.Peter summarized God’s providence in this way: “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2Pet. 1:3).In Jesus, we are spiritually complete (Col. 2:9-10).
III.HOW DO WE RESPOND?
A.Our immediate response to God’s providence should be profound gratitude.
1.Notice how thanksgiving should permeate all of our prayers and songs according to Ephesians 5:18-21, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 3:15-17, and 1Thessalonians 5:16-18.
2.Our gratitude to God for all that He has done, does now, and promises to do should lead not only to our expressions of thanksgiving, but also to profound changes in the way we live (Gal. 2:20).
B.God’s providence, power, and glory should provoke us to worship Him.
1.In Bible times, men who saw the glory of God fell on their faces in worship.We have not seen God with our own eyes (John 1:18), but we do see Him through the eye of faith, so we should also be moved to worship (Jesus said, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” – John 20:29).
2.Worship is an expression of adoration, homage, reverence, humility, and submission.We owe all of these to our God, so let us be true worshipers to Him (John 4:23-24).
C.Our lives should be devoted in service to God.
1.This is expressed perfectly in Romans 12:1 – “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
2.The ever-present reality of Deity in our hearts will cause us to devote every action, word, and thought to God.“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col. 3:17; see also Phil. 4:8).
IV.LOOKING AHEAD
A.Our experiences with Deity here on earth are just the beginning for those of us who love God.
1.Our time on earth is so brief that James describes our lives as “a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (Jas. 4:14).This time cannot begin to compare with an eternity with God.
2.Our experiences with Deity have been limited by our physical existence (“flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” – 1Cor. 15:50) and the problems of sin (“your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God” – Isa. 59:2).When those limitations are permanently removed, how wonderful our experience will be!
B.Presently, we await the glorious events at the end of time.
1.We look forward to the return of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead (1Thess. 4:13-18).
2.We prepare ourselves for the final judgment of all souls (Matt. 7:21-23; 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Acts 17:31; 2Cor. 5:10; 2Thess. 1:5-10; Rev. 20:11-15).
3.We eagerly look ahead to “an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1Pet. 1:4-5).
C.Then, we shall be in the presence of Deity forever.
1.Paul gave an amazing description of the end of time in 1Corinthians 15:20-28.
a.Notice verse 24 – “Then comes the end, when [Christ] delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.”
b.In the end, verse 28 says, “God may be all in all,” which speaks to the final state of the Father, the Son, the Spirit, and even the kingdom.What a wonderful condition of unity and fellowship with God and the kingdom!
2.Many things about eternity with God are unknown and difficult to imagine, but what we do know is enough to convince us that heaven will be worth any price.
a.How wonderful it will be to see Jesus and become like Him (1John 3:2).
b.How rewarding it will be to receive the crown of righteousness and life from the Lord Himself (2Tim. 4:7-8; Rev. 2:10).
c.How joyful it will be to join in the chorus of heaven that praises God without ceasing (Rev. 5:11-13).
d.How awesome it will be to be illuminated by the eternal presence of God’s glory and to serve Him forever (Rev. 21:23-22:5).
V.CONCLUSION – ARE YOU READY TO MEET THE LORD?
A.Our study of Deity has demonstrated that there is a God who is coming to receive an account from all of us for the lives we have lived.In light of this, are you able to say, “Lord, come quickly” (1Cor. 16:22; Rev. 22:20), or is your plea, “Lord, please wait”?
B.The evidence of Deity and His concern for you is all around you every day.Recognize these things, and respond in humble gratitude, obedience, worship, and service.Do not wait another day “for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1)!
